The rooftop restaurant in Shimla glowed softly under the evening lights, the cold breeze carrying a faint scent of pine and winter. Fairy lights dangled above, casting a warm hue against the misty skyline. The hum of soft instrumental music blended with the clinking of cutlery and hushed conversations. Kabir was already seated at a quiet corner table, his usual composed demeanor wrapped in a simple sweater and overcoat. His gaze casually swept the view, until it paused. There, walking in through the terrace entrance, was Kashish. A soft blue dress, her hair falling in effortless loose curls, her steps calm yet carrying a quiet awareness of being watched. As their eyes met from across the space, a faint smile tugged at both their lips, A smile not of awkwardness, but of mutual understanding. Something between them felt lighter than the last time. More certain. As Kashish approached, Kabir ever the gentleman, ever the composed doctor who rarely let emotions surface, stood from his chair. Without a word, he pulled out the seat for her, the gesture natural, not forced.

Once their coffees arrived, the conversation settled into a quiet lull, not the awkward kind, but the thoughtful silence that hangs when two people are on the verge of something important. Kabir, as always, was the first to break it. His words were steady, his gaze calm, carrying none of the formal coldness she had once expected from him. "You already know what the Panditji said and I know you must be thinking about it," he said gently "That's why I wanted to meet. To hear it from you, not through our families." Kashish wrapped her fingers around her coffee cup, drawing comfort from its warmth against the chill of the Shimla evening. "I was thinking about it," she admitted softly, her voice honest, unguarded "Honestly... I didn't imagine this conversation would happen so soon. You know I won't lie, Kabir. The thought of marriage and that too, in one month feels overwhelming. Not because it's you but because everything's moving faster than I imagined. I had told myself I'd take my time, get to know someone slowly build things step by step" Kabir smiled faintly not out of amusement, but in understanding "I get it. I didn't expect this either," he said, leaning back a little, his tone thoughtful. "But... it's happening. So, I wanted to ask you openly what do you want, Kashish? About marriage. About us."

For a moment, Kashish didn't answer. Her gaze lingered on the soft steam rising from her cup, as if somewhere in those swirling lines, her thoughts were slowly untangling themselves. " I don't feel unsure with you Kabir. I don't feel like I'm forcing myself to like you or trust you. From the first conversation, there was this ease. And today, sitting here, I feel calm. That's rare for me" Kabir listened  the way only he could with patience, without interrupting.

"And for me " he said after a beat, his voice softer now, more sincere than ever, "I've never really chased the idea of marriage. It never felt urgent. But I'm sitting here because I think you would make a good partner. I think we could make this work. Not because our families are talking. Because this feels right."

At his words, Kashish found herself smiling  not forced, Just honest. "I think so too," she said, her voice warm with quiet certainty. "I don't have any big speeches or overthinking left to do. I just know. You're someone I can trust. Someone I can build something with. One month or one year I think what matters is, I won't be alone figuring it out, you'll be figuring it out with me."

Kabir's expression softened, his usual guarded demeanor giving way to something far more human. "So is that a yes from you?" he asked, lightly, but with a clarity that didn't need further explanation. Kashish met his gaze, her smile easy now, her heart settled. "Yes," she said simply " Let's see where this takes us. Together"

The conversation settled after her quiet "yes."
But Kabir, in his way, sensed there was still a small weight lingering between them — not doubt, not fear, just the natural tension of stepping into something so new, so unexpected. He leaned forward, his elbows resting casually on the table, his tone lighter now. Kabir gently, with a hint of reassurance said to kashish "You know this isn't an exam. There's no right or wrong way to feel about all this. No pressure to suddenly act like we've known each other for years." Kashish let out a soft breath, almost a smile. "I know. It's just strange, how things change so quickly. A week ago, we were strangers in a boardroom. Today, we're talking about marriage." Kabir nodded, understanding. "That's life, isn't it? It moves when it wants to. Not when we plan it." He paused, his gaze steady but kind. "We don't have to force anything, Kashish. We'll figure things out, one step at a time. A marriage doesn't get built in a week. It gets built in the small, honest things. Conversations like this." Kashish met his eyes, feeling the truth of his words settle somewhere quietly inside her. "I appreciate this... your calmness. It helps. I think I needed to hear that." Kabir gave a small, reassuring smile Saying  "Then let's keep it simple. No rush. No expectations beyond what we can handle today." The air between them softened. Not romantic, not dramatic just two people agreeing to walk a road together, slowly, respectfully. Kashish finally leaned back in her chair, more at ease now than when she'd first arrived. "Alright then, Kabir. One step at a time." Kabir replied to her saying "Exactly. No other way worth doing it."

The conversation lingered there, not needing more. In the quiet of Shimla's evening, between coffee cups and slow, honest words, something uncertain had found steady ground.

As the evening drew to a close. They stepped out of the restaurant together, the cold Shimla air brushing past in quiet gusts.  As they reached the parking area, the chill of Shimla's night seemed softer somehow not biting, just present. Kabir walked alongside Kashish in quiet steps, neither hurried nor hesitant. When they reached her car, Kabir ever the gentleman  moved ahead and opened the door for her without a word. "Drive slow, okay? The roads can be tricky this late," Kabir said softly, his voice steady. Kashish smiled. "I will. Good night, Kabir." Kabir nodded, a faint smile mirroring hers. "Good night, Kashish."

He waited until she was comfortably settled inside before gently closing the door. As she started the car, their eyes met briefly through the window no words needed now. Kabir gave a small wave, then watched as her taillights slowly disappeared down the quiet Shimla road. Only then did he turn towards his own car, the night closing peacefully behind them.

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I would love to hear your thoughts on their decision, and this soft, slow progression of their story.
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-[Pristi Scrolls]