Return With Skills

Meanwhile, Abhi had ventured into the heart of the market, his eyes scanning the various shops. He had never felt so nervous, not even when he was preparing for his exams. His heart raced as he spotted the perfect gift for Ratika—a delicate bracelet that sparkled under the shop's lights.

"Please pack that one," he told the shopkeeper, his voice barely above a whisper.

The man nodded, wrapping the bracelet in soft tissue before placing it in a small box. "That will be 100 rupees," he said.

Abhi fumbled with his wallet, finally handing over the crisp note. He took the box with trembling hands, feeling the weight of the moment.

As he arrived at the designated spot, he saw Ratika waiting for him, dressed in a simple white top and jeans. Her beauty took his breath away, and he felt a rush of nervousness. She saw him and her face lit up, her smile so bright it could have outshone the sun. She waved shyly, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Sorry, I am late," he said as he approached her, trying to play it cool despite his racing heart.

"No, no," she replied with a laugh, "I just got here."

Her eyes searched his, looking for any sign of the truth. But all she found was the sincerity in his gaze. "Thank you for coming," she said.

Abhi felt his cheeks warm up under her scrutiny. "Of course," he replied. "Where else would I be?"

The conversation flowed easily as they strolled through the park, the sound of children playing in the distance. He fidgeted with the box in his pocket, the anticipation building with every step. Finally, he found the courage to pull it out.

"Ratika," he said, his voice a bit shaky. "I got you something."

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she took the box, her hands delicate as she opened it. The bracelet lay there, a symbol of his affection.

Her face broke into a smile, and she looked up at him. "It's beautiful, Abhi," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

He felt a sense of pride and relief wash over him. The butterfly effect had unfolded, and his actions had brought joy to the one person he cared about the most.

"Wanna go to cafe?" Abhi asked Ratika, his voice hopeful.

"Sure," Ratika replied, a shy smile playing on her lips.

As they made their way through the bustling streets, the warmth of the sun on their faces, their hands brushed against each other. Abhi felt his heart leap into his throat. He glanced at her, but she seemed unfazed, her eyes focused on the path ahead. He took a deep breath, feeling the warmth spread from his chest to his fingertips.

"You okay?" Ratika looked at him, her eyes filled with concern.

He nodded, trying to compose himself. "Yeah, just a little nervous," he admitted.

Her smile grew, and she reached out, her hand finding his. Her touch was soft and gentle, and it sent a jolt of electricity through him. He looked down at their entwined fingers, the reality of the moment sinking in.

They arrived at the cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. The bell jingled as they stepped inside, and the cool air washed over them, a welcome reprieve from the heat.

Abhi's eyes searched for a table, but Ratika's hand remained in his, grounding him. "You know what?" He said, turning to face her. "Let's sit outside."

The look on her face was worth every moment of anxiety he had felt leading up to this. Surprise, followed by delight, and finally, acceptance. They found a table under the shade of a large tree, the leaves rustling in the soft breeze.

As they sat down, Abhi felt a sense of peace wash over him. It was as if the universe had aligned just for them, granting them this perfect moment together.

They talked about their day, their dreams, and their fears. It was as if they had known each other for a lifetime. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Abhi knew that this was the start of something beautiful.

Their laughter mingled with the chirping of the birds, and the sound of the city slowly faded away. In that moment, all that mattered was the warmth of Ratika's hand in his, and the promise of a future filled with love and happiness.

"You look very enthusiastic and happy today, something happened?" Ratika asked, her hand still playing with Abhi's.

Abhi's cheeks flushed as he looked down at their intertwined fingers. "Ah, yes," he said, his voice filled with pride. "My big brother, Jain, he's done something great lately."

Ratika's eyes lit up. "Really?" she asked. "Big brother Jain is so smart. In class, everyone admires him."

"That's right," Abhi said, beaming. "I'm so glad he's my brother. He even went to a big company to sign a contract, and he won the lottery."

As he talked about his brother, Ratika found herself drawn in by his words. She had always admired Jain from afar, but hearing about his success from Abhi made her like him even more. She listened intently, her gaze never leaving his face.

After sharing the joyous news about Jain's recent achievements and the excitement of their newfound wealth, Ratika leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "That's amazing, Abhi," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

"It's not just about the money, It's Jain what Amazing," Abhi said.

Ratika nodded, understanding in her gaze. "And what will you do with all of that money?" She asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

He took a deep breath. "We want to use it to make our life a little difference."

Her hand reached up and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "That's so kind of you," she whispered, her eyes shining with admiration.

Abhi felt his heart race, and he leaned closer to her, feeling the warmth of her skin. "But today," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "today is about us."

The world around them seemed to fall away as Ratika's eyes searched his. He could see the question in them, the hope and the fear all rolled into one. And then, without another word, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

The kiss was gentle, but it held the promise of something more. It was the first time he had felt such a profound connection with someone, and it left him dizzy with joy.

"I have to go," she said, her voice filled with regret as she pulled away. "My parents will be worried."

"I'll walk you," he offered, his voice still shaky from the intensity of the moment.

They made their way to the taxi stand, the silence between them speaking volumes. As Ratika climbed into the taxi, she turned to face him, her eyes filled with emotion.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" Abhi asked, his own eyes reflecting his confusion.

"For making me feel so special," she said before closing the door.

The taxi pulled away, leaving Abhi standing on the sidewalk, feeling like he was floating on air. He watched the taxi until it was nothing but a speck in the distance, and then he turned, a wide grin on his face.

"Yes! Whoo!" He jumped into the street, pumping his fist in the air. The rush of emotions was overwhelming, and he didn't care who saw him.

As he calmed down, he made his way to the bus stand, his thoughts swirling with the excitement of the evening. The bus pulled up, and he boarded, still smiling like a fool. The gentle sway of the bus lulled him into a sense of contentment, and he felt that no matter what the future held, he was ready for it.

The day had brought him something he had never felt before—his first kiss, a promise of love, and a strengthened bond with his brother.

As Abhi stepped into the house, the aroma of a special dinner filled the air. Mom had spent the afternoon in the kitchen, her love and pride for her elder son reflected in every dish. The dining table was set with care, and the candles flickered, casting a warm glow across the room.

"Mom," Abhi called out, his voice filled with excitement. "You've gone all out!"

Mom emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She beamed at him. "It's to celebrate your brother's success," she said. "We're so proud of him."

Jain looked up from his laptop, a knowing smile on his face. "Thanks, Mom," he said.

The three of us sat down to eat, the sound of our spoons clinking against the plates and the gentle chime of our glasses filled the air. The meal she had prepared was a feast, a symphony of flavors that brought a smile to each of our faces.

As we enjoyed the delicious food, I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging, a warmth in my chest that grew with every bite. This was what family was all about—support, love, and coming together to celebrate achievements.

After dinner, Abhi pulled me aside, his eyes alight with urgency. "Bro, I have to tell you something," he said.

I looked at him curiously. "What's up?"

"I met Ratika," he revealed, his cheeks flushing slightly. "And she liked the gift. We had an amazing time together."

I couldn't help but smile. "That's great, Abhi," I said, giving him a reassuring pat on the back. "I knew you'd make a good impression."

His grin widened. "But wait, there's more," he said, his heart racing. "We talked, and she's incredible. And then, she... she kissed me."

I was surprised, but my happiness for him overshadowed it all. "Wow," I exclaimed, slapping his back. "It seems like your luck is definitely on the rise."

We shared a laugh, our bond stronger than ever.

"But," Abhi's expression grew serious, "I don't want to screw this up."

I knew he was concerned, so I tried to put his fears to rest. "Don't worry," I assured him. "Just be yourself, and everything will fall into place."

Abhi nodded, visibly relieved. He knew he could always rely on me for advice.