Aarav sat down beside her, still feeling embarrassed about the ice cream incident. Ishika, without hesitation, opened her little purse and pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief. She leaned closer, carefully dabbing at the stains on his shirt. Aarav sat frozen, not because of the mess, but because of how close she was. He could feel his heartbeat racing, echoing in his chest louder than ever.
“There,” she said softly after a moment, her fingers brushing against the fabric one last time. “It’s okay now.”
Aarav looked up at her. That smile — warm, gentle, and so full of care — made his embarrassment melt away. He realized he could sit like this forever, just looking at her.
“Where should we go next?” Ishika asked cheerfully, breaking the silence.
“Huh? Umm…” Aarav thought for a moment. “How about a movie?”
Her face instantly lit up with excitement. “Oh! Yes, yes! Let’s go!”
Aarav chuckled under his breath. Girls really do get excited over the simplest things, he thought, watching her walk ahead with a bounce in her step.
When they reached the theater, colorful posters lined the entrance. Aarav gestured towards them. “So? What do you want to watch?”
Ishika studied them for a moment before pointing eagerly at one. “Let’s watch that one.”
Aarav’s eyes followed her finger, and his expression fell. “A horror movie? Huh… are you sure about this?”
“Yes,” she nodded firmly, though a little too quickly.
He gave her a skeptical look but didn’t argue. Soon, he returned with tickets, and they walked inside.
For the first half hour, everything seemed fine. Ishika sat upright, munching popcorn, her eyes fixed on the screen. But as the film grew darker, Aarav noticed her body stiffen. She shifted in her seat, her grip on the popcorn tightened, and her shoulders slightly trembled.
Leaning closer, Aarav whispered, “Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah,” she replied, but her voice shook as much as her hands.
Aarav smirked knowingly. “Are you scared?” he asked in a teasing tone.
“No, I’m not!” she said quickly, eyes still glued to the screen.
“It’s okay, you can tell me,” he teased again, his voice gentle, almost daring.
“I said I’m not!” she snapped softly, her cheeks puffing in denial.
But Aarav could clearly see the truth — Ishika was terrified. And yet, she stubbornly tried to hide it.
Aarav noticed her annoyance, so he decided not to tease her anymore. The last thing he wanted was to make her mad. For a few quiet minutes, the theater filled only with the eerie background score of the film. Then suddenly, when the ghost appeared on the screen, Ishika let out a sharp scream and instinctively grabbed his hand.
Aarav froze. His heartbeat shot up instantly, pounding so hard he thought it might burst out of his chest. Her fingers clung tightly to his, trembling every time the ghost reappeared. She buried her face in her other hand, peeking through her fingers, screaming, then shutting her eyes again — all the while refusing to let go of him.
Aarav couldn’t understand why she had insisted on watching a horror film if she was so terrified. Seriously, nobody can ever guess what’s going on in a girl’s mind, he thought, though he wasn’t exactly complaining. Because while Ishika was focused on the ghosts on the screen, Aarav was focused only on her — the warmth of her hand, the way her grip tightened every time she got scared, and how much closer she seemed to lean towards him.
He realized he hadn’t watched a single scene properly. Not because of the film… but because of her.
When the credits finally rolled and the lights turned on, they stepped out of the theater. Ishika brushed her hair back, trying to look as composed as possible. Aarav glanced at her with a soft smile.
“Are you okay?” he asked gently.
“I told you, I was not scared!” she said quickly, her chin lifted in stubborn denial.
Aarav chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay.”
But the memory of her hand clutching his so tightly lingered in his mind, making it impossible for him to stop smiling.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat something,” Ishika said, her eyes lighting up with that usual spark of excitement.
“Yeah, okay,” Aarav replied, more than happy to extend their time together.
They walked into a small restaurant nearby and ordered their meals. Between bites, their conversation flowed effortlessly — about school, friends, random memories, and even silly arguments. Aarav found himself laughing more than he had in weeks; with Ishika, even the most ordinary moments felt special.
When they finally stepped out and began walking back home, Ishika suddenly broke the comfortable silence.
“Hey, Aarav.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for today. I really had so much fun,” she said, her smile warm and genuine.
Aarav’s heart swelled at her words, but he quickly added, “But… I’m sorry.”
She frowned slightly. “Huh? Why?”
“It was our first date and I didn’t plan anything. We just went around aimlessly,” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck.
Ishika shook her head instantly. “I don’t want anything more. Today was really fun.” Her voice carried a softness that reassured him.
Still, Aarav’s lips curved into a determined smile. “But I’ll definitely plan something special next time.”
Ishika chuckled, her eyes teasing. “Oh? But our next date will take some while.”
“Why?” he asked, confused.
“Why you ask? Don’t tell me you forgot?” She raised an eyebrow.
Aarav blinked, clearly lost. “Forgot what?”
“Idiot, our final exams are in three weeks!” she said, crossing her arms.
Exams? Aarav groaned inwardly. Why did he always forget the important things?
“You really are an idiot,” she said with a half-annoyed, half-amused look.
“What should I do now?” he asked helplessly.
“Don’t worry,” she replied firmly, “we still have three weeks. Just don’t do anything other than study till exams. Got it?”
“Yeah,” Aarav muttered, though a part of him already dreaded those long weeks without meeting her outside of school.
He walked her home after that and then returned to his own. The following three weeks passed in a blur of textbooks, notes, and late-night revision. Aarav and Ishika only met within the walls of the classroom, exchanging quick smiles and brief conversations, but no outings.
And before they knew it, the final exams were over — bringing with them the end of their second semester.
It was December 24th, the day before Christmas. The entire city was wrapped in a thick blanket of snow, glittering under the streetlights like powdered diamonds. Shops were decorated with garlands and twinkling lights, and the streets buzzed with laughter, chatter, and the sound of bells. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry — carrying gift bags, buying decorations, or huddling together to enjoy the warmth of the festive spirit. The city was more alive than usual.
Aarav’s phone buzzed with a call from Vivan, who was inviting him to the Christmas party at his café later that evening.
The second semester had just ended, and Aarav couldn’t help but think back on how eventful it had been. Just a few months ago, Ishika had entered his life, and now, she wasn’t just a classmate — she was his girlfriend. This was going to be their first Christmas together, and Aarav wanted to make it memorable. He wanted to give her something special, something that would bring a real smile to her face.
But there was one problem. He had never bought a gift for a girl before.
After pacing around his room for a few minutes, Aarav grabbed his phone and quickly dialed Vivan’s number.
“Hello?” Vivan’s relaxed voice came through.
“Vivan, can you come to the mall right now?” Aarav asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide his urgency.
“Right now?” Vivan sounded surprised. “Why? What happened?”
“Actually… I want to buy a gift for Ishika. But I have no idea what to buy.”
“Ohh!” Vivan exclaimed, dragging the sound out in an exaggerated tone.
Aarav frowned. “What’s with that reaction?”
“Oh, nothing. So you want me to choose a gift for her?” Vivan teased.
“I’m not an idiot,” Aarav shot back.
“Ouch, how mean,” Vivan replied dramatically.
“I want you to bring Shreya with you,” Aarav said firmly.
“Ahh, that makes sense now,” Vivan laughed. “Alright, we’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Aarav finally exhaled in relief, though his heart was still pounding with nervous anticipation. Buying Ishika’s first Christmas gift felt far more nerve-wracking than any exam he had ever written.
After a few minutes of pacing near the mall entrance, Vivan and Shreya finally appeared, weaving through the crowd with their usual easy confidence.
“Sup, buddy!” Vivan called out, clapping Aarav on the back.
“Hey,” Shreya said softly, waving at him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Sorry for troubling you guys,” Aarav mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. His heart was already racing from the thought of choosing Ishika’s first Christmas gift.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Shreya reassured him with a gentle smile. “So… you want to buy a gift for Ishika, right?”
Aarav nodded, swallowing nervously. “Yeah. It’s our first Christmas together, so I want it to be something special… something she’ll really like.”
Shreya’s eyes softened. “That’s really thoughtful of you,” she said, giving him a look that made his chest tighten.
“So… do you have any ideas?” Aarav asked, eager, but also afraid she might say something that would make him panic.
Shreya tapped her chin thoughtfully, her brows furrowing in concentration. “Hmm… let me think,” she murmured.
Vivan, never one to sit quietly, grinned and said, “How about a teddy bear?”
Shreya immediately wrinkled her nose. “Anything but that,” she said firmly.
“Why not?” Vivan asked, frowning.
“It’s so common!” Shreya replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Every guy gives a teddy bear. It doesn’t feel personal. You want this gift to actually mean something, right?”
Aarav nodded, feeling both relieved and panicked at the same time. She was right, of course. A teddy would have been the safe, easy choice, but it wouldn’t convey how he felt about Ishika. He wanted it to be perfect.
Shreya’s eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. “Oh! I’ve got an idea,” she said, her voice rising slightly as if she had solved a puzzle.
Aarav leaned in eagerly. “What is it?”
“Well,” Shreya began, tapping her finger against her chin, “think about Ishika. What does she like? What makes her happy? Something that she’ll use, or something that will remind her of you whenever she sees it. Not just something pretty… something meaningful.”
Vivan chuckled, smirking at Aarav. “See, buddy? That’s why girls are complicated. You can’t just pick anything off the shelf.”
Aarav groaned inwardly. “Thanks, Vivan. That’s really helpful.”
Shreya ignored Vivan’s teasing and continued, “Maybe a personalized gift? Something small but thoughtful… like a keychain, or a diary with a little note inside. Or… something that reflects her hobbies or favorite things.”
Aarav’s mind raced as ideas started forming. Ishika loved cute stationery, she enjoyed little adventures, and she always remembered the tiniest details he would forget. Something that combined all that… that could be perfect.
“Yeah… that could work,” Aarav muttered, a small smile creeping onto his face. “I think I know exactly what to get her.”
Vivan raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Ooo, sounds like the plan’s coming together. Can’t wait to see the look on her face!”
Shreya nudged Aarav lightly. “Just make sure it’s from the heart. That’s all that matters. She’ll love it no matter what, as long as it’s thoughtful.”
Aarav’s heart swelled. From the heart… he thought. That was exactly what he wanted — to make Ishika feel special, not just with the gift itself, but with the thought behind it.
Aarav wandered through the stationery section, Vivan and Shreya walking beside him, offering suggestions and teasing him whenever he looked unsure. After a few minutes, his eyes fell on a small, pastel-colored journal — soft cover, with little golden stars sprinkled across it.
He picked it up carefully, flipping through the pages. This… this could work, he thought. It was simple, cute, and felt personal enough.
“Perfect!” Shreya exclaimed. “You can write something on the first page. Make it meaningful — something that’ll make her smile whenever she opens it.”
Aarav nodded, already imagining her face when she read it. He could doodle little stars, maybe a pressed flower, and write:
“For all our little adventures, big or small. Let’s make memories together.”
Vivan nudged him. “Hey, don’t forget to add a tiny adventure plan! A promise of a little outing… she’ll love it.”
Aarav smiled, thinking about the first adventure they could take together — maybe a snowy walk, or a visit to a cozy café.
Finally, he wrapped the journal carefully in festive paper, tied a soft ribbon around it, and added a small dried flower he had found near the counter for a delicate touch. Holding the gift in his hands, he felt a warmth in his chest. This was more than a present — it was a promise, a memory in the making, and he couldn’t wait to see Ishika’s reaction.
As Aarav handed over the wrapped journal to Shreya for a final check, he noticed her teasing Vivan nearby.
“What about my gift?” Shreya asked, crossing her arms and pouting.
“Huh? Oh… alright, let’s buy something for you too, baby,” Vivan said with a cheeky grin.
“No! I want a surprise too,” Shreya said, stamping her foot slightly and throwing a mock tantrum.
Vivan held up his hands defensively. “Oh, okay, okay! I’ll buy something for you.”
Shreya leaned closer, narrowing her eyes mischievously. “It better be something special… or I’ll break your nose.”
Vivan shivered dramatically. “Scary… very scary,” he said, taking a playful step back.
Aarav chuckled quietly to himself, watching the two of them banter like that. Then, with the journal safely tucked under his arm, he headed home, his mind already drifting back to Ishika.
Tomorrow… Christmas with her. I hope she likes it, he thought, a mixture of excitement and nervousness fluttering in his chest.
