Chapter 31

The morning sun poured through the hotel windows, casting a golden glow over everything. Mayank and Niharika had a full day ahead, starting with a visit to one of Paris' most famous museums. They had planned it the night before and were both excited to explore the culture and history that the museum had to offer.

As they entered the Louvre, Niharika's eyes widened in awe at the stunning artwork surrounding them. She marveled at the grand sculptures, the classic paintings, and the sheer magnitude of history captured in the museum's walls. Mayank, equally impressed, enjoyed watching her excitement. He was more reserved when it came to art, but seeing her so engaged made the experience more enjoyable for him.

They spent hours walking through the museum, chatting about the various exhibits and occasionally stopping for a picture or two. Mayank, ever the attentive companion, pulled out his phone to snap a few photos of Niharika. She posed in front of a famous painting, her smile bright and genuine.

"Mayank, these pictures are actually really good," she said, reviewing the shots with a surprised expression. "You might just be my personal photographer from now on," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

He grinned, enjoying the lightheartedness of the moment. "Gladly," he replied without hesitation, his eyes twinkling. "I'm happy to take all the pictures you want."

Niharika laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'll hold you to that," she teased, flipping through the photos.

After the museum, they decided to explore more of the area. They took the train out to a charming town just outside of Paris, eager to see something a little different from the typical tourist spots. The train ride itself was an adventure, filled with quiet conversations and shared glances as they looked out the window, taking in the scenic beauty of the French countryside.

When they arrived, they wandered through cobbled streets, stopping at little cafés and shops. Niharika couldn't resist trying some of the local pastries, laughing as she picked out a particularly flaky croissant and taking a bite. "Mmm, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up in delight.

Mayank laughed and snapped a picture of her, teasing, "You're definitely a foodie."

She raised an eyebrow. "You think?" she joked, wiping crumbs off her lips. "I'm not just a foodie; I'm a food critic in disguise."

As they roamed the quaint streets, Mayank caught more candid photos of her, capturing her natural beauty against the vibrant backdrop of the town. Every shot seemed to turn out perfectly, and Niharika was impressed. "You really are a pro at this," she said, scrolling through the pictures again.

"Only because I have a great subject," he replied with a grin. "I can't help it if you're so photogenic."

She rolled her eyes playfully, her laughter filling the air. "You're impossible," she said with a smile, nudging him lightly.

They spent the rest of the day enjoying each other's company, wandering through the town, soaking in the sights, and talking about anything and everything. They had lunch at a small café, indulging in local French dishes, and Niharika found herself in a bubbly, carefree mood. It was a side of her Mayank hadn't seen before, and he found himself appreciating how effortlessly she could embrace the joy of the moment.

By the time they made their way back to Paris, it was evening. Niharika was still in high spirits, her energy contagious as she compared the photos from the day. She laughed at some of the silly ones, showing them to Mayank, who joined in with a chuckle. He was impressed by how easily she could enjoy the small moments.

Later, back at their hotel room, Niharika was scrolling through her phone, laughing at the ridiculous poses and candid shots from earlier in the day. She looked at Mayank, her eyes mischievous. "Hey, can I borrow your phone for a second?" she asked casually.

Mayank was lying on his bed, scrolling through his own phone. "Sure, here," he said, handing it over without thinking. She took it from him, her fingers already swiping through the screen.

Just before she could ask for the password, he quickly added, "0424."

She looked up, surprised. "What's that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That's my birthday," Mayank replied nonchalantly. "And yours."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You remember my birthday?" she asked, taken aback. She hadn't expected him to remember such a small detail, but there it was. She had never mentioned it directly, yet somehow, he had picked up on it.

"Of course I remember," he said with a shrug, though there was a hint of warmth in his tone. "

Niharika was momentarily speechless, her heart unexpectedly fluttering. She smiled softly, looking down at his phone as she unlocked it. "Well, I'm impressed," she said, scrolling through the photos on his phone.

Mayank just watched her, enjoying the simple comfort of the moment. They had come a long way in such a short time, and though there was still a lot to figure out, he couldn't deny that it felt good to be here, in this space with her.

As the evening wore on, Niharika was still in a bubbly mood, constantly teasing him about how many photos she had taken that day. "You'll have to make a whole album just for me," she joked, her voice light and carefree.

Mayank chuckled, his smile genuine. "You might be right about that," he teased, knowing full well he was happy to capture every moment with her.

The next day, they would be off to Italy, but for now, they were content to just be in the moment, enjoying their time in Paris.

They lay down as the lights shut in their room. Niharika faced Mayank, her eyes closed—but she was awake. She was loving his new side. It felt new and fresh. Mayank, on the other hand, was wide awake, looking at the roof.

Niharika opened her eyes to see him awake, "You aren't sleepy?"

He looked at her, turning towards her, "I am. I'm waiting for the sleep to kick in."

She nodded lazily, "Think about something."

"What?" He asked, confused.

"Usually when I can't sleep, I think about something I like—or something that I want. That helps. Try it." She said, smiling a little.

He chuckled, "I'll try. Goodnight Niharika."

"Goodnight." She said and closed her eyes.

His eyes watched her as she fell asleep. Then he closed his eyes and decided to do what she said, think about something. Little did she know that he thought about her.

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