The Second Chance

Hidden Sparks

Palki entered the room, finding Shaurya struggling with his wardrobe. "I am so sorry, Palki," Shaurya said, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I got late choosing the clothes, but I think this is final now."

Palki looked at the clothes Shaurya held up and shook her head with a small smile. "You've chosen these clothes for the Diwali function? It looks like you're about to attend a party instead," she teased. "You are Shaurya Luthra, after all."

She walked over to the wardrobe, pulled out another set of clothes, and handed them to Shaurya. "Wear this. I had already told you I kept these here."

Shaurya blinked, scratching the back of his head. "I forgot," he admitted sheepishly.

Palki sighed, a blend of affection and exasperation in her voice. "Do you ever listen to me?"

Unbeknownst to them, Karishma, Shaurya's maasi, was standing just outside the door, listening intently to their conversation. She thought to herself, This girl is about to get scolded by Shaurya.

But to her surprise, Shaurya, instead of getting angry, sat on the bed and looked at Palki with a tender smile. "You know, Palki, I didn't feel bad when you scolded me. It felt like... someone scolding me with the right to do so."

Palki's eyes softened. "I don't want to scold you."

Shaurya grinned mischievously. "Oh, now you realize that?" He teased her, enjoying the playful banter.

Karishma, curious about their interaction, started to walk away, but Shaurya noticed her. "Maasi, do you need anything?" he asked, his tone polite but curious.

Karishma, caught off guard, quickly composed herself. "No, thanks," she replied, and hurried off, wondering what was happening between Shaurya and Palki.

Shaurya turned back to Palki, shaking his head with amusement. "You lectured me, and now you're saying you didn't want to."

Palki looked a bit flustered. "I'm sorry."

Shaurya chuckled. "You should scold me sometimes... but with love."

Palki was puzzled. "How do you scold someone with love?"

Shaurya leaned closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Try it. Come on."

Palki hesitated. Shaurya suddenly shouted, "Palki!" in a mock-serious tone, making her jump in surprise. Seeing her startled expression, he burst into laughter.

"Look at your face!" Shaurya teased, clutching his stomach as he laughed.

Palki narrowed her eyes, pretending to be angry. "Snake!" she shouted, pointing behind Shaurya.

Shaurya instantly lifted his legs onto the bed, eyes wide with panic. "Where? Where's the snake?" he asked frantically.

Palki started laughing uncontrollably, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You started it," she managed to say between giggles.

Shaurya glared at her, but there was no real anger in his eyes. "What kind of joke is this?"

Palki just smiled, and before she could react, Shaurya gently pinched her cheeks. "You're going to pay for that," he said, playfully.

Not one to back down, Palki pinched his cheeks right back. "We'll see about that."

Shaurya got up and headed towards the bathroom, "I'm going to wear this. And don't you dare come inside-the knob isn't working!"

As he walked away, a playful smile lingered on his lips, while Palki left the room, smiling to herself. The song "Main Tenu" played in the background, capturing the budding affection between them.