The skating rink was glowing with white lights reflecting off the smooth ice surface. Laughter echoed everywhere—people gliding, slipping, and occasionally crashing into each other.
Aakrati stood near the entrance tying the laces of her skates when she noticed Arsh staring at the rink with narrowed eyes.
She looked up at him and raised a brow.
"Don't tell me… you don't know how to skate."
Arsh crossed his arms defensively.
"I never needed to."
She chuckled.
"That means no."
He sighed dramatically.
"Fine. I don't know how to skate."
Aakrati grinned mischievously.
"Perfect. Come."
Before he could protest, she grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the rink.
The moment Arsh stepped onto the ice, he lost balance.
"Whoa—"
Aakrati quickly held his arm.
"Careful! Bend your knees a little."
"I am bending," he muttered.
"You're stiff like a statue."
"And you're enjoying this way too much."
She laughed, guiding him slowly.
"Relax, Arsh. Hold my hand."
He looked down at their intertwined fingers for a second before nodding.
She skated backward while he moved forward, following her instructions.
"Okay," she said, "step slowly… slide your feet… like this."
Arsh tried copying her.
For a moment it worked.
Then suddenly—
His foot slipped.
"Aakrati—!"
He nearly fell but she grabbed his jacket, pulling him toward her.
Their bodies collided lightly.
He steadied himself with his hands on her waist.
Both froze.
Then she burst into laughter.
"You almost killed us."
"You pulled me," he said.
"I saved you."
He looked down at her with a faint smile.
"Same thing."
They continued like that for almost an hour.
Arsh stumbling.
Aakrati guiding.
Sometimes he slipped and she caught him.
Sometimes she lost balance and he grabbed her.
Every few minutes they ended up in a clumsy hug.
At one point he leaned closer and whispered,
"You're enjoying controlling me."
She smirked.
"A little."
"And I'm bigger than you."
"Exactly why it's difficult," she teased. "You're heavy."
His eyes widened.
"Did you just call me heavy?"
She laughed again.
Despite everything, Arsh was trying seriously.
And that made her like the moment even more.
Watching him follow her instructions so obediently felt oddly adorable.
After a while he sighed dramatically.
"I'm done."
"You're improving!"
"I'm exhausted."
"Drama king."
He pointed toward the exit.
"Food. Market. Anything. Just not ice."
She finally nodded.
"Okay, fine."
The air was warm as they walked into a lively street market filled with colorful lights and music.
Stalls lined the road selling clothes, accessories, handmade items, and food.
Aakrati's eyes sparkled.
"Arsh look! That dress is so pretty!"
Before he could respond she was already dragging him toward the stall.
She held up a white summer dress.
"How does this look?"
Arsh studied it seriously.
"It would suit you."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That was fast."
"I have good taste."
She rolled her eyes but bought it anyway.
Then she picked a black shirt for him.
"Try this."
"I don't need clothes."
"Just try."
He sighed but took it.
Minutes later he came out wearing it.
Aakrati blinked.
"Okay… wow."
"What?"
"You look… really good."
He smirked slightly.
"Of course I do."
They walked through the market laughing, trying random things.
At one stall Arsh picked up a bracelet.
"For you."
She looked surprised.
"You're buying me things now?"
"You liked it."
She quietly slipped it on her wrist.
"Thank you."
A little ahead they saw an old stone church standing peacefully under soft yellow lights.
Aakrati slowed down.
"Let's go inside."
They walked in quietly.
The place was calm, almost magical.
Candles flickered near the altar.
Both stood silently for a moment.
Then they closed their eyes and prayed.
When they stepped outside again, Arsh looked at her curiously.
"What did you ask for?"
She smiled softly.
"You shouldn't tell your wish to anyone."
"Why?"
"Otherwise it won't come true."
He nodded slowly.
"Fair enough."
She looked at him.
"What about you?"
He tilted his head.
"Didn't you just say wishes shouldn't be told?"
She burst into laughter.
"You're impossible."
Ice Cream Stop
Just outside the church a small ice cream cart stood under a street lamp.
Aakrati's eyes lit up instantly.
"I want ice cream."
Arsh shook his head.
"You're like a child."
"But you'll buy it."
He sighed.
"Fine."
She ordered chocolate.
He ordered vanilla.
They walked slowly eating while talking about random things.
Sometimes she would take a bite from his cone.
He pretended to be annoyed.
"Get your own."
"I did. Yours tastes better."
Aakrati sat behind Arsh on the bike, still finishing the last bit of her chocolate ice cream while the cool evening breeze brushed against them.
She leaned slightly closer so he could hear her over the sound of the engine.
"Arsh…"
"Hm?" he responded, eyes still on the road.
"Let's go to the beach."
He glanced at her briefly through the mirror.
"The beach? Right now?"
She nodded excitedly even though he could only half see it.
"Yeah! It must look so pretty at sunset."
Arsh chuckled softly.
"You just had ice cream and now you want a beach trip too?"
"Yes," she said confidently, wrapping one hand lightly around his arm for balance. "Don't say no."
He pretended to think for a moment.
"Hmm… I am tired."
"Arsh," she whined softly.
He sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
Her face instantly lit up.
"Really?"
He turned the handle slightly, changing the direction of the bike.
"We're going to the beach."
Aakrati smiled widely behind him, the wind playing with her hair.
"Best decision you've made today."
Arsh smirked to himself as he rode.
"Don't get used to winning every argument."
By the time they reached the beach the sky had turned orange and pink.
The sun was slowly sinking into the horizon.
The waves rolled gently against the shore.
Aakrati immediately removed her shoes and ran toward the sand.
Arsh followed calmly.
She spotted a small beach stall selling cute accessories.
Her eyes landed on a shiny silver tiara.
She picked it up, examining it.
"Pretty."
Arsh watched her quietly.
Then he paid for it and placed it gently on her head.
"There."
She blinked.
"Arsh—"
"You liked it."
She touched the tiara with a soft smile.
"Thank you."
They walked along the beach slowly until they finally sat down facing the sunset.
Aakrati and Arsh had been sitting there for a while, their shoes tossed aside, their feet half-buried in the cool sand.
The wind played with Aakrati's hair as she talked, occasionally pushing loose strands across her face.
Arsh had noticed that… and without saying anything, he quietly reached out and tucked the strand behind her ear.
She looked at him, surprised.
"You keep doing that," she said, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Doing what?" he asked innocently.
"Touching my hair like that."
Arsh shrugged casually.
"It keeps attacking your face. I'm just helping and also, I like your hair."
She laughed softly, shaking her head.
For a moment they both fell silent, watching the sun dip lower.
Then Arsh stretched his arms slightly and exhaled.
"Alright," he said. "Now I'm tired. Let's go back."
Aakrati instantly turned to him.
"What? Already?"
"Yes. Already," he replied, standing up and dusting sand off his jeans. "We've been out the whole day."
She stayed seated.
"I don't want to go back yet."
Arsh raised an eyebrow.
"Aakrati."
She shook her head stubbornly.
"No. Look at the sunset. It's perfect. Why would we leave now?"
He sighed but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You can watch sunsets tomorrow too."
"But tomorrow's sunset won't be this one."
"That's not how sunsets work," he said.
"It is to me."
Arsh crossed his arms.
"Get up."
"No."
"Aakrati."
"No."
He stared at her for a moment.
Then suddenly—
"Fine."
He grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
"Hey!" she protested, stumbling slightly.
"Let's go."
"I said I don't want to go!"
"I said I'm tired!"
"You're always tired," she shot back.
"I spent half the day learning skating because someone forced me."
"I did not force you!"
"You held my hand and dragged me onto the rink."
"That was for your own good!"
Arsh snorted.
"Sure."
They had already reached the bike.
Arsh took out the keys from his pocket.
But the moment he lifted them—
Aakrati's eyes sparkled mischievously.
And before he could react—
She SNATCHED the keys.
"HEY!"
And then she ran.
Straight back toward the beach.
"Aakrati!" Arsh shouted.
But she was already halfway across the sand, laughing loudly as she ran.
The wind carried her laughter across the shore.
Arsh stared at her for one second.
Then he shook his head.
"You're dead."
And he ran after her.
She looked back and gasped dramatically.
"Oh no— the scary man is chasing me!"
"Stop running!"
"Make me!"
She ran along the waterline, waves splashing against her ankles.
Arsh followed right behind her.
"You're going to fall!"
"No I won't!"
"Yes you will!"
"I'm fast!"
"You're annoying!"
"You like it!"
"Stop before I catch you!"
"You can try!"
People nearby started glancing at them, amused by the chaos of two grown adults sprinting along the beach like children.
Aakrati's laughter kept getting louder as she ran.
But Arsh was faster.
And stronger.
And eventually—
He caught her.
His arm wrapped around her waist from behind.
"Got you."
"NO—!"
But it was too late.
Their momentum didn't stop in time.
Both of them lost balance—
And fell straight onto the sand.
A soft thud.
Arsh landed first.
Aakrati right beneath him.
For a moment they both kept laughing breathlessly.
"Give me the keys," he said between laughs.
"No."
"Aakrati."
"No."
"Give them."
"Make me."
He tried grabbing her hand.
She hid it behind her back.
"You're impossible," he muttered.
"You knew that already."
They were still laughing.
Still struggling playfully.
Until slowly…
The laughter faded.
And silence slipped in.
Because suddenly—
They realized how close they were.
Their faces were inches apart.
A strand of her hair brushed his cheek.
Neither moved.
The sound of waves surrounded them.
Arsh's voice came out low.
"Aakrati…"
She looked into his eyes.
Her hand slowly moved up.
And she gently held his face.
His breathing slowed.
She leaned forward.
And pressed a small, soft peck on his lips.
It was quick.
Sweet.
Gentle.
When she pulled back slightly, Arsh looked completely stunned.
His eyes darkened with emotion.
"Aakrati…"
She smiled shyly.
"I felt safe."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The sunset behind them painted the sky gold.
And something between them had quietly changed.
Something deeper.
Something dangerous.
And neither of them wanted to stop it.