Neel stares. “How did you know that?”
“I have experience.”
“You never build with me.”
“That’s because you fire me every time.”
“That was one time.”
“Three.”
“Technicalities.”
I watch them bicker back and forth. Something about the scene settles quietly in my chest. The familiarity between them. The way Divya automatically pushes Neel’s hair away from his face. The way Neel leans against her shoulder without even noticing.
It feels… right. Then Neel suddenly stands up. Both of us look up. He clears his throat dramatically. “I have a very important mission for you two.”
Divya and I exchange a look.
He runs off toward his room.
"Do I need to be worried?” I ask.
“With him? Always.” she chuckles, making me laugh.
A moment later Neel comes running back holding a small notebook. He flips through several pages with intense focus before tearing one out carefully. Then he hands it to me.
“My friends and I discussed this situation.” Divya frowns beside me. Neel continues in a very serious voice. “They said you are being weird.”
Divya sucks in a breath. “Weird?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because married people go on dates.” Divya chokes and I pat her back while trying not to laugh.
Divya’s mouth opens. Then closes. Then opens again. I look down at the paper he handed me. His handwriting is… ambitious. Large uneven letters covering the page in crooked lines.
I read it out loud.
“Ice cream date.”
Neel nods proudly. “Very important.”
“Chocolate cake date,” I continue.
He raises a finger. “You must bring some for me.”
Divya lets out a strangled noise beside me. “Picnic.”
“Sunset watching.” I glance up.
“Amusement park date.”
Neel nods again. “I will go with you to check for that one.” His eyes twinkle at the mention of amusment park and I smile.
Divya jumps to her feet. “Neel!” He looks at her calmly.
