“So, first stop—clothes shopping?” he asked, teasingly.

Aarya nodded, a playful grin on her face. “Of course! You better not get lost or I’ll leave you here with the mannequins.”

He laughed, linking his arm with hers. “I think I can handle mannequins… but you? I’ll need a map to keep up with your energy.”

They wandered from shop to shop, picking out traditional outfits for Diwali. Aarya’s eyes lit up at the colorful lehengas and kurtas, and she held up one vibrant orange kurta. “Hiten, you should try this!”

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Me? Wearing orange? You sure about that?”

She rolled her eyes, laughing. “Trust me, it’ll suit you. And if not, I’ll buy it anyway.”

After picking out their festive clothes, they moved to casual wear. Aarya giggled as Hiten tried on a hoodie that was way too big for him, the sleeves dangling past his fingers. “You look like a little kid drowning in it!” she said, nudging him lightly.

He grinned and struck a mock fashion pose. “And you look like a fashion critic judging my style. Harsh, but fair.”

Shopping bags gradually piled up as they explored every section, sneaking bites of pastries from the food court in between. Hiten insisted on buying her a small chocolate croissant, which she accepted with a teasing glare. “Why are you spoiling me?”

“Because I can,” he replied, winking.

Once their bags were full, Aarya’s eyes sparkled as she spotted the trampoline park. “Hiten, come on! Let’s go jump!”

He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then laughed. “You’re lucky I didn’t say no. Let’s see who’s better at bouncing.”

The next hour was filled with laughter, playful pushing, and occasional tumbles that made them both gasp and then collapse into giggles. Hiten landed on one of the trampolines and bounced into her by accident. They both stumbled and fell into a heap, faces red from laughter and exertion.

“Hey! You almost ruined my perfect landing!” Aarya said, pretending to be annoyed, though her smile betrayed her.

“Your perfect landing? Please, you just bounced like a marshmallow,” he teased back, brushing his hand over hers.

After the trampolines, they moved to the games zone. Racing mini-cars, winning small plushies from claw machines, and competing in arcade games—everywhere they went, they were a team, laughing, joking, and teasing each other relentlessly. Hiten grabbed her hand once to steady her as she aimed for a basketball hoop, and she squeezed his hand, smiling shyly.

By the evening, they were exhausted but happy. Their shopping done, prizes in hand, they headed to a hotel for dinner. The smell of spices and freshly cooked food greeted them, and the quiet, cozy ambiance made it feel intimate. Over plates of pasta and desserts, they talked about everything—from favorite childhood memories to dreams about the future. Hiten laughed when Aarya dramatically recounted a cooking disaster at home, and she rolled her eyes at his exaggerated reactions.

“You’re impossible,” she said, nudging him gently.

“And you love it,” he countered, smiling.

Finally, with full stomachs and content hearts, they walked back to their homes, their shopping bags swinging lightly at their sides. The day had been tiring, but every laugh, every teasing glance, every shared secret had strengthened the bond between them. As they parted ways with a playful wave, both were already looking forward to the next time they’d be together.