After getting ready, I walked to the dining room where everyone was already waiting for me. The familiar clinking of cutlery and the aroma of parathas filled the air — home always had its own comforting rhythm.

As we started breakfast, Ritu looked up with a mischievous grin.
"Bhai, Valentine's is approaching. What are your plans this year? Are you going to be single again?" she teased, her tone playful.

I raised an eyebrow at her and replied with a smirk, "My plans are to be single only... but I think you have some plans!"

Her cheeks flushed slightly as everyone chuckled. My Chachi ma joined in with a knowing smile.
"See, Shivu, if you're seeing someone, you can tell us. How long are you going to stay single like this?"

My mom quickly added, "Yes, beta, your Chachi ma is right! You should get married now. What do you say, Rajesh ji?"

My dad, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up with his usual calm.
"Mmm... see, Shivu, your maa and Chachi ma are right in their own way. But this is your life. What you want matters most. So, tell us—what's there in your mind?"

I knew they meant well. Their concern came from love, not pressure. Smiling softly, I said,
"See maa... dad... even I want to get married, but not right now. So I guess I'm clear."

With that, I finished my breakfast, touched their feet out of respect, and left for the office.

The day had just begun, and yet a strange thought lingered in my mind — perhaps destiny was already at work, silently scripting its next move.

It was around 8:30 A.M. when I finally reached home. After freshening up, I walked into the dining area, craving a bit of warmth and breakfast. But before I could even take a seat, my mother's sharp words cut through the air—

"If your daughter keeps staying away from home for nights, who will marry her?"

My father's voice followed, calm yet distant. "So what do you want me to do... ask her to leave her job?"

They were both deeply immersed in their conversation, as if I wasn't even there. Mummy sighed heavily. "Three boys have already rejected her because of her profession."

Papa responded in his usual composed tone, though I could sense a trace of helplessness beneath it. "We've already tried our best to get her married to someone decent. But every single one of them had the same condition—that she should stop working after marriage. She's the one not agreeing to it."

Before I could even process their words, my brother, who never misses a chance to interfere, chimed in with a smirk. "She's not agreeing because she likes to trouble all of us. See, she came shamelessly to have food now."

Shamelessly.
That single word stung more than I expected.

Hearing all of this from my own family—my people—something inside me broke. I had never imagined that the ones I loved most would see me as a burden. My throat tightened, and tears blurred my vision no matter how hard I tried to hold them back.

But before I could escape, Mummy's voice struck again, sharper this time—
"Kuch bhi bol do bas rona aajata hai isse." (Say anything to her and she starts crying, that's it.)

That was it. My appetite, my composure, my strength—everything died in that moment. Without saying a word, I turned and walked back to my room.

As soon as the door closed behind me, the dam I'd been holding back gave way. I collapsed onto my bed, clutching the pillow as sobs wracked my chest. Why does love hurt the most when it comes from the people who are supposed to protect you?

And that morning, I cried—not because of their words, but because I realized they had stopped seeing me long ago.

It was around 7 P.M. in the evening when I stood near my car, ready to head home after another long day. Just as I was about to unlock the door, a familiar voice echoed through the air—

"Abe!! chal beer pine chalte hai." (Hey!! Let's go out for drinks.)

I turned towards the voice, and my lips curved into an involuntary smile. There he was—Nikhil Deshpande, my best friend since childhood.
Life had pulled us into different directions, busy schedules stealing away the simplicity of our carefree days. Yet, every time we met, it was as if nothing had changed—the same old memories, raw laughter, and a new story added to the pile.

I simply nodded with a grin, and soon we were off, just like the old times.

(At the beer shop)

To break the comfortable silence, I said, "Aur bhai kya chal raha hai??" (And what's up, bro??)

He tilted his head and replied with mock seriousness, "Bas fog chal raha hai..." (Nothing, only fog is up...)

I gritted my teeth playfully. "Idiot!! I meant what's going on in your life??"

He burst out laughing. "Ooooh!! Like that... Nothing much, everything's fine. What about you? How's your life?"

He's an expert in raising my blood pressure.

"Same... nothing much," I replied, sipping my drink. Then I shot him a teasing look. "And... what's your Valentine's plan? Are you still single... OR... mingled with someone?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Me?? That too mingled?? Are you serious, bro??"

"Hmm hmm, you only!!!" I said, smirking over the rim of my glass.

He leaned back with that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. "Actually... this should be my question to you."

"This question... that too to me??" I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

"Yeah, you only!! Who else is here? Now don't hide anything from me—it's okay, say it out." His smirk didn't waver.

I exhaled deeply, pretending to think. "So... no plans yet."

"Why?? Why no plans?" he asked, taking another sip of his drink.

"Because... I don't have anyone yet in my life. That's it..." I muttered, gulping down another mouthful.

"You could have had one if you'd accepted Ananya's proposal back in college," he teased with a grin.

I knew this was coming. He never leaves a chance to poke at my love life.

"But... she was not my type, man," I replied smoothly—my permanent answer to this topic. Then, quickly diverting, I added, "One more drink, han?"

"Yeah sure... I'll have one more. And moreover, you wanted a career-oriented and simple girl. She was neither career-oriented nor simple," he said, sounding almost exasperated.

I chuckled. "Yep... so for now, no Valentine's plan. And this will be the last drink for today... got it!!" I raised one eyebrow with a smirk.

"Okay!!! Brother, I got it!!" He threw both hands up dramatically in surrender, making me laugh again.

After finishing our drinks, we hugged tightly, promising to meet again soon.
By the time I reached home, it was around 10:30 P.M.—the air cool, the night quiet, and the faint buzz of nostalgia still lingering in my chest.

Author's Note

Two mornings. Two hearts. Two completely different worlds.
One drenched in love, the other aching for it — yet destiny was already sketching their first intersection somewhere in between. 💭

Tell me, my dewdrops — what do you think happens when a girl who's forgotten how to be loved crosses paths with a man who's known nothing but love? Will they heal each other, or break in the process? ✨

If this chapter touched even a small corner of your heart, don't forget to drop a vote and share your thoughts in the comments. Your words keep this story alive — and this author smiling. 💌

With love,
– Your Author 🌼
Lavenderwrites