The basketball court echoed with cheers and sneakers squeaking against the concrete. Chirag dribbled past two defenders, leaped, and shot the ball straight through the hoop.
"Nice one!" his teammate shouted.
"That's what I'm talking about!" another clapped.
Chirag grinned, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. Just as he was about to go for another round, his eyes caught someone at the gate. A girl, in a soft sky-blue kurti, stood watching quietly.
His grin widened instantly.
He jogged over, chest still rising and falling from the game.
"Yashika! What brings you here?" he asked, playfully raising an eyebrow.
Yashika tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice soft.
"Nothing much. I was just… passing by. Thought I'd stop for a second."
Chirag smirked, slightly puffing his chest.
"So... was I impressive enough to stop you in your tracks?"
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "In your dreams."
He laughed. "Want me to drop you to your tuition?"
Her eyes widened. "What? But your match—"
"Oh, come on now," Chirag waved it off, stepping towards his bike. "You're more important, little."
Yashika looked away for a second, hiding her shy smile.
"Okay then but stop calling me that," she said softly.
Chirag laughed and turned back to his friends.
"I'll be back in five minutes!" he called.
"Yeah, yeah, lover boy, go!" one of them shouted, grinning.
He shook his head, laughing as he and Yashika hopped on his bike.
After dropping her at the tuition centre, he turned once before leaving.
"Concentrate. And don't sleep in the front bench again."
Yashika mock-glared at him. "I don't!"
"You do."
"I don't!"
He smirked. "Fine, you don't. Now go."
She nodded and entered the building.
An hour and a half later, the sun had dipped low. Shadows stretched along the quiet road as students stepped out of their tuition building.
Yashika adjusted her bag strap and walked toward the gate. That's when she saw him — Chirag, leaning casually on his bike, talking to another guy. As soon as his eyes met hers, his face lit up with a bright smile.
Yashika blinked, then smiled back — her eyes shining as if someone lit a tiny lamp inside her chest.
He signalled her with his head. "Come on!"
She walked over.
"Hi," she said, tucking her hands into her bag's strap. "Where are we going?"
Chirag started the bike.
"Home."
"Home?"
"Yep. Papa told me to pick you up so we could have dinner together. Then I'll drop you back."
Her eyes widened slightly. "He did?"
"Uh-huh," Chirag said, adjusting the rearview mirror. "He made that khatti-meethi daal you like."
"Really?" she asked, excited.
"Of course. You're his favourite guest, after all."
She chuckled lightly and hopped on.
They reached the Chaturvedi house just as the evening lamps were being lit inside. A cozy warmth spread from the living room, and the sound of a pressure cooker hissed faintly in the kitchen.
As they walked in, a calm voice called from inside,
"Chirag? Yashika?"
"Hi Papa," Chirag replied, removing his shoes.
Raghuveer Chaturvedi came out from the kitchen with a soft smile and a dish towel in his hand.
"Yashika beta, come in. You must be tired."
Yashika folded her hands politely. "Namaste, uncle."
"Namaste, namaste. Chirag washed his hands, I hope?"
"No, Papa, I thought I'd serve dinner with basketball sweat," Chirag replied, chuckling.
"Don't even try," his father raised an eyebrow. "Wash up, both of you. Dinner's ready."
Yashika followed Chirag inside, heart slightly lighter than it had been all day. This — the bike rides, the teasing, the shared dinners — it was all so normal, yet so precious.
And in her heart, she knew… it was the small things like this that made her world beautiful.
Dinner at the Chaturvedi home was always simple but heartwarming. That night was no different. Laughter echoed across the table as Raghuveer Chaturvedi shared an old story from his college days, and Chirag filled in the bits he knew by heart. Yashika, quiet but smiling, sat in the warmth of this temporary family, soaking in the love she so rarely felt.
After the last bite of halwa was finished and the plates cleared, Chirag stood up, keys in hand.
"I'll drop her," he said casually.
His father nodded, watching them with a small smile.
As they reached the orphanage gates, the sky was dark but gentle, the stars shyly peeking through clouds. Chirag stopped the bike, looked at Yashika and said,
"Okay, bye now. Goodnight."
She nodded, about to walk in when he added, softly,
"Sweet dreams."
Yashika paused. Her eyes flickered toward him, that soft smile rising to her lips.
"You too," she whispered.
She stepped inside. Chirag stood there for a moment, watching the door close. Then he turned and rode off into the night.
A Few Days Later...
The landline rang at the orphanage, cutting through the quiet evening hum. Ms. Kavita, the kind and strong-willed woman in her forties who ran the home, picked up.
"Yes?" she said, her voice tired yet gentle.
"Hello, Ms. Kavita?" came a familiar voice from the other end.
"Chirag beta?" Her tone softened.
"Yes, can I talk to Yashika?"
"One moment."
She called out. "Yashika! Phone for you!"
Yashika, halfway through folding laundry, sprang to her feet and ran. Her eyes sparkled as she reached the phone.
"It's still Chirag," Ms. Kavita said with a small smile, handing her the receiver.
Yashika took it, already grinning.
"Yes?" she answered, voice light.
"Can we meet?" Chirag's voice was eager, almost breathless.
Yashika blinked, surprised.
"Wow! Uh... yes. Please."
He chuckled. "You're still so easy to convince."
"Where?" she asked softly.
"Our hideout," he replied.
She looked at Ms. Kavita. It was already 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Kavita raised an eyebrow. "You'll be back before 8."
Yashika gave her the biggest puppy eyes she could manage. "8:30? Please?"
Ms. Kavitha sighed, then smirked. "Okay. But make sure Chirag drops you back."
"He will," Yashika nodded quickly, excitement bubbling in her chest.
She stepped outside just five minutes later. The air was cool and dusky. And there he was — Chirag, leaning against his bike under the orphanage light, arms crossed, helmet resting on the handle.
"You're here to pick me up?" she asked, smiling.
Chirag smirked. "No. I'm just here to drop you back after."
She rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Come on," he said. "Hop on."
They rode quietly, the road winding upward, streetlights fading into the soft glow of stars. Afew minutes later, they reached their hidden place — a small garden a forgotten one. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, and in the center stood a single wooden bench they'd discovered years ago.
They sat down together.
"So... what is it?" Yashika asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Chirag hesitated. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his hoodie.
He didn't know how to say it. But he knew he had to.