Chosen Love

17.Packing for Paradise

The dining room was already alive with quiet morning activity when Ruhika walked in.

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, falling across the long wooden table where breakfast had been laid out — fresh parathas, cut fruit, tea, and a bowl of yogurt his mother had insisted everyone start their day with.

Aarav was slouched in his chair, scrolling lazily through his phone with one hand while absentmindedly eating toast with the other.

Shivansh sat opposite him, reading something on his tablet, his tea untouched beside him.

Ruhika hesitated for a moment at the entrance.

His mother noticed her first. "Ruhika," she said warmly, gesturing toward the empty chair beside Shivansh. "Come sit. I was just about to call you."

She walked over quietly and pulled the chair back.

For a moment, she became conscious of how close he actually was.

Closer than they ever had been before the wedding.

Close enough that she could faintly smell his cologne something clean and understated that she was slowly beginning to associate with him.

Shivansh glanced up from his tablet when she sat down. "Good morning."

Shivansh glanced up briefly when she sat down. "Tea?" he asked, already reaching for the kettle.

She nodded. "Thank you."

He poured the tea carefully and slid the cup toward her. Their fingers almost brushed for a fraction of a second. It was a small gesture, but it felt strangely natural.

Beside her, Shivansh returned to his tablet as if nothing unusual had happened. Yet he was faintly aware of her presence now — the slight movement when she adjusted her chair, the soft sound of her bangles when she reached for a spoon.

Small details. Unimportant and yet, strangely noticeable.

Shivansh's father watched the scene with quiet amusement.His mother, meanwhile, hid a small smile as she placed another dish and some fruit on the table

Ruhika reached for it towards the other end but before she could quite get to it, the bowl slid smoothly across the table toward her.

Shivansh hadn't even looked up from his tablet when he moved it. The gesture was simple, almost absentminded.

Ruhika paused for half a second before taking it "Thank you," she murmured quietly.

He gave a small nod, still reading. Across the table, Aarav happened to glance up at that exact moment.

His eyes moved from the bowl... to Ruhika... then to his brother.

The corner of his mouth lifted slowly. Interesting.

He leaned back in his chair, taking another sip of juice as if he hadn't noticed anything at all. But the amused glint in his eyes remained.

Because for someone who had known Shivansh his entire life, the gesture hadn't gone unnoticed.

His brother rarely did things absentmindedly.

His father folded his newspaper neatly and looked around the table."So," he said casually, "any plans for the week?"

Aarav immediately leaned forward.

Ruhika lowered her eyes, trying not to smile.

Shivansh set his tablet aside and took a sip of his tea.

Then he said it simply. "We're leaving for Maldives in three days."

Aarav froze. "Three days?" Bhai, patience naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai."

Ruhika nearly dropped her spoon.

Shivansh shot him a warning look. "Eat your breakfast."

His father folded the newspaper beside him. "Three days? That's soon."

His mother nodded approvingly. "That makes sense."

Aarav was clearly enjoying himself.He turned toward Ruhika again, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Bhabhi, if you need help escaping, just text me."

Shivansh gave him a long look. "Aarav."

"What?" Aarav shrugged. "I'm being supportive."

Ruhika bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to laugh.

Seeing her reaction only encouraged him further.

"Actually," he continued thoughtfully, "I'm surprised bhai even remembered to book tickets."

Shivansh set his cup down slowly."Unlike you," he said evenly, "some people have real jobs."

Aarav blinked. "Excuse me?"

Shivansh leaned back in his chair. "And once we're back," he added calmly, "I'm personally supervising you going to the office every morning."

His father chuckled while his mother shook her head. "That wouldn't be a bad idea."

Aarav looked genuinely offended now."Bhabhi," he said, pointing accusingly at Shivansh, "Do you see how he speaks to his younger brother?"

Ruhika laughed before she could stop herself. The sound slipped out naturally this time.

Shivansh glanced at her briefly. And for a moment, the faintest smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Aarav threw his hands up dramatically."Great," he muttered. "Now even bhabhi is on his side."

The conversation moved on after that, drifting to other small things — work schedules, errands, the day ahead.

But something about the table felt lighter now. And when Shivansh quietly pushed the fruit bowl toward Ruhika without saying anything, the small gesture didn't feel awkward anymore.

Sitting beside him, Ruhika became quietly aware of small things she had never noticed before. The way he held his cup when he drank his tea — steady, unhurried.

The way he listened to the conversation around the table without interrupting, only speaking when something actually needed to be said. Even the way he sat — relaxed but attentive, as though he was always aware of everything happening around him.

Before the wedding, she had simply thought of Shivansh as quiet. Reserved, perhaps.

But sitting beside him now, she realized that wasn't quite accurate. He wasn't quiet because he had nothing to say but because he chose his words carefully

And somehow, that made his presence feel... steady.

Grounded.

Morning that began with doubt for her to be on the table now felt almost... normal. As she lifted her cup of tea, she found herself wondering how many other things about him she had yet to notice.

_____________

In the quiet afternoon,when the elders were resting after lunch, Aarav went to his university for some paper work as he was done with his post-graduation.

Shivansh had to move to his home office to take an important call, though being on leave, a disadvantage despite having your own firm, can't leave everything on your best employees for days.

Ruhika had barely closed the bedroom door before she grabbed her phone. If there was one person who she absolutely needed to talk to was Isha

The phone rang twice before Isha's face appeared on the screen. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and she looked like she had just walked into her apartment.

"Hello, Married Woman," Isha greeted dramatically.

Ruhika rolled her eyes. "Stop."

"Never."

Isha squinted at the screen suddenly. "Wait... why do you look suspicious?"

Ruhika sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to sound casual.

"We're leaving for Maldives in three days."

Isha blinked. Once. Twice.

Then suddenly the phone screen shook violently.

"MALDIVES?!"

Ruhika immediately pulled the phone slightly away from her ear. "Yes."

"And you're telling me like it's a grocery list item?"

Ruhika sighed. "Relax."

Isha leaned closer to the screen. "Maldives means beaches. Sunsets. Water villas."

She narrowed her eyes suddenly. "What are you taking with you?"

Isha stared at her. "Ruhika."

Isha threw her head back dramatically. "No."

Ruhika frowned. "I have dresses."

Ruhika groaned. Isha—"

"No arguments. Honeymoon shopping is mandatory.You're not going on a corporate retreat.

Just then the bedroom door opened.Shivansh walked in, loosening his watch as he stepped inside.

Ruhika froze.

Isha's eyes widened.

Ruhika immediately turned the phone slightly away from him."You weren't supposed to hear that."

Shivansh closed the door behind him, clearly amused "Hard not to."

Isha leaned closer to the screen again, curiosity taking over. "Is that Jiju?"

"Why do you ask stupid questions? Obviously It's him."

Before Ruhika could stop her, Isha waved enthusiastically. "Hi, jiju."

Shivansh nodded politely. "Hello."

Tara studied him thoughtfully through the screen. "So you're taking my best friend to Maldives."

Shivansh looked at Ruhika. "News travels fast."

Ruhika muttered, "Ignore her."

Isha continued, completely unfazed. Just informing you," she said casually, I'm taking your wife out tomorrow, hope you don't mind.

Shivansh glanced at Ruhika, then back at the screen.

"I'll try to survive."

Isha grinned. "Good."

Ruhika shook her head. "You're impossible."

"Relax," Isha said. "I'll return her safely."

Shivansh raised an eyebrow slightly."I'll hold you to that."

With this, Ruhika decided to end the call, as she didn't want this conversation to unfold in front of Shivansh.

For a moment she didn't look up. She already knew he was still standing there. The silence stretched for a few seconds before he finally spoke.

"So," he said mildly, "I've been informed that my wife is being taken out tomorrow."

Ruhika exhaled quietly, then blinked . The words slipped into the room so casually that for a second she almost missed them.

Not Ruhika. Not her name. Just... that.

Something about the way he said it — calm, effortless, as if it had already become natural to him — made her pause.

She lowered her phone slowly, suddenly aware of the quiet space between them.Hearing him say it like that felt strangely... different.

Ruhika cleared her throat softly, hoping the slight warmth rising to her cheeks wasn't too obvious

"You didn't have to entertain her."she said, a little more quickly than intended.

But even as the conversation moved on, a small part of her mind lingered on the words.

It sounded unfamiliar. And somehow... not entirely unwelcome.

"She seemed quite certain about the plan."

Shivansh nodded thoughtfully. "Should I be concerned?"

She frowned. "Concerned about what?"

"That she's kidnapping you."

Ruhika stared at him for a second before realizing he was joking.

A small smile appeared despite herself."She's just taking me shopping."

He leaned back slightly against the dresser."For the trip?"

A brief pause followed.Then he said casually, "Good."

Ruhika looked at him again."Good?"

She folded her arms slightly. "I have things."

Something about the faint amusement in his tone made her narrow her eyes. "You sound like you agree with Tara."

Ruhika shook her head, half amused now."You two formed an alliance in under five minutes."

Shivansh didn't deny it, he glanced at the open laid suitcase in the corner of the room, which he briefly remembered seeing just after breakfast as well

"You've already started packing?"

He studied the half-filled suitcase, the clothes neatly folded inside, and the few items scattered nearby. Then he looked back at her and stated gently

"I'm happy that you're looking forward to it."

The simple observation caught her slightly off guard.

For a second she didn't know what to say.Then she shrugged lightly.

"It's... my first time going somewhere like that."

That surprised her.She looked at him more carefully now and asked "Really?"

He nodded. "I usually travel for work."

The idea of Shivansh — who always seemed so composed and familiar with everything — experiencing something new too felt oddly reassuring.

The room fell quiet again before Ruhika said after a moment, "Tara will probably make me buy half the mall tomorrow."

Shivansh pushed himself away from the dresser, he said calmly, heading toward the door, "at least she warned me."

Ruhika frowned slightly. "Warned you about what?"

He paused at the doorway."That I should expect extra luggage on the way back."

The corner of his mouth lifted faintly before he walked out.

Ruhika stared at the door for a second. Then she shook her head, smiling to herself as she went back to packing. Somehow, conversations with Shivansh always ended that way.

Quiet Unexpected.

And just a little amusing.

_____________________

Ruhika was standing near the mirror, adjusting the strap of her watch when the faint sound of a car horn echoed from outside.

Isha

Right on time.

She quickly reached for her handbag from the dresser, mentally preparing herself for what was definitely going to be an unnecessarily chaotic shopping trip.

As she turned, Shivansh who was lazily sprawled on the bed, "You're leaving?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied. "Isha's here."

Almost on cue, the horn sounded again from outside.

He glanced briefly toward the window before looking back at her.

He reached into his wallet and held out a card. "Take this."

Ruhika looked at it, then back at him.

"For the shopping."

She shook her head gently."That's not necessary."

"It's fine."

"I know," she said softly, "but I'd rather use my own."

Shivansh studied her for a moment before slipping the card back into his wallet. "Okay."

Another horn echoed outside. Ruhika sighed. "She's going to start honking nonstop."

She adjusted the strap of her bag and moved toward the door, "I'll be back soon."

Shivansh nodded once, "I'll wait for dinner."

Ruhika stopped for a fraction of a second. The words were simple. But something about them felt unexpectedly... warm.

She glanced back at him briefly and nodded smiling

____________________

The mall was already crowded by the time Ruhika and Isha stepped inside.

Bright store lights, music spilling from different shops, people moving everywhere — the entire place buzzed with evening energy.

Isha walked ahead with the confidence of someone who had already decided how the evening would go.

Ruhika followed behind her, already slightly skeptical.

Within minutes Isha had picked out a few dresses and pushed them into Ruhika's arms.

"Try these."

Ruhika glanced down at the fabric. The dresses themselves weren't unusual. She had worn similar things before — vacations with cousins, college trips.

But this time felt... different.

"Go," Isha insisted, nudging her toward the trial rooms.

A few minutes later Ruhika stepped out wearing a soft blue summer dress.

Isha looked up and broke into a wide grin. "Oh this is happening."

Ruhika turned slightly toward the mirror.The dress was light, comfortable, falling easily over her shoulders.

It wasn't the dress that made her hesitate.It was the sudden thought of wearing it somewhere far away, with Shivansh the only familiar person around.

Isha returned from another rack carrying three more dresses.

Ruhika sighed but took the dresses anyway, turned slightly, studying the fit. It was comfortable. Light. Perfect for the weather they were heading into.

Still, she hesitated. "It feels a little..."

Isha folded her arms knowingly. "A little what?"

Ruhika lowered her voice. "I don't think Shivansh has ever seen me dressed like this."

Isha's grin slowly widened. "Oh this is getting interesting."

Ruhika shook her head. "You're behaving like I'm going on some life-changing trip."

Ruhika paused slightly at that thought. Then she shook it off. "You're overthinking."

When Ruhika stepped out wearing a white dress.

Isha tilted her head thoughtfully. "This one might be dangerous."

Ruhika frowned. "Why?"

"Because if Shivansh sees you like this on a beach at sunset—"

Ruhika turned back toward the mirror, pretending to examine the dress.

Isha leaned closer and lowered her voice before saying,

"He's going to forget whatever calm personality you keep describing."

Ruhika gave her a look.But she didn't immediately go back into the trial room.

By the time they reached the billing counter, Ruhika's arms were already full of shopping bags.

Dresses, sandals, sunglasses — far more than she had planned to buy.

"This is ridiculous," Ruhika muttered as the cashier began scanning the items.

Isha leaned against the counter, looking extremely satisfied with herself.

The cashier continued scanning the pile of clothes while Isha quietly added one more item to the stack.

A small black box.

Ruhika's eyes immediately narrowed. "What is that?"

Isha didn't even blink. "Nothing."

Ruhika reached for it. "Isha."

But Isha was faster, sliding the box back toward the cashier. "Bill it separately " and she paid

Ruhika stared at her. "What did you just add?"

The cashier continued scanning the items, clearly uninterested in the conversation.

Isha shrugged innocently."A small gift."

Ruhika folded her arms."What kind of gift?"

Isha's grin slowly spread."The kind appropriate for a honeymoon."

Ruhika froze.

Isha leaned closer and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Trust me. Just open this once you're there

After they were done shopping, the women wandered toward the central atrium where the crowd had thickened.

As they passed a sleek glass storefront, Ruhika slowed. Rows of perfume bottles reflected the warm store lights.

"Just a minute," she said quietly.

Isha immediately narrowed her eyes.

The store was calmer than the rest of the mall — soft lighting, polished counters, the faint scent of dozens of fragrances lingering in the air.

A sales associate approached politely. "Looking for something specific?"

Ruhika hesitated. "Something... subtle," she said.

The associate nodded and guided her toward a section of understated, elegant bottles.

She tested a few.

One was too sharp.

Another too sweet.

Isha watched with growing curiosity. "This is strange."

"What is?"

Ruhika didn't respond.She lifted another bottle and sprayed the scent lightly onto a strip.

The fragrance was soft. Clean. Warm without being overpowering.

Something about it immediately made her think of Shivansh.

Not loud.Not dramatic. Just quietly present.

The way he sat at the breakfast table listening more than speaking.The way he had said earlier that evening ~ I'll wait for dinner.

She tested it again.

Yes. This one.

"I'll take this," she said.

Isha's eyebrows shot up. "That's for him."

It wasn't even a question.

Ruhika glanced at her. "It's just a perfume."

The cashier began wrapping the bottle carefully in a small box.

Then he looked up. "We also offer engraving on the bottle if you'd like."

Ruhika paused. "Engraving?"

"Yes. A small message or initials."

Isha's grin slowly widened.

Ruhika ignored her and looked down at the elegant glass bottle resting on the counter.For a moment she wasn't sure what she would write.

It felt strangely personal.Then something simple came to mind.She leaned slightly closer to the counter.

"Can you engrave something symbolic ?"

Ruhika thought for a moment before answering quietly.

(It's their wedding date)

The cashier nodded and began preparing the engraving.

Isha stared at her, "That is suspiciously romantic. You bought your husband perfume and engraved a message on it.

A few minutes later the bottle was handed back to her, the small engraving glinting faintly in the light.

Ruhika turned it slightly in her hand.

The words were small.

Subtle. Easy to miss.

But somehow they felt right. she held the small bag a little more carefully than the others as they continued through the crowd.

_____________________

By the time Ruhika returned home, the house had settled into its quiet evening rhythm, faint sound of the television drifting from somewhere down the hallway.

She stepped inside balancing two shopping bags in each hand.

Aarav noticed first. "Oh wow," he said from the sofa, sitting up immediately. "Bhabhi went shopping."

Ruhika rolled her eyes. "Very observant. Come Help

Aarav stood and peeked inside one of the bags. "This looks expensive."

Before he could continue, Shivansh walked in from the hallway.His eyes immediately went to the bags.

"You raided the mall?," he said calmly.

"No, just went with a human tornado", Ruhika replied.

Dinner that night felt unusually calm. steel bowls filled with dal and vegetables, warm rotis wrapped neatly in a cloth, the quiet clinking of cutlery blending with the soft murmur of conversation.

Ruhika had placed the shopping bags near the staircase before coming to the table, but they hadn't gone unnoticed.

Aarav's eyes had drifted toward them at least three times already.

His mother noticed.Of course she did.

A small knowing smile touched her face as she served another roti onto Ruhika's plate.

"Honeymoon shopping?" she asked lightly.

Ruhika looked up, a little caught off guard, then nodded. "Ji."

Her tone was simple, but there was a faint hint of amusement in it too—probably because Tara's voice was still echoing in her head after the evening.

Across the table, Aarav immediately leaned forward, sensing opportunity.

"So..." he began, stretching the word dramatically, his eyes moving from Ruhika to the shopping bags and back again.

"Maldives wardrobe?"

Ruhika looked at him flatly. "Clothes."

Aarav grinned, completely unfazed."That's not a denial."

his mother shook her head in mild exasperation.But Aarav wasn't finished yet. "So how many dresses are we talking about?" he continued. "Five? Ten?"

Ruhika reached for her glass of water, deliberately ignoring him.

"Are those clothes Best Friend approved?" he added. "If yes, then bhai is in trouble."

That finally made Shivansh look up."For what exactly?" he asked calmly.

Aarav's grin widened."For surviving Maldives."

Ruhika, a little flustered set her glass down with a quiet clink."Aarav."

"What?" he said innocently. But the faint curve of his smile gave him away.

Beside her, Shivansh lifted his glass of water, taking a sip to hide the faint smile threatening to appear. It was subtle—just the slightest softening at the corner of his mouth.

Ruhika noticed it. And for some reason, that made her glance away quickly, focusing again on her plate as the conversation drifted toward something else.

But Aarav, still thoroughly entertained, leaned back in his chair with obvious satisfaction. The evening had just become far more interesting for him.

_________

Later at night The clatter of dishes had faded, Aarav's voice from the living room had slowly disappeared behind a closed door, and the hallway lights had dimmed into the calm rhythm the house usually settled into

Upstairs, their room was anything but quiet. The bed was covered in neatly folded clothes, half-open shopping bags, and an open suitcase waiting to be filled.

Ruhika stood near the edge of the bed, carefully folding one of the dresses Tara had insisted she buy. She placed it inside the suitcase, adjusted the corners so it wouldn't wrinkle, then reached for another.

Behind her, the door opened softly. She glanced up briefly.

Shivansh stepped inside For a moment he simply took in the scene—the clothes spread across the bed, the suitcase slowly filling up, Ruhika moving around with quiet focus.

"You're still packing," he observed.

"Yes," she said without looking up. "I underestimated how much Tara would make me buy."

That earned a faint smile.

He leaned casually against the dresser for a moment, watching her work. There was something unexpectedly peaceful about the scene—the quiet rustle of fabric, the careful way she folded everything before placing it in the suitcase.

After a few seconds he pushed himself off the dresser and picked up a T-shirt from the pile on the bed. She stepped aside slightly as he began folding it with practiced efficiency.

He placed the folded shirt into the suitcase and reached for another item. Soon the two of them were packing side by side.

Occasionally their hands reached for the same item and one of them would pull back first with a small, almost amused pause.

At one point he picked up a light blue dress.

The same one Isha had insisted she try earlier that evening.

He held it up for a moment before folding it. "This one's nice."

Ruhika looked up immediately. "Really?"

She hesitated slightly before speaking again. "I used to wear things like this before the wedding."

He glanced at her. "And after?"

She shrugged lightly, adjusting the corner of another dress she was folding. "I wasn't sure if it would feel appropriate now. With everyone at home."

It wasn't a complaint.

Just uncertainty.

Shivansh finished folding the dress and placed it carefully into the suitcase.

Then he looked at her. "You should wear whatever you're comfortable in."

The answer came so simply that she blinked.

"You don't mind?"

Ruhika paused, considering that. "I didn't know what the expectations would be."

Something about the quiet certainty in his voice made the tension she hadn't realized she'd been holding ease slightly.

She nodded slowly. "Okay."

For a moment neither of them spoke again.The quiet returned as they continued packing.

Then Ruhika remembered something. "Oh."

Shivansh looked up. "What?"

She reached for one of the smaller shopping bags lying beside the bed.

"I forgot this." She pulled out the small box and held it toward him. "For you."

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "You bought me something?"

He opened the box.Inside rested a sleek glass bottle of perfume, nestled carefully in dark packaging.

For a moment he simply looked at it.Then he lifted it out.The light from the bedside lamp caught the glass, reflecting faintly across his hand.

As he turned it slightly, something engraved along the base of the bottle caught his attention.

His thumb paused over the engraving.

For a second he didn't say anything. The room had been quietly comfortable until that moment, but now Ruhika suddenly felt aware of the silence stretching between them.

She shifted slightly where she stood near the suitcase.

"It was just— The words came out more hurried than she intended.

"I saw it and thought... maybe you'd like it."

She stopped herself.

Because Shivansh looked up.

And something in his expression had changed.It wasn't surprise exactly, Something softer. Something thoughtful.

He ran his thumb once more over the small engraving, as though testing whether the words were really there.

"Thank you," he said quietly, the sincerity in his voice made her glance away for a moment.

He opened the bottle and sprayed a small amount onto his wrist.The fragrance settled slowly into the air between them.

Clean.

Subtle.

Warm in a quiet way.

Ruhika watched him for a moment. "It suits you," she said softly before she could stop herself.

He looked at her. "You think so?"

She nodded. "It felt like something you'd choose."

He studied her for a second, almost amused. "I didn't realize you'd been studying my taste."

But then she added more honestly, "I just noticed."

Something about that answer made the faint smile at the corner of his mouth deepen slightly.He placed the perfume bottle carefully beside his suitcase.

Almost deliberately.As if it suddenly felt more personal than he expected.

Then Ruhika glanced down into the open suitcase beside him.

And frowned. "That's it? You're just taking this much?

He looked over. "Yes."

"That's barely anything."

She crossed her arms. "Exactly."

He looked mildly amused now. "I'll manage."

"No."

He blinked. "No?"

She pointed at his suitcase. "You need more clothes."

She zipped her own suitcase halfway and turned toward him with the quiet determination she had not shown earlier at the mall.

"Tomorrow we're going shopping."

He leaned slightly back against the edge of the bed now, watching her.

A faint smile appeared again. "You're very certain about this."

He tilted his head slightly. "Should I be scared ?"

"Very." She smiled

Ruhika reached for one of the shirts he had packed and held it up critically. "This is the same shirt you wore weeks ago, when we met for coffee "

"It's comfortable."

She folded it again and placed it neatly back inside.

"You're going to Maldives."

He watched her for a moment as she continued rearranging his suitcase like it was now her responsibility.

Something warm settled quietly in his chest.It had been a long time since anyone had cared enough to comment on something as small as what he wore.

Most people in his life assumed he would handle things himself. Which he always had.

But here she was—barely a week into the marriage—standing beside his suitcase and insisting he needed better clothes for a vacation.

Because it mattered to her, apparently, it mattered that he looked good.

The thought was strangely... touching. He picked up another shirt slowly.

"Fine," he said calmly.

"We'll go shopping."

Ruhika nodded immediately, satisfied.For a moment neither of them said anything.But the quiet between them felt different now.

Warmer.

And as Shivansh glanced once more at the perfume bottle resting beside his suitcase, the small engraved words seemed to carry more meaning than he had expected when he first opened the box.

For the first time that evening, the title didn't feel new.

It felt... right.

_______________

The next morning, she was again standing in a shopping complex, but this time more enthusiastically .

Where the previous evening had been loud and crowded, the late morning brought a calmer rhythm—shops just opening, soft music drifting through the corridors, the air still carrying the faint smell of coffee from the cafés.

Shivansh walked beside Ruhika, hands loosely in his pockets.The men's section was almost empty when they stepped inside.

Ruhika walked directly toward a rack of linen shirts.

"These."

She pulled one out and held it up.

Shivansh raised an eyebrow.

She looked at the shirt again thoughtfully."Light fabrics will be better there."

He crossed his arms slightly, watching her now."And you know this how?"

She pulled out another one."And this color will look good on you."

That made him pause."You're very confident."

He chuckled softly. Within minutes she had gathered three shirts and handed them to him.

"Trial room, to your left"

He looked down at the growing pile. "You're enjoying this."

A few minutes later he stepped out wearing it.

Ruhika looked up from the mirror nearby.And for a second she forgot what she had been about to say.

The relaxed linen shirt suited him far more than she expected.

He noticed the pause. "Well?" he asked.

Ruhika crossed her arms thoughtfully, trying to look serious.

"Turn around."

He blinked once. "Turn around?"

"Yes."

He turned slowly.

She nodded. "This one."

He glanced down at the shirt again. "That was quick."

As he stepped closer to the mirror, Ruhika noticed the sleeve sitting slightly unevenly on his arm. Without thinking, she reached out to adjust it.

Her fingers brushed his wrist.The movement lasted barely a second.But both of them noticed.

Ruhika immediately pulled her hand back. "Sorry," she said quickly. "The sleeve was folded wrong."

Shivansh looked at her for a moment. "It's fine."

But there was a faint amusement in his voice. And the smallest hint of warmth.

He came out trying a few more things, shirts and casual T-shirts

This time she handed him a pale blue shirt.

When he stepped out wearing it, Ruhika instinctively looked up again And immediately wished she hadn't.

The color suited him even better.The light fabric made the lines of his shoulders more noticeable, and when he pushed his sleeves up slightly, the casual movement felt unexpectedly distracting.

She looked away quickly. "That one too."

Shivansh noticed the quick shift in her gaze."You approved it without even looking properly."

He stepped closer to the mirror. Ruhika could see his reflection now rather than looking at him directly.That somehow felt easier.

He adjusted the collar slightly.

A few minutes later she handed him another shirt.

"Last one."

He disappeared behind the curtain again.

While he changed, Ruhika wandered a few steps away pretending to look at a rack of trousers.

When he stepped out again, she turned.

And this time, it caught her completely off guard.

The darker shirt fit closer across his shoulders.He had left the top button open.The casual look suited him in a way she hadn't expected.

For a brief moment an entirely unnecessary thought crossed her mind. He looks really good.

The realization made her instantly embarrassed. She dropped her gaze and cleared her throat.

"That one, Definitely," she said quickly.

As he returned to the trial room again, Shivansh found himself smiling slightly. He had never particularly enjoyed shopping. Usually it was something done quickly between meetings or before trips.

But watching Ruhika move around the store—carefully selecting things, for him, pretending not to stare when he stepped out of the trial room—made the entire experience unexpectedly entertaining.

And strangely warm.

She didn't say much. But the small details were impossible to miss. The way she noticed the sleeve.

The way she immediately approved the shirts that suited him best.

The way she kept looking away when he caught her watching.

He stepped out once more wearing whatever she handed By the time they reached the billing counter, the pile of clothes had grown larger than either of them expected.

The cashier began scanning them one by one.

Ruhika stood beside the counter watching the numbers appear on the screen, while Shivansh rested one hand casually against the edge of the counter.

When the cashier announced the total, Shivansh instinctively reached for his wallet.

But Ruhika was quicker. Her card appeared on the counter before he could say anything.

"Ruhika you're not—"

She shook her head lightly "I'm paying."

The cashier paused politely, glancing between them.

Shivansh placed his hand gently over the card before it could be taken.

"You've already bought enough yesterday."

He hesitated.

Ruhika shook her head again, the faintest smile touching her face. "I'm the one who dragged you into this store."

"That's not a crime."

Ruhika hesitated briefly before answering."I've never done this for anyone."

The words made him pause.

She looked down at the counter for a moment before adding softly, "Except for papa... a few times."

The sentence was simple. Almost casual. But it landed with unexpected weight. Shivansh's hand slowly lifted away from the card.

The cashier processed the payment and handed the receipt across the counter.

Neither of them moved immediately. Because for a moment, Shivansh was still looking at her.

That comparison had caught him off guard.Not because it was dramatic.But because of how naturally she had said it. Like it wasn't something she had even thought twice about.

She had simply decided she wanted to do something for him. And done it.

They stepped away from the counter.Shivansh took the shopping bags from her automatically.

Ruhika didn't protest this time. They walked a few steps through the corridor before Shivansh slowed.

Ruhika looked at him. "What happened?"

He shook his head slightly. "Nothing." But his voice had softened.

He glanced down at the bags in his hand for a moment before looking back at her. "You didn't have to do that."

Ruhika tilted her head slightly. "I wanted to."

The simplicity of the answer caught him again.For a second he just looked at her. Then he said quietly,

"Thank you." This time the words sounded different.

Not polite.

Not casual.

Something deeper. Ruhika seemed to notice it too.

"You're welcome," she said softly.

They stood there for another moment.

Then Shivansh reached out instinctively and adjusted the strap of her handbag where it had slipped slightly off her shoulder.

His fingers brushed lightly against her arm as he did. The contact was brief.

Ruhika looked up at him.And for a second neither of them spoke.

Then Shivansh stepped back slightly, clearing his throat. "Come on," he said quietly.

"Let's eat something, then we should head home."

Ruhika nodded.

And as they walked away together, something between them had shifted—just a little. Like the quiet beginning of something they were both slowly learning to recognize.

They found a quieter café tucked slightly away from the main food court.Glass windows overlooked the lower floor, sunlight spilling across the small wooden tables.

For a moment, as they sat across from each other, the setting felt oddly familiar. Almost like the cafés where they had met a few times before their wedding.

The same slightly careful distance across the table.

The same quiet pauses.

But something about it felt... different now.

Their food arrived a few minutes later.For a while they simply ate quietly.The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

Just calm.

Ruhika reached for the water jug to refill her glass, but Shivansh picked it up first and poured water into her glass before filling his own.

The gesture was so casual it almost went unnoticed.

Almost.

At one point she noticed something on the edge of his sleeve.Before thinking too much about it, she leaned slightly forward and brushed it away with a napkin.

The movement was quick. Natural.

But the moment she realized what she had done, she paused and withdrew her hand.

Shivansh glanced down at the sleeve she had just cleaned. Then back at her.

She shook her head and returned to her food.A few minutes later Shivansh spoke again.

"You seem happy with the shopping results."

Ruhika smiled slightly. "You looked good in those shirts."

The sentence slipped out more easily than she expected.

Shivansh paused for a second. "Good to know."

She immediately focused on her plate again, suddenly feeling a little aware of her own words.

But he didn't tease her about it. Instead he simply continued eating, the faintest hint of a smile resting at the corner of his mouth.

When they finally stood up to leave, the easy quiet between them followed them out of the café. As they stepped back into the brighter noise of the mall corridor, they walked slightly closer beside her than before.

___________

When they were back home Ruhika immediately set the bags down and began taking the new clothes out, placing them carefully beside the suitcase.

Shivansh stood near the door for a moment, watching her.

"You're repacking everything."

He leaned slightly against the wardrobe, arms folded.

"What's wrong with how I pack?"

She held up the shirts she had bought earlier. "This goes on top."

Shivansh stepped closer, taking the shirts from her before placing it inside his suitcase. "You're suddenly very invested in this trip."

She shrugged lightly. "It's our honeymoon."

The words slipped out casually.But for a brief moment they both paused. It still felt new. Neither of them commented on it.

Instead Shivansh zipped his suitcase halfway while Ruhika checked the smaller pockets for travel documents.

"Passport?" she asked.

"In the front pocket."

She nodded, checking it anyway. The quiet domestic rhythm of the moment settled easily between them.

Eventually the suitcases were closed and placed near the door.

Ruhika glanced at the clock."We should sleep early."

The next morning arrived before the house had fully woken.The sky outside was still pale grey when they stepped into the hallway with their luggage.

The quiet of early morning filled the house. As they reached the door, Aarav appeared from the living room, clearly half-asleep.

"You're leaving already?"

Aarav yawned. "Happy Journey! Enjoy Maldives."

Ruhika smiled faintly as they stepped outside.

The air was cool and still as the car pulled away from the house.

_______________

The airport was already busy despite the early hour.

Suitcases rolled across polished floors, announcements echoed overhead, and travelers moved in steady lines between counters.

Shivansh guided their luggage trolley toward the check-in desk while Ruhika walked beside him, holding their passports carefully.

The airline attendant greeted them with a professional smile. "Good morning."

She glanced at the passports briefly before typing something into the system printed their boarding passes and handed them across the counter.

"Enjoy your trip"

security line separated them briefly. Shivansh crossed through first and waited on the other side while Ruhika followed a few moments later.

When she came through, he was already holding her handbag.

"You forgot this in the tray," he said.

She took it from him, their fingers brushing lightly in the exchange.

They walked together toward their gate. Large windows overlooked the runway where aircraft moved slowly across the tarmac in the soft morning light.

They found seats near the window. For a few minutes they simply sat there watching the planes.

Ruhika leaned slightly forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

He considered the question briefly.

"For work, you're mostly alone, always thinking about where you're going next."

The answer made her glance at him briefly. Before she could say anything, the boarding announcement echoed through the gate.

Shivansh picked up their bags and gestured toward the gate.

"Ready?"

As they walked down the boarding bridge, the low hum of the aircraft engines became louder.

Inside the plane, Shivansh helped place their bags in the overhead compartment before taking the seat beside her.

Ruhika settled near the window. The runway lights glowed faintly outside as the aircraft began moving.

For a moment the cabin grew quiet. Then the plane accelerated down the runway.

Ruhika instinctively reached for the armrest.

Within seconds the ground fell away beneath them. The city shrank into clusters of lights as they climbed into the clouds.The flight settled into a quiet rhythm.

Passengers dozed, read, or watched movies.Ruhika spent most of the time looking out the window.

At one point Shivansh glanced toward her.

"You're watching the clouds very seriously."

She glanced sideways at him.

"Yes."

He nodded. "First time for both of us."

Something about that answer made her smile faintly.

Hours later, the captain's voice broke the quiet. "We will begin our descent shortly."

Ruhika leaned toward the window again.At first all she saw were clouds.

Then slowly the clouds parted.And the ocean appeared.

But it wasn't the deep blue she expected.It was a stunning, almost unreal shade of turquoise.

Small islands dotted the water below like scattered pieces of emerald.White rings of sand surrounded them.

Ruhika's eyes widened slightly. "Shivansh."

He leaned closer to the window.For a moment neither of them spoke. The Maldives stretched beneath them like a painting.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

Shivansh looked out at the water.Then glanced at her.

"Yes," he said quietly.

And as the plane descended toward the islands below, the reality of the trip finally settled between them.

They had arrived.

___________________

Aesthetic