Chapter 52
Kabir's Perspective
2 years later
As I pulled up in front of Aditi's house, I felt the familiar swirl of nerves and excitement kicking in. It was 9 p.m. on the dot, the cool air from the cracked windows filling the car. I stared at the house for a moment, letting the reality of the night sink in. Aditi was officially an advocate now—she'd spent years working towards this, and today, it finally happened. She was now free to take on real cases, to argue in court, to live the dream she had always spoken about with that fiery determination in her eyes.
I glanced at the passenger seat, where the two bouquets sat—the rainbow roses and the chocolate bouquet. I couldn't help but smile. I hadn't even planned to bring two, but then Anaya happened. She'd stolen Aditi's phone this evening, and before I knew it, I was caught in one of her classic traps.
"Jiju, you better bring me rainbow roses AND chocolates, or Aditi didi's not going anywhere with you!" her little voice echoed in my mind.
That girl had more control over Aditi than her parents ever would. Maybe that's why her parents were so chill—they had their youngest acting as the gatekeeper. I shook my head, laughing to myself as I grabbed the bouquets and stepped out of the car. The night was calm, the stars barely visible in the city sky, but I barely noticed. I was too busy thinking about how tonight felt like a new chapter for Aditi and me. She was no longer the girl cramming for law exams, and I wasn't the boy nervously waiting on the sidelines anymore.
I reached the front door, feeling the familiar twist in my stomach, the same one I got every time I saw Aditi. My hand hovered over the doorbell, and for a brief second, I felt a ridiculous wave of nerves. Why was I nervous? I'd done this a hundred times before. But tonight felt different—like it was the start of something bigger. I pressed the bell and waited.
Before I could even let go of the button, the door flew open with a loud bang. Anaya stood there, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her arms already outstretched toward me.
"Jiju!" she squealed, her voice piercing the quiet of the night. Before I knew it, she had launched herself into my arms.
"Anaya!" I laughed, scooping her up with one arm while balancing the bouquets in the other hand. She grabbed the flowers and the chocolates immediately, a victorious grin spreading across her face. "See, I told you I'd bring them. Never doubt me."
She beamed at me, holding both bouquets like treasure. "Good. Now maybe I'll let Aditi go with you," she said in a serious tone, as if she were the final authority on the matter.
"Maybe?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face. "Anaya, you're a tough negotiator."
Just as we stepped inside, her voice rang out again. "Mummy, Papa, Jiju aa gaye!" She was shouting at the top of her lungs, her tiny voice echoing through the hallway.
I chuckled as we entered the living room, with Anaya still perched on my arm, proudly displaying her bouquets to anyone who would look. Her parents were sitting there, smiling at the scene. Aditi's mom looked at the extravagant bouquets, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Kabir, bache, you didn't have to get these costly things. This girl has you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?" she said, shaking her head, though her tone was soft and kind.
"Arre, aunty," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Saali hai meri. I have to keep her happy, right?"
Anaya giggled in my arms, clutching the roses even tighter. Her father looked up from his newspaper, his usual serious expression giving way to a smile as I bent down to touch their feet, with Anaya still refusing to leave my arms.
"Beta, take care of Aditi when she's with you, okay? Bring her home safely," her dad said, his voice filled with warmth and the underlying seriousness that only a father could carry.
"Of course, uncle," I replied, nodding with sincerity. "I'll make sure she's home safe."
Before I could say anything else, Anaya chimed in with a high-pitched, "Bring her home before 10 p.m., Jiju!" She looked deadly serious, her little brows furrowed in concentration.
Her dad let out a loud laugh. "Beta, they haven't even left yet, and you're already setting a curfew! Besides, it's already past 9. Your sister isn't even out of her room yet."
"Yeah, yeah, we know she'll take forever to get ready," Anaya muttered, crossing her arms. "But 10 p.m. is the limit!"
Aditi's mom couldn't help but laugh either. "If this girl is ready by 10 p.m., I'll be shocked myself," she said, shaking her head fondly. "She takes her sweet time for everything."
"Then why don't you two just eat here?" Anaya suggested, her voice suddenly serious. "Why go out and eat when you can eat with us? Eating alone is boring, right? Stay here, have dinner with us."
I was about to respond, but before I could say anything, I heard the familiar sound of heels clacking on the floor. My heart did a weird little flip. I turned toward the staircase and saw her.
Aditi.
She was coming down the stairs, looking absolutely breathtaking. The moment I saw her, the world around me seemed to blur, and all I could focus on was her. Her dress—a shimmering, silver-blue gown—clung to her like it had been made just for her, the delicate fabric sparkling under the soft lights. It wasn't overly fancy, but on her, it looked like something straight out of a dream. Her long hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, and the way she moved—graceful, confident—made my heart skip a beat.
I couldn't help it. My jaw literally dropped.
God, she looked so beautiful. I'd seen her in every possible way—messy, tired, stressed, happy, angry. But tonight? Tonight she was stunning in a way that made it impossible to look away. She was all grown up now—an advocate, ready to take on the world—and yet, she still had that spark in her eyes, the one that I'd fallen for all those years ago.
And just as I was standing there like an idiot, totally mesmerized by her, I heard Anaya's voice cut through the moment.
"Jiju! Close your mouth, or a fly will get in!" Anaya's shrill voice cut through the moment, snapping me back to reality.
Everyone burst into laughter, including Aditi, whose cheeks flushed slightly at her sister's interruption. I felt my own face grow warm, but I couldn't stop laughing. Trust Anaya to break the spell just when I thought the moment was perfect.
Aditi rolled her eyes at her sister as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Anaya, stop embarrassing him," she said, though there was a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She turned to me, her gaze softening. "Ready to go?"
I nodded, still feeling a little dazed. "Yeah," I managed to say, though my voice sounded far away to my own ears. "I'm ready."
She reached for my hand, her fingers brushing against mine, and instantly, that familiar warmth spread through me. No matter how many times we held hands, it always felt like the first time—electric, grounding, and comforting all at once. I squeezed her hand gently, and she squeezed back, a silent understanding passing between us.
Her parents stood up, both smiling proudly. Her dad gave her a quick nod of approval. "You look lovely, beta," he said, his voice filled with pride.
Her mother added, "You really do look like a princess tonight, Aditi."
Anaya, not one to be left out, tugged on my sleeve again. "Jiju, aren't you going to tell Didi how pretty she looks?"
Aditi gave her sister a playful glare, her cheeks turning even redder, but I knew better than to ignore Anaya. I glanced at Aditi, my heart still racing. "You look... beautiful," I said softly, and I meant every word.
Aditi's parents chuckled, clearly enjoying the scene, while her dad gave me a subtle nod, as if telling me to make my exit before Anaya could demand anything more.
Just as we were heading for the door, Anaya's voice rang out again, louder than ever. "Be home before midnight! I mean, 10 p.m.!"
Aditi groaned, her voice filled with mock frustration. "This girl," she muttered, shaking her head as we stepped outside.
I laughed as I opened the passenger door for her. She slid into the seat, her movements graceful, and as I walked around to the driver's side, I couldn't stop smiling.