Strings of Us

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Hope you like the chapter ✨

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The next few days settled into a rhythm - the kind of rhythm that only lovers fall into after shy confessions and the kind of kiss that leaves your heart warm for hours.

Shaurya still woke up early - CEO habits die hard. But now, instead of grabbing his phone first thing, he grabbed Mehul.

Every single morning.

"Shaurya ji..." Mehul's voice was always a sleepy grumble muffled against Shaurya's bare chest.

"Hmm?" Shaurya would respond, voice low and rough from sleep, fingers drawing lazy circles on Mehul's waist.

"Subah ho gayi?"

"It's just six."

"Fir mujhe kyun utha rahe ho?"

Shaurya smiled every time. "Kyunki tumhare bina subah subah nahi lagti."

Mehul never had a comeback to that. He'd just hide his face and mumble, "Shauryaa jii..."

Their mornings were slow - filled with cuddles, brushing teeth together (with Shaurya always putting paste on Mehul's brush), and small kitchen disasters.

Like the day Mehul insisted on making aamras himself.

"I know how to cut mangoes," Mehul said confidently, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back with one of Shaurya's ties.

Shaurya leaned against the counter, arms crossed, lips twitching. "Are you sure?"

"Haan! Aap sirf dekhna." Mehul puffed his chest like a warrior going to battle.

Two minutes later, there was mango pulp on his cheeks, his kurta, the counter... and somehow, even the floor.

Shaurya couldn't hold back anymore.

He burst out laughing. "Yehi hai tumhari cutting technique?"

"Don't laugh!" Mehul yelled, throwing a mango piece at him. It hit Shaurya's shoulder and splattered like a scene from a food fight.

Shaurya walked over slowly, grabbing the mango piece and popping it into his mouth. "Tastes better this way."

Mehul narrowed his eyes. "You're evil."

"And you're sticky," Shaurya said, wrapping his arms around him tightly.

"Aapne hi kaha tha aam khilaoge, mango sticky ho hi jaata hai," Mehul muttered, nose scrunching.

Shaurya smiled softly and leaned in, brushing their noses. "Toh chalo, saaf karne le chalta hoon..."

Their days were filled with stolen kisses, random hand-holding, and whispered "I love yous" that came at the most unexpected times.

Once, while stuck in traffic, Mehul absentmindedly fed Shaurya chips and suddenly said, "I love you, by the way."

Shaurya almost choked.

Another time, Shaurya was on a call in the study when Mehul peeked in with a plate of parathas and whispered, "Mere haathon se banaye hain... love you."

The call ended early that day.

At night, they had a tradition - one that started unintentionally.

Mehul couldn't sleep without holding Shaurya's hand.

Even if they were already spooning or cuddling chest-to-chest, Mehul would still reach for Shaurya's hand and clasp their fingers together.

"Kyun karte ho ye?" Shaurya had asked once.