Hey Readers.. It's been a while. I would love to hear from you all.
—
Author's POV:

The clock struck 3 p.m., and Aarna found herself staring at her closet again, frustration creeping in.
"Not this one... no, definitely not this... Ugh, I do not have anything to wear." She mumbled aloud, flinging one outfit after another aside. Her wardrobe seemed to mock her—every outfit either too casual or too fancy, too bright or too dark.

She had woken up early, a smile never leaving her face. She felt lighter than she had in a long time. The kind of happiness she hadn't allowed herself to experience for ages, a feeling that had everything to do with one person: Rudran. And now, tonight, they had a date.

Her morning routine had been almost automatic—yoga, emails, and planning out her to-do list for the week. But now, her thoughts circled around what she could possibly wear for the evening. The problem? She didn't even know where they were going, only that it would be a night to remember.

With the clock ticking, Aarna's mind began to race. Maybe I should just go over to his house, ask him for details, she thought. But as if on cue, the doorbell rang.

Aarna's POV:

Who could it be? I frowned. Maybe it's Rudra...

When I opened the door, the sight before me took my breath away. Rudran stood there, a large bouquet of deep red roses in hand, blocking his face. My heart skipped a beat as he peeked from behind the flowers, smiling that charming, irresistible smile of his.

"For the most beautiful and amazing woman I've met... after my mamma, of course," he said with a grin, the words so genuine that they made my chest flutter. It wasn't just the roses; it was how he made me feel—like I mattered, more than just an afterthought.

I took the bouquet from his hands, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the roses. "Thank you," I said, my voice warm with appreciation. "These smell lovely."

Rudran's smile deepened as he leaned in a little closer. "I'm glad you like them. So, here's the thing... slight change of plans. We aren't going anywhere far tonight. I've been thinking about this for a while, and I came up with something that I think you'll really enjoy. Just dress comfortably."

I tilted my head, my curiosity piqued. "Comfy?" I asked, unsure what to expect.

He nodded. "Yeah, nothing fancy. We're keeping it simple tonight."

Author's POV:

Aarna quickly excused herself to change into something more casual. She opted for a loose yet flattering sweater and a pair of jeans, her hair falling loosely around her shoulders. It felt like a refreshing change from her usual, more polished style—comfortable and effortless, just as Rudran had suggested.

When she came back, Rudran was waiting for her, leaning against the wall next to her apartment's door looking at his phone. He looked effortlessly cool, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth when he watched her approach.

"Ready?" he asked, his tone light.

"Ready," Aarna replied with a smile, feeling a flutter of excitement in her chest.

Rudran's POV:

The car ride was easy, the kind of relaxed silence that only came when two people were comfortable with each other. Rudran stole glances at Aarna as they drove through the city, her face lit up by the dim glow of the streetlights.

"So," he said, breaking the quiet, "how's your week been?"

Aarna smiled, looking over at him. "Not bad. Just the usual—work, catching up on emails, you know." She shrugged. "It's nice to have a break today."

"Yeah, I get that," he said, his voice softening a little. "I know we didn't get much time to talk lately, but I'm glad we're doing this."

Aarna nodded, feeling a warmth spread in her chest. It wasn't just the date—it was the way he made her feel seen, like her thoughts and feelings mattered.

Author's POV:

After a short drive, Rudran pulled into a quiet area on the outskirts of the city. The road narrowed, and the sounds of the bustling city slowly faded away, replaced by the soft hum of the night. The moment they reached the top of a hill, he parked the car.

"Come on," he said, getting out of the car and walking to the front. "I thought we'd eat here."

Aarna followed him, her curiosity bubbling as she noticed the expansive view before her. The city sprawled beneath them, the lights twinkling like stars scattered across the ground, casting a soft glow that reflected the tranquility of the night.

"This is beautiful," Aarna murmured, taking in the breathtaking view. She felt as if the world was at peace, just for this moment.

Rudran opened the trunk and pulled out two bags of takeout. "I figured we could eat something simple—pizza and pasta," he said with a smile, handing her one of the bags.

Aarna laughed softly, her eyes lighting up. "The same thing we had with aunt last time?"

"Of course," he said, setting the bags down next to the car. "I did pay attention the last time we hung out, you really liked these stuff din't you?."

They made themselves comfortable, sitting on the hood of the car with their food in hand. The cool night air wrapped around them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, it felt refreshing, the perfect backdrop to the easy conversation that flowed between them.

As they ate, they talked about everything—work, silly things from their past, dreams, and hopes for the future. It was simple, but it felt perfect. There was no pressure, no expectations. Just two people sharing a moment, enjoying each other's company.

Aarna's POV:

I couldn't help but laugh at one of Rudran's stories. His jokes had always had this effortless charm, and tonight, it seemed like nothing else mattered except the two of us sitting here, together.

"It's been a while since I've had a night like this," I said, looking over at him. "No rush, no pressure—just... this."

He smiled, his eyes softening as he gazed out at the city. "Yeah, me too. I wanted tonight to be like this. Just... easy."

We ate, the chilly night air somehow making the food taste even better. The city lights glittered beneath us, but for once, I didn't mind that we were far from the noise, far from the crowd. Here, with him, everything felt just right.

As the night stretched on, the world around us grew quieter, and it was just us—talking, laughing, and letting the moment linger.

Rudran's POV:

The city was quiet, and the chill in the air had only made it feel more intimate. He glanced over at Aarna, who was sitting comfortably beside him on the hood of the car. Her smile was softer now, her eyes a little more tired but full of contentment. He didn't want this night to end.

"So," he started, his voice casual but his heart racing just a little. "Do you want to do this again sometime?"

Aarna turned her head toward him, her smile turning a little more knowing. "You mean a low-key, takeout dinner with a view?" she asked, teasing.

Rudran chuckled. "Yeah, something like that."

She laughed, nodding. "I'd like that."

Author's POV:

The night wore on, and before they knew it, it was late—later than either of them had planned to stay out. They finished their food and sat there in silence for a while, just enjoying the peace. The moment felt perfect, untouched by time.

Eventually, they decided to head back. But as they drove back to the city, neither of them could shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something new, something that had only just begun.