In the Hope of Love

A Night for New Beginnings

Saurabh was pacing across the living room like a man on trial.

For the fifth time in twenty minutes, he checked his phone, refreshed his messages, and stared blankly at the blank screen. No reply. No acknowledgment. Not even a seen tick.

"She didn't reply yet?" Dev asked from the couch, lazily flipping through a magazine but keeping an eye on his brother.

Saurabh shook his head, clearly agitated. "I asked her out for dinner. Gave her the time, the place, everything. It's been hours."

Niha entered the room, sipping her juice, eyebrows raised. "Still no message from Dr. Neha?"

"Nope," Dev said before Saurabh could answer, watching his brother with amused eyes. "Our Bhai is about to collapse from anxiety."

Saurabh huffed. "What if she thinks I'm being too forward? Or maybe she didn't like the flowers. Should I have sent orchids instead?"

Niha sat beside him and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Bhai, calm down. If she wasn't interested, she wouldn't have accepted the previous bouquets at all. Maybe she's just busy."

Dev nodded. "She is a doctor, remember? Her job isn't exactly 9 to 5."

"But dinner is in three hours," Saurabh muttered. "If she doesn't reply soon, I don't even know if I should go to the restaurant."

"You're going," Niha said firmly. "Worst-case scenario, she doesn't show up. You have dinner, take in the sea view, and call it a night. Best-case, she walks in, looking lovely, and you have the perfect first date."

Saurabh was silent for a moment, torn between hope and nerves. Then he nodded, almost to himself. "Okay. I'll go. Just in case."

Dev smirked and exchanged a glance with Niha. "That's the spirit, MD Sir."

As the brothers headed to get ready, Niha stayed behind for a moment, watching them go. A soft smile tugged at her lips—somewhere in the air tonight, hearts were fluttering, and not just Saurabh's.

Saurabh stood in front of the mirror, holding up two shirts with visible distress. "Blue or white?" he asked, his brows furrowed like he was about to deliver a TED Talk on cotton choices.

"Definitely blue," Niha said without missing a beat from her spot on the bed, legs tucked under her. "White looks like you're heading to a board meeting."

Dev smirked from the door, arms crossed. "And blue looks like a corporate intern trying too hard."

"Excuse me," Niha shot back, glaring at him. "At least I gave an actual opinion, not sarcastic background commentary."

Dev raised his hands. "Sorry, Miss Fashion Police. Please proceed with your expert consultation."

"I would," she snapped playfully, standing up and walking over to Saurabh, "if someone would stop pretending to be funny."

"Oh, I'm hilarious. You're just slow to catch up."

Saurabh groaned, looking at them in the mirror. "Guys, if I wanted a comedy show, I'd watch one. Can you just help me look... not like a disaster?"

Niha patted his shoulder. "Relax, Bhai. You'll look great—provided you don't let Dev give you any more advice."

"Hey!" Dev retorted, mock offended. "I have taste. You've seen my wardrobe."

"Exactly," she said, raising a brow. "All those monochromes and broody greys? You dress like you're the brand ambassador of a thunderstorm."

Dev gave her a dramatic bow. "And you dress like a pastel highlighter exploded. Let's call it even."