ओढूं तेरी काया, सोलह श्रृंगार मैं सजा लूं
संगम की ये रैना, इसमें त्यौहार मैं मना लूं
खुशबु तेरी छू के, कस्तूरी हो जाऊं
कितनी फीकी थी मैं, सिन्दूरी हो जाऊं
सुर से ज़रा, बहकी हुई, मेरी दुनिया थी बड़ी बेसुरी
सुर में तेरे, ढलने लगी, बनी रे पिया मैं, बनी बांसुरी
ज़िन्दगी ने पहनी है मुस्कान

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As the Malhotras prepared to leave, Siya bid farewell to Arav and Darsh, who had just climbed into their car. She then turned her gaze toward Akash, who was standing a little away, engaged in a conversation with Reyansh. For a brief moment, Akash's eyes flickered toward her, but he immediately looked away, a mix of awkwardness and shame evident in his demeanor. Siya, noticing his unease, offered him a small, forgiving smile. Her gesture caught him off guard, but he managed to smile back, albeit hesitantly. Without lingering, Siya turned and started walking toward her car, her eyes instinctively searching for someone else-Shashwat.

Her focus on finding him made her less aware of her surroundings, and before she realized it, she collided with someone. The impact was gentle yet enough to catch her off guard. She stumbled slightly, and the person she had bumped into turned around, his phone in hand. It was Shashwat.

His call was immediately forgotten as his eyes met hers. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The tension of the past few years dissolved, replaced by the warmth of unspoken emotions. This time, their eyes weren't heavy with longing or sadness but shone with a newfound happiness. Siya felt her cheeks heat up as she quickly glanced away, her blush deepening.

She attempted to step to her right to pass him, but Shashwat, whether by accident or design, mirrored her movement, blocking her path. Thinking it was a mistake, she stepped to the left, only for him to step in the same direction again. She stopped, exhaling sharply, and lifted her gaze to meet his. He stood there with a playful smile on his lips, the sparkle in his eyes making her heart race.

Annoyed yet flustered, Siya glanced around to see if any of the elders had noticed them. Thankfully, they were all gathered near the entrance, engrossed in their conversation. Feeling a little bolder, she looked back at him and glared. "Hatiye," she said firmly, her tone holding a mix of irritation and shyness.

Shashwat didn't move right away. Instead, he took a deliberate step closer, leaning slightly to the side as if to let her pass. As he did, his breath brushed lightly against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Her breath hitched at the unexpected sensation.

"I'll call you," he whispered softly, his voice carrying a promise that sent her heart into overdrive.

Before Siya could process his words, Shashwat leaned in and placed a quick, feather-light kiss on her cheek. Her eyes widened in surprise, her blush deepening to a furious red as he straightened and walked away, leaving her standing there, stunned.

Siya turned around instinctively, watching him as he approached her parents, engaging them in polite conversation. He glanced back at her briefly, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and winked. Completely flustered, Siya whipped her head in the opposite direction, pretending to be unaffected, though her racing heart betrayed her.

As she walked toward the car, she couldn't help but feel like a teenager again-giddy, nervous, and ridiculously smitten. Her fingers brushed over her cheek where his kiss lingered, a smile playing on her lips despite her best efforts to remain composed.

Shashwat, meanwhile, continued his conversation with the elders as if nothing had happened, though his eyes occasionally flicked to where Siya was standing, her radiant blush giving away her emotions.

Siya sat on her bed, her thoughts swirling around the events of the evening. Her laptop was open in front of her, but her focus was miles away. She absentmindedly ran her fingers over her hair, remembering the soft kiss Shashwat had placed on her cheek, the smile on his face, and the way his eyes had sparkled when they locked gazes. His words, his actions-they kept replaying in her mind. A small frown appeared on her face as she remembered how he had promised to call her, but she hadn't heard from him yet. She pouted, feeling a bit disappointed.

Unable to hold back her curiosity any longer, Siya picked up her phone, ready to call him. But just as she unlocked it, she noticed an incoming video call notification on her laptop. She blinked in surprise and quickly clicked on it. As the screen lit up, she saw Shashwat's face, his back to the camera, fiddling with his hair, clearly unaware that the call had been picked up.

His eyes widened when he realized the call had connected, and his face turned a shade of red. He sheepishly scratched his neck, a nervous smile spreading across his face. "Hii," he greeted, his voice warm and slightly awkward.

Siya couldn't help but smile at his bashful demeanor. "Hii," she replied softly, her own voice filled with affection.

The moment they stared at each other, a familiar sense of awkwardness filled the space between them. It felt like they were back in time, before everything had changed, before feelings had been confessed, and before distance had forced them to grow apart.

Shashwat, attempting to break the silence, smiled nervously. "Aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise we went back to those days when I haven't confessed my feelings?"

Siya's lips curved into a gentle smile, her heart warming at his words. "I am missing those days..." she said wistfully. "Itni jaldi bade nahi hona tha. Pehle sab kitna accha tha... I was dying to grow up... but hame kya pata tha ki growing up also includes growing apart from your loved ones?"

Her voice held a trace of sadness, and her eyes drifted down to her lap as memories of the past surfaced-days when everything had felt so simple, when they were inseparable. But Shashwat's response brought her back to the present.

"Mishti," he said softly, his tone reassuring. "Don't think about those days now. Ab toh sab sath hain na... ham sath hain. And this separation taught us so many things. If we survived and are still together after all this, it means we didn't stop loving each other. Our love was increasing with time, no matter how much the distance was between us. That's all that matters, right?"

Siya's eyes softened, her heart swelling with affection. She nodded slowly, a small but genuine smile curving her lips. "Right," she replied, her voice tinged with gratitude for the strength they had found in each other.Siya sat on her bed, her laptop resting in front of her, but her attention was divided. She had been listening to Shashwat talk as he cleaned his room, his voice drifting through the screen, but all she could see was him rearranging things-curtains, boxes, and miscellaneous items-without much focus on the conversation. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched him, realizing he was more engrossed in his cleaning than in their conversation.

"Shahswat, aap busy hain toh I will call you tomorrow... abhi kaam kar lijiye," Siya said, trying to hide the irritation creeping into her voice as she crossed her arms. She wasn't sure whether to laugh or frown at his casual attitude.

Shashwat's head snapped up, as if suddenly realizing she had spoken. He paused for a moment, looking guilty, before quickly reassuring her, "Nahi nahi... mujhe sunai de raha hai." He stood up, quickly moving to another part of his room. "I'm not busy. Just give me a second," he said, and began to adjust the curtains again.

Siya rolled her eyes and leaned back against her bed, feeling her patience wear thin. "Par hame kuch sunai nahi de raha... lag raha hai aap apne mein hi bole jaa rahe hain," she responded, her tone sharper now. She was barely holding back a giggle at how absurd the situation had become. The more he tried to focus on his tasks, the more distracted she became.

"Ohh, sorry... wait," Shashwat apologized, sounding sincere but a little flustered. He sat down in front of his laptop, his attention now fully back on the call. He pulled out an old box from the corner of the room, lifting the lid with a creak that echoed slightly in the silence. He began to rummage through the contents, explaining everything he was doing as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Shashwat continued to sift through the box, pulling out items from his childhood one by one. Each item held a piece of history, a fragment of the past he had almost forgotten. He held up a small, colorful toy car, its paint chipped with age. "This was my favorite," he said, his fingers running over the worn edges. "I used to race it all over the house, pretending I was the fastest driver alive." His voice carried a sense of nostalgia as he shared his memories with Siya. She listened quietly, smiling, but then his hands froze for a moment, holding something else in his grasp.

He slowly lifted a soft, worn teddy bear, and his expression shifted. The air in the room seemed to thicken with emotion. "This," he said quietly, almost as if he were talking to himself, "this is Akash's toy."

Siya's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Accha?"

Shashwat nodded slowly, a faraway look in his eyes. "Yeah... it was the last toy his mother bought for him, before he was born. She made sure to get a few toys, some for him, some for when he was older. She was so excited... and this was the only one that remained after everything. And jab maine ye dekha toh maine usse ye maang liya, I cried so much for this you. Aur Akash ne ek minute bhi der nahi ki mujhe ye hamesha ke liye dene me even when it was last thing he had from his mother. When he gave it to me, I didn't understand its significance. It was just a toy to me, something I liked. But I didn't realize what it represented, what it meant to Akash. And I was so selfish."

He paused, letting out a shaky breath. The weight of his words hung in the air. Siya's heart softened as she saw the vulnerability in his eyes. "When I grew up a bit, I realized how much that toy meant to Akash. I wanted to return it to him, but when I tried, he wouldn't take it back. He just... he let me keep it. But I saw the pain in his eyes. I saw the corner of his eye fill with tears. But still usne wo vapas nahi liya."

Siya's chest tightened as she looked at him, her voice soft yet understanding. "You are missing him."

Shashwat nodded, blinking back tears. " Haan, I miss him, Siya. I miss him so much. But every time I think about it, I remember the words he said to me about you, about us... the things he lashed out with, the hurtful things. And it's hard to let go of that. I know it was his trauma talking, but still... it stings."

Siya's gaze softened as she listened to him, her heart aching for both of them. "I understand, Shashwat. I do. I'm also struggling to forget. But... he did a lot, you know? He brought us back together, and that means so much."

Shashwat's face softened slightly as he looked at her, his emotions a mix of gratitude and sorrow. "I'm grateful for that. But I still need time."

Siya gave him a small, understanding smile. "You're right. We all need time. And Akash bhaiya will understand. He will. He's not going anywhere."

Shashwat shook his head as he set the cartoon box back in its place, glancing at the screen. "Accha, chhoro ye sab. Tum batao ab," he said, a playful tone returning to his voice, though his eyes still held the depth of their earlier conversation. Siya shifted slightly, adjusting her position on the bed, and began speaking, her mind wandering back through the years.

She talked about random things that had happened over the past three years-little moments, new experiences, and the oddities of life that only she could remember with fondness."Aur wo Raahi hai na wo..." she began, her voice trailing off.

Before she could finish her sentence, Shashwat, now back in front of the laptop screen, interrupted her with a soft chuckle. "Uss din jab tum event pe gayi thi, I met Raahi," he said.

Siya looked up, surprised. "Haan, I know. Usne bataya tha," she replied.

Shashwat's face grew a bit more serious. "She told me about the prank... jo usne karne ko kaha tha... and I blamed you. I shouted at you... I'm sorry, Mishti." He paused, looking down at his hands for a moment, clearly regretful. "I was so frustrated... I know I can't justify that. But, wo sab Prateek wala incident hua tha, and I wanted to share that with you, and ussi mein saara gussa tumpe nikal gaya."

Siya's gaze softened, and she nodded. "It's okay... hamari bhi galti thi. Aap thik keh rahe the. Itna bachpana thik nahi tha, aur ab wo sab yaad karne ka kya fayda?" She offered him a gentle smile, one that showed she wasn't holding on to past grievances.

Shashwat sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Phir bhi, Siya... uss din maine bas gusse mein keh diya tha... I love each and every side of you, Mishti. Even if it's your anger, love, or childish side."

Siya felt a warm rush spread through her chest at his words. "I know, Shashwat... I know you didn't mean all those things," she said quietly, her voice soft but full of understanding.

His eyes filled with regret again, his voice barely above a whisper. "I am regretting so much... I used to think that you stopped loving me... and you were sacrificing your comfort for me... Itna pyaar kahan se laate ho apne andar?"

Siya leaned back slightly, contemplating his words, a wistful smile on her lips. "Jahan se aap laate ho... hame bhi toh yahi lagta tha na... but you were there with me at every step of my life," she replied, her heart feeling light at the memory of their time together. Then, with a playful shake of her head, she added, "Aap na, pehle khud hi kehte hain purani baat ko yaad nahi karna, aur khud hi kiye jaa rahe hain."

Shashwat chuckled, a genuine warmth in his laugh.

They both fell into a comfortable silence, but the connection between them had only deepened. Without even realizing it, they continued talking, jumping from topic to topic. The hours melted away in the simplest of conversations-talking about childhood memories, their day-to-day lives, funny incidents, and even dreams of the future. Every word brought them closer, the weight of the past slowly being eased by the comfort of their shared bond.

Neither of them noticed when time passed, the conversation flowing effortlessly. And then, as if it were a natural conclusion to the night, both of them, without meaning to, drifted off to sleep.

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. Shashwat's eyes fluttered open slowly, still heavy with the remnants of sleep. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the morning light. His mind felt a bit foggy, but the moment his gaze landed on the laptop screen beside him, everything else faded away.

There, on the screen, was Siya's face-serene, peaceful, with a soft smile on her lips even in her sleep. Her hair was a bit tousled, and her features were relaxed, yet in that moment, she looked more beautiful to him than he could ever have imagined. His heart skipped a beat, his breath catching in his chest as he stared at her, not wanting to blink, afraid the moment would slip away.

He whispered to himself, his voice barely audible, as if praying to the universe. "Hey bhagwan, let her be my morning view for the rest of my life."

The words hung in the air as he brought his hands together in a silent prayer, his fingers trembling slightly as they pressed together in gratitude. His eyes remained fixed on her face, a quiet smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The stillness of the moment felt sacred, as if the universe had given him this perfect start to the day, with her beautiful face before him.

Shashwat's hand moved slowly, almost instinctively, towards the laptop screen, as if he wanted to reach out and touch her. His fingers hovered over the screen for a moment, and then he gently caressed the area near her cheek, tracing the outline of her smile.

Shashwat's eyes sparkled with affection and a touch of mischief as an idea struck him. He reached for his phone with a swift motion, his hand still resting near the screen. He clicked a picture, capturing the perfect moment-the way her lips curved just enough to hint at a smile, the softness in her expression, and the peace in her slumber.

But just as he was about to lose himself in the moment, the stillness of the room was broken by a loud, almost ear-piercing sound.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!"

Siya's voice rang out, a mix of surprise and energy, as she stretched her arms in a full, exaggerated motion, her body still wrapped in the blanket from her sleep. Shashwat frowned, his eyebrows furrowing for a brief moment, but then he couldn't hold back a chuckle. Her voice, full of life and enthusiasm, was so familiar, so comforting, that it brought an instant smile to his face.

Siya, hearing his laugh, immediately froze, her eyes widening as they shifted to the screen. Her gaze locked onto his, and for a second, the two of them simply stared at each other. The awkwardness of the situation hit her all at once. She quickly wiped the corner of her mouth, hoping that whatever happened in her sleep hadn't been too obvious.

"Aap? Ham pure raat call mein the?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment, as she tried to gather her thoughts.

"Hmm," he replied with a teasing smile, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Siya immediately slapped her forehead in frustration, realizing how mad she must have seemed. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she shifted in her bed, embarrassed by the fact that she hadn't even remembered to end the call.

"You should have disconnected the call... ham janwaron ke jaise sote hain," she muttered, her hands now covering her face in sheer embarrassment. The idea of Shashwat witnessing her in her messy, just-woken-up state was enough to make her want to hide under her blanket and never emerge.

"Aree, don't be embarrassed," Shashwat teased, his voice light and playful. "Ab shadi ke baad sari zindagi mai hi tumhe sote huye dekhne wala hun," he added, his tone softening as he leaned closer to the screen with a smile that was both teasing and affectionate.

Siya, hearing his words, immediately felt her face grow even hotter. Her heart skipped a beat as she processed what he said.