Strings of Us

22★

It was gentle, like a promise.

Mehul's eyes fluttered shut, and his hands instinctively clutched the fabric of Shaurya's shirt. The kiss deepened, just a little, before Shaurya pulled away slowly, his forehead resting against Mehul's.

"I'm falling for you," he murmured.

Mehul smiled, shy and breathless. "Mujhe lagta hai... I already did."
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The soft glow of evening bathed the penthouse in shades of amber and lavender. Mehul sat cross-legged on the couch, arms folded, cheeks puffed out, and a very dramatic pout on his lips.

He was sulking.

Shaurya was late.

He'd promised he'd be home by 6 PM.

It was now 7:26.

"Shaurya ji sirf business meeting pe gaye the, shaadi ke reception mein nahi," Mehul muttered to himself.

He looked at the wall clock again, then at his phone. No new messages. No missed calls.

He was about to call him for the fifth time when the main door opened with a soft click. Mehul turned his head like an angry cat.

Shaurya stepped in, loosening his tie, clearly exhausted-until he saw Mehul.

Oh no. That face.

Before he could say anything, Mehul turned his back to him and shifted to the other end of the couch.

"Gussa ho?" Shaurya asked cautiously.

No reply.

"Pakka?"

Still nothing.

Shaurya walked over and knelt in front of the couch dramatically. "Mehul baba... mujhe maaf kar do," he said in a fake baby voice, "Meeting lambi ho gayi thi. Tumhare bina toh meri saans bhi nahi chalti."

Mehul shot him a glare. "Haan toh mar jaate," he huffed.

Shaurya laughed, completely unfazed, and pulled Mehul's hand into his. "Itna bhi mat bolo. Meri maut ka gham kon sahega? Tum toh ro-ro ke statue ban jaoge. Bhari jawani me vidhwa ban jaate!"

"Main khush ho jaunga!" Mehul snapped.

Shaurya raised an eyebrow. "Sach?"

"Bilkul sach!"

Shaurya leaned in closer. "Toh ye kya tha jo tumne fridge mein meri favourite custard banake rakha hai?"

Mehul's eyes widened. "Aapne fridge khola! Aapko toh late aana tha!"

Shaurya smirked. "Pehle kuch meetha khane ka mann tha... ab toh kuch aur hi khane ka mann hai..."

Mehul blinked. "Kya?"

"Tumhare gusse ka ek ek expression," Shaurya teased, poking his cheek.

"Shaurya ji!" Mehul tried to squirm away, but Shaurya had already pulled him into his lap on the couch, arms securely around his waist.

"You're adorable when you're angry," he whispered near his ear.

Mehul felt his heart doing backflips. "Mujhse baat mat kijiye..."

"Par main toh ab kuch aur bhi karne wala hoon," Shaurya said slyly and stood up-with Mehul in his arms.

Mehul gasped. "Aap pagal hai!"

"Haan. Sirf tumhare liye."

They ended up in the kitchen. Mehul insisted on cooking Shaurya's dinner because "aap office se thak ke aaye ho," and Shaurya insisted on standing behind him the entire time, arms loosely around his waist, chin on his shoulder, completely ignoring personal space.

"Shaurya ji... hatto na," Mehul whispered, blushing as he tried to stir the gravy.

"Main toh tumhare dil ke itne paas hoon... kitchen thodi chhodunga," he murmured near his ear, voice husky.

Mehul's hands trembled. "Aap disturb kar rahe hain."

Shaurya's hand gently guided Mehul's, helping him stir. "Main help kar raha hoon."

The air was thick, charged, but not rushed. Shaurya didn't push too far. Mehul's cheeks were bright red, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he leaned back slightly, resting against Shaurya's chest as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

When the food was ready, Shaurya made him sit on the counter and fed him the first bite.

"Mmmm," Mehul hummed. "Aapko kaise pata chalta hai mujhe kya pasand aayega?"

"Bas... tumhare liye sab perfect hona chahiye."

Mehul looked down shyly. "Shaurya ji..."

Shaurya tipped his chin up, eyes soft but intense. "Kya?"

"Main... main aapke saath safe mehsoos karta hoon." he whispered, wanting to say more but couldn't bring himself to say those unfamiliar words yet.

Shaurya kissed his forehead gently. "Tum ho bhi mere paas bilkul safe."

They stayed like that-just breathing, smiling, hearts open and unguarded.

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To be Continued....

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