When Fate Finds Love

Chapter 3

Sara was nestled comfortably in her bed, a soft afternoon light filtering through the curtains as she flipped through the pages of her book. The quiet of the day off was soothing, allowing her to lose herself in the story. Just as she reached an intriguing part, her phone buzzed beside her, pulling her back to reality.

She picked it up, noticing a message from Shubman. A small smile tugged at her lips as she opened the chat.

Shubman: Hey, Sara! Are you free today? Thought we could hang out if you're up for it.

Sara's smile widened as she typed her reply.

Sara: Hi, Shubman! Yeah, I'm free today. What do you have in mind?

It didn't take long for Shubman to respond.

Shubman: I was thinking we could go out, maybe grab something to eat or just walk around?

Sara thought for a moment. She hadn't gone out for street food in a while, and the idea suddenly seemed really appealing.

Sara: How about we go for some street food? I've been craving chaat and pani puri lately. What do you think?

There was a slight pause before his reply, and she imagined him considering the suggestion.

Shubman: Street food sounds perfect! There's a place I know that has the best pani puri. I'll pick you up in an hour?

Sara: Great! I'll be ready. Looking forward to it.

As she set her phone down, a sense of excitement bubbled within her. The prospect of spending time with Shubman, especially in such a relaxed and casual setting, felt refreshing. She quickly got up, eager to get ready for their impromptu street food adventure

Sara quickly put her book aside and got up from her bed, her mind already buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming outing. She decided to keep her outfit simple and comfortable, opting for a pair of light blue jeans and a white, flowy kurti. She added a pair of silver jhumkas to complete the look, giving her a blend of casual and traditional.

After a quick touch-up and a final glance in the mirror, she grabbed her bag and phone, feeling a slight flutter of nerves. It was strange, she thought, how even the idea of spending a simple afternoon together could stir such excitement. As she headed downstairs, she found herself wondering what it would be like—how they would talk, how the day would unfold.

About an hour later, right on time, Shubman arrived. Sara heard the sound of his car pulling up outside and felt her heart skip a beat. She took a deep breath and made her way to the door, opening it just as he was stepping out of the car.

Shubman looked up and smiled as he saw her. He was dressed casually in jeans and a fitted black T-shirt that complemented his athletic build. The simplicity of his outfit, combined with his easygoing demeanor, made Sara feel instantly comfortable.

"You look great," Shubman said, his smile warm and genuine.

"Thanks," Sara replied, returning his smile. "You too. Ready to go?"

"Absolutely," Shubman said, walking around to the passenger side to open the door for her. Sara appreciated the gesture, finding it sweet and considerate.

As they drove, the conversation flowed naturally, moving from light topics about their favorite foods to more personal subjects. Shubman was easy to talk to, and Sara found herself laughing more than she had in a while.

They soon arrived at a bustling street food lane, filled with the rich aromas of various dishes being prepared. The lively atmosphere was infectious, with vendors calling out their specials and people crowding around different stalls, eager to indulge in the delicious offerings.

"This place is amazing," Sara said, her eyes wide with excitement as she took in the sights and smells.

"I thought you'd like it," Shubman said with a grin. "Let's start with pani puri?"

"Yes, please!" Sara said eagerly.

They made their way to a popular stall, where the vendor greeted them with a friendly smile. Shubman ordered for both of them, expertly guiding Sara through the different flavors and options. They stood by the stall, laughing and chatting as they popped the spicy, tangy pani puris into their mouths.

At one point, Shubman offered Sara a napkin as she wiped away a stray drop of pani puri water from her chin. "This is fun," he said, watching her with a fond expression. "I'm glad you suggested it."

Sara nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the spicy food. "Me too. It's nice to do something so...normal."

They moved on to other stalls, trying chaat, vada pav, and ending with sweet jalebis. Each dish brought new conversation topics, from childhood memories to their thoughts on life and relationships. Shubman shared stories from his cricket tours, while Sara opened up about her work and her dreams for the future.

As they walked back to the car, both of them carrying a bag of freshly made jalebis to take home, Sara realized how much she had enjoyed the day. The simplicity of the outing, combined with Shubman's company, had made her feel unexpectedly content.

In the car, as Shubman started the engine, he glanced over at her with a soft smile. "So, how was your first official street food outing with me?"

Sara laughed lightly. "It was perfect. I had a great time."

"I'm glad to hear that," Shubman said, his voice warm. "Maybe we can do this again sometime?"

Sara nodded, her smile reflecting in her eyes. "I'd like that."

As they drove back, the city lights blurring in the distance, both of them felt a sense of ease. The day had brought them closer, and though they were still just getting to know each other, there was a growing sense of connection—one that neither of them had expected but both were beginning to welcome.