ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙᴇᴀᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀʟʟᴡᴀʏꜱ

.Exploring Together༊˚

AUTHOR'S POV:

It was Avni's first time exploring her neighborhood, and she was struck by the lush greenery surrounding it. They first visited a bakery just a few meters away.

Avni remarked, "This shop looks so pretty from the outside. How come I never knew it was here?"

Ishan responded with a smile, "You were serious when you said you don't come out much. Let's check it out."

Avni nodded and followed him inside the shop.

The warm aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air as they stepped in. The cozy interior was decorated with pastel colors and wooden shelves lined with cakes, pastries, and breads. Avni's eyes widened in awe, scanning the wide variety of cakes displayed in the glass case.

"This place is amazing," Avni whispered, her gaze fixed on a chocolate truffle cake with elegant decorations.

Ishan grinned, noticing her fascination. "I knew you'd like it. What do you think about that one?" He pointed to the cake she had been staring at.

Avni nodded, "It looks perfect. Simple but elegant, just like Mr. Gupta."

Ishan smiled, "Good choice. Let's get it."

They approached the counter, and Ishan placed the order. As the cashier prepared the receipt, Ishan glanced at Avni, who was still looking around, taking in the shop's charm.

"First time exploring the neighborhood and already finding hidden gems, huh?" Ishan teased.

Avni smiled. "Yeah, I might start coming out more often."

Once the cake was packed, they stepped out into the cool evening air. As they walked down the street, Ishan turned to her.

"You know," Ishan began, "there's even a bookstore nearby."

Avni raised her eyebrows, intrigued. "Really? A bookstore?"

"Yep," Ishan replied. "Want to check it out?"

Avni glanced at her phone for the time, then smiled and nodded. "Sure, why not?"

They walked a few blocks until they reached a quaint little bookstore tucked between a cafe and an antique shop. The sign outside read, "Books are Magic, Step In," and vines crept up its old brick walls.

Inside, the air was rich with the smell of aged paper and fresh coffee. The shelves were packed with books of every genre, and soft lighting gave the space a warm, cozy feel. Avni's eyes lit up as she wandered between the shelves, running her fingers over the spines of the books.

"Beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like you could get lost in here for hours."

Ishan nodded. "It's one of my favorite spots when I need a break from everything."

Avni picked up a book and turned to him. "Any recommendations?"

Ishan looked at the book she had chosen and smiled. "That one's pretty good, but if you're into mystery, you might like this one more." He handed her a book from a nearby shelf.

They spent the next half hour in the store, flipping through pages, exchanging book suggestions, and laughing at some of the quirky titles they came across. The conversation flowed easily, and Avni felt more relaxed than she had in a long time.

As they left the bookstore, the sky was painted in soft shades of orange and pink. The evening was settling in, and the quiet streets made everything feel a little more peaceful. They walked side by side, Ishan carrying the cake and Avni holding a book she had picked up.