---
Sunlight dances on gold plates and embroidered tablecloths. The royal restaurant buzzes with life—laughter like bells, clinking glasses, live musicians strumming soft melodies.
Dancers swirl under amber chandeliers, skirts blooming like marigolds. The scent of rose syrup and saffron lingers in the air. But Mahi... she isn't smiling.
She's not watching the dancers.
She's watching him.
Eyes narrowed, jaw slightly tight—jealousy is a quiet storm behind her kajal-rimmed eyes.
Soumik sits there, leaned back like a royal prince, elbow rested on the velvet chair, his eyes calmly following the performance.
Mahi (thinking):
Look at him. So entertained, huh?
Without warning—WHACK!
Her hand lands on his thigh. A light slap, but loaded with meaning.
Soumik jolts.
Soumik:
"Eh—what happened?!"
She turns slowly, with the calculated grace of a queen about to behead her traitor.
Mahi:
"Huh, nothing much. Continue enjoying your show."
The words drip sugar, but sting like vinegar.
Silence.
Soumik blinks. His brain short-circuits like a wire touched water. Then—
He looks away from the stage.
Back at her.
He doesn't blink.
He doesn't smile.
He just stares.
Mahi:
"…Wh-what are you doing?"
Her voice trembles slightly, an unexpected crack in her armor.
Her anger begins to wilt into something soft. Something warm.
She adjusts her dupatta, tucks a hair strand behind her ear, and takes a sip of her drink—pretending she doesn't notice.
But she knows.
He's still staring.
Still.
Her cheeks begin to burn, glowing red beneath her blush.
She hides behind her glass again.
He smirks—just a little.
---
Lunch ends. The sun hangs lazy and mellow in the sky. Golden light reflects off car windows and bangles.
Cousins pile into cars. Uncles call out for ice cream. The air smells of grilled kebabs and wet earth.
Soumik revs his Harley.
Mahi hops on.
She doesn't meet his eyes. She pulls her dupatta over her head—hiding her entire face this time.
But even the dupatta can't hide her smile.
Voices from behind—
"Hoyee hoyee! Eid ka perfect couple!"
"Rab ne bana di jodi!"
"Chand bhi sharma gaya!"
She tightens her hold on him in embarrassment.
He leans back slightly.
Soumik:
"You know they're not wrong…"
She swats his shoulder.
Mahi:
"Just drive, loverboy."
The Harley growls and vanishes down the road like a firework in daylight.
---
Home. 3 PM.
The courtyard now breathes in drowsy peace. Uncles nap under fans. Aunties change into soft cotton kurtas. The scent of chai rises like comfort.
A gentle breeze moves the curtains.
Elder woman from the swing chair calls out—
"Now go rest, children. Save your energy."
Another aunt with a wide, sleepy grin:
"Tonight we party again. Eid is not over till midnight, okay!"
Soumik stretches.
Mahi yawns, hand covering her lips.
They exchange a knowing glance. There's a weightless magic between them now, floating quietly in the late afternoon haze.
Somehow…
tonight already feels like it's glowing in waiting.
The clouds part.
The sunlight fades.
The moon prepares its entrance.
Eid night awaits.
---