It was a peaceful evening and Ishika was sitting on her favourite bench in Lodhi Garden, with her legs tucked under her, as she sat cross legged.

She was struggling. The tomb in front of her was a tricky one. The patterns on it seemed to change every time she looked up. 

She erased a line for the nth time, her lips pouting in frustration. She was so focused on drawing, that she didn't notice the tall man standing a few feet away.

Eshaan had been watching her for five minutes. His heart hammering against his chest wildly. He felt a mix of giddiness and terror. 

He had recognized her instantly. He knew he should move, but his feet felt like lead. He saw her huff for the nth time since 5 minutes and finally put her pencil down. He found the bravery he needed. He didn't want her to be sad.

He walked over to her. Ishika felt a presence and looked up, startled. When their eyes finally met, time seemed to come to a stop. 

Eshaan couldn't look away. Her eyes were so beautiful. He slowly reached into his bag and pulled out a small, notebook. He wrote one word in big, shaky letters.

Hi

Ishika's breath caught. She realised that he wasn't saying the words, he was showing them. She looked at the notebook, and then at his smiling face. She realised that he wasn't speaking because he couldn't.

She moved her hands in sign language.

"How did you find me?"

He was surprised to see her knowing sign language. Then his gaze fell on her hearing aids. He shrugged his shoulders and signed back.

Coincidence.

He sat down, leaving a respectful gap between them. He slowly took the pencil, his fingers accidentally brushing against hers. 

The touch felt like a tiny electric spark. Ishika felt her cheeks turn a deep shade of crimson.

"Tumhare haath bhut thande hai."

(Your hands are very cold.)

She observed. Her voice came out as a mere whisper. But it was exactly like he had imagined. Soft and sweet.

He pointed to his ear with a questioning look, as if asking 'You cannot hear?'. She nodded slowly, a small smile forming on her lips. 

She pointed to her ears and then at his lips, shaking her head, with a small chuckle as if saying, 'I cannot hear and you cannot speak'.

In that moment, they both felt a huge relief. The flaw that the rest of the world saw in them was the very thing that made them feel safe with each other.

It was like they were two pieces of a puzzle that finally fit.

Eshaan signed.

I can't speak, but I can narrate a thousand stories for you.

Ishika smiled and signed back.

I can't hear, but I can understand every emotion you voice out through your eyes.

They sat on the same bench for a long time, both of them cross-legged and facing each other. 

To make her laugh, Eshaan took a small packet of biscuits from his bag. Jim Jam. He held them up to his chest like googly eyes, and made a funny face.

She giggled and lowered her eyes in shyness. It was the cutest thing he had ever seen. Feeling encouraged, he took a deep breath. This was his moment of bravery. 

He kept the biscuits back and signed.

Next Sunday mere saath picnic par chalogi? Just the two of us.

(Will you go on a picnic with me next Sunday?)

Ishika smiled softly and reached out, her hand resting softly over his shaking ones. It felt grounding and comforting.

"I'd love to."

Sunday morning arrived quickly, just like Eshaan wanted. At his home, the kitchen was a whirlwind of activity.

His mother was busy packing a steel tiffin with homemade gobi and paneer paranthas with fresh mango pickle.

She glanced at Eshaan again. He was wearing his favourite blue shirt and fixing his hair while looking at the hallway mirror. Again.

"Arre! Baal bilkul thik hai, Eshu! Ye tiffin rakh dhyan se and jaa. Late ho jaayega tu aur wo bachi waha wait krti rahegi."

(Your hair is fine, Eshu! Keep the tiffin carefully and go. You will be late and that child will keep waiting.)

She teased, handing him the heavy bag. He blushed and she patted his cheek, her eyes softening.

"Dhyaan se jaaio. Aur usse bata dio ki ye paranthe maine specially uske liye banaye hai."

(Be careful. And tell her I made these paranthas specially for her.)

Eshaan nodded rapidly, his face turning pink. He signed a quick 'Thank you, Maa' and practically bolted out before she could tease him further and he turns into a tomato right there.

He reached the park and looked around for Ishika. She had told him that she had reached and was waiting for him just two minutes back. 

He had quickly parked his car and all but ran out, not wanting to keep her waiting. Ishika was sitting on a colourful bedsheet, she had spread out and held down with the help of bricks.

She looked like a dream in a simple yellow dress that reached her thighs, her hair tied in a loose braid. When she saw him, her face lit up and she waved enthusiastically.

Eshaan grinned and walked over to her. As he sat down, he felt a familiar nervousness, but it vanished quickly. He kept the bag down and pulled out the tiffin box. 

He opened it and the aroma of hot paranthas and pickle filled the air. He looked at her and signed.

Maa ne banaye hai. Specially for you. She was more excited about this picnic than I was!

(Maa made these.)

Ishika laughed softly and Eshaan felt a wave of adoration in his chest. She tore a small bite of the parantha, took a little pickle and chewed it slowly. Her eyes closed in bliss, savouring the taste.

She opened her eyes and spoke.

"Aunty se kehna that is a magician. Unke haathon mai jaadu hai. These are amazing!"

(Tell aunty that she is a magician. She has magic in her hands.)

The afternoon was beautiful. The two didn't need words to communicate or connect. 

When a butterfly came on a nearby flower, Eshaan tapped Ishika's shoulder and pointed at it. They watched it together, their heads leaning in close until their shoulders brushed.

Their eyes met but Ishika didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned slightly into his warmth.

At one point, Ishika pulled out a small bottle of soap bubbles. She started blowing them into the air.

Eshaan watched them float around them. He reached out to catch one, but it popped against his finger, leaving a tiny drop of soapy water.

Ishika giggled and dipped the wand again, but this time, she held it out to him. As he blew on it, she popped them one by one. It was a silly game, similar to the ones they played in their childhood.

"Eshaan! Dekho! Wo kitna bada hai!"

(Look! That one is so big!)

She pointed to the biggest bubble, drifting higher in the air. He saw the pure, unfiltered happiness on her face. He realized then how much he loved the little breathy laugh of hers.

Some time later, they just sat. Not doing anything. Just sitting and looked ahead. Ishika had her head rested against his shoulder. Her hand looped around his. 

He was rested his head over hers, watching her play with his fingers. She took his hand, and traced a simple heart shape on his palm with her finger.

His heart beat wildly. She looked at him shyly through her lashes and blushed.

Eshaan felt a lump in his throat. He realised that being with Ishika was the simplest and the most beautiful thing he had ever known.