Page 82 of Since You Stole My Heart

A sheepish smile tugged at his lips. ‘Before we go in, I just need you to promise you’ll have mercy on me if you don’t like what I’ve done.’

‘I think I can manage that,’ she said.

The door swung open.

Kashvi felt a quiet hum of anticipation beneath her skin. She took a deep breath, but it did little to steady the flutter in her chest as they walked in.

He flipped on the lights, and she recognised the faint tune ofAbhi Naa Jao Chod Karas it began to play softly.

When her gaze fell on the far end of the living room, Kashvi gasped.

The old empty space by the balcony had been transformed.

A low, inviting plush sofa now sat pushed up against the open balcony doors. It was layered with cushions in muted, warmtones that looked soft enough to sink into, framed by a pair of sheer curtains.

‘Oh my God,’ she breathed. On either side of the sofa stood two tall bookshelves, stacked full of books.

Strings of fairy lights were woven carefully around the shelves, making the hardcovers glint. Her steps slowed as she moved, drawn towards it.

Kashvi traced a finger along the shelf as she scanned the spines, taking in the familiar names.

There were the fantasy novels she had once ranted about over dinner, the thrillers she had said she missed reading, the poetry collections she had added to her wishlist. She had assumed no one paid attention to her literary rants, but Swayam had.

‘When did you…’ she whispered. ‘What have you done?’

Swayam scrubbed a hand behind his neck. ‘I know you’ve wanted a reading nook for a long time, so I made it happen.’

She could see that. Every book was one she had spoken about, classics she had grown up loving, genres she had wanted to explore. The swell of emotion raging inside her felt like too much.

It looked so much like a dream that all she could do was stare. ‘I can’t believe you did this.’

‘Anything to see you smile,’ he said, and the simplicity of it made a lump form in her throat.

Her vision blurred at the edges. She turned to find him holding a cake. The dim room was overtaken by the gentle, flickering glow of candles perched unevenly on top.

Swayam closed the distance, adjusting his hold on the cake so he could free one hand to wipe away a tear. ‘Hey, what’s wrong?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m just… speechless. Thank you for everything you’ve done.’

He caressed her cheek gently. ‘I might have overdone it, so if there’s anything you don’t like, just tell me and I’ll fix it.’

‘No. There’s nothing I would change. I love it,’ she said.

‘Good. At least I managed not to mess up one thing,’ he said, holding out the cake so she could see it. ‘Make a wish, birthday girl.’

Swayam beamed at her, gently covering her eyes with his hand. The wish formed quietly in her mind.

May he always be smiling like this.

Kashvi blew out the candles, and the tiny flames flickered out with faint curls of smoke.

He placed the cake down on the coffee table, then clapped softly, making her laugh.

They moved to the plush sofa, and she sank into it the moment she sat down. Her shoulders loosened, her back easing into the cushion behind her.

‘This is…’ she let out a breath. ‘I don’t think I’m moving anytime soon.’

Swayam lowered himself beside her. ‘How about you do it just long enough to cut the cake?’