YOU AND ME

Ayush

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I wanted tonight to be perfect. Amina deserved that much after everything we’d been through. I set up a romantic date on the rooftop, with fairy lights twinkling above and a table set for two. The soft glow of candles added a warm, intimate ambiance. I checked my reflection in the mirror, adjusting my tie. I wanted to look my best for her.

When Amina stepped out, my breath caught in my throat. She wore a stunning dress that hugged her curves perfectly, the rich fabric complementing her beautiful dark skin. Her hair cascaded elegantly down her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

“You look incredible,” I said, unable to take my eyes off her.

She smiled, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself.”

We sat down, and I poured us some wine. The tension between us was palpable, but it was the good kind—the kind that made my heart race.

“So, what made you plan this surprise date?” Amina asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

“I wanted to do something special for you,” I replied. “To show you how much you mean to me.”

She reached across the table, taking my hand in hers. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble, Ayush. Just being with you is enough.”

“I wanted to,” I insisted. “You deserve the world, Amina.”

As the evening progressed, we talked about our future, envisioning where we would get married. “Do you think we should have the wedding here or in Malawi?” I asked.

“I think it would be nice to have it in Malawi,” she said. “It’s where my family is, and it would mean a lot to them.”

“Then Malawi it is,” I agreed, smiling. The idea of starting a life together made my heart swell.

The conversation turned playful as we began to plan our future family. “I want to have one kid,” I said, trying to sound serious.

Amina laughed. “One? No way. I want at least three. Maybe even twins.”

“Twins? You’re ambitious,” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Hey, go big or go home,” she shot back, grinning.

As the night went on, the tension between us grew thicker. I could feel the magnetic pull drawing us closer. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I leaned in and kissed her, my heart racing as our lips met. The world around us melted away; it was just the two of us, caught in our own moment.

The kiss deepened, and I felt every ounce of emotion—passion, love, and a hint of urgency. Her lips tasted sweet, and I lost myself in the moment, feeling her warmth envelop me. When we finally pulled apart, we both breathed heavily, foreheads resting against each other.

“I hope you didn’t plan this date just to avoid tomorrow’s general cleaning,” she teased, her eyes dancing.

I chuckled. “Maybe a little. But mostly, I just wanted to spend a perfect evening with you.”

The next day, we donned our cleaning outfits—me in an old T-shirt and jeans, Amina in a comfortable dress. We tackled the house together, laughing and joking as we worked. It felt good to do something so normal, so domestic, with her.

The doorbell rang, and I went to answer it. To my surprise, it was Grandma and Raj. Grandma looked pleased, but Raj was clearly drunk, swaying slightly.

“What’s going on here?” Raj slurred, eyeing my cleaning outfit with amusement.

“Just doing some cleaning,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.

Amina welcomed them in, and we all sat down. The tension between her and Raj was immediate.

“Already drunk at this time of day?” Amina snapped, crossing her arms.

Raj smirked, clearly unfazed. “What’s it to you? It’s a celebration for the hardworking brother.”

Amina raised an eyebrow, trying to stifle a laugh. “Celebration or just an excuse for you to be lazy?”

“Lazy? I prefer to call it conserving energy for my... inspiring speeches,” Raj declared dramatically, causing Amina to roll her eyes.

Grandma intervened, her voice gentle but firm. “Raj, behave yourself. Amina, thank you for welcoming us.”

“Of course. Would you like something to eat?” Amina asked, her tone shifting to hospitality.

As we moved to the kitchen, Grandma noticed how comfortable Raj and I were helping Amina cook. “It’s nice to see you boys helping out,” she said, her eyes twinkling with approval.

Grandma and Amina shared a special moment, connecting over their mutual love for family.

“I’m happy to have you as my granddaughter-in-law,” Grandma said, her voice filled with warmth. “You’re perfect for Ayush.”

“Thank you, Grandma,” Amina replied, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Meanwhile, Raj leaned against the counter, watching Amina with a smirk. “So, Amina, what’s it like being with my brother? Must be a handful.”

Amina glanced at me, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “He’s worth it. Even if he does leave his socks everywhere.”

“Hey, I heard that,” I said, laughing.

Raj added, “Well, at least you know how to clean up after him, right? You’re like his built-in maid.”

“Oh, please! I’m not cleaning up after him. I’m just showing him how it’s done,” Amina shot back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Such a brave woman, taking on the great Ayush,” Raj said, raising a mock toast with his juice cup. “To Amina, the woman who’ll put up with all of this!”

As we finished preparing the meal, Amina shot Raj a playful glare. “Just remember, if I can handle Ayush, I can definitely handle you, Raj.”

“Ha! You underestimate my chaos,” Raj laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender.

Grandma, who had been quietly observing, chimed in. “It’s good to see you all working together.”

Amina smiled at Grandma. “I love that. It’s important to share responsibilities.”

“Besides,” Raj interjected, “the more we help, the less Amina has to deal with my snoring at night.”

Amina burst into laughter, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous!”

As we sat down to eat, the atmosphere was warm and filled with laughter. It felt like a real family, despite the challenges we faced.

After dinner, Grandma pulled Amina aside for a private conversation. I watched them from a distance, feeling a mix of pride and gratitude.

“Amina, I want you to know that I support you and Ayush,” Grandma said, her voice gentle. “You’re a wonderful match for him.”

“Thank you, Grandma. That means so much to me,” Amina replied, her eyes shining with emotion.

Grandma took Amina’s hands in hers. “I’ll talk to Ayush’s mother. She needs to understand that love is more important than tradition. You two deserve to be happy.”

Amina nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “Thank you, Grandma. I appreciate your support.”

As they hugged, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Despite everything, we were surrounded by love and support. And through it all, my love for Amina only grew stronger.

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