The late afternoon sun dipped lower as Ari settled onto the Royal Enfield behind Ishaan, her arms wrapping around his waist with a newfound ease. The engine purred to life, the bike vibrating beneath them as they prepared to leave the office parking lot. Ishaan glanced back, his voice carrying over the hum. "How about a movie and dinner tonight? A real celebration."
Ari's smile faltered slightly, her mind ticking through their finance, Her own salary barely stretched to cover household demands after Lajja and Misahay's relentless needs. Can I swing it? she wondered, calculating the cost of tickets and a meal. "Maybe not the movie," she said hesitantly. "It's a bit much for now."
Ishaan sensed the hesitation in her tone, the familiar strain of their tight budget. He turned his head slightly, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. My friend paid me some money for the work I've done—enough to cover tonight. I'll handle the movie and dinner. Let's enjoy it."
Ari's eyes widened, a wave of relief and pride washing over her. "Really? That's… thank you, Ishaan." Her voice softened, the burden lifting as she leaned into him. "Let's do it then!"
With her agreement, Ishaan throttled the bike, and they merged into the evening traffic, the city's lights beginning to twinkle as dusk settled. They headed to a multiplex in Bandra, the neon sign of the cinema glowing ahead. Inside, they picked a popular action flick—something light to match their mood—settling into plush seats with popcorn in hand. The screen flared to life, and for two hours, they lost themselves in the explosions and heroics, Ari occasionally nudging Ishaan with a grin at the martial arts scenes, a silent nod to his own skills.
After the credits rolled, they rode to a cozy restaurant nearby, a place with warm lighting and the scent of tandoori chicken wafting through the air. Seated at a corner table, they ordered butter naan, paneer tikka, and a shared plate of biryani, the food a delicious reward. As they ate, Ishaan leaned forward, his voice low but eager. "There's more news. The sales job is confirmed. Mr. Singh—Simi's father—was impressed with my looks and presence. They're offering me a role doing sales presentations. It's not fixed—₹5,000 per presentation. Sometimes I might need to travel to other cities, but they'll cover living expenses and travel. They said it's rare, though. If it's okay with you, I'll say yes tomorrow."
Ari's fork paused mid-air, her face lighting up with joy. "That's incredible, Ishaan! Yes, of course it's okay!" She reached across the table, squeezing his hand, her excitement bubbling over. "Have they said how many presentations a month, on average?"
"Ten to fifteen," Ishaan replied, a hint of amazement in his voice. "That's 50,000 to 75,000 a month. It's huge."
"Huge doesn't cover it!" Ari exclaimed, her voice a mix of pride and disbelief. "I'm so happy for you, Ishaan. I'm telling Mom and Dad tomorrow—shut them up for good. They'll never say you don't earn again. And you'll have more freedom, less of their nonsense to deal with."
Ishaan nodded, a rare warmth spreading through him. "No problem. Let's do it."
The meal continued, the conversation flowing easily—unusual for them. Ari, who had always kept a cautious distance, her neutrality a shield since their arranged marriage, now opened up. They talked about her day at the office, the quirky clients she handled, and Ishaan shared snippets of his martial arts practice, mimicking a move that drew a laugh. The bond, once strained by circumstance, grew stronger, the table a bridge between their past reservations and a shared future.
As they savored the last bites of biryani, Ishaan's mind drifted to the day they met—two years ago, a quiet ceremony orchestrated by Karuna Bajaj's dying wish. The memory surfaced unbidden, the awkward exchange of vows, Ari's neutral gaze meeting his uncertain one. Coincidentally, Ari's thoughts mirrored his, her voice breaking the silence. "You know," she said, her eyes softening, "I remembered the day we married. Back then, I didn't know what to expect. But now… I'm really proud of you, Ishaan. What you're building—it's more than I hoped."
Ishaan met her gaze, the words striking a chord deep within. "Thanks, Ari," he said quietly, the praise a rare gift. The restaurant's ambient chatter faded, leaving just the two of them in that moment, the night wrapping around their growing connection.