🎵 Song: Tum Ho – Instrumental Version

"Sometimes...

destiny doesn't need a grand plan.

Sometimes...

all it needs...

is a sudden power cut."

The movie was still playing.

Laughter echoed through the Sharma House.

Kabir and Anaya continued arguing over who had eaten more popcorn.

Reyansh occasionally teased Aarohi.

And Aarohi...

For the first time...

Was actually teasing him back.

The atmosphere felt light.

Comfortable.

Like they had known each other for years.

Suddenly—

Click!

The television went black.

The fans stopped spinning.

The lights switched off.

The entire house fell into darkness.

Kabir looked around.

"What happened?"

Anaya peeked through the window.

"I think there's a power cut."

Outside...

Several neighboring houses were dark as well.

Kabir dramatically sighed.

"Perfect timing."

"Our movie!"

Aarohi stood up.

"I'll bring the emergency lights."

"I know where Mumma keeps them."

She carefully started walking toward the store room.

The living room was dim.

Only sunlight from the windows gave enough light to see.

As Aarohi turned the corner...

She accidentally bumped into someone.

"Ouch!"

Before she could lose her balance...

A familiar hand caught her wrist.

"Careful, Ocean."

She looked up.

Even in the dim light...

She recognized him immediately.

"Reyansh..."

He smiled.

"I knew you'd bump into something."

She frowned.

"I wasn't looking."

"I noticed."

She tried to pull her hand back.

But he didn't let go immediately.

Instead...

He looked at her with that familiar teasing smile.

"So..."

"My senior needs rescuing now?"

She rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't falling."

"You almost were."

"Almost."

He laughed softly.

Just then...

Another loud voice echoed from the living room.

"Didi!"

Kabir shouted dramatically.

"We found the candles!"

Reyansh finally let go of her wrist.

"Looks like your rescue mission is over."

Aarohi smiled despite herself.

"I didn't need one."

"We'll see."

A few minutes later...

The four of them sat around the coffee table.

Several candles illuminated the room with a warm golden glow.

The television was useless now.

So...

Kabir came up with another idea.

"Let's play Antakshari!"

Everyone agreed.

For nearly an hour...

The house echoed with songs.

Laughter.

Wrong lyrics.

And playful arguments.

Even shy Aarohi eventually joined in.

Her soft singing voice surprised everyone.

Kabir's eyes widened.

"Didi!"

"You sing so well!"

Aarohi smiled shyly.

"I only sing at home."

Reyansh looked at her.

For a moment...

He forgot about the game.

Her voice was gentle.

Calm.

Just like the ocean he always compared her to.

When her song ended...

He clapped first.

"Beautiful."

Aarohi looked down.

"T-Thank you."

Kabir looked between the two older siblings.

Then quietly whispered to Anaya,

"He's staring again."

Anaya giggled.

"And Didi is blushing again."

After Antakshari...

They moved on to dumb charades.

Kabir's dramatic acting made everyone laugh.

Even Reyansh laughed so hard that tears formed in his eyes.

Seeing him laugh so freely...

Aarohi couldn't stop smiling.

She had always seen him as the arrogant, confident boy.

Today...

He looked like a carefree teenager enjoying time with the people he cared about.

And somehow...

That version of Reyansh became her favorite.

Nearly two hours later...

The electricity finally returned.

The lights flickered back on.

The television restarted.

Kabir sighed dramatically.

"Now it comes back?"

Everyone laughed.

Just then...

The front door opened.

Rajeev and Nandini returned home carrying shopping bags.

"Oh!"

Rajeev smiled.

"Looks like everyone had fun."

Kabir answered proudly,

"We studied..."

"...and only watched one movie."

Reyansh coughed.

"Half a movie."

Nandini laughed.

"I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves."

Meera and Vikram also arrived a few minutes later to pick up their sons.

As everyone prepared to leave...

Kabir quietly carried his bag toward the door.

Anaya followed him.

Both secretly smiled.

Their mission today had been another success.

Reyansh stood near the entrance.

Before leaving...

He looked toward Aarohi.

"So..."

"Thank you for the coffee."

Aarohi smiled softly.

"And thank you..."

"For helping us study."

He chuckled.

"I don't think much studying happened."

She laughed.

"That's true."

He stepped a little closer.

Just enough that only she could hear him.

In a low voice...

He whispered,

"I still haven't forgotten..."

"...that you teased me in the kitchen."

Aarohi looked up.

A mischievous smile appeared on her face.

"So?"

He smirked.

"The tables haven't turned yet."

"They will."

Her heart raced.

"You're impossible."

"And yet..."

He smiled.

"You still smile whenever you see me."

Before she could think of a reply...

Kabir called loudly from outside,

"Bhai!"

"We're leaving!"

Reyansh looked at Aarohi one last time.

"See you tonight..."

"...from the balcony."

She smiled.

"I'll be there."

As he walked back toward the Malhotra Mansion...

He couldn't stop smiling.

Across the road...

Aarohi stood at her doorway, watching him leave.

Only when he disappeared inside his house...

Did she finally close the door.

Still smiling.

From the upstairs windows...

Kabir and Anaya looked at each other from across the street.

Kabir made a thumbs-up gesture.

Anaya returned it immediately.

Operation Cupid...

Was going exactly according to plan.

End of Chapter 60 🕯️🌊❤️