Her Innocent Gaze ⁵ °^•^°

A bustling local market in Ludhiana. The air is filled with the sounds of vendors calling out prices, the clatter of cycle rickshaws, and Himani and Kartik are walking side-by-side, each holding a disposable clay cup of thick, frothy lassi. It's an unexpected break from their intense study sessions.

Bua had insisted that they need a 'change of scenery' and practically pushed them out for 'fresh air and fresh minds'. Himani suspected Bua just wanted a break from them both. Kartik, suprisingly, had agreed readily.

The sticky sweetness of lassi was doing little to calm the nervous flutter in her stomach. Walking beside him like this, just the two of them.... It felt almost like a scene from a movie.

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

*taking a large gulp of his lassi, a milk mustache forming above his lips* This is actually what we needed. Brain fuel, Punjabi style.

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*trying not to stare at his milk mustache, taking a smaller sip* It's... good. Very thick.

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

Thick like physics problems, hai na?? *winks* [Isn't it??]

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*cheeks getting warm up despite the slight breeze*

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

So, tell me honestly, is the 'work, energy and power' chapter nemesis??

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*signs dramatically* Haan, woh to mera dushman number ek hai. [Yes, that's my enemy number one.]

Himani Kaushal [fl]

I understand it when you explain, but then when I look at the questions myself.... Sab gol maal ho jaata hai. [Everything gets mixed up.]

They stop by a small book stall, filled with colourful magazines and well-worn textbooks. Kartik browses through a stack of medical journals, while Himani nervously glances at NEET preperation guides.

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

You know, sometimes the key is to just break down the problem into smaller parts. Like... like dissecting a frog in biology. One step at a time.

Himani Kaushal [fl]

**thinking in mind** Dissecting a frog sounds less terrifying than facing a tricky physics problem.

Himani Kaushal [fl]

Maybe you can teach me how to dissect a physics problem then?? *the words were out before she could fully process how bold that sounded*

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

*looks up at her, a surprised but pleased expression on his face* I'd be happy to. We can pretend that our textbook is a very stubborn frog. *grins*

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

Chalo dekhte hai agar koi aur NEET material mil jaaye. [Let's see if we can find any other NEET material.]

As Himani reaches for a practice paper, a gust of wind blows through the market, scattering a few loose papers from Kartik's journal, which he had carelessly left slightly open. They flutter down on the dusty ground.

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

Arre!!! Ye kya hua!!! [Oh no!!! What happened!!!]

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

*quickly bends down to gather the scattered papers, a few of which get caught underfoot by the bustling crowd*

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*also bent down to help him, their hands almost touching as they both reached for the same paper*

Their fingers brush. Himani's heart does a familiar little jump. She quickly picks up the page - it's covered in neat handwriting, filled with complex medical terminology and diagrams of what looks like... brain anatomy.

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*handling him the page, a little awestruck* Your notes?? You study so much.

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

*taking the notes, a slight flush on his cheeks* Yeah, medicine keeps you busy. This was... Just some revision for my neuroanatomy class. It's fascinating, but a whole different world from your NEET syllabus.

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*looking at the intricate diagrams* It looks so... complicated. You must be so smart.

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*thinking* Woh to hai hi... [He is anyways.]

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

*meets her gaze, a soft smile playing on his lips* It just takes practice, just like your physics. And trust me, NEET is no walk in the park either. We all have our battles.

A street vendor selling colourful bangles catches Himani's eyes. They are a vibrant nix of blues, greens, and reds, shimmering in the sunlight

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*pausing, looking at them wistfully* They're so pretty✨

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

*following her gaze* Haan, bohot sundar hai. [Yes, they are really beautiful.]

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

*studies her for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face and then smiles* Kabhi fursat mein dekhenge. [We'll see sometime when we have free time.]

Shanti Massi's voice suddenly cuts through the market noise.

Shanti [fl's distant Aunt]

Himani!!! Oye Himani!!! Kya kar rahi ho yahan?? [Himani!!! Oh Himani!!! What are you doing here??]

Himani Kaushal [fl]

*heart sinks and mumble* Busted...

Shanti [fl's distant Aunt]

*Approaching them with a knowing smirk, her arms crossed* Akeli nahi ho?? Aur ye kon hai?? Ohho!!! Kartik beta!!! Tum bhi?? Kya baat hai!!! Padhai kesi chal rahi hai dono ki?? [You're not alone? And who is it? Ohho!!! Kartik beta!!! You too?? What's going on! How is study going for both of you??]

Himani Kaushal [fl]

**thinking** Of all the places, of all the times!!! Massi had a radar of moments like this. She could already imagine the detailed report that would be delivered to the entire family later ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ

Kartik Shekhawat [ml]

Namaste Maasi Ji. We just came for a quick break, to get some fresh air. Himani was feeling a bit overwhelmed with her studies.

Shanti [fl's distant Aunt]

*smirk widening* Aacha?? Sirf padhai?? Aur lassi ka mazza?? Theek hai, theek hai. [Oh?? Only studying?? And enjoying lassi?? Okay, okay.]

Shanti [fl's distant Aunt]

Chalo ghar chalo, Bua tumhara intezar kar rahi hogi. [Come, let's go home Bua must be waiting for you.]

As they walk back with Maasi, the brief, sweet escape of the market already feeling like a distant memory, Himani steals a quick glance at Kartik. He catches her and give her a small, assuring smile. Maybe, just maybe, these little stolen moments were worth facing Maasi's endless questions.

Total 956 words😉

My hands are literally so much hurting right now😵

Now cutie pies, don't you dare to run away like that without giving me any likes☠️

I'll meet you in next chapter😉✨

To be continued....