"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 52

My lovely readers last month in the start I posted saying I won't be able to publish more than  5 chapters by end of that month but instead I posted approx. 20 chapters look now I really need some time for myself I hope you understand I will keep posting but not as frequently .

Kabir's Perspective

2 years later

As I pulled up in front of Aditi's house, I felt the familiar swirl of nerves and excitement kicking in. It was 9 p.m. on the dot, the cool air from the cracked windows filling the car. I stared at the house for a moment, letting the reality of the night sink in. Aditi was officially an advocate now—she'd spent years working towards this, and today, it finally happened. She was now free to take on real cases, to argue in court, to live the dream she had always spoken about with that fiery determination in her eyes.

I glanced at the passenger seat, where the two bouquets sat—the rainbow roses and the chocolate bouquet. I couldn't help but smile. I hadn't even planned to bring two, but then Anaya happened. She'd stolen Aditi's phone this evening, and before I knew it, I was caught in one of her classic traps.

"Jiju, you better bring me rainbow roses AND chocolates, or Aditi didi's not going anywhere with you!" her little voice echoed in my mind.

That girl had more control over Aditi than her parents ever would. Maybe that's why her parents were so chill—they had their youngest acting as the gatekeeper. I shook my head, laughing to myself as I grabbed the bouquets and stepped out of the car. The night was calm, the stars barely visible in the city sky, but I barely noticed. I was too busy thinking about how tonight felt like a new chapter for Aditi and me. She was no longer the girl cramming for law exams, and I wasn't the boy nervously waiting on the sidelines anymore.

I reached the front door, feeling the familiar twist in my stomach, the same one I got every time I saw Aditi. My hand hovered over the doorbell, and for a brief second, I felt a ridiculous wave of nerves. Why was I nervous? I'd done this a hundred times before. But tonight felt different—like it was the start of something bigger. I pressed the bell and waited.

Before I could even let go of the button, the door flew open with a loud bang. Anaya stood there, her eyes sparkling with excitement, her arms already outstretched toward me.

"Jiju!" she squealed, her voice piercing the quiet of the night. Before I knew it, she had launched herself into my arms.

"Anaya!" I laughed, scooping her up with one arm while balancing the bouquets in the other hand. She grabbed the flowers and the chocolates immediately, a victorious grin spreading across her face. "See, I told you I'd bring them. Never doubt me."

She beamed at me, holding both bouquets like treasure. "Good. Now maybe I'll let Aditi go with you," she said in a serious tone, as if she were the final authority on the matter.

"Maybe?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face. "Anaya, you're a tough negotiator."

Just as we stepped inside, her voice rang out again. "Mummy, Papa, Jiju aa gaye!" She was shouting at the top of her lungs, her tiny voice echoing through the hallway.

I chuckled as we entered the living room, with Anaya still perched on my arm, proudly displaying her bouquets to anyone who would look. Her parents were sitting there, smiling at the scene. Aditi's mom looked at the extravagant bouquets, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Kabir, bache, you didn't have to get these costly things. This girl has you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?" she said, shaking her head, though her tone was soft and kind.

"Arre, aunty," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Saali hai meri. I have to keep her happy, right?"

Anaya giggled in my arms, clutching the roses even tighter. Her father looked up from his newspaper, his usual serious expression giving way to a smile as I bent down to touch their feet, with Anaya still refusing to leave my arms.