As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the beach, the group decided it was time to head back home. "Should we head back then?" Aryan asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over them.
"Yes, we should. It's getting late," Shruti replied, nodding in agreement.
Siddharth, who had been standing with his arm around Shruti, turned to his sister. "Yes, we should. Roohi, let's go back."
But instead of responding, Roohi slipped out of Siddharth's grasp and smiled mischievously. "We will, but you're going with Shruti."
Siddharth and Shruti exchanged a glance, and a flush rose to their cheeks as they realized what Roohi was suggesting. Aryan, who had been watching the exchange with interest, chimed in, seeing an opportunity to spend more time with Roohi.
"She's right!" he exclaimed. "I mean, you two should spend some time together after all."
Shruti raised an eyebrow, sensing that Aryan was up to something. She glanced at Roohi, whose cheeks showed a slight hint of blush, and her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Aryan's attempt to play matchmaker wasn't lost on Shruti, who had known him since childhood. She smiled to herself, intrigued by the possibility of Aryan and Roohi developing feelings for each other.
"Well...okay," Shruti said finally, smiling up at Siddharth.
But before Siddharth could protest, Shruti took his hand and started pulling him towards the car. "Come on," she said, winking at Aryan over her shoulder.
Aryan's face turned bright red as he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, but he couldn't help grinning at the prospect of spending more time with Roohi.
As they drove through the quiet streets, Shruti and Siddharth chatted comfortably, enjoying each other's company.
"By the way, did you know about Aryan and Roohi's plan?" Shruti asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Siddharth smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It was Roohi's, more specifically," he replied, his tone playful.
Shruti chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Of course," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Siddharth laughed, his eyes shining with warmth. "In normal circumstances, I wouldn't have been involved in her plan, but you weren't even listening, so I had to," he explained, his voice filled with affection.
Shruti's expression softened, and she reached out to touch his arm. "I've been like this since childhood," she said, her voice filled with a hint of vulnerability. "When I'm angry, I don't listen to anyone."
Siddharth's eyes locked onto hers, and he smiled. "Well, I have to make it a habit then," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
Shruti playfully hit his arm, and they both chuckled, the tension between them dissipating. They continued to chat, their conversation flowing easily, until Shruti suddenly remembered her parents and the engagement with Aryan.
"By the way, Siddharth," she said, her voice filled with concern.
"Yes?" Siddharth replied, his eyes focusing on the road ahead.
"How will we convince our parents?" Shruti asked, a frown creasing her forehead.
Siddharth's expression turned thoughtful. "Your parents," he corrected, his voice gentle.
Shruti's eyes narrowed, confusion written across her face. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Siddharth's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "My dad knows, and he's okay with it," he explained. "In fact, he's the one who told me to apologize to you."
Shruti's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
But her smile faded as she thought about her own parents. "But still, we have to convince mine too, and it's a handful of a job," she said, her voice filled with concern.
Siddharth reached out and took her hand, his touch reassuring. "Don't worry, I'll convince them for sure," he said, his voice filled with confidence.
Shruti felt a sense of relief wash over her, and she smiled, feeling a little more at ease.
Meanwhile in Aryan's car,as they drove through the quiet streets, Roohi couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Her plan had worked, and Shruti had finally accepted Siddharth's confession.
"I'm very happy that Shruti said yes!" Roohi exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Aryan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, that was going to happen. She loves him, after all."
Roohi nodded in agreement, a smile still plastered on her face. "By the way, I thought it would be hard to convince you to leave Shruti," she said, her voice filled with curiosity.
Aryan laughed, his eyes shining with amusement. "Why did you think so?" he asked, his voice playful.
Roohi's cheeks flushed slightly as she replied, "Well...because I thought you liked her."
Aryan's expression turned serious, and he focused on the road ahead. "Well, of course, I do. But she's my best friend. I never thought of marrying her."
Roohi felt a wave of relief wash over her, but she couldn't quite figure out why. Was it because she was happy for her brother, or was it because she was relieved that Aryan didn't have feelings for Shruti?
"Are you relieved?" Aryan asked, his voice interrupting her thoughts.
Roohi's eyes widened in surprise, and she stuttered, "What?! Well...of...of course. But for my bhaiya!"
Aryan's eyes sparkled with amusement, and he replied, "Of course, I was referring to your bhaiya. What else would you be feeling relieved for?"
Roohi sighed, feeling a bit flustered. "Yeah...you're right."
The two of them drove in silence for a minute before Aryan spoke up again. "By the way, you never told me anything about yourself."
Roohi's eyes narrowed, and she asked, "Huh? Why do you want to know about me?" her voice laced with a mischievous tone.
Aryan turned his head towards her, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, to get to know you better," he replied, his voice low and tempting.
Roohi's cheeks flushed, and she stuttered, "Wha...what do you mean?"
Aryan burst into laughter, and Roohi's face grew even hotter. "God, I was joking," he exclaimed, still chuckling.
Roohi pouted, feeling a bit embarrassed, and turned towards the window, crossing her arms across her chest. Aryan's eyes followed her, and he couldn't help but think, "Gosh, she's so cute!"
Aryan's voice interrupted Roohi's sulking. "Okay, I'm sorry. Don't be mad."
But Roohi ignored him.
Aryan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, I was thinking of having ice cream, but guess I have to drop the plan now."
Roohi turned towards him, her expression curious. "I'm not mad!" she said, as if to reassure him that it was okay to get ice cream.
Aryan chuckled. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice teasing.
Roohi's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Of course! So, you were saying something about ice cream?"
Aryan grinned, feeling happy that Roohi was no longer mad at him. "Was I?" He asked with a grin.
"You..!"
"Okay okay,I'm kidding." He laughed.
Aryan parked the car in front of a quaint ice cream parlor, its colorful exterior and inviting aroma immediately capturing Roohi's attention. He helped her out of the car, and they walked into the parlor, the bell above the door jingling as they entered.
Inside, the parlor was cozy and intimate, with small tables scattered about and the sound of lively music playing in the background. Aryan led Roohi to a table by the window, and they sat down, perusing the menu.
A waiter arrived, his friendly smile and crisp uniform a testament to the parlor's excellent service. "What would you like to have, sir?" he asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.
Aryan turned to Roohi, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "What do you want to have?" he asked, his voice low and inviting.
Roohi put a finger to her cheek, her eyes narrowing in concentration as she deliberated over the menu. Aryan watched her, his gaze mesmerized by her antics, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
"I'll have a large chocolate ice cream!" she exclaimed finally, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
The waiter turned to Aryan, his pen poised over his notebook. "And what about you, sir?"
Aryan grinned, his eyes never leaving Roohi's face. "I'll have the same," he replied, his voice filled with amusement.
The waiter nodded and took their menus, disappearing into the kitchen to place their orders.
As they waited for their ice cream, Aryan turned to Roohi, his eyes sparkling with teasing. "A large chocolate ice cream, huh? Won't you catch a cold?"
Roohi shook her head, her ponytail bobbing behind her. "I won't," she said, her voice confident.
She leaned in closer to him, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But please don't tell my bhaiya that I had ice cream."
Aryan's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued. "Why?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
Roohi's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Because he will scold me then."
Aryan's face lit up with amusement, a glint of mischievousness appearing in his eyes. "What's my profit in keeping your secret?" he asked, his voice teasing.
Roohi's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she considered his question. Then, a proud smile spread across her face. "You won't get a beating from my bhaiya for treating me with ice cream."
Aryan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Right. That's a huge profit."
As they waited for their ice cream, Aryan's mind wandered to the consequences of his actions. What would Siddharth do if he found out that Aryan was trying to impress his sister?
Aryan's eyes clouded, his expression turning serious. "You will have it hard, Aryan," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of the music.
