Strings of Us

**

The sky had been clear when they left the restaurant, but Mumbai had its own unpredictable rhythm.

By the time Shaurya and Mehul stepped out of the rooftop lift into the parking area, the heavens had opened up.

Fat drops of rain hit the pavement, thunder rolling in the distance as a sudden gust of wind blew against them.

Mehul instinctively grabbed Shaurya’s arm, eyes wide. “Shaurya ji… baarish!”

Shaurya chuckled, pulling Mehul a little closer under the entrance canopy. “Yes, Mehul. It’s Mumbai yaha baarish bin bulaye aati hai.”

“Main… bheeg jaaunga!” Mehul looked absolutely horrified and adorable.

Shaurya signaled the driver to bring the car around, but he noticed Mehul staring at the rainfall like a child who both feared and wanted to play in it.

He took off his blazer and, without saying a word, held it above Mehul’s head like an umbrella.

“Chalo,” he said calmly.

Mehul’s eyes widened. “Aap bheeg jayenge…”

Shaurya smirked, one eyebrow raised. “Tumhare liye bheegna koi badi baat nahi, Mehul.”

And that one sentence…

That one quiet, protective sentence made Mehul’s heart clench. It wasn’t grand. It wasn’t dramatic. But it felt like the most precious thing he’d ever been told.

They walked toward the car with the jacket covering Mehul’s head and Shaurya’s left side completely soaked. Shaurya didn’t seem to care.

Mehul glanced up through damp lashes. “Aap pagal ho…”

Shaurya looked down at him, their faces just inches apart under the shared space of the jacket.

“Ho sakta hai… sirf tumhare liye.”

Mehul's cheeks turned a soft pink.

Just then, lightning lit up the sky, followed by a sharp crack of thunder. Mehul flinched and immediately clutched Shaurya’s arm tighter.

His small fingers curled into the fabric of Shaurya’s shirt like he needed that warmth to feel safe.

Shaurya’s expression softened.

When they finally got into the car, Shaurya handed Mehul a towel from the seat.

Mehul quickly began wiping his hair, his ears still red. “Main… sorry…”

Shaurya tilted his head. “Kis baat ka?”

“Aap mere wajah se bheeg gaye…”

Shaurya leaned in slightly, brushing away a droplet from Mehul’s forehead. “Agar tumhare aas paas hone ka matlab yeh hai ki main bheeg jaaun, ya thoda sa muskurana seekh loon… toh main roz bheegne ko tayyar hoon.”

Mehul blinked at him, stunned silent.

The ride back home was unusually quiet.

Mehul sat still, his mind spinning with thoughts he wasn’t ready to admit. Shaurya, on the other hand, was unusually calm—like something inside him had settled after days of confusion.

-
Back at home, Shaurya changed quickly and walked into the kitchen to get warm water glass for Mehul. Just as he turned , he heard soft footsteps behind him.

Mehul stood there, barefoot, wearing a too-loose t-shirt and pajama pants Shaurya had given him.

“Shaurya ji…”