Destined with you

8.(The Shopping)💫

SARAH'S POV

The soft clinking of cutlery and the faint aroma of parathas filled the Kapoor mansion's kitchen. I sat at the breakfast table, my hands wrapped tightly around a warm mug of tea that had long since gone cold.

Everyone around me was chatting like it was any normal morning-but my mind was still trapped in the haunting shadows of last night. Raj's message. That sick, twisted text that pulled me right back into a place I never wanted to revisit. If it hadn't been for Aaliya didi holding me and whispering, "You're safe now, Sara. You're not alone anymore," I might've spiraled.

But even now, the memory clung to me like smoke.

"Sara, zara yeh Paratha pass kardo," Ammi said softly, breaking my train of thought.

I nodded, sliding the bowl forward without looking up. I could feel Aaliya's eyes on me-like she was checking if I was really okay. I gave her a weak smile to assure her, even if my heart hadn't caught up yet.

And then it hit me. Like a jolt of electricity in the middle of a stormy silence.

"Wait-kal Rayan ka birthday hai na?"

God! How could I forget my little cheeku's birthday!

Everyone at the table paused.

Aaliya blinked and then laughed,

"Finally madam ko yadd Aaya"!

"Oh god!" I gasped, slapping my forehead.
"I totally forgot! Di, we have to do something. A small party, please? Balloons, cake, maybe some themed decorations? He's been obsessed with Spiderman lately!"

Aaliya smiled, warmth flooding her features.
"Of course. Uska birthday bina dhamake ke kaise ho sakta hai?"

"And shopping"!
I added, already getting a little excited.

"He needs new clothes! And gifts! Toys, books... oh-maybe a Spiderman costume!"

Aaliya chuckled. "You're spoiling that little monster."

"He's the only one allowed to spoil me back," I said with a small smile.

It was the first moment since last night that I felt something close to normal. Planning something for Rayan... it gave me purpose. Distraction. Joy.

I glanced at Aaliya and whispered, "Let's make it special, didi. Let's give him a birthday to Remember"

AUTHOR'S POV.

As Sara was getting excited to celebrate her nephew's birthday Still oblivious by the storm she caused in Aadam's heart By only few meetings and glances...

Sara was busy planning the shopping
Listing things to buy, her eyes shining with excitement as she wanted everything ready for her nephew's birthday. She laughed softly while typing the list in her phone, her mind full of cake flavors and party games - completely unaware of the quiet mess she had left behind in Aadam's heart.

They had only met a few times. From saving her to seeing her with her nephew misInterpreting her as his mother and the moment Meeting her again
Just brief, polite moments - a smile, a small greeting at that family party. Nothing more. Nothing that anyone else would notice.
But for Aadam, that short meeting had changed something.

She stood there in a simple outfit,her simple Sky blue gown....
speaking gently, looking around the room with a calm kind of grace. Their conversation was formal, barely personal. And yet, since that night, she hadn't left his thoughts.