By the time she reached Hiten’s house, she saw him leaning weakly against the doorway, wrapped in a blanket. His usual confident posture was gone, replaced by tiredness. His cheeks were pale, and though his eyes were alert, they carried a faint glaze.

“Hiten! You’re sick?” Aarya exclaimed, her voice rising above the faint patter of rain.

He tried to smile, but it was weak. “Yeah… just a little fever. I didn’t want to miss school, but I couldn’t manage today.”

Her worry turned to determination. “Come on, I’ll take care of you,” she said, stepping inside.

Hiten’s home was small, neat, and cozy. The scent of books mixed with a faint trace of soap. Sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting soft reflections on the floor. Aarya noticed his neat habits immediately — every book in its place, his clothes folded with care.

She helped him to the couch, fluffing pillows and wrapping him in a fresh blanket. “You should stay in bed,” she said softly. “I’ll handle everything today.”

Hiten chuckled lightly, though weakly. “You’re… really something, Aarya. You don’t just care… you make everything better.”

Aarya felt warmth in her chest and smiled shyly. “I just want you to be okay.”

She fussed over him — preparing warm soup and tea, adjusting his blanket now and then, brushing stray hair from his forehead. Each touch lingered slightly, unintentional yet meaningful. Hiten noticed, silently appreciating the tenderness in her every gesture.

Hours passed slowly. Rain tapped gently on the windows, and the smell of wet earth drifted through the open balcony. Aarya talked about small things — funny incidents from school, her art projects, and little memories she had almost forgotten. Hiten listened intently, occasionally teasing her, but mostly just watching her — memorizing the way she moved, laughed, and cared.

“You’re… really patient,” Hiten said finally, his voice soft. “Not just with me… with everything.”

Aarya blushed, glancing down. “I just… I care,” she said quietly.

The afternoon drifted lazily. They shared quiet moments — her reading a book aloud while he listened, sipping tea; her hand brushing his by accident, neither of them moving it away, letting the small spark linger. The room felt warm, filled with the scent of rain, tea, and her hair — a sense of calm intimacy wrapping them both.

But Hiten’s mind wasn’t completely at rest. Beneath his calm smile, he was planning something — something that involved Aarya, though he couldn’t tell her yet. He smiled faintly to himself, thinking about the surprise.

Evening came, the rain softening but still drumming steadily against the windows. Aarya helped him sit upright and handed him another cup of tea. Hiten’s eyes lingered on her, a mix of mischief and affection.

“You know,” he said lightly, “maybe I should tell you something.”

Aarya tilted her head. “Tell me what?”

He smiled faintly. “Maybe… there’s something I’m planning.”

Aarya frowned slightly. “Planning? For… what?”

Hiten didn’t answer. Instead, he just looked at her — that familiar blend of warmth and mystery that always made her heart skip. “You’ll see soon,” he whispered.

Aarya shivered slightly at his tone, the quiet intimacy of the room, and the steady rhythm of the rain outside. She felt an odd flutter of anticipation — something was coming, she could feel it — but what, she didn’t yet know.

Hiten turned back to his tea, hiding his thoughts. She’s priceless. I can’t lose her. I’ll do anything for her… and she doesn’t even know yet.

As the rain continued tapping against the window, Aarya watched him curiously — sensing that whatever he was planning could change everything.