I dug into my Pav Bhaji, the familiar blend of spices sending a wave of satisfaction through me. Swati, on the other hand, approached her meal with a cautiousness that surprised me. She picked at the fluffy buns, her eyes lingering on the rich curry with a hint of apprehension. A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I polished off my plate. Swati, having finished her buns, seemed unsure what to do next. Her gaze darted towards my empty plate, a flicker of confusion crossing her features. "Never tried Pav Bhaji before?" I inquired, my voice gentle but laced with a hint of amusement.Swati hesitated, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. Under my watchful gaze, she offered a hesitant nod."Damn it," I muttered under my breath, more to myself than to her. The disappointment was real. I'd hoped to share the experience of this comfort food with her, but forcing someone to eat something they weren't comfortable with wasn't my style. "It's okay," I reassured her, signaling the waiter dis

A few days zipped by in a whirlwind of activity. Both Arun and Swati threw themselves into their work, a silent tension simmering beneath the surface. Stolen glances became a secret game they both played, a delicious dance of unspoken attraction.The late-night office silence was shattered by a sudden burst of noise. Kavya and Deepali, Swati's coworkers, erupted through the doorway, a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" echoing through the room. Swati, startled awake from a light doze, blinked blearily at the sight of a cake and a gaggle of her colleagues. A tired smile tugged at her lips as she acknowledged their well wishes.Arun watched the scene unfold from his desk, a pang of guilt twisting in his gut. He'd completely forgotten about her birthday. He'd been so caught up in his own whirlwind of emotions, in the unspoken connection that crackled between them, that he'd let this important detail slip through the cracks.Swati blew out the candle on the cake, the flickering flame illuminatin

Swati watched in horror as the woman, Sheetal, invaded Arun's personal space. Disgust churned in her stomach as she witnessed Sheetal's blatant possessiveness, the way her touch lingered on Arun's chest and cheek. A primal pang of jealousy, sharp and unexpected, ripped through her. She knew she had no right to feel this way, and yet, the feeling was undeniable.Swati forced herself to take action. With trembling legs, she approached them, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to interject. But before she could even speak, Arun's reaction was swift and brutal. He shoved Sheetal's hands away with a force that spoke volumes about his anger.Swati's heart lurched. Relief warred with a fresh wave of fear. Arun's anger was a storm cloud, his face a mask of fury. He locked eyes with Swati, his jaw clenched tight. For a horrifying moment, she thought she saw a flicker of accusation in his gaze, a silent question that sent a shiver down her spine."How dare you..." he growled, his

They shared a unique understanding, Arun and Anand. Unlike Karan, who was a whirlwind of laughter and carefree spirit, these two communicated in a language of unspoken words. Anand sighed, his gaze flickering to Arun who stood brooding by the window. He knew exactly what turmoil his brother was battling right now. Arun stared out at the cityscape, a million thoughts swirling in his head. Shame, regret, and a gnawing fear of losing Sruthi all competed for dominance. Anand pulled out his phone and dialed Kavya's number. "What? She's not there?" he asked, his voice rising slightly. Arun's head snapped sideways, a flicker of hope battling the despair in his eyes. "Oh, she's at the temple... good," Anand continued, lowering his voice. "Alright, Kavya, you and Deepali head over soon. You guys sure? Positive you two can handle it? Okay, fine. Just let me know how she's doing... alright, bye." He ended the call and met Arun's gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. Arun knew. He

News of Swathi and Arun's engagement spread like wildfire through their social circles. Deepali and Kavya, practically bursting with pride at their successful matchmaking, took charge of planning the wedding. The Singh mansion buzzed with activity as families came together, laughter and chatter filling the air. Swathi and Arun, despite their initial reservations, found themselves swept up in the whirlwind of preparations. They bickered playfully over guest lists and color schemes, a newfound ease settling between them. Their understanding deepened, fueled by stolen moments and lingering touches. Arun's apologies continued, albeit in a less formal way. One morning, Swathi found a cartoon apology card on her desk, depicting a lovesick man battling a green-faced monster labeled "anger issues." She couldn't help but laugh, the apology as genuine as the goofy drawing. The wedding day arrived, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and joyous traditions. Swathi, adorned in a breathtaking bridal