A Night Under the Stars

Tanmay couldn't wipe the grin off his face even hours after overhearing Aditi's conversation with her friends. The way she had admitted to staking her claim, to feeling embarrassed, to knowing that he had liked it—every word echoed in his mind.

And now, he wanted to do something for her. Something special.

Tomorrow was Sunday—the day they had unknowingly made their movie night for the past two months. But this time, he wanted it to be different. He wanted her to be comfortable, but at the same time, he wanted her to feel everything she was trying so hard to deny.

So, he called his friends.

"Dude, are you serious? You want to set up a whole romantic movie night? On the terrace?" Rohit asked, raising an eyebrow.

Tanmay smirked. "Yes."

Raghav grinned, nudging him. "You like her. Like, really like her."

Tanmay scoffed, but the way his ears turned red betrayed him. "Shut up and help me."

"You're literally planning the most Pinterest-worthy date, and you think we'll shut up?" Raghav laughed.

Rohit shook his head, amused. "So, what's the plan?"

Tanmay pulled out his phone, scrolling through notes. "We'll set up a tent using blankets. String fairy lights around it. A white bedsheet for the screen, and I'll use a projector to play the movie."

"Wow. You're setting the mood," Raghav teased.

Tanmay ignored him. "Then I'll arrange all her favorite snacks and drinks on a small table. And candles—her favorite fragrance."

Rohit let out a low whistle. "You're whipped."

Tanmay rolled his eyes. "Are you going to help me or keep stating the obvious?"

Raghav clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, we're definitely helping. This is way too entertaining to miss."

And so, they got to work.

The terrace of Tanmay's building had never looked this magical before.

The blanket tent stood tall, wrapped in fairy lights that cast a soft, golden glow. The white bedsheet was neatly pinned up, ready for the movie to be projected onto it. A small table sat nearby, stacked with all of Aditi's favorite snacks—popcorn, chocolate-covered almonds, and her go-to drink.

And then, the candles.

Dozens of them lined the edges of the terrace, flickering with warmth, carrying the soft scent of vanilla and lavender—the fragrance Aditi always had in her home.

Rohit and Raghav stepped back, admiring the scene.

"Damn, dude," Rohit said. "If this doesn't make her fall for you, nothing will."

Tanmay smirked, but his heart pounded. "She already has feelings," he muttered. "She just won't admit it."

Raghav chuckled. "Well, after tonight, she won't have a choice."

Tanmay exhaled, glancing at his watch.

It was time.

He thanked his friends, watching them leave, before heading towards Aditi's apartment, nerves suddenly creeping in.

Tanmay stood outside Aditi's door, his fingers hovering over the doorbell.

For someone who had planned everything meticulously, his heart was racing a little too fast.

What if she says no? What if she avoids me again? What if I push too much?

But then, he remembered the way she had sounded on the phone last night. How much she wanted this, but was too scared to face it.

He rang the bell.

Seconds stretched.

Then, finally, the door cracked open, and Aditi appeared, dressed in her casual homewear—an oversized t-shirt and shorts. Her hair was loosely tied up, a few strands falling around her face.

She blinked. "Tanmay?"

Tanmay swallowed, forcing his voice to stay even. "Come with me."

Aditi frowned. "Where?"

"You'll see."

She hesitated. "I don't think—"

Tanmay sighed. "You've been avoiding me all week. You owe me this much, at least."

Aditi bit her lip, glancing away. "I'm just..."

Tanmay softened. "Nervous?"

She didn't answer, but the way she tucked her hair behind her ear gave her away.

"You trust me, right?" he asked gently.

Aditi looked at him then, searching his eyes.

And that was all he needed.

With a resigned sigh, she nodded. "Fine.

As they climbed the stairs towards the terrace, Tanmay could feel Aditi's curiosity growing. She tried to peek, but just as they reached the door, he stepped behind her and gently placed his hands over her eyes.

Aditi stiffened. "Tanmay?"

"Relax," he murmured near her ear. "Just trust me."

Aditi swallowed but didn't resist.

Tanmay guided her forward, his touch light yet firm. Her warmth seeped into his palms, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

Finally, they reached the center of the terrace.

Taking a deep breath, Tanmay whispered, "Ready?"

Aditi nodded.

He slowly removed his hands.

And when she opened her eyes—

She gasped.

The moment Tanmay lifted his hands from my eyes, I felt my breath catch in my throat.

The entire terrace had transformed into something straight out of a dream.

The first thing I noticed was the fairy lights—wrapped around the blanket tent like tiny fireflies, glowing softly against the night. Then, the candles—lined along the terrace edges, flickering warmly, their gentle vanilla-lavender fragrance wrapping around me like a familiar embrace.

A white bedsheet was hung neatly, acting as a makeshift movie screen, with a small projector placed in front of it. And next to it, a little wooden table held a collection of my favorite snacks—popcorn, chocolate-covered almonds, and a chilled bottle of my go-to drink.

It was intimate. Thoughtful. Perfect.

I turned to look at Tanmay, my heart hammering. "You did all this... for me?"

Tanmay simply shrugged, his lips curving into that smug-yet-endearing smile of his. "You avoided me all week. I had to do something to make sure you wouldn't escape tonight, Miss Aditi."

I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress the warmth spreading through my chest.

"Come on," he said, his voice softer now. He reached for my wrist, his fingers brushing against my skin as he led me toward the tent.

The moment we stepped inside, I felt like I had entered a different world. The fairy lights made the inside glow with a golden warmth, the blanket spread out beneath us was soft, and the night air carried a crisp chill, making the whole setup feel cozier.

Tanmay sat down first, patting the spot beside him. "Sit."

I hesitated, my nerves tangling. We had watched movies together before—but never like this. Never in a place that felt so... romantic.

Taking a breath, I sat down, tucking my legs under me.

Tanmay grabbed the remote and pressed play.

As the opening credits rolled, my eyes widened in surprise.

"Srinivasa Kalyanam."

A South Indian film starring Nithiin, one of my favorite actors.

A movie all about weddings, rituals, traditions, and the beauty of marriage.

I turned to him, my mouth slightly open. "How did you know this was my favorite?"

Tanmay chuckled, leaning back on his hands. "You never shut up about it in college. I remember you saying that if you ever get married, you want it to be exactly like the wedding in this movie."

I felt my cheeks burn. "I—okay, yes, I love this movie, but that doesn't mean I was thinking about marriage or anything—"

"Relax, Miss Blushy," he teased. "It's just a movie."

I huffed, crossing my arms, but I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips.

As the movie played, I found myself getting lost in it.

The way it depicted wedding rituals—the importance of family, traditions, and love—it was everything I adored about weddings.

I sighed dreamily when the lead couple shared soft glances during the rituals, their love blooming in the subtlest ways.

"God," I murmured. "This movie makes me want to attend a wedding again."

Tanmay's voice was low. "Or be in one?"

My head snapped toward him, eyes wide. "Excuse me?"

He smirked, but there was something in his gaze—something deep, intense, knowing.

I swallowed hard. "Shut up and watch the movie."

Tanmay chuckled but didn't push further.

Halfway through the movie, I shivered slightly. The night air had gotten cooler.

Immediately, Tanmay reached for a blanket, pulling it over both of us.

"You're cold," he murmured, his voice brushing against my skin like a whisper.

I nodded. But my heart wasn't racing because of the cold—it was because of him.

His arm brushed against mine, his warmth seeping through the blanket. The way his body slightly leaned toward me, his breath fanning against my temple whenever he exhaled—it was intoxicating.

Then, there was a scene in the movie where the hero gently tucks a strand of hair behind the heroine's ear during a ritual.

As if on instinct, Tanmay reached out and did the same to me.

I froze.

His fingers barely grazed my skin, yet it sent a shiver down my spine.

When I turned to look at him, our faces were close. Too close.

His dark eyes held mine, something unreadable swirling in them.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

Then, he smirked. "You okay there, Aditi?"

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to look away. "Fine."

But I wasn't.

I was drowning in his presence.

Near the end of the movie, there was a wedding scene where the lead couple exchanged soft, lingering looks before the groom gently touched the bride's chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.

I knew the scene well. Too well.

And as if the universe had some cruel sense of humor, at that exact moment, Tanmay reached out, his fingers grazing my jaw, tilting my face up just like that.

I forgot the movie.

Forgot where I was.

Forgot how to think.

His eyes darkened slightly, his fingers warm against my skin.

For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me.

For a second, I wanted him to.

But then, just as quickly as the moment had arrived, he pulled back, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Looks like you're really into this movie," he mused.

I blinked, snapping out of my daze. "What—"

He grinned. "You were totally lost in the scene, weren't you?"

I scowled, shoving him lightly. "Shut up, Tanmay."

He only laughed, but I could still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin.

By the time the movie ended, I was a mess of emotions.

Excited. Nervous. Overwhelmed.

Tanmay had done something no one else had ever done—he had listened, remembered things about me that even I had forgotten mentioning.

And worst of all?

He made me feel things I wasn't ready to feel.

As I sat there, staring at the blank screen, I knew one thing for sure—

This night had changed everything.