Strings of Us

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Hope you like the chapter!☺️

The car ride back to the house was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way.

Mehul sat in the back seat, replaying every word Shaurya had spoken.
Every gentle touch, every subtle look.

His fingers rested on the fabric of the kurta near his chest-right where Shaurya had hugged him last.

He didn't know how to name the warmth bubbling in his stomach.

But it felt... nice.

Back at the house, Mehul spent the rest of the afternoon with a strange sense of anticipation while reading books and drawing some sketches.

He wandered around the living room, cleaned up a bit, rearranged the pillows on the sofa for no reason, and then stood by the window... again and again.

Evening rolled in lazily, painting the sky in soft pinks and oranges. The maid had already begun preparing for dinner-Shaurya had sent a message that Rudra and Abeer would be joining them.

"Aaj shaam ko sab saath dinner karenge."
Shaurya's text had said.

Mehul's heart had skipped a beat.

Not because he was nervous. Well... he was nervous, but not just because of the guests.

There was something different about today.

Ever since lunch, the air between him and Shaurya had felt a little heavier-charged, almost.

He went to the mirror again, fixing his hair for the third time.

Still just a simple kurta, still that same innocence, but now his eyes held something more-something quietly blooming.

The doorbell rang at 8 PM sharp.

Mehul rushed to open it and found Rudra standing stoically with a bottle of wine, and Abeer behind him-beaming with enough energy to light up the entire building.

"Hello,Shaurya ji ki patni ji!" Abeer greeted dramatically.

Rudra sighed. "We're here for dinner. That's all. Don't make it a soap opera."

Mehul laughed softly. "Andar aaiye..."

Abeer looked around with a low whistle, noticing changes in the house. "Damn, Shaurya really knows how to live. Dekh ke toh aisa lagta hai ki Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ka London version chal raha ho."

Mehul didn't understand the reference entirely, but smiled anyway.

Shaurya arrived just moments later, fresh from the shower, wearing a casual black t-shirt and jeans.

His damp hair curled slightly at the edges, and Mehul had to look away before he stared too long.

Shaurya's eyes, however, lingered.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

Mehul nodded. "Sab kuch theek hai..."

"Dinner?" Rudra asked, already settling onto the couch.

They all sat at the dining table, chatting casually while the maid brought out plates of dal makhni, paneer, jeera rice, and naan.

"So Mehul," Abeer started between bites, "ab batayein, Shaurya kaisa pati hai?"

Mehul choked on his water, cheeks going scarlet.

Shaurya shot a warning glance. "Abeer..."

"What? I'm just doing a compatibility test. Science ke liye important hota hai."