chapter 24

After Riya has left one day, Aarti stepped onto her balcony, stretching after a long day. The cool night breeze ruffled her hair as she reached for her usual cup of chai. But the moment she looked up, she froze.  Kabir’s balcony—their shared space—was completely transformed.  Fairy lights twinkled softly, draped around the railing like a scene from a dream. Fresh flowers, bright marigolds and delicate jasmine, were arranged along the edges. And in the center, on a small table between their balconies, sat a plate of her favorite khaman dhokla and a cup of adrak chai.  Aarti’s heart pounded. “Kabir?” she called, voice uncertain.  From behind the balcony door, Kabir stepped out, dressed in a simple white kurta, a nervous smile on his lips. “Mehta, you made it,” he said casually, as if she had an option not to.  Aarti’s eyes darted between the lights, the flowers, and the food. “What… what is all this?”  Kabir exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “It’s—okay, I had a whole speech planned, but now that you’re actually standing here, I—” He shook his head. “Screw it.”  He stepped closer to the railing, looking directly into her eyes.  “Aarti, when I moved here, I never expected to find someone like you. I never expected to spend my mornings looking forward to chai with a neighbor. Or to have late-night conversations that felt more important than sleep.” He chuckled. “I definitely didn’t expect to start appreciating vegetarian food.”  Aarti laughed softly, her chest tightening with emotion.  Kabir took a deep breath. “But more than anything, I never expected to fall for you.” His voice softened. “And yet, here I am. Completely in love with you, Mehta.”  Aarti’s breath hitched. “Kabir…”  He grinned, his nervous energy spilling over. “So, here’s the deal. I can’t promise a life without chaos, because let’s be real—I am chaos.”  Aarti let out a watery laugh.  “But I can promise that I will always be here. On this balcony. With chai when you need it, with plants when you kill yours, and with ridiculous food experiments that you’ll pretend to hate but secretly love.” He took a step closer. “And if you let me, I’d like to spend every single day annoying you.”  Aarti swallowed the lump in her throat.  This was Kabir—messy, unpredictable, utterly frustrating. And yet, he had become her constant.  She took a shaky breath and, instead of speaking, she picked up the plate of khaman dhokla, broke a piece, and held it out to him.  Kabir raised an eyebrow. “Is this… a yes?”  She rolled her eyes, blinking back tears. “Eat before I change my mind, Singh.”  Kabir grinned wide, took the piece, and popped it into his mouth. “Best ‘yes’ ever.”  Aarti groaned. “Oh god.”  Kabir just laughed, reaching for her hand over the balcony railing. “Too late, Mehta. You’re stuck with me now.”  And he hugged her tightly  like he never allow her to go away and kissed on her forehead. And honestly? She also don't want to go away. . To be continue...