“Hi.”

He heard a soft voice call out from behind and saw her coming towards him with a big grin on her face. She tucked her hair behind her ear shyly as he looked at her without blinking.

“Aahan?”

He snapped out of his daze and blinked. He hadn’t greeted her.

“H-hi!”

He pushed out his hand and she shook it with a shy smile. She let out a surprised gasp when he pulled her closer by holding the same hand.

“You look cute.”

He whispered near her ear and she looked at him agape.

“I…you…”

She couldn’t form sentences. Wasn’t he shy? What happened to that so suddenly?

He smirked and pulled away as if nothing happened. She giggled with shyness and they started their unsaid date. 

Anvi had realised it that day that Aahan might be shy to speak things aloud but he wasn’t shy when showing love. In fact, he was quite bold when it came to actions.

He had her hand in his grasp all throughout their date. When they sat side by side, he had his arm around her shoulder. He would plant kisses on her head or forehead every now and then.

When she asked for a selfie as a memory, he immediately took his position behind her and hugged her from behind, grinning and showing his teeth to the camera with his cheek plastered against hers.

“Hume dekh kr koi kahega first date hai? Aise chipke huye hai aap.”

(Can anyone say it’s our first date? You’re so clingy.)

She mumbled while looking at the pictures and he chuckled.

“It’s just the start. Now that you’re my girlfriend, I am going to smother you with love.”

He said and squished her cheeks lovingly making her giggle and lower her lashes in shyness.

“Self-claimed girlfriend. Propose nhi kia aapne.”

(You did not propose.)

She pointed out and he immediately moved back. She gasped out loud when he got down on one knee and held her hand.

He smiled at her softly and looked at her with pure admiration and adoration in his eyes.

“I may not have any extravagant rings or gifts with me at the moment…but I do promise to cherish you and love you all my life. It might be a little soon to confess love but I really really like you, Anvi. Will you be my girlfriend and give me the honours of loving you?”

She bit her lip and smiled looking at him. She nodded and held his hand to make him stand back up.

“Aap itna insist kr rhe ho toh I’ll oblige you. I’ll be your girlfriend.”

(If you are insisting so much then I’ll oblige you.)

She pretended to do a favour on him and held her head high. He chuckled at her antics and hugged her close, making her giggle against his chest.

The following week was the final week. The viewers have started guessing the love brewing between the two while the others remained clueless. There were edits made on them. People were loving SouLink as well as the couples it was making.

Aahan was a can’t-keep-my-hands-off boyfriend. On camera, he was professional and maintained distance. But as soon as the camera was taken away, he became a clingy boyfriend. It was as if he had to have physical contact with her all the time. If not anything, he would just keep holding her hand.

Anvi wasn’t complaining. He was perfect the way he was. So loving and attentive towards her. She often felt that she might never be able to love him more than he loved her. She fell in love with him a little more each day but it still could never meet the intensity of the love he had for her. He always loved a little bit more. Extra than she did.

It was Aahan’s birthday and Anvi wanted to plan something but they were shooting. She had planned a surprise for him and was really excited to see his reaction.

“It is the final week of the test. For today we have planned-”

“Umm…I thought of something to do today.”

Anvi cut in softly and Aahan paused mid-sentence. He raised his eyebrow at her and nodded.

“Care to elaborate what you have planned.”

She shook her head with a teasing glint and he frowned.

“Let it be a surprise for everyone.”

She murmured softly and he raised his eyebrow with a playful smile. 

“Alright then! Buckle up everyone! We’re up for a surprise.”

He grinned at the camera and they started their drive. Anvi looked at Aahan when they reached their destination and giggled seeing him look around open mouthed.

“This…wow!”

He released a content sigh and looked at her with a wide grin. Tech Expo. The favourite place for people who love technology. And Aahan breathed technology. 

“Let’s go!”

She said clapping her hands in excitement and only he knew how he controlled himself from pulling her into his arms and twirling her around. He would have had the camera not been following them.

And he did once they took a break. 

“You’re the best! Thank you! Thank you so much! Mujhe laga tha mai iss baar miss kr dunga because of the shooting going on.”

(I thought I would miss this time because of the shooting going on.)

Her grin matched his and she cupped his face.

“Aise kaise? How can I not fulfil your wish, especially when it’s your birthday. Happy birthday, Aahan.”

(How so?)

He rested his forehead against hers and whispered.

“Thank you so much, Anvi. This means a lot to me.”

She kissed his cheek and smiled. He bit his lip and leaned in mischievously knowing she’d pat his cheek in reprimand. She did and he laughed, kissing her head and hugging her close.

The shooting for the final week was done. Only the reveal was to be aired live.

Anvi was visiting Aahan’s family for the first time. She was really nervous and her hands were clammy. She licked her lips and took a deep breath.

“Relax meri jaan! They like you already. No need to be so nervous.”

Ahaan said and Anvi gulped.

“You can say that because they’re your family. What if they don’t actually like me but won’t say it for your sake?”

Aahan smiled and stood in front of her. He held her chin and made her look up.