You Are Only Mine

41 : Unspoken Words & Growing Closeness

As they arrived home, Summer and Arav stepped out of the car, still feeling a little flustered from Rohan's teasing.

Rohan (leaning out the window): "Alright, lovebirds, get inside. And don't stay up all night whispering sweet nothings, okay?"

Summer (groaning): "Rohan, I swear-"

Rohan (laughing): "Goodnight!"

He drove off before Summer could say anything else. Arav chuckled beside him, shaking his head.

Arav (smirking): "He's never going to stop teasing us, is he?"

Summer (sighing dramatically): "No. He lives for this."

They walked inside, the warmth of their home wrapping around them. It felt different-lighter, somehow. Maybe because the weight of secrecy wasn't there anymore, at least with Rohan,b they instinctively walked in together. It was a habit now-staying close, sharing their space like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Summer (flopping onto his bed): "Today was crazy."

**Summer (grinning):** "I can't believe Rohan knew this whole time."

Arav sat on the edge of the bed, shaking his head. **"Yeah... I thought we were being subtle."**

**Summer (teasingly):** "Oh please, you're about as subtle as a neon sign when you stare at me like that."

Arav's ears turned red. **"I do NOT stare at you!"**

**Summer (laughing):** "You totally do. But it's cute, so I'll allow it."

Arav rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the small smile from forming on his lips. The warmth of their earlier moment still lingered in his chest.

The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the small lamp on the bedside table. A comfortable silence settled between them until Summer spoke again.

**Summer (softly):** "Arav... are you really okay with all this?"

Arav looked at him, sensing the seriousness in his tone. **"What do you mean?"**

**Summer (hesitating):** "Us. I know I kind of just confessed without thinking about how you'd feel. I don't want you to feel pressured."

Arav sighed, lying back on the bed beside Summer. He turned his head to face him. **"Sammy, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't okay with it. I just... I guess I wanted to be sure everything was right before we made it official."**

Summer nodded, his fingers unconsciously playing with the bedsheet. **"And now?"**

Arav chuckled. **"Now I think you're really bad at officially proposing."**

Summer gasped dramatically, sitting up. **"Excuse me?! I literally asked you to be my boyfriend, and you rejected me!"**

Arav smirked. **"Because you have to work harder, remember?"**

Summer groaned, falling back onto the bed, his head landing against Arav's shoulder. **"Fine, fine. I'll make it the best proposal you've ever seen."**

Arav felt his heart skip a beat at their close proximity. He turned his head slightly, his nose almost brushing against Summer's hair.

**Arav (softly):** "I'll be waiting."

Summer smiled, feeling warmth spread through his chest. **"Then don't fall for anyone else before I do."**

**Arav (chuckling):** "I don't think that's possible."

They stayed like that for a while, lying next to each other in peaceful silence. The world outside felt distant, and for now, all that mattered was the quiet beating of their hearts in sync.

Just as Summer and Arav were enjoying their quiet moment, a soft knock on the door interrupted them.

**Summer's Mom (cheerfully):** "Boys, dinner is ready! Come down before it gets cold."

Summer groaned, rolling off the bed dramatically. **"Ugh, I was so comfortable."**

Arav chuckled, getting up as well. **"Well, you did say you were hungry earlier."**

Summer's mom peeked inside, her eyes twinkling as she watched them. **"You both were so quiet, I was starting to wonder if you had fallen asleep together."**

Arav's face turned bright red, and Summer quickly stood up. **"Maa! Stop teasing."**

She laughed, shaking her head. **"Come on, let's eat."**

They both followed her downstairs, where the dining table was already set with delicious food. Rohan was already seated, smirking at them as they sat down.

**Rohan (teasingly):** "Took you both long enough. Were you having another 'special moment' upstairs?"

Arav nearly choked on his water, while Summer kicked Rohan under the table. **"Shut up!"**

Summer's mom raised an eyebrow but smiled knowingly. **"Rohan, stop teasing them. Now, eat before the food gets cold."**

As they ate, Summer's mom kept glancing between them, a small smile playing on her lips. After a while, she casually asked,

**Summer's Mom:** "So... is there anything new happening between you two?"

Arav froze mid-bite, and Summer almost dropped his spoon.

**Summer (nervously):** "Uh... what do you mean?"

She gave him a look that only a mother could, full of quiet understanding. **"You know what I mean."**

Rohan chuckled. **"Maa, you're too sharp for them."**

Arav felt like disappearing, but Summer sighed in defeat. **"Fine... Maa, I like Arav. A lot."**

Arav looked up at Summer in surprise, his heart skipping a beat at the way he said it so openly.

Summer's mom smiled warmly. **"I know."**

Both boys stared at her. **"You... you knew?"** Arav asked hesitantly.

She nodded. **"Of course, I did. I've seen the way you both look at each other. And honestly, I was just waiting for you two to figure it out yourselves."**

Arav looked down, his face warm, while Summer grinned. **"So... you're okay with it?"**

She reached over and patted Summer's hand. **"Why wouldn't I be? Love is love, beta. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me."**

Arav felt a lump in his throat. He had been nervous about how Summer's family would react, but hearing those words made him feel an overwhelming sense of relief.

**Arav (softly):** "Thank you, aunty..."

She smiled at him kindly. **"You're family too, Arav. Now, eat before the food gets cold."**

As they continued eating, the atmosphere felt lighter, warmer. Summer kept sneaking glances at Arav, and Arav-despite his shyness-found himself smiling more.

For the first time, it felt like everything was truly falling into place.