chapter 25

She pointed excitedly towards the amusement park in the distance, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Advik nodded, his heart warmed by the simple joy of being with her, their joined hands a testament to their unbreakable bond.

As they arrived at the amusement park Anika had eagerly pointed out, she scanned the bustling surroundings, contemplating their first adventure.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she spotted the towering structure of Disco Pang Pang, a ride she had seen countless videos of online.

"Let's go there!" Anika exclaimed, pointing towards the ride with excitement, and Advik readily agreed, his own anticipation mounting.

Together, they approached the entrance of Disco Pang Pang and secured their seats. As the ride began, Anika found herself being tossed from side to side, her laughter mixing with the screams of thrill from other riders.

Advik, holding onto the back wall, remained steady, his eyes fixed on Anika, ensuring her safety.But then, with an unexpected jolt, Anika tumbled into Advik's arms, her screams of excitement turning to cries of fear. "God, please stop the ride!" she pleaded, her heart racing with adrenaline.

Advik held her tightly, their bodies pressed close together as they swayed with the motion of the ride. Onlookers watched in awe as the couple embraced, their love evident even amidst the chaos of the amusement park.

"Advik, don't let go. Hold me tight," Anika begged, her voice trembling with fear.

"I will never leave you," Advik vowed, his words carrying a deeper meaning than just the safety of the ride.

As the ride finally came to a halt, Anika and Advik slowly untangled themselves and stood up, their hearts still racing from the exhilarating experience.

"Anika, would you like to try it once more?" Advik asked eagerly, a hint of excitement in his voice. Anika, however, looked away, her mind already onto the next adventure.

"Now where to?" Advik inquired, turning to Anika with a grin.

"i am hungry," she declared, her stomach growling in agreement. Advik nodded in understanding, ready to fulfil her wish for a delicious meal to cap off their day of thrilling escapades.

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Ishan entered the restaurant Pragya had chosen, a pink-themed establishment that seemed to assault his senses with its overwhelming hue. Everywhere he looked, shades of pink greeted him, from the walls to the furniture to the decorations hanging from the ceiling.

"What the hell?" Ishan exclaimed, staring incredulously at the menu in his hands. "Only sweets? Cakes, shakes, cupcakes?"

Pragya glanced at him with a playful smirk. "Yeah, so? It's a pink restaurant, Ishan."

"From tomorrow onwards, I will make the plans," Ishan declared, frustration evident in his voice. Pragya just rolled her eyes in response.

"Don't roll your pretty eyes at me," Ishan retorted, trying to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Pragya blinked innocently, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Really? My eyes are pretty?" she teased, turning to gaze out the window.

"The most beautiful eyes I have ever seen," Ishan confessed softly, his heart skipping a beat as he watched her, realising once again just how deeply he was falling for her.

As their food arrived, Ishan picked at it reluctantly while Pragya dug in with relish, savouring each bite. Despite the difference in their enjoyment of the meal, they lapsed into a comfortable silence once they had finished. Ishan settled the bill, and they exited the restaurant together.

"Let's go to the game parlour," Pragya suggested eagerly, and Ishan nodded in agreement. Inside the parlour, they took their places on opposite sides of the car racing game.

"Let's see who will win," Ishan challenged, his competitive streak shining through. Pragya accepted the challenge with a nod, but as the game progressed, she found herself falling behind. "Ishaan," she called out, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration.

"What's wrong, baby? Are you losing?" Ishan teased, a playful twinkle in his eyes as he pulled ahead in the race, relishing the chance to outdo his partner in this friendly competition.

Pragya left the car steering, drawn to another section of the game parlour. There, she noticed a couple: the girl standing with anticipation while the boy skillfully manoeuvred the claw to retrieve her favourite stuffed toy from the game machine.

Pragya watched them with dreamy eyes until Ishan approached. "Do you want something from that?" he asked, noticing her gaze, and she nodded in response.

They walked over to the game machine, and Pragya pointed to a cat stuffed toy she admired. Ishan nodded, understanding her choice. With practised precision, he deftly manoeuvred the claw and, to Pragya's delight, successfully retrieved the toy on his first try. She hugged him tightly, overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness.

As other girls began to approach Ishan, requesting him to retrieve prizes for them too, Pragya couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. However, Ishan quickly reassured her, his words melting her heart.

"Sorry, girls, but I'll do anything only for my favourite woman, who is my wife," Ishan declared, pulling Pragya into a warm embrace, his words reaffirming their bond and leaving her feeling cherished and loved.

Anika and Advik found themselves at a restaurant, relieved to discover that they served Indian cuisine. After placing their orders, they were presented with a unique pickle container, designed like a shell with a beautiful small stone on top. Anika, intrigued by the design, attempted to open it, thinking that removing the stone might do the trick. However, her attempt resulted in the small stone accidentally hitting her eye.

Reacting swiftly, Advik gently cupped her face and began blowing on her eye to ease the discomfort. In that moment, their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them. Advik's hand moved tenderly towards her lips, their connection deepening as they lost themselves in each other's gaze.

Their intimate moment was interrupted by the arrival of the waiter

“ "Sir, ma'am, do you need any help?" the waiter inquired, breaking the momentary spell between Anika and Advik. They both shook their heads in unison, indicating they were fine on their own.

Advik deftly picked up the knife and fork, skillfully opening the shell container in one smooth motion, leaving Anika impressed.

"How did you do that?" she asked, genuinely curious about his technique.

"Due to my frequent business meetings here," he explained with a nod, his experience evident in his confident demeanour.

"Now, let's focus on eating with our mouths, not with our eyes," Advik teased, a playful glint in his eyes. Anika responded with a mock pout, her lips curving into a smile as they continued to enjoy their meal together.

As Anika savored her meal, her attention was drawn to a young girl, about three years old, happily playing with her stuffed toy at a nearby table. Unable to resist the charm of the child, Anika greeted her with a warm smile.

"Hi there," Anika said gently to the little girl.

"Hello," the girl replied in her sweet, innocent voice, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"What's your name?" Anika inquired kindly, her interest piqued.

"i am Arrine," the girl answered proudly, her smile widening.

"And what's your name?" she asked Anika in return, her curiosity bubbling over.

"i am Anika," she replied with a smile, feeling a sense of warmth in the exchange.

"Anika... that's a new name," the little girl remarked, her curiosity evident in her innocent question.

Anika chuckled softly at the girl's observation. "Yes, it's a new name because it's an Indian name," she explained gently, appreciating the innocence of the child's inquiry.

Soon, the little girl's parents arrived, prompting her to bid farewell. "Arrine, let's go," her mother called.

"Bye-bye, sister," the little girl said to Anika, waving her hand with a smile. Anika waved back, her heart warmed by the sweet exchange.

Returning her focus to her meal, Anika resumed eating. Advik, noticing her interaction with the child, struck up a conversation.

"Do you like kids?" he asked curiously.

"I like girl child more," Anika replied with a soft smile, her fondness for little girls shining through.

"Okay, so when are you planning for it?" Advik inquired, his voice laced with curiosity as he watched Anika take a bite of her food.But before she could respond, Anika choked on her food, her eyes widening in alarm.

Advik sprang into action, swiftly passing her a glass of water, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow.

"Relax, I was kidding," he reassured her, his tone gentle yet reassuring as he watched her take a gulp of water to soothe her throat. Anika nodded still recovering from sudden question

they resumed their meal in silence, the only sound the clinking of utensils against plates as they savoured the flavours of their food amidst

As they came out of Restaurant .Advik's eyes caught the shimmering lights of a Ferris wheel in the distance.

"Let's head there," Advik suggested to Anika, his voice tinged with excitement. Anika, nodded her dark curls bouncing with each step they took towards the Ferris wheel.

They arrived just in time, the last remnants of daylight fading away as the amusement park prepared to close its gates.  Hurrying to the Ferris wheel, they managed to secure the final ride of the day, a stroke of luck amidst the gathering darkness.

Entering the glass enclosure of the Ferris wheel, they found themselves surrounded by a panoramic view of the city below. The Eiffel Tower stood tall and majestic, illuminated against the night sky, a symbol of timeless elegance.As the Ferris wheel gradually came to a start Anika's silence spoke volumes. Sensing her unease, Advik moved closer to her, his comforting presence a shield against her fears.

"What's troubling you, Anika? Look at the view outside," he urged gently, his voice soothing like a summer breeze.

Reluctantly, Anika tore her gaze away from the ground below, her eyes meeting Advik's with a mixture of apprehension and vulnerability.With a sudden surge of courage, Advik gently coaxed her to her feet, his hand extending an invitation to embrace the beauty that surrounded them.

But Anika's fear gripped him tightly, her trembling hands seeking solace in the warmth of Advik's embrace.

"i am afraid of heights," Anika confessed, her voice barely above a whisper, yet echoing loudly in the confined space of the glass enclosure.Advik's laughter, though gentle, filled the silence, his amusement tempered with understanding.

"you are afraid of almost every ride," he remarked teasingly, his eyes softening as he beheld her trembling form.

"Don't worry, it'll only be for five minutes," he reassured her, his voice a steady anchor amidst the turmoil of her fears.But Anika's panic was relentless, her heart pounding with a rhythm that threatened to drown out the comforting words of her companion.

"No, no, five minutes is too long. Ask them to start it now," she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.Advik's brow furrowed in thought, his mind racing for a solution to ease her distress.

"How can I do that, Anika?" he questioned, his voice laced with uncertainty, yet determined to offer her the reassurance she sought.

"I don't know, figure it out," Anika replied, her words a whispered plea for relief from the relentless grip of her fears.

Advik's gaze shifted towards the captivating vista outside, his eyes alight with wonder as he beheld the beauty that surrounded them.

"Look at the view; why are you so scared?" he implored gently, his words a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf them.And as Anika's eyes met his, she saw not just the fear that gripped her heart, but also the unwavering strength of the bond that held them together.

"Are you really that frightened?" he asked, his voice a gentle reminder of the courage that lay dormant within her.

And in that moment, as their eyes locked in silent understanding Anika nodded

"Then, please forgive me for bringing you here," Advik apologised softly, his eyes reflecting genuine remorse as he watched Anika's reaction.

Anika, touched by his sincerity, offered him a small, understanding smile, her eyes softening with affection.

"It's not your fault..." she began to reassure him, but her words were cut short as she felt his lips gently pressing against hers.

In that fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other's embrace. Advik's hand found its way around her waist, pulling her closer, while Anika's hands instinctively reached for his collar, her fingers tangling in the fabric as they surrendered to the intoxicating rush of emotions.

Lost in the sweetness of the kiss, they shared a connection that transcended words, a silent exchange of love and understanding that bound them together in that fleeting moment of intimacy.

But as the familiar sound of the Ferris wheel starting up again reached their ears, breaking the spell, Advik reluctantly pulled away, his gaze averting from hers.

"Let's head back to the hotel," Advik suggested, gently taking Anika's hand in his own. With a shared nod, they hailed a cab and soon found themselves back in the comfort of their hotel room.

Exhausted from the day's adventures, Advik sank onto the bed, the weariness of their escapade settling over him like a heavy blanket. Retrieving his phone from his pocket, he dialled Ishan's number, seeking the comfort of familiar conversation.

"Hey bro, what's up?" Ishan's voice greeted him warmly from the other end of the line.

"Cool enough. So, I was thinking of visiting Disneyland in Paris. Would you like to join?" Advik proposed, his excitement evident in his tone. Anika's eyes sparkled with delight at the mention of Disneyland, her anticipation palpable.

"Sure, sure. See you soon," Ishan agreed eagerly, the prospect of a new adventure filling him with anticipation.With plans set in motion, Advik ended the call, a sense of anticipation coursing through him.

"WOW, WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!" exclaimed Anika, her face lighting up with an infectious smile as she processed the exciting news. Advik nodded in agreement, mirroring her grin, unable to contain his own excitement.

"I can meet Cinderella there," Anika exclaimed with childlike enthusiasm, her imagination already whisking her away to a world of fairy tales and magic.

Advik suppressed a laugh, pressing his lips together in a thin line to stifle his amusement at Anika's exuberance. Despite his efforts to maintain composure, a twinkle of amusement danced in his eyes, unable to resist the infectious joy radiating from Anika's excitement.

"When are we going to Disneyland?" Anika asked Advik eagerly, her excitement palpable.

"Well, the flight distance from Canada to Paris is about 7-8 hours, so I was thinking we could go the day after tomorrow. Ishan and Pragya will be arriving tomorrow, and they'll need some rest after the long journey," Advik explained patiently, taking into consideration the needs of their friends.

Anika nodded understandingly, her anticipation still bubbling beneath the surface as she eagerly awaited their upcoming adventure to the magical world of Disneyland.