🎵 Song: Khairiyat – Chhichhore (Instrumental)

"Sometimes...

it isn't the place that makes your heart race.

It's the person walking beside you."

The moment both of them stepped out of the living room...

an unusual silence surrounded them.

Behind them, the laughter of both families slowly faded as they walked deeper into the mansion.

Aarohi walked half a step behind Reyansh, nervously clutching the end of her dupatta.

Neither of them spoke for almost a minute.

Finally...

Reyansh broke the silence.

"So..."

Aarohi looked up.

"So?"

"You've become very quiet."

She blinked.

"I was always quiet."

"Hmm..."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"That's true."

A tiny smile appeared on Aarohi's face.

It wasn't awkward anymore.

Just... unfamiliar.

They entered a beautifully designed hallway.

Family photographs decorated one side of the wall.

Aarohi stopped to look at them.

One picture caught her attention.

A much younger Reyansh was carrying a tiny Kabir on his shoulders while both of them laughed.

She unconsciously smiled.

"You were... cute."

Reyansh immediately looked at her.

"Cute?"

She realized what she had just said.

"I-I mean..."

"When you were little."

Reyansh raised an eyebrow.

"So I'm not cute now?"

Aarohi's cheeks immediately turned pink.

"I didn't say that."

"You implied it."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"I didn't!"

Reyansh laughed.

"There she is."

"My stubborn senior."

Aarohi looked away, trying to hide her smile.

"Why does he enjoy teasing me so much?"

They continued walking.

"This is the family lounge."

He pointed towards a spacious room filled with books, indoor plants and comfortable sofas.

"Maa spends most of her evenings here."

Aarohi admired the room.

"It's beautiful."

"My mother designed it herself."

"It suits her."

Reyansh looked at her.

"You've known her for barely two days."

Aarohi smiled softly.

"She's very warm."

"Anyone can tell."

Reyansh nodded.

"True."

Next came the indoor gym.

The home theatre.

The terrace garden.

Every place had its own charm.

Despite the mansion's luxurious appearance...

it somehow felt warm rather than showy.

Aarohi genuinely liked it.

"You've been looking around with so much curiosity."

Reyansh observed.

"I like beautiful houses."

She admitted honestly.

"And this one is..."

She looked around once again.

"...really beautiful."

He smiled.

"I'll tell Maa."

"She'll be happy."

As they climbed another staircase...

Aarohi finally felt comfortable enough to ask a question.

"Can I ask something?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you really know where everything is?"

Reyansh laughed.

"I've lived here since I was born."

"I should hope so."

She giggled.

He looked at her.

For a brief second...

He forgot to look away.

"She laughs beautifully."

They reached the balcony on the first floor.

The cool evening breeze welcomed them.

From there, both their houses were clearly visible.

Aarohi slowly walked towards the railing.

"This view is beautiful."

Reyansh leaned against the railing beside her.

"It looks even better at night."

She nodded.

"I know."

He looked at her.

"You know?"

She immediately realized what she had said.

"I... I mean..."

"I saw it from my balcony."

"Hmm."

"So..."

He tilted his head slightly.

"You've been looking at my house?"

Aarohi looked away.

"I was just looking outside."

"Sure."

"I was."

"I totally believe you."

She sighed dramatically.

"You're impossible."

"And yet..."

He smiled.

"You still haven't stopped talking to me."

She looked at him.

For the first time...

Neither of them looked away immediately.

The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.

It felt...

peaceful.

After a few more minutes...

They continued exploring.

As they reached the end of another corridor...

Aarohi accidentally stopped too suddenly.

Reyansh, walking behind her, almost bumped into her.

He leaned slightly forward to avoid colliding.

The distance between them became almost nonexistent.

Aarohi froze.

She could hear her own heartbeat.

Reyansh noticed how nervous she suddenly became.

A mischievous smile slowly appeared on his face.

Very slowly...

He bent slightly toward her.

Until his lips were close to her ear.

In a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear...

he whispered,

"You know..."

He paused intentionally.

"...you're much cuter when you stop arguing with me."

Aarohi's eyes widened instantly.

Her entire face turned bright pink.

For a moment...

She forgot how to breathe.

"W-What did he just say?"

She slowly turned towards him.

Ready to say something.

Anything.

But no words came out.

Reyansh straightened up, clearly enjoying her speechless expression.

"So this is how my senior looks when she's embarrassed..."

He was about to tease her again—

Just then...

"Aarohi!"

Nandini's voice echoed from downstairs.

"Beta!"

"Dinner is ready!"

The moment broke.

Aarohi blinked several times before hurriedly stepping back.

"J-ji, Maa!"

She didn't even look at Reyansh.

Instead...

She quickly walked towards the staircase, still trying to process what had just happened.

Behind her...

Reyansh slipped both hands into his pockets.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

For the first time in a long while...

He had managed to leave someone completely speechless.

And strangely...

He didn't mind that it was his shy, stubborn senior.

Not one bit.

End of Chapter 9 💙✨