The night had settled softly over the city as Om and Anshika walked along the Urban Chowk road, the cool breeze brushing past them, carrying a strange kind of peace.
Dinner was over.
But the night… didn't feel finished yet.
Anshika walked beside him, quiet… smiling to herself.
Today had been different.
Special.
She hadn't confessed her feelings.
She didn't even know if Om liked her that way.
But the moments she had spent with him tonight… they were real. Warm. Beautiful.
And somewhere deep inside, she knew—
These were the kind of moments people remember for a lifetime.
Breaking the silence, she turned toward him with a soft smile.
"So… how was your first date?"
Om looked at her.
Smiled.
Then lifted his gaze toward the sky, as if searching for the right words.
"I don't know… but one thing's for sure—I liked spending time with you. And… I'm glad I got the chance to know you better."
There was honesty in his voice.
Something simple… but deep.
But before he could say anything more—
"Om! Look there—an ice cream cart! Come on, let's have ice cream!"
Anshika suddenly burst out, pointing ahead like an excited child.
Om followed her gaze.
A small cart stood by the roadside.
Then he looked back at her—
And for a moment… he just watched.
The way her eyes sparkled.
The way her face lit up.
She didn't look like a grown woman in that moment…
She looked like a little girl who had just found her favorite thing in the world.
Om smiled.
Nodded.
And that was all she needed.
Without wasting a second, Anshika grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the cart. The way she held his hand—it wasn't romantic, not exactly.
It was innocent.
Like a child holding onto someone she trusted.
And strangely…
That made Om feel a kind of peace he couldn't explain.
They reached the cart, and Anshika immediately ordered two ice creams. The vendor handed them over to Om, who then passed both of them to her instead—and refused to take one for himself.
Anshika didn't argue.
Instead, she started eating both ice creams at once, happily, like a kid who didn't want to share.
Om watched her… and laughed.
Because right now, she didn't look like anything less than a carefree little girl.
Hearing him laugh, Anshika looked at him—and that's when he saw it.
A smudge of ice cream on her nose.
That was it.
Om burst out laughing even louder.
And just then—
Anshika's eyes shifted.
Toward the side of the road.
A group of children stood there.
Watching them.
Quietly.
They were the children of a beggar sleeping nearby.
Their eyes held innocence… and a silent longing.
Anshika's smile faded for a second.
Without thinking twice, she turned back to the vendor, bought three more ice creams, and walked straight to the children, handing them over.
The moment those little hands grabbed the ice creams—
Their faces lit up.
Pure happiness.
Unfiltered.
Om stood there, watching.
And something inside him softened.
Because he knew—
This wasn't for show.
This wasn't to impress him.
This was who she really was.
And that… meant everything.
The moment didn't stop there.
As those children started eating, a few more kids gathered around Anshika, drawn by the laughter and the joy.
Anshika looked surprised.
But before she could react—
Om showed up.
Dragging the entire ice cream cart with him.
"Alright! Everyone gets as much as they want!"
And just like that—
The street turned into a small celebration.
Children laughed.
Ran around.
Some even started dancing in circles around Om and the cart.
And Om?
He joined them.
No hesitation.
No hesitation at all.
He laughed with them… played with them… becoming one of them.
A child among children.
Anshika stood there, watching.
Slowly… a soft smile spread across her face.
And as she looked at him—
Memories began to flood her mind.
Their journey.
Every moment.
Every little piece of their story.
That awkward boy from college… who always stayed around her.
The one who used to bring food from the canteen, help with notes, do everything for her without asking for anything in return.
The day he proposed to her in front of everyone.
Then—
That sudden change.
Meeting him again at the mall… like strangers.
That new Om.
Confident.
Charming.
Different.
Their conversations.
The way he saved that little girl.
His grand entry at the party… stealing everyone's attention.
Her hiding from him.
Their emotional clashes.
His anger.
Her silence.
Then meeting again at the clinic…
Seeing him… unexpectedly… in ways she never imagined.
Misunderstandings.
Jealousy.
Laughter.
Their playful fights.
Becoming business partners.
Going to parties together.
And now—
This.
A date.
A night like this.
Anshika stood there, lost in those memories… watching him laugh with the children.
And somewhere inside her heart—
Something finally became clear.
She whispered silently to herself,
"I made a mistake trying to understand you… and I've been paying for it ever since. Losing you… feels like the biggest punishment now. But this time… I won't let that happen."
Her eyes softened.
Locked onto him.
"I won't lose you, Om… not this time."