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This chap is affectionately dedicated to @AnvitaGowda25 -
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"You're a rainbow in my black and white world........................."

As they stepped into the apartment after a lively evening with Ojas and Leher, the atmosphere seemed to hold onto the echoes of laughter and warmth.

Vatsal closed the door behind them, the subtle click marking the transition from the lively ambiance of his friends’ company to the quiet sanctuary of his own space. He leaned against the door briefly, as if absorbing the stillness, while Shubhita stood beside him, her expression a mix of contentment and a lingering excitement from the night’s shared experiences.

“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” Vatsal asked, turning to face her, his eyes soft with curiosity.

Shubhita nodded, her smile warm and genuine. “Yes, it was truly wonderful. Your friends are delightful,” she replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of admiration.

“They liked you too,” Vatsal said warmly, switching on all the lights. While doing, their arms somewhat brushed against each other. “I’m glad you got along so well.”

The touch sent a subtle ripple of warmth through Shubhita, a sensation she savoured as she followed him into the kitchen just after.

There, he paused to pour himself a glass of water, his movements deliberate and unhurried, almost as if he were prolonging the transition from the lively evening to the quiet intimacy of their shared space.

While Vatsal was occupied, his eyes fell upon a small note stuck to the fridge door with a magnet. It was a charming doodle—a simple stick-figure depiction of them riding a bike, complete with exaggerated stars and a big moon hovering above their heads. He couldn’t help but smile as he unfolded it, revealing Shubhita’s handwriting underneath: “For our first ride together.”

Vatsal turned around just as she was admiring the doodle too, his eyes meeting hers with a shared moment of fondness and amusement. “I’m not much of an artist,” she admitted with a playful shrug, a faint blush gracing her cheeks.

“It’s good... cute,” Vatsal assured her sincerely, holding up the doodle with a soft smile. “You’re a... What to say?”

“A doodle myself?” Shubhita chuckled softly, her cheeks warming further at his appreciation. “I thought it might be a nice keepsake,” she replied, her voice tinged with affection.

He grinned shaking his head in a playful manner, not leaving her eyes. Their gazes held in a comfortable silence, the soft glow of the kitchen light casting a gentle aura around them. He felt a surge of fondness for her, appreciating the way she effortlessly brought out her silly, carefree side amidst the composed demeanour she typically maintained as a teacher.

In the quiet of the kitchen, Vatsal couldn’t resist the urge to reach out. Without overthinking it, he lightly brushed a loose strand of hair from Shubhita’s face, his touch gentle. It was a spontaneous gesture, born from a mixture of affection and the growing comfort they felt in each other’s presence.

Surprised yet delighted by the unexpected gesture, Shubhita laughed softly, her eyes crinkling with warmth. “Hey!” she protested playfully, her hand instinctively moving to tuck the stray strand back behind her ear. Her cheeks tinged with a delicate pink hue, a subtle blush that spoke of her pleasure in the closeness they were sharing.

Vatsal grinned, his eyes softening with affection as he gazed at her. “You’re welcome,” he replied softly, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

Their closeness in that moment felt natural and comforting, the air around them tinged with a shared sense of connection that seemed to deepen with each passing second. As they stood in the kitchen, exchanging occasional goofy grins and glances filled with unspoken understanding, Vatsal couldn’t help but feel a growing admiration for Shubhita, appreciating the way he effortlessly balanced between serious and light-hearted moments.

“I should probably start getting ready for bed,” Vatsal finally broke the silence, his voice gentle yet reluctantly acknowledging the need to part ways for the night.

Shubhita nodded, a hint of reluctance mirrored in her expression. “Yes, of course,” she replied softly, her gaze lingering on him with a mix of warmth and longing.

As Vatsal turned to head towards the inner room, he glanced back at Shubhita, a soft smile playing on his lips. He felt a surge of gratitude for the evening they had shared and the simple, meaningful moments like the doodle on the fridge that now adorned their shared space. It was these small gestures and shared experiences that were gradually weaving their lives together.

Shubhita watched him go, her heart feeling lighter and warmer than it had in a long time. She knew there was much more to discover about Vatsal, and she found herself eagerly anticipating every moment of it.

_

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_

In the serene morning light filtering through the window, Shubhita stood by the stove, her hands carefully flipping dosas on the hot griddle. She wasn’t an expert in making those but she was trying her best.

The comforting aroma of the cooking batter and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the small apartment, creating a sense of warmth and homeliness. She hummed a soft tune, her heart light with the simple pleasures of the morning routine.

From the inner room, Vatsal emerged, freshly showered and dressed for work. He was on the phone with his mother, his voice a blend of dutiful attentiveness and subtle frustration.

As he walked into the combined kitchen and dining area, Shubhita could hear bits of the conversation, each word stirring a mix of emotions within her.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort at the mention of Vatsal’s mother, memories of past tensions resurfacing despite her attempts to bury them.

“Yes, Maa, I know... No, I haven’t forgotten... I’ll handle it... Alright, talk to you later. Bye.”

He ended the call, slipping his phone into his pocket with a sigh. The cheerful ambiance of the morning had shifted; Shubhita’s previously light-hearted demeanour now seemed subdued, her movements in the kitchen more mechanical than joyous.

“Shubhita?” Vatsal called softly, his voice tinged with concern as he stepped closer.

“Huh?” She glanced up, her thoughts interrupted. She responded, trying to mask the unease in her voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Is something bothering you?” he asked, his eyes searching her face for an answer.

She hesitated, the words forming carefully on her lips. “Uh, no,” she started, then quickly corrected herself. “I was just wondering if I should apologize to your mother. I mean, no matter what, I was the one who just walked away. I should have been a little more thoughtful.”

Vatsal leaned against the counter, his fingers nervously playing with the edge of a kitchen towel. He avoided her gaze momentarily, clearly uncomfortable. “Forget it. That’s the best way,” he said, his tone a mix of resignation and understanding. It was clear he didn’t hold much hope for an easy reconciliation but didn’t want to voice his doubts.

Shubhita met his gaze, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “Are you sure?” she asked quietly, her voice tinged with lingering doubt.

Vatsal nodded, his expression gentle yet firm. “I am,” he affirmed, his thumb caressing her arm in a soothing gesture. “Maa will understand.”

Shubhita sensed his unspoken sentiment, understanding the complex emotions he felt but couldn’t fully express. She turned back to the stove, flipping the dosa with a careful flick of her wrist. “I guess,” she murmured, her voice soft.

“It’s alright,” he reassured her. “Let’s not dwell on it right now, okay?”

She simply nodded, busy doing what her hands were at.

The silence between them was filled only with the gentle sizzle of the dosas cooking and the faint hum of the fridge. Vatsal, wanting to lighten the mood, decided to break the silence with a touch of humor.

“You know,” he began, a playful glint in his eye, “I think you might have a secret superpower.”

Shubhita raised an eyebrow, looking at him with amused curiosity. “Oh? And what’s that?”

“Turning a simple breakfast into a huge task,” Vatsal replied, his expression mock-serious.

Shubhita rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. “You thing this is funny?” she replied, her tone teasing.

“No, really,” Vatsal insisted, his expression mock-serious. “I mean, how else could you make dosas that look this perfect?”

Shubhita’s eyes widened in mock indignation. “Perfect? Now you’re just trying to make me blush,” she said, turning back to the stove to hide her playful smile.

“I was being sarcastic!” Vatsal added, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“I got that!” Shubhita replied, almost rolling her eyes but instead looking at him through her lashes, a silly smile on her face.

Their laughter broke the tension, filling the area with a renewed sense of warmth and connection. As they sat down to eat, the playful banter continued, each teasing remark easing the earlier heaviness.

Vatsal took a bite of his dosa, his grin widening. “Okay, I admit it. These are really good.”

Shubhita laughed, her mood lifting. “I knew it,” she said, pretending to gloat. “I’ve finally won you over with my cooking.”

“You’re crazy,” Vatsal replied, his tone softening as he looked at her with genuine affection. “Quite literally.”

“That I proudly am,” she replied smiling widely.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside their little kitchen seemed to fade away. Despite the complexities of their respective families and the unspoken tensions, in these quiet, shared moments, they found a sense of peace and connection that made it all worthwhile.

As they quietly, all of a sudden a comical thought crossed Shubhita’s mind. She couldn’t help but let out a giggle, her laughter bubbling up unexpectedly.

Vatsal looked at her, puzzled yet amused by her sudden mirth. “What’s so funny now?” he asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Shubhita giggled again, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “Your expression when you were talking to Maa,” she confessed, unable to contain her amusement. “It was priceless.”

Vatsal chuckled softly, shaking his head in mock resignation. “I should have known you were eavesdropping,” he teased lightly, his smile genuine.

Shubhita grinned, her laughter infectious. “I couldn’t help it,” she admitted playfully, pouring coffee into their cups. “You were being so... diplomatic.”

He laughed along with her, the tension from earlier dissipating into the morning air. “Well, what can I say?” he replied with a shrug, picking up his coffee cup. “It’s a skill.”

In that moment, amidst the clinking of coffee cups and the sound of contented sighs, Vatsal and Shubhita found solace in the simple joys of morning banter and shared laughter, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.

Minutes later, Vatsal grabbed his bag and headed towards the door. As he descended the stairs, Shubhita followed him to the landing once again, their little ritual from the previous day fresh in their minds.

Just as he reached the bottom step, Vatsal turned back, a playful grin on his face. “Still adjusting to the stairs, Sleepy Head?” he teased, recalling her near-trip from the day before.

Shubhita chuckled, rolling her eyes. “I’ve got it under control today, thank you very much,” she replied, her tone light-hearted. But as if on cue, she stumbled again, this time catching herself just in time. “Almost had you there,” she said with a laugh, sticking out her tongue at him.

Vatsal laughed, shaking his head. “You’re hopeless,” he said, though his eyes were warm with affection.

As he turned to leave, Shubhita called out, “Don’t forget our new tradition!”

He turned back, eyebrow raised. “You mean the one where I wait for you to close the door and then look up at the window like a lovesick teenager?”

“Exactly!” Shubhita replied, crossing her arms and giving him a mock-serious look. “Now go, before you’re late.”

He sighed theatrically but couldn’t hide his smile. “Alright, but only because you insist,” he said, heading down the final steps. “Make sure you close the door this time!”

“I will, after you leave,” she called back, echoing her words from the previous day.

Vatsal paused at the bottom of the stairs, turning back to face her. “I’m not leaving until you lock the door.”

Shubhita pouted playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Fine, fine. I’ll lock it.”

“Good,” Vatsal said, his arms crossed. “Now, remember our deal.”

She nodded, giving him a mock salute. “Yes, sir!” she said, then made a big show of closing the door and locking it with a loud click. Then quickly dashed to the window.

Vatsal waited, shaking his head in mock exasperation but unable to keep the smile off his face. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he looked up, and there was Shubhita, her face pressed against the window, her smile wide and genuine.

He waved, feeling that familiar warmth in his chest. “Crazy lady!” he muttered to himself, the words filled with affection.

Shubhita beamed, waving back enthusiastically. “Bye! Drive safely!” she called, her voice muffled but full of warmth.

Vatsal started his bike, the engine’s rumble filling the quiet morning air. He looked up one last time, their eyes meeting through the window. Her bright smile and eager wave made him feel more connected to her than ever.

As he rode off, he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. This new ritual, as silly as it was, had become something he looked forward to. It was a small, sweet moment that brought a sense of normalcy and joy to his mornings, filling a void he hadn’t even realized was there.

Back at the window, Shubhita watched him go, her heart light and her smile lingering. She loved this little game they had created, this moment of connection before the day truly began. It was their way of saying goodbye, of wishing each other well, and it made her feel closer to Vatsal with each passing day.

As Vatsal disappeared from view, she whispered, “See you, Doodlydude,” before turning away from the window, ready to face the day with a heart full of warmth and a smile on her face.

This small, new tradition had quickly become the highlight of her mornings, a sweet reminder of the growing bond between them.

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This is it for now. Hope you liked it. I am sorry for the mistakes.

In case if you want to share your views or suggest something, you are more than welcome.

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