amidst trouble & temptation | ?

“Hii,” Vakti greeted brightly as soon as Partik stepped inside the house, her face lighting up like the morning sun.

Partik’s heart swelled at the sight of her ── dressed in a simple yet elegant cotton white frock suit, her bright pink silk dupatta draped carelessly over her right shoulder.

He returned her smile with one of his own, warmth blooming in his chest.

“Where’s Ishaan?” he asked, trailing after her into the kitchen where she was busy arranging vegetables neatly into the refrigerator as he handed them over.

“He went out to get something, will be back in a while. Why do you ask?” Vakti asked, glancing over her shoulder, the corner of her dupatta slipping ever so slightly, dancing with her movements.

“No reason. Just asking,” Partik shrugged, though his tone betrayed him.

Vakti paused, shutting the fridge door and giving him her full attention, narrowing her eyes in mock suspicion.

“What is it, Partik?” she asked, crossing her arms with a playful frown.

“I brought something for you,” he confessed after a heartbeat’s hesitation, gently taking both her hands in his. Without another word, he led her to the living room and made her sit carefully on the sofa.

Kneeling before her, Partik pulled out a small golden pouch from his pocket. Vakti watched curiously, absentmindedly tucking an unruly thread of linen from his kurta into place as he did.

He reached inside the pouch and placed something familiar in her open palm.

Her old anklet.

Vakti gasped, eyes widening. “I’ve been looking everywhere for this!” she exclaimed softly, turning the delicate ornament over in her fingers. It had been a cherished gift from her Mamu, and its sudden disappearance had truly disheartened her.

“It slipped off your foot that day... I picked it up to get it repaired,” Partik explained, his voice gentle. “I meant to return it on your birthday, but──well, you know how things went.” His tone turned teasing as he grinned at her mock glare.

Before she could retort, he held up his hand to stop her, then upended the pouch once more. 

This time, a new, delicate pair of silver anklets with tiny twinkling charms and soft-sounding bells spilled into his palm.

“Partik…” Vakti whispered, mesmerised as the anklets caught the light, casting tiny sparkles like stars.

He pocketed the pouch and asked her with the motion of his hand to place her foot on his thigh.

Vakti hesitated but he did the needful himself ── guiding her foot, one after another to rest on his thigh.

With the utmost care, he clasped the anklets around her slender ankles, the little bells tinkling softly as he fastened them.

Once done, he lightly flicked at the side, letting the soft chiming sound fill the quiet room before Vakti squealed loudly.

She threw her hands around his neck and pulled him closer, cradling his head to her chest. "These are really pretty, thank you so much!"

She jumped to her feet and twirled around the room, her anklets chiming with every step. Partik stood too, watching her with a fond smile that refused to fade.

“What’s going on here?” Ishaan’s amused voice cut through as he entered.

“See!” Vakti grinned, holding up the hem of her dress to reveal the shimmering anklets on her feet.