Chee took a gentle step forward, her hand slowly reaching out until it rested on Pavan's arm. Her touch was soft, calming, like the cool evening breeze sweeping through the trees around them. "I know," she whispered, her voice delicate, as if she were sharing a secret with the wind. The tenderness in her tone held a love so deep it didn’t need words to explain.
Pavan felt his heartbeat quicken at her touch, each beat pounding so loudly he was sure even Chee could hear it. His chest rose and fell with each heavy breath, and he could barely contain the warmth flooding through him. Hearing the rhythm of his heart, Chee’s lips curved into a soft, playful smile, and she looked up at him, her green eyes bright with mischief and affection.
She moved her hand up gently, toward his hair, and with each inch closer, Pavan's heart seemed to beat even faster. His mind raced as her fingertips neared him, feeling both anticipation and nerves bubbling within him. Finally, Chee reached her hand to his head, brushing aside a stray, dried leaf tangled in his hair.
"It looks like you had a blast out there," she teased, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she looked him over. With gentle hands, she dusted off his shoulders, brushing away bits of dirt that clung to his clothes. Her touch was soft, attentive, and each movement made Pavan feel more self-conscious, his cheeks growing warm under her gaze.
Pavan’s face turned a shade of pink, his eyes darting away, feeling her gaze settle on him. He tried to look anywhere but at her, but he felt her watching him with a fondness that made it impossible to hide. She was enjoying his shyness, and he could tell she was quietly laughing at him. The evening air was still, the quiet sound of crickets humming in the background, and the soft glow from the stars above made the moment feel almost magical.
Then, suddenly, a sound interrupted the gentle silence: a deep, loud grumble from Pavan’s stomach.
Chee raised her eyebrows, her laughter bubbling up as she caught the source of the sound. "Sounds like someone has a wrestling match going on in his stomach," she said with a grin, amusement lighting up her face as she looked at him. Her laughter was warm, playful, and Pavan could only blush harder, desperately trying to hide his embarrassment. He shifted slightly, attempting to turn away, but her teasing smile told him she wasn’t letting him off that easily.
He took a deep breath, giving in to the moment, and managed a small, sheepish grin, even as he avoided meeting her eyes. Chee continued to watch him, the laughter fading into a gentle warmth in her expression. She didn’t say anything more, simply held out her hand, silently inviting him inside.
With a soft smile, Chee placed her hand lightly on his shoulder and guided him back toward the house. Together, they walked through the doorway, and as they crossed into the soft glow of the warm, inviting light inside, Pavan felt a sense of peace settle over him.
In that simple, quiet moment, he knew that no matter what chaos the world held outside, as long as he had Chee by his side, he was truly home.
As soon as they both stepped inside, Chee raised her right hand and snapped her fingers. Instantly, the hall lit up, casting a warm, inviting glow throughout the room. The long coat Pavan had been wearing dissolved into tiny green cubes, scattering like fireflies before disappearing into the air. Pavan watched, still in awe of Chee’s powers, as the remnants of his coat vanished into nothingness.
Chee turned to him, her expression gentle but commanding. "Go take a shower," she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips. "I’ll have dinner ready by the time you’re done."
Pavan nodded, acknowledging her words, and slipped off his shoes, leaving them neatly by the door. But instead of heading directly upstairs to his room, he found himself drawn to the kitchen, where Chee had already started preparing the meal. Quietly, he entered, watching her with a sense of wonder.
Chee moved with an elegance that was almost regal, each gesture as graceful as if she were performing a dance. As she worked, her flowing golden dupatta caught the soft kitchen light, and the gentle sway of her movements had a mesmerizing effect on Pavan. His gaze settled on her, lingering on the curve of her waist, where her blouse met her lehenga, the netted dupatta adding an ethereal charm.
He stood there in silence, captivated, for what felt like moments but could have been longer. The kitchen filled with the warm, inviting aroma of spices, and there was a sense of peace in watching her work.
Without turning around, Chee’s voice broke the stillness. "How long are you planning to stand there, staring?" she teased, her tone gentle yet amused, as if she had known all along he was behind her. "Do you need something?"
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Her words snapped Pavan out of his thoughts. He stumbled over his response, scratching his head slightly. "I, uh… I thought Mom would be furious at me for getting home late, but she’s nowhere to be seen," he replied, trying to sound casual.
Chee continued stirring a pot, a soft smile gracing her lips as she replied. "Did you forget? The whole family went to your grandparents’ place today. Your grandmother held a special prayer ceremony to celebrate your admission into Triveni Gurukul." She paused, then added, "We were supposed to be there too… if only you hadn’t kept us out so late."
Pavan’s face reddened slightly, feeling a mix of guilt and amusement. "I guess we could still go. Grandpa and Grandma’s house is only a short walk through the fields. We could be there in 15–20 minutes."
Chee set down her spoon, turning toward him with an expression that was both amused and affectionate. "And what exactly do you think we’d do there now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "By now, the ceremony is long over. Besides, if you show up now, your mother will be more than happy to 'bless' you with a scolding."
Her eyes sparkled with a playful glint as she continued, "Before leaving, she might have mentioned something about wanting to 'break your legs' for being so irresponsible. And I," she added, placing a hand lightly on his arm, "don’t want to see my dear Pavan hobbling around with broken legs." She gave him an innocent look, though the mischief was clear in her expression. "They’ll be back tomorrow morning anyway. Tonight, you’re safe."
Realizing the predicament he had narrowly avoided, Pavan chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah… probably not the best idea to head over there tonight." He looked back toward the staircase. "I’ll, uh… go shower now."
With that, he quickly turned and headed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing as he hurried to his room. Behind him, Chee watched, her eyes following him with a smile that lingered even after he disappeared around the corner. She shook her head slightly, amused by his antics, and turned back to her cooking with a quiet contentment.
As she prepared the meal, the soft hum of the night settled around the house, filling the spaces between her thoughts with a sense of peace. For Chee, this wasn’t just an ordinary evening; it was a moment where she could care for him, be a part of his world, and bring a little bit of her own into his life. She found joy in these simple acts, as if every meal she prepared was a silent promise of her devotion to him.
In the quiet of the kitchen, with the warmth of the stove and the gentle sound of ingredients simmering, Chee felt a deep sense of purpose. She was here, in this home, not as a visitor but as someone who belonged. And tonight, as she prepared a meal for the person she cherished most, that feeling was stronger than ever.
Pavan would return soon, refreshed, and she would be there, waiting, with a meal prepared just for him.
Pavan rushed to his room, hastily tossing his clothes here and there in his hurry to get to the bathroom. Shirts and pants landed on the bed, the floor, and even his chair as he darted inside to shower. Downstairs, Chee could sense the chaos unfolding in his room, a faint sigh of exasperation escaping her lips. "You’ll never change," she muttered softly, but there was a fondness in her voice, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
From the kitchen, Chee summoned a small, shimmering drone, its body made of tiny, green cubes that came together in a flash. The drone buzzed silently upstairs and began gathering Pavan’s scattered clothes, tidying up the small mess he’d made in his hurry. After a few moments, the drone had neatly arranged everything, even laying out a fresh black t-shirt and gray shorts on the bed for him. Once its task was complete, the drone dissolved back into green cubes, vanishing without a trace.
Back in the kitchen, Chee felt a soft glow of satisfaction knowing that everything was in order. She’d nearly finished preparing dinner, and as she stirred the final dish, a thought crossed her mind—she wanted to make something special. Smiling to herself, she reached for a jar of rice, deciding to surprise him with his favorite dessert, kheer.
However, Chee quickly realized that making kheer by hand would take longer than she had. With a quick snap of her fingers, two more green cubes appeared, rapidly transforming into exact copies of herself. They looked at her, awaiting instructions. "Help me out," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Her copies sprang into action, moving gracefully through the kitchen, washing the rice, preparing ingredients, and stirring the pot. With their help, the kheer was ready in no time, and she arranged the dinner plates on the dining table, setting everything with care. As her copies finished, Chee gave them a warm look of thanks before they dissolved back into the familiar green cubes.
She sat down at the dining table, waiting for Pavan with a gentle smile. Her heart felt light as she imagined his reaction. Moments later, she heard his footsteps coming down the stairs.
Pavan entered, looking freshly showered and relaxed. He noticed the table, set with his favorite dishes, and felt a warmth spreading through his chest. He quickly took a seat across from Chee, his eyes meeting hers. She gave him a playful look, her eyebrows slightly raised. "I thought I’d be waiting for you all night," she teased, a soft smile on her lips.
Pavan grinned, leaning slightly closer. "How could I keep you waiting? If I’d known my Chee was waiting for me, I’d have hurried even faster." His eyes sparkled as he caught the aroma of the food, recognizing his favorite dishes. He looked at her with a mixture of gratitude and admiration. "This day just keeps getting better," he said, his voice warm.
As he began to eat, Chee sat beside him, resting her chin on her hand, watching him with a gentle expression. There was a soft glow in her eyes as she took in every detail, finding joy in the simple pleasure of seeing him enjoy the meal she’d prepared. The warmth of the room, the comfort of the familiar dishes, and Pavan’s smile made the moment feel magical.
After a while, Pavan finished his meal, stretching slightly in satisfaction. Just as he was about to get up, Chee placed a hand on his arm. "Just wait a minute," she said softly, getting up and disappearing into the kitchen. When she returned, she was holding a small bowl filled with kheer, the sweet aroma filling the room as she set it down in front of him.
Pavan’s eyes lit up in surprise, his excitement unmistakable. "Chee, you are the best! Love you, Chee. Love you, love you so much," he said, his voice overflowing with gratitude and happiness.
Chee looked at him, a playful glint in her eye. "Oh? You’re only saying that because of the kheer?" she teased, a slight smirk on her lips.
Pavan shook his head, his gaze softening as he met her eyes. "No, Chee," he said, his voice sincere. "I love you always. No matter what. I don’t need a reason. I just… I love you, always, forever, for eternity."
The words sank in, and for a moment, Chee felt her entire being still. There was a happiness swelling within her, so powerful it was almost overwhelming. She couldn’t find the words to respond, so she just sat there, her eyes reflecting the quiet joy and love she felt, letting the moment wrap around them both in a silence that said more than words ever could.
In that simple, shared silence, with only the soft glow of the room around them, they knew this was more than a moment—it was a promise.
To be continued.....