The morning sun cast a warm hue through the light curtains as a woman in her mid-forties moved around her modest house. Clad in a simple light brown sari, she bustled about, dusting furniture, cleaning rooms, and setting the breakfast table with quiet precision. Her face, though marked by age, radiated calm warmth.

Just as she adjusted a vase on the corner table, a loud voice broke the silence from one of the rooms.

"No! Don’t blame me—it’s your fault, not mine! Uff... Sara, please! Don’t irritate me early in the morning!"

Startled, she turned toward the noise. It was Rayan—19, lanky, wearing loose white t-shirt and shorts—pacing his room with a phone pressed to his ear. His face was flushed with frustration.

"No, Sara. I’m done with you. I’m just fed up… I don’t want to talk anymore. Don’t call me again!" he shouted and threw the phone onto the bed just as the woman walked in.

"What’s going on, Rayan? Why are you yelling? Can’t you control your temper?" she asked with concern, frowning.

"Aunty, please! I’m already in a bad mood. Don’t start with your lectures now," he snapped.

She raised her brows but kept her tone gentle. "Fine. I won’t say anything. Just come out and have breakfast. It’s getting cold."

"I’m not hungry," he grumbled, collapsing on his bed with a sulky expression.

She crossed her arms, stared him down. "Don’t take your anger out on food. Come eat now."

He sighed, frustrated, then muttered, "Okay. You go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute."

Smiling slightly, she turned to leave, but the phone buzzed again. She glanced at him.

"Your phone is ringing. Pick it up."

Rayan rolled his eyes. "It’s probably Sara. Aunty, please, just answer it and tell her I’m out."

"But, Rayan… I don’t think I should—"

Before she could finish, he stormed past her and out of the room.

She sighed, shook her head. "This boy is never going to change." She picked up the phone, hesitating before answering.

"Hello, Sara..." she spoke softly.

A teary voice came from the other end. "Aunty, where’s Rayan?"

"He’s... gone out," she lied gently.

"No, he told you to say that, didn’t he? He doesn’t want to talk to me… Aunty, why is he doing this? Why is he breaking my heart?" Sara broke into sobs.

The woman’s heart ached. "Sara, dear, please don’t cry. You know how short-tempered Rayan is. Just give him a little time. He’ll calm down and realize his mistake. I’ll talk to him too, okay?"

"Okay, Aunty..." Sara whispered before ending the call.

Setting the phone down, she walked to the dining area. Rayan was already picking at his food.

"Aunty, what is this? It's tasteless!" he complained.

"Cool your head first. Then you'll find it delicious." She said calmly, sitting beside him.

"Why are you eating so slowly? Don’t you have class today?"

"I do… but I don’t feel like going." His mood was still low, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You can’t skip it. Eat quickly and get ready."

He narrowed his eyes at her, suspicious. "Why are you being so pushy today? Something’s up."

She grinned. "Well… I’ve finished all my books. I need new ones. So please bring me some when you come back."

Rayan groaned. "Books again! I don’t get what you see in them."

"Books are friends that never leave you. You wouldn’t understand. Besides, you’re out all the time. What else should I do alone?"

She sipped her tea, then added casually, "Last night, I read a love story. In the story—"

"No! Don’t start with your boring love tales."

"Boring? You’re young—you should be obsessed with love! And now you must listen."

"You’ll force me?" he made a face.

"Yes."

He sighed dramatically. "Fine. Go ahead."

Her eyes sparkled. She leaned forward.

"The story is about Akash and Shivani..."

*******************

(The Story Begins)

Shivani stood at the roadside in a smart formal suit, repeatedly checking her watch and calling Akash, who was still asleep.

Sunlight peeked through the curtains in Akash’s room. He was sprawled on the bed, fast asleep despite his 7 AM alarm blaring on repeat.

Eventually, the phone woke him.

"Hello?" he answered groggily, rubbing his eyes.

"Where are you, Akash?! I’m standing here waiting! You were supposed to bring my certificates!" Shivani’s furious voice made him bolt up.

"Shit! Sorry, baby—I’m coming!" he cut the call, dressed in a flash, and sprinted out.

Running down the street, he paused at a chaat stall. "Maybe this will cheer her up..." he muttered, grabbing a packet.

He reached Shivani, panting heavily.

"Sorry… baby… I’m sorry..."

He held out the chaat, only to realize it was empty.

"I think I dropped it on the way..." he grinned sheepishly. Shivani was not amused.

"Where are my certificates?"

Akash froze.

"Shit! I dropped those too!" he smacked his forehead.

"WHAT?!" she shouted, but he had already taken off again.

Ten minutes later, he returned, gasping, and handed her the folder.

Her anger melted seeing his breathless state. "Are you okay?"

He nodded weakly. "Just short of breath… from running..."

She sat him down on a bench, rummaged in his pocket, and pulled out his inhaler.

"Use this. "She helped him take the inhaler.

"Why didn’t you come on your bike?"

"I lent it to Fahad last night."He answered "Please—go. You’re late already."

"Don’t tell me what to do.Go home and take rest." She scolded him and hailed a cab for him.

As she walked away, he smiled softly. "You hide your love behind that anger, Shivani. But your eyes tell the truth. I love you so much,my angry little queen."

The same day at night....

Shivani lay on her bed, flipping through a book. Her phone rang. It was Akash.

She declined the call.

It rang again. This time she picked up, voice cold.

"What do you want?"

"Just wanted to hear your voice. It’s been a tough day without you yelling at me.I couldn’t breathe all day—not just because of running, but because you weren’t talking to me." he said, smiling.

"You deserved it. You nearly ruined my interview, Akash."

"I know, and I’m sorry."

She stayed silent.

"You’re my oxygen, Shivani. I mess up a lot, but I never want to lose you." he continued softly.

"Sweet words won’t fix everything."

"Then let me show you… someday, I’ll give you the world. But right now, all I have is my love. Can you accept that?"

Shivani's voice softened. "Why do you always say things like that… make it so hard to stay mad at you?"

He chuckled. "Because I know every little corner of your heart. And I love every bit of it—even the parts that yell at me."

She smiled, despite herself.

"Come to the window. The moon looks beautiful." he said gently.

"Not interested."

"Please? "

She sighed walked to the window reluctantly. The moonlight spilled across her face.

"It is nice." she admitted.

"Not as beautiful as you." he whispered.

She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed."Shut up, cheesy boy."

"I mean it. Every time I see the moon, I wish I could bottle that light and gift it to you. But then I remember… you already glow brighter than it."

"You really want me to forgive you, don’t you?"

"No, I want you to love me. More than yesterday, and less than tomorrow."

Shivani covered her face, blushing hard. "You're impossible."

"And you're my everything."

"Akash…" she said his name like a secret.

"Yes, love?"

"You better never leave me," she whispered.

"Never. Even if you chase me away, I’ll keep coming back. Because my heart lives where you are."

A long silence.

"I love you, idiot." she said softly.

"And I love you more than words, my angry little queen."

They both smiled through the silence.

"Good night, Akash."

"Good night, Shivani. Dream of me."

"Always."