Biryani, Kebabs, and Butterflies

The next morning, Arjun's phone buzzed louder than a neighborhood loudspeaker at Ganesh Chaturthi.

Rhea Kapoor – 9:47 AM

"Tour guide Mishra, ready for duty? Or still nursing your victory hangover?"

Arjun grinned, scratching his head as he stared at the message. His body ached from yesterday's match, but there was no way he was missing this chance. He grabbed his best (meaning least torn) t-shirt, ran a wet hand through his hair, and bolted out of the house.

Aminabad – The Breakfast Chapter

Rhea was waiting near Royal Café, sunglasses hiding her eyes, but the impatient tapping of her foot gave her away.

"Late ho tum."

(You're late.)

"Hero ki entry hamesha thodi late hoti hai."

(The hero always enters fashionably late.)

"Tu hero hai?" (Are you a hero)

"Apun Lucknow ka Shah Rukh hai." (You don't understand anything, I am shahrukh of Lucknow)

She rolled her eyes — but the smile peeked through.

First stop? Kebabs and Sheermal.

They grabbed plates from Tunday Kababi, sitting shoulder to shoulder on a narrow bench. Arjun tore into his kebab like a starved wolf, while Rhea took careful bites, her notebook resting between them.

"You always eat like this?" she asked, watching him wipe his hand on his jeans.

"When you grow up in gully cricket, you learn to eat fast. Kya pata next ball kab bulaye."

(When you grow up in street cricket, you eat fast — who knows when the next ball calls you back.)

Sania System – Culinary Commentary

🟢 Sania Alert: Food Tour in Progress. Romance Loading.

Sania: "Beta, kebab ke saath kabab mein haddi mat ban jaana."

(Kid, don't become the third wheel to your own date.)

Chowk – Where History Smells Delicious

After breakfast, Arjun led her into Chowk — a maze of old buildings, secret alleys, and food carts passed down through generations. The smell of Nihari, Kulcha, and burning coal filled the air.

"Lucknow ka asli flavour yahin hai," Arjun said, waving his arms wide.

(The real flavour of Lucknow is right here.)

Rhea walked slower here, eyes tracing the worn-out signboards, the gossiping uncles, and the cycles overloaded with deliveries. "You know… I've been to Lucknow before. But no one ever showed me this side."

"Because yeh tourist Lucknow nahi hai. Yeh asli hai — hamari galiyon ka Lucknow."

(Because this isn't tourist Lucknow. This is the real Lucknow of our streets.)

The Unexpected Moment

As they passed a chikankari stall, Rhea stopped. "Wait."

She picked up a simple white kurti, running her fingers over the embroidery. "This work… it's beautiful."

"My Amma used to do this," Arjun said quietly. "Before… you know."

Rhea's hand froze. "I didn't know."

"You don't know a lot about me."

"Then tell me."

Sania System – Emotional Curveball

🟢 System Warning: Heartfelt Backstory Unlock Incoming.

Sania: "Beta, yaad rakh. Kebab aur dil dono sambhal ke serve karte hain."

(Kid, remember — you serve kebabs and hearts both with care.)

Noon – Biryani and Confessions

They ended up at Idris Biryani, cramped into a corner table, sharing one massive plate. Arjun let her have the first spoonful.

Rhea closed her eyes after the first bite. "Oh my god."

"Lucknow mein biryani khaaye bina pyaar nahi hota."

(You can't fall in love in Lucknow without eating biryani.)

She laughed — a real laugh, loud and unfiltered. "Is that a fact?"

"Scientific research by Arjun Mishra."

They ate in silence after that, but it wasn't awkward. It was the silence where things settle — between bites, between breaths, between two people realizing they kind of like this new energy between them.

The Roof With A View

By evening, they ended up at Arjun's favorite secret spot — a rooftop overlooking the Gomti River. Clotheslines hung between walls, kids flew kites on nearby terraces, and the sun dipped into the horizon, turning the sky pink-orange.

Rhea stood at the edge, hair flying wild. Arjun stood beside her, hands stuffed into his pockets.

"Why did you really agree to this tour?" he asked suddenly.

"To know the boy behind the sixes."

"Dangerous choice."

"I like danger."

He smiled — small, but real. "Rhea Kapoor, agar tu sach mein meri kahaani likh rahi hai na… toh poori sachai likhna. Na hero bana ke, na villain."

(Rhea Kapoor, if you're really writing my story — write the whole truth. Don't make me a hero or a villain.)

She turned, her face close enough that he could count the freckles across her nose. "Deal."

Sania System – Rooftop Romance Alert

🟢 Sania Notification: Proximity Alert. Flirt Mode Ready.

Sania: "Beta, bas ab confess bhi kar de. Sky bhi romantic ho raha hai."

(Kid, just confess already. Even the sky is getting romantic.)

A Sunset Promise

As the azaan echoed faintly in the distance, Rhea asked, "If cricket didn't exist, what would you be?"

Arjun's smile faded. "I don't know. Cricket is the only thing that ever made me feel like I belonged."

"You belong here," she said, softly tapping his chest. "And here." She pointed at the city skyline.

Arjun looked at her — really looked — and something shifted. Not a confession, not yet. But a promise, carried quietly in the evening wind.

"Chalein?" he said, voice softer than usual.

Rhea nodded. "Kal kaha le jaoge?"

(Where will you take me tomorrow?)

"Surprise hai." (is there a surprise)

"Of course it is."

They walked down the narrow stairs, side by side — a reporter chasing a story, and a boy finally learning he was worth being seen.

Sania System – Chapter End Commentary

🟢 Sania Summary:

Food Tour: Complete.Flirting Score: 7/10 (Room for improvement).Emotional Depth: 10/10 (Potential heartbreak incoming.)Love Story Progress: 41% Complete.

Sania: "Beta, biryani toh jeet li… ab ladki ka dil jeetne mein thoda waqt lagega."

(Kid, you've won the biryani… now winning the girl's heart might take some time.)