🎵 Song: Sajni – Instrumental Version

"Every cupid knows...

love doesn't always need a candlelight dinner.

Sometimes...

a single sofa is enough."

The laughter from the kitchen slowly faded.

Everyone returned to the living room with their drinks.

The coffee smelled rich.

The chocolate milkshakes looked delicious.

Kabir took one sip before dramatically sighing.

"Now this..."

"...is the life."

Anaya laughed.

"You only studied for one hour."

"And now you're acting exhausted."

Kabir nodded seriously.

"Studying is mentally tiring."

Reyansh rolled his eyes.

"You're unbelievable."

The four of them settled on the large sofa in the Sharma family's living room.

The television remained switched off.

For a few moments...

Everyone quietly enjoyed their drinks.

Then...

Kabir suddenly looked at the wall clock.

"We still have almost three hours before Mom and Dad return."

Anaya immediately understood where this was going.

"So?"

Kabir grinned.

"Movie!"

Aarohi smiled.

"A movie?"

"Hmm."

"We've already studied."

"We deserve a reward."

Reyansh looked at Kabir suspiciously.

"You planned this too, didn't you?"

Kabir blinked innocently.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Within minutes...

The lights were dimmed.

The curtains were closed.

Anaya switched on the television.

"So..."

"What are we watching?"

Kabir dramatically smiled.

"Horror."

"No!"

Aarohi immediately protested.

"I don't like horror movies."

Kabir laughed loudly.

"I knew you'd say that."

Reyansh looked sideways at Aarohi.

"You get scared?"

She crossed her arms.

"I don't."

"You just said you don't like horror."

"I don't like unnecessary ghosts."

He smirked.

"So..."

"My brave senior is actually scared."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm not!"

Kabir interrupted dramatically.

"Fine."

"No horror."

"Let's watch a comedy."

Everyone agreed.

Now came the next challenge.

The seating arrangement.

The large sofa could comfortably fit four people.

But Kabir and Anaya had already decided today's mission.

Before Aarohi could sit...

Kabir quickly occupied one corner.

Anaya immediately sat beside him.

Leaving...

Exactly two seats.

Right next to each other.

Aarohi looked at the sofa.

Then at the siblings.

Then back at the sofa.

She narrowed her eyes.

"You two did this on purpose."

Kabir smiled innocently.

"What?"

"There are only two seats left."

Reyansh looked at his brother.

Then at Aarohi.

A slow smirk appeared on his face.

"I don't mind."

Aarohi sighed dramatically.

"Of course you don't."

With no other option...

She quietly sat beside Reyansh.

There was just enough space between them.

Not too close.

Not too far.

The movie began.

Everyone focused on the screen.

Well...

Almost everyone.

Every few minutes...

Reyansh glanced sideways.

Instead of the movie...

He found himself watching Aarohi's expressions.

She laughed at the funny scenes.

Pouted whenever the main characters argued.

And unknowingly smiled while eating popcorn.

"Cute..."

He thought.

"Very cute."

A few minutes later...

Aarohi reached for the popcorn bowl.

At the exact same moment...

Reyansh did too.

Their fingers brushed.

Both froze.

For a brief second...

Neither moved.

Then Aarohi quickly pulled her hand back.

"S-Sorry."

Reyansh smiled.

"I should be the one saying sorry."

She quietly nodded.

From the other end of the sofa...

Kabir elbowed Anaya.

Without taking his eyes off the television, he whispered,

"See?"

Anaya smiled proudly.

"Progress."

About halfway through the movie...

Kabir suddenly stood up.

"I'm getting more snacks."

Anaya immediately got up too.

"I'll help."

Reyansh looked at them.

"You both need two people to bring chips?"

Kabir answered confidently,

"It's teamwork."

Before either of the older siblings could stop them...

The two disappeared into the kitchen.

The living room became unusually quiet.

Only the sound of the movie filled the room.

Aarohi adjusted a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"So..."

She spoke softly.

"You weren't watching the movie."

Reyansh looked at her.

"I was."

She smiled knowingly.

"No."

"You kept looking somewhere else."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"I noticed."

For the first time that day...

Aarohi had caught him.

Reyansh smiled.

"And where exactly was I looking?"

She immediately looked away.

"I..."

"I don't know."

He leaned back comfortably.

"I think..."

"I know."

Her heartbeat quickened.

"W-What?"

He smiled mischievously.

"But I'll tell you another day."

Before she could complain...

Kabir and Anaya returned with bowls full of chips and chocolates.

Their timing...

As always...

Was suspiciously perfect.

The movie continued.

So did the laughter.

So did the teasing.

And sitting side by side on the sofa...

Neither Aarohi nor Reyansh realized...

That this ordinary afternoon at her house...

Would become one of their favorite memories.

Far away in the kitchen...

Kabir whispered proudly,

"Operation Cupid is unstoppable."

Anaya bumped his fist.

"Absolutely."

The two little masterminds smiled.

Their older siblings still hadn't confessed.

But with every passing day...

They were getting closer.

Exactly as planned.

End of Chapter 59 🎬🌊❤️