It was evening — the sky bathed in soft amber light as birds began returning to their nests. A peaceful breeze danced through the leaves of the trees, but Chirag's heart was anything but calm.
He sat on a bench at the public park, fingers tapping nervously on his knees. He had called Arnav earlier, asking him to come... and to bring Milli along. Now, all he could do was wait.
A few minutes later, Arnav and Milli arrived.
The moment Milli spotted Chirag, her expression darkened. Her voice cut through the silence like a whip.
"You told me we're here to discuss something!" she snapped at Arnav. "You said it was important! You never mentioned Chirag!"
Arnav gave a tiny shrug, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well... I knew you wouldn't come if I told you he was the one who called. So... I just kind of excused it."
Milli rolled her eyes dramatically. "Seriously, Arnav? What now? Is he gonna say he wants to break relations with us too? Like a full-on goodbye speech?"
"Milli, calm down," Arnav said gently, his tone steady. "Let's just hear him out. Okay?"
She huffed. "Okay. If you say so."
As they turned toward Chirag, Arnav suddenly felt something stir inside — a warmth in his chest he couldn't name. Embarrassed, he quickly looked away and faked a small cough.
They reached Chirag, who was standing now, eyes cast down.
"What is it, Chirag?" Arnav asked.
"Yes, hurry up," Milli added, folding her arms. "I've got to go be with Yashika. We had a movie plan."
Chirag inhaled deeply. "Guys... I'm sorry."
Milli raised a brow. "Okay. Fine. You're sorry. But we don't have time for that kind of vague apology. Say it properly, Chirag."
"Milli—" he started, but Arnav lifted a hand in front of her, silently asking her to let him speak.
"Spit it out," Arnav said.
Chirag nodded, then explained everything — what happened in the morning, what he realized, and why he was acting that way. His voice was soft but honest.
When he finished, Arnav smiled. "Harsh... thank God you understood it," he said with a sigh of relief, elbowing Chirag. "I'm proud of you, buddy."
Milli snorted. "Oh, so now you finally get it? The thing we've been trying to hammer into your skull since day one?"
Chirag chuckled sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that, really. Milli... can you forgive me this time?"
Milli sighed. "Honestly? I don't think you deserve to be forgiven. But since Yashika already forgave you... who am I to argue?"
She paused, then jabbed a finger at his chest. "But please, keep that brain of yours online for once. Don't ever pull something like this again."
"I promise," Chirag said. "I won't repeat it."
The tension eased, like a balloon slowly deflating. The three of them stood there — no longer three parts of a broken triangle, but friends again.
"Okay," Milli said suddenly, grinning. "Since everything's back to normal, how about we all go watch a movie together?"
Arnav's eyes lit up. "Now that's the perfect idea!"
"Why not?" Chirag smiled.
And just like that, they hopped onto their bikes — Arnav and Milli on Arnav's, Chirag on his own — and rode toward the orphanage.
There, in the quiet warmth of the night, Yashika sat holding the bouquet close to her chest. Her fingers gently caressed the petals like they were made of dreams. As the three entered, her eyes widened in surprise, and a soft blush crept up her cheeks.
She was hugging the bouquet so tightly it looked like her heart was inside it.
The three of them stood in the doorway, watching her silently.
Then they chuckled — not mockingly, but with something warm and kind dancing in their laughter.
The four of them finally settled in Yashika's room, all lying on their stomachs across her bed like kids at a sleepover. Milli had just come back from Miss Kavita's room, borrowing her laptop for their movie night.
Milli took one corner, Arnav took the other. In between were Yashika and Chirag, the laptop glowing in front of them like a tiny cinema screen.
They were watching Zootopia, one of Yashika's all-time favorite movies. Milli had suggested it, and no one had the heart—or the will—to say no. It was a film that somehow brought joy even when the world felt grey.
As the movie paused for an ad break, Arnav sat up and stretched.
"Okay, okay, we're watching a movie, so where are the snacks?" he said dramatically. "I'm going out to get some. You guys wait!"
Milli instantly perked up. "Wait! I'm coming with you!"
Yashika opened her mouth, maybe to stop them—or maybe not—but the words didn't come. Milli and Arnav were already giggling on their way out.
And then… silence.
Yashika and Chirag were suddenly alone. And after everything that had happened between them… it was quiet. Not tense, but unfamiliar.
Until Chirag, breaking the silence, muttered the most obvious thing he could've said:
"You enjoying the movie?"
Yashika turned her head, raising a brow. "Did you forget it's my favorite movie?"
He chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Of course not."
"Then does it even count as a question?" she smirked.
Chirag laughed nervously, getting slightly embarrassed. "I just... couldn't think of anything else to say."
Yashika shook her head in amused disbelief. "You totally are an idiot, aren't you?"
"In front of you? Always," he replied without hesitation.
They both burst out laughing, the wall between them finally softening.
Then Yashika turned to the screen again and said softly, "You know... today's the best day of my life. Till now."
Chirag looked at her. "Oh really? How come?"
"You won't understand."
"Okay. A little... only if you say so," he said and gently patted her head.
Yashika blushed a little but quickly turned her face so he wouldn't notice. Just in time, Milli and Arnav entered the room again, both talking and laughing.
"Look what we got!" Milli beamed.
They had brought Yashika's favorite chocolate, a packet of cheese balls, and a bottle of fruity juice. The four of them huddled back together, sharing snacks, laughing at the movie's funniest scenes, and just being together. It felt... perfect.
After a while, Arnav had to leave, and Chirag received a call from his father who invited Yashika to join them for dinner.
She hesitated—but Miss Kavita encouraged her. And so, she said yes.
Yashika and Chirag walked together to the Chaturvedi house. Raghuveer uncle welcomed her with open arms, a wide smile lighting his face. He had made pyaaz kachori, a dish both Chirag and Yashika loved.
The three of them sat at the table, chatting, laughing, and sharing memories while the food filled the air with warmth. Later, they all lounged in the living room, watching TV like nothing had ever changed.
And in that moment, it truly felt like everything had gone back to normal. Like the pieces that once scattered had quietly returned to their place.
Yashika smiled to herself, her heart full.
Maybe the saying is true.
Sometimes, everything does come back to how it once was—when it's meant to.
After the night, Chirag offered to drop Yashika. The ride was mostly silent, but not uncomfortable. Just... quiet. A kind of quiet that hangs in the air when two hearts are trying to speak without words.
As the bike came to a halt outside the orphanage, she unstrapped her helmet and turned toward him with a hesitant smile.
"Okay… so I wanted to give you something," she said softly. "But I forgot earlier. Here it is."
She handed him a tiny, folded letter. It wasn't fancy. Just a neatly folded piece of paper, slightly creased, her handwriting peeking out from the edges.
Chirag looked at it, unsure. "Oh… okay."
There was still a bit of awkwardness between them, but it wasn't heavy. It wasn't the kind of awkward that made you want to run. It was the kind that made you... smile a little, looking back.
Just as he sat back on his bike, ready to leave, Yashika surprised him.
She stepped forward and leaned close — not too close, just enough — and gently pressed a peak on his cheek. It was quick. Soft. Barely a second.
Chirag froze.
His ears turned red almost instantly. "Y-Yashika?" he stammered, not turning around.
She smiled, stepping back, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Goodnight," she said, that smile of hers refusing to leave.
Chirag turned a little, embarrassed, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Sweet dreams," he whispered back, waving before starting the bike.
Yashika disappeared into the orphanage.
Chirag didn't ride away immediately. He just sat there for a second, still stunned by the kiss.
He was in his room, when he remembered the letter.
He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, unfolding it with trembling fingers. The streetlight cast a warm glow as he began reading.
_____
Dear Chirag,
I know how hard things have been.
And I know it's been hard for you too.
But… thank you. Thank you for realizing your mistake.
Don't you dare feel guilty, okay?
Because I know you. I've known you from the start.
And all I want to say is…
Whenever you're in trouble, or hurting,
I might not be able to fix it.
But I'm always here. To listen. To just be there.
Today, when you hugged me and said sorry,
I couldn't help it. I cried.
Because I missed this.
I missed us.
And I love you, okay?
How can I not?
Just remember: I'm always on your side.
No matter what.
You needed time.
And now... we're back.
Back to the way we used to write.
The way we used to talk.
Yours Lovely,
With lots of love,
Yashika.
____
Chirag was stunned.
The letter smelled like her—like Yashika's favorite strawberry lip balm and her vanilla perfume. It had her charm, her softness, her heart.
He clutched it tightly to his chest, the words running through his mind like music.
He kept re-reading the letter, thinking about her cheek kiss, about the way they had hugged… about her.
Eventually, with the letter still in his hands, sleep wrapped itself around him like a warm blanket.
Meanwhile, back in her room, Yashika lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I can't believe I did that," she whispered to herself, covering her face with a pillow. "What must he be thinking?"
And then her mind went back to the letter.
Did he read it yet?
Did he smile?
Was he blushing too?
With those thoughts dancing in her head, she too slowly drifted off to sleep, a soft smile playing on her lips.
._._._._._._._._.
Heymy lovely readers.🌺
Thank you so much for waiting. 🩷
Iknow I am late again, but I can't help things have not been great, my health, my school, studies everything has been hectic.
But I try my best I promise. 🫶
I hope you enjoyed this chapter... I couldn't think of anything else.
And one more thing I haven't been getting any comments, or reviews at all, so please. It will make my day to see my reader's opinion. And if you enjoy it, vote. So that I know my story is something people read and love. For Yashika. For Chirag. For Me.🥀
That's it. Thank you so much.🌸
Love you all.❣️
Stay happy and healthy and enjoy reading.✨