Aira never believed in forever. She believed in ambition, independence, and protecting her heart until Kian happened.
In the dreamy town of Veloria, between late-night cafes and secret gardens, Aira finds herself caught in a love she never planned f...
The Malhotra house was alive the moment Kian and Aarav stepped inside the clatter of dishes, the smell of roasted cumin and fresh ghee floating through the air.
His mom popped her head out of the kitchen, smiling wide. "There you two are! Wash up, dinner's almost ready!"
Aarav grinned sheepishly, already kicking off his shoes. Kian's dad came over, clapping Aarav on the back like he was just another one of their own. "Finally," he said, pretending to scold, "my second favorite son shows up."
Kian shook his head. "Second?"
"Well, you're still on probation," his dad teased Aarav, and everyone laughed.
At the table, the food kept coming too many dishes to count. Kian's mom kept piling food onto their plates no matter how many times they said they were full.
"So, how's the architecture firm, Kian?" his dad asked between bites. "Busy," Kian said, reaching for more dal. "Same old. Clients want everything yesterday."
"You managing alright?" his mom chimed in, a little crease of worry in her forehead.
Kian nodded automatically. "Yeah. It's good."
His mom stood up, went to the fridge, and pinned up a small photo next to the family calendar.
One of Kian's photographs. One he'd taken and quietly slipped into his portfolio, never meaning to show anyone.
"We're proud of all of you," she said simply, smiling like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Every piece of you."
For a second, Kian couldn't breathe.
Later, after dinner, Kian and Aarav climbed up to the roof — their old hideout spot. The night air was cool and heavy with the smell of rain.
They stretched out side by side, arms folded under their heads, staring at the empty sky.
"So," Aarav said after a while, voice low and teasing, "how's Miss Future Lawyer?"
Kian groaned. "Shut up."
"Not until you admit you've been checking your phone every five minutes," Aarav said, grinning wickedly.
Kian let out a long breath. "I just... I don't know what to say to her half the time."
"You? At a loss for words? Wow." Aarav pretended to gasp. "Is the world ending?"
Kian threw a pebble at him. Aarav dodged it, laughing. "Come on, man. You're overthinking it."
"I just don't wanna mess it up," Kian muttered.
Aarav turned serious for a second. "You won't."
Kian swallowed, feeling the weight of those words settle into his chest.
"You're good, Kian," Aarav said, voice softer now. "You just gotta let yourself be happy too."
For a long time, they didn't say anything. Just lay there, breathing under the same stars.
And for once, Kian let himself believe it might be true.
Kian Diary
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Some dinners taste like belonging. Ours always did.
