"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 32

Kabir's Perspective

As Aditi and I made our way back to the house, her soft laughter still echoing in my ears, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. The evening had started off so simple—just a walk to the bookstore—but as it always seemed to happen with Aditi, it had turned into something deeper. Something meaningful. Her presence had this way of making me feel like everything in life wasn't as complicated as it often seemed.

When she smiled at me like that—light, unburdened—I wished I could freeze the moment. I wanted her to stay that way, not just for a night, but forever. That's why I told her to always be like this. The carefree Aditi who wasn't weighed down by expectations or guilt, the one who laughed freely and chased dreams because they were hers, not because she felt obligated to anyone else.

I smiled to myself as we reached her front gate, still thinking about her infectious laughter and that silly stone-kicking game we'd indulged in. Who knew something so simple could make both of us forget about the heaviness of life for a while?

As I followed her inside, the warm glow of the house welcomed us, and for a moment, everything felt... right. Like this was where I was supposed to be.

"Mom will be happy you didn't run off after all," Aditi teased, her eyes sparkling with a playfulness I loved seeing in her.

"Run off? From your mom's cooking? Not a chance," I shot back with a grin. My stomach growled on cue, making us both laugh.

We stepped inside, the familiar, comforting scent of home-cooked food already wafting through the air. Aditi's dad was still in his spot on the couch, tablet in hand, but he looked up when we entered, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Back already?" he asked, though it was clear he wasn't surprised. He had that quiet wisdom about him, always seeming to know things before anyone else did.

Before either of us could answer, the doorbell rang, interrupting the moment. I glanced over at Aditi, who gave me a curious look. "That must be my family," I said, moving toward the door.

As I opened it, my mom stood on the other side, smiling warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners the way they always did. Behind her were my dad waved as he stepped inside.

"Beta," my mom greeted, pulling me into a quick hug. "It's good to see you. I didn't realize we'd be having such an impromptu family dinner." She winked at me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. I knew exactly what that look meant—she had picked up on something, as moms always seem to do.

"Well, Aditi's mom insisted," I replied with a smile, stepping aside to let them all in.

My mom turned her attention to Aditi, her expression softening immediately. There was a tenderness in the way she looked at Aditi, one that was a mixture of admiration and something deeper—shared grief. Aditi had lost her mother, and I knew my mom understood that kind of pain all too well, even if it wasn't exactly the same.

Without hesitating, my mom stepped forward and gently pulled Aditi into a hug. It wasn't a brief, polite hug either—it was the kind of embrace that said, "I understand, and I'm here for you."

Aditi seemed a little taken aback at first, but after a second, she relaxed into the hug, her eyes closing as she let herself lean into the comfort. I stood by, watching the two of them, and something about the moment made my chest tighten. Seeing them like that, both of them having lost someone so important in their lives, felt... profound.

When they finally pulled apart, my mom smiled at Aditi, her eyes misty with emotion. "You remind me so much of your mother," she said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Aditi's ear. "But you've got your father's determination. It's a beautiful combination."