Dev's P.O.V.

As we separate, our hands still entwined, Raj wears a thoughtful expression. "I don't want to leave just yet," he admits, his gaze lingering on mine.

A smile tugs at my lips, and I respond, "Then don't leave." The idea of Raj staying a little longer brings a sense of comfort because I don't want to let go of him just yet.

I notice the hint of scrunch on Raj's face, a subtle contemplation. "Have you eaten anything? I haven't," I ask. "Mom is waiting for me for dinner; you can join us."

Raj pauses for a moment, considering the invitation. Finally, he nods and says, "Okay." He leans in, planting a soft kiss on my lips.

Walking hand in hand with Raj through the chilly winter night feels like a journey into the heart of warmth. The streetlights cast a soft, golden glow on the sidewalk, creating a gentle contrast to the cool darkness that envelops the surroundings. Raj, with his bicycle in tow, effortlessly walks beside me, holding the handlebars with one hand. The faint creak of the bicycle wheels against the pavement adds a rhythmic melody to our shared steps. I can't help but feel a sense of tranquility washing over me. The cold breeze swirls around us, but it's different tonight—I'm not shivering. For the first time in months, I'm at ease.

Our breaths form soft clouds in the winter air, and the sound of distant laughter from kids from nearby houses adds a lively backdrop to the night. Raj's smile, radiant and genuine, lights up the path ahead. I steal a glance at him, and my heart swells with contentment. It's as if the weight I've been carrying has lifted, and in this moment, everything feels right. His warmth is contagious, and a smile naturally graces my lips.

I give Raj's hand a gentle squeeze, silently conveying what words might fail to express. We approach my house, and reality flickers back in the form of my dad leaning on the open fence gate. His teasing grin is unmistakable as his eyes lock onto our entwined hands. My cheeks flush with embarrassment, but I'm not ready to let go. Not just yet.

Dad, with his playful demeanor, steps aside, making room for us to enter. "Seems like Raj is joining us for dinner?" he remarks with a twinkle in his eye. I nod, still blushing, and we step inside.

As we make our way into the warmth of home, Dad breaks the silence with his trademark charm. "So, Raj, long time no see. How have you been?" he asks.

Raj clears his throat, a subtle nervousness lingering in the air, and then he speaks up, "I've been good, sir. How have you been?" His politeness is evident, and I appreciate his effort to steer the conversation away from the hand-holding incident.

Dad, with his warm smile, responds, "I've been good too, Raj." There's a genuine warmth in his voice, and it puts me at ease. 

Raj nods, his eyes reflecting genuine interest. "So, sir, how is your new store doing?" he asks, his tone carrying a warmth that transcends the chilly night. "I've heard very good things about it from my relatives in Delhi." As we stop, Raj gracefully puts his bicycle on its stand.

Dad's expression shifts, a mix of surprise and pride, and he glances at me with an impressed smile before answering, "You have?" The subtle pride in his voice is palpable, and I can't help but feel a swell of pride myself.

Raj continues, "Yes, my uncle there—he had gifted earrings to my aunt on their anniversary, and she absolutely loved them."

Dad's smile widens. As he opens the door, he replies, "I'm glad she liked them."

 Mom's voice echoes through the hallway as we step inside, the door creaking closed behind us. "God, Dev, look at the time, where have you been?" Her tone is a mix of concern and mild scolding, a typical mom reaction.

Her attention then shifts to Raj, who stands there, nodding in acknowledgment. Mom's eyes flicker with a hint of surprise as she observes the proximity between us. Her gaze wanders between Raj and me.

"Hey, Raj," she finally says, her voice laced with curiosity. Raj greets her with a polite nod. Dad, ever the grinning accomplice, shrugs in response to Mom's unspoken question, a playful twinkle in his eye.

It's as if they share a secret language—one that needs no words. 

The dinner table is set, and we all take our seats. The air is thick with an awkward silence that seems to linger longer than it should. Mom and Dad exchange glances, their smiles evident as they steal looks in our direction. It's that unmistakable parental attempt at subtlety that only makes things more awkward.

Amid the clinking of utensils and the occasional clearing of throats, Mom decides to break the ice. She shifts her gaze to Raj, her eyes bright with a friendly warmth. "So, Raj," she begins, attempting to initiate a small talk, "Dev has told us about Teen Talent. You're going to mentor him, right?"

Raj caught slightly off guard but ever-polite, replies, "That's right. But honestly, I don't think he needs much mentoring. Dev's already really good at what he does."

I feel the warmth of a blush creeping up my cheeks at Raj's words. And suddenly, under the table, Raj's hand finds mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in a subtle squeeze. The unexpected contact startles me, and I cough awkwardly, trying to compose myself. Raj, however, grins mischievously, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

A sudden cough captures every eye at the table, and I find myself at the center of attention. In that moment of awkwardness, Raj smoothly passes me a glass of water, his expression feigning innocence as if he didn't orchestrate the whole thing.

"You okay?" he asks with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

I nod, taking the water with gratitude, and manage an awkward laugh, attempting to play off the cough. "Yeah, just too much hunger, I guess," I say, the laughter coming out more like an old-ass tired dog's exhausted cough. 

As Raj begins to rise from the dinner table, my dad interjects with an invitation that sends my heart into a spontaneous waltz. "It's too late, Raj. Why don't you stay here tonight?" The words hang in the air, and I find myself hoping he'll accept because the warmth he brings is something I'm not ready to let go of just yet. It's a warmth that has been absent for far too long.

In that hopeful moment, Mom shoots a glance in Raj's direction, and I see the spark of realization in his eyes. I can practically see the lightbulb go off in his eyes.

Then, my dad adds urgently, "Our guest room is empty. You can sleep there." I can't help but roll my eyes at Dad's not-so-subtle way.

The mix of embarrassment and amusement settles in as I respond, "Really?"

Raj glances at me, and I can see a mix of surprise and hesitation in his eyes. My heart races a bit faster as I hope he'll agree. His eyes meet mine, and I give him an encouraging smile, hoping he understands how much it means to me.

Raj finally nods, a shy smile playing on his lips. "Sure, if it's not too much trouble."

Dad waves off any concerns, "No trouble at all. It's settled then."

I lead Raj down the hallway to the guest room, the door swings open effortlessly. The soft glow of a bedside lamp casts a warm, golden hue, highlighting the furnishings. A plush bed adorned with sheets sits against one wall.  

Raj steps inside, his movements deliberate and unhurried. The room seems to embrace him as he takes slow steps, soaking in the surrounding him. Raj eases onto the bed, his movements deliberate yet tentative and I stand before him. His eyes, a reflection of vulnerability, meet mine. There's a silent invitation, a plea for something more than just the physical distance we've maintained so far.

Then, almost as if guided by an invisible force, Raj's arm wraps around my waist, pulling me closer. His head finds its place on my chest, I feel his breath, a gentle rhythm against my heartbeat, and it's a melody that resonates with the conversation we both want to have but it doesn't require any word.

"Can't we sleep together?" Raj's voice, a sigh that echoes through the room.

I can't help but giggle, my arm instinctively finding its place around his neck. "That doesn't sound right?"

Raj laughs, his nose nuzzling into my chest, "Shut up, you filthy-head." 

My finger traces patterns in his hair as I sigh, "Can't believe we're talking again."

 Raj leans back slightly, his gaze meeting mine. His green eyes, a magnetic force that has always held the power to enchant, lock onto mine.

"Can't believe we ever stopped talking." 

...

I gently push open the door to my room, and the darkness within contrasts with the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the glass window. The silver beams cascade across the floor, painting a tranquil scene. A smile spreads across my face like wildfire, the joy that I can't contain.

The weight that had settled heavily on my heart seems to have vanished. I got him back—Raj, my gem. The realization fills me with an overwhelming sense of happiness and disbelief. Just 24 hours ago, I was sitting in this same room, tears staining my cheeks, convinced that everything was over. It felt like the waves of time's ocean were carrying away the gem I thought I had lost forever.

Now, with the room bathed in moonlight, I can't believe how drastically my world has shifted. I retrieve the guitar standing in the corner, an old companion that witnessed both heartaches and melodies. Seating myself against the window on the floor, I strum the strings, feeling the resonance of each chord echo in the quiet room.

I know I'm an idiot, I had made a foolish throw,

Cast a gem to the ocean, let my happiness go.

A stupid decision, I let it drift away,

But now you're back, my gem, in the light of day.

You're the melody to my every song,

The one I've been waiting for so long.

Now you're here, in my embrace,

I'll never let go, I've found my space.

Lost in the waves, I watched you depart,

But Fate's magic brought you back to my heart.

Beneath the stars' embrace, our souls unite

I found you again, my guiding light.

I danced through the shadows, lost and alone, 

But your love found me, like a light you've shone.

Back in your arms, where I belong,

You're my hope, like a sunrise at dawn.

You're the melody to my every song,

The one I've been waiting for so long.

Now you're here, in my embrace,

I'll never let go, I've found my space.

The door to my room creaks open, and I turn, half-expecting a figment of my imagination, but there stands Raj, entering sheepishly as if he's a secret agent on a top-secret mission. My eyes widen, and I quickly stash the guitar away.

I take quick steps toward the door, ready to ask a million questions, but before a single word escapes my lips, Raj shushes me with a mischievous smile, his finger pressed gently against my lips.

"Keep your volume down," he whispers with a playful glint in his eyes.

I nod, suppressing a giggle, and he tiptoes further into the room. The moonlight casts a soft glow on his features, giving him an ethereal quality. Suppressing a giggle, I follow suit, and as he lies down on the bed, his leg swings with carefree energy. I join him, our bodies parallel, both staring at the moonlight's reflection on the dark ceiling.

In a hushed whisper, I can't help but ask, "What are you doing here?" Raj simply lies there, his hand finding mine, fingers entwining effortlessly. He sighs, "I was missing you."

I giggle softly, "It's just been ten minutes, Raj."

He sighs again, his hand finding mine, and our fingers intertwine. Raj turns to face my side, and I shift to look into his eyes, our faces mere inches away. For a while, Raj doesn't say anything. He simply keeps looking at me, his gaze intense and focused, as if he's committing every nuance of my face to memory. It's as if he's painting a detailed canvas of this moment in the gallery of his memories.

"You know how hard it was to see you every day in class but not get to speak to you," he begins, his thumb tracing patterns on the back of my hand. "Seeing you laughing and talking to others, wondering what you were laughing about. Seeing you scrunching and scratching your head without knowing what's bothering you so much in physics."

"There were times I wanted to walk up to you, break through the invisible barrier between us, and just talk," Raj continues, his eyes revealing the vulnerability that accompanies unspoken desires. "But fear held me back—the fear of crossing a line that hadn't been drawn yet, the fear of intruding into your world when I didn't know if I belonged."

A lump forms in my throat as I feel the weight of his unspoken words. I cup his face gently with my hand, my thumb tracing his skin. "You belong to my world even more than I do," I reply, my voice sincere. "Because this isn't my world anymore. My world had crumbled a long time ago, and you... you put it back into pieces. You rebuilt it. This is yours now."

Raj leans in, and I meet him halfway. Our lips touch in a gentle, longing kiss, a soft collision of emotions as our fingers remain entwined. The moonlight casts a gentle glow, illuminating the shared space where our worlds intersect and intertwine.