Chapter 170

As Nitish left Jahnavi at her hostel and walked towards his car, the cool night air did little to settle the whirlwind of emotions churning inside him. The evening had been nothing short of magical, and as he reached for his phone to call a cab, it buzzed with a new message. It was from Jahnavi: "Be careful on the road. Text me when you get home, okay?" The simplicity of the message, laced with care and concern, sent a rush of warmth through him. He felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach, a sensation he hadn't experienced in a long while. Overwhelmed by this newfound feeling, he impulsively decided to do something special for Jahnavi.

Driven by a wave of euphoria, Nitish found himself at the doorstep of a quaint jewelry store. The idea was clear in his mind: he wanted to gift Jahnavi something that symbolized the beauty and uniqueness he saw in her. As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the warm glow of the store and the soft clinking of fine jewelry.

He approached the crafter with his request: a pair of earrings shaped like pink lotus petals, representing Jahnavi's eyes which he had so fondly likened to the flower, a chain that embodied the curve of her smile, and a ring, a symbol of what he hoped the future held for them. The crafter listened intently, nodding with an understanding smile, clearly moved by the thoughtfulness behind the request.

As Nitish described his vision for each piece, his enthusiasm was palpable. He wanted every detail to be perfect, every symbol to resonate with the emotions he felt for Jahnavi. The crafter, inspired by Nitish's passion, promised to craft each piece with utmost care and precision.

Just as Nitish was about to leave, pleased with the order he had placed, he heard a voice behind him. Turning around, he saw a young woman, looking at the display with a wistful expression. "That's so romantic," she said, half to herself and half to Nitish. "I wish my boyfriend would think of something like that. Maybe if he did, he'd definitely be in my good books."

The comment caught Nitish off guard, and he turned to see a woman with an earnest look in her eyes. Her comment struck a chord in him, reminding him of his past, of a time when things were simpler, yet complicated in their own way. He smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to respond.

It was then that the woman's face clicked in his memory. Ayesha. She was a part of his past, a chapter that he had gently closed to make room for new beginnings. Seeing her here, in this unexpected place, brought a flood of memories.

Ayesha walked over to him, a hint of playfulness in her tone. "Nitish, right? It seems you've got quite the romantic streak in you. Who's the lucky girl?"

Nitish, still reeling from the surprise of seeing Ayesha, managed a polite smile. "Just a friend," he said, trying to keep his tone nonchalant. "Someone special."

Ayesha raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Just a friend, huh? Well, she must be pretty special for you to be here picking out such thoughtful gifts."

Nitish felt a flush of warmth at the mention of Jahnavi. "She is," he admitted, his heart skipping a beat at the thought of her.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries, with Ayesha inquiring about his life and his cricketing career. Nitish answered politely but kept the conversation brief, his mind still on Jahnavi and the evening they had spent together.

Finally, with a promise to catch up properly some other time, Nitish bid Ayesha goodbye and left the store. As he walked back to his car, the encounter with Ayesha lingered in his mind. It was a reminder of how much he had changed, of the different paths his life had taken.

Reaching his car, Nitish sent a quick text to Jahnavi, letting her know he was heading home and that he would message her once he arrived. As he drove, his thoughts were filled with anticipation for the moment he would give Jahnavi the gifts he had ordered. He imagined her surprise, her joy, and the smile that he had come to cherish so deeply.

That night, as Nitish lay in bed, he thought about the twists and turns his life had taken. From his cricketing highs to the unexpected joy he found in Jahnavi's company, it felt like a journey of self-discovery. The encounter with Ayesha was a reminder of his past, but his heart was firmly set on the future, a future he hoped to share with Jahnavi.

The jewelry, the symbols of his feelings for Jahnavi, were more than just gifts; they were a testament to his hopes and dreams, to the connection he felt with her. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but smile, filled with a sense of contentment and excitement for what lay ahead.