Aarya twirled slightly, letting the fabric of her lehenga swirl, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Hiten, look at all these lights! It’s like the whole city is celebrating!”

Hiten smiled, taking her hand gently. “Yeah… and you make it even brighter,” he said softly, his fingers brushing against hers. Aarya blushed, looking down shyly, the twinkle of the festival lights reflecting in her eyes.

They walked through the streets filled with stalls, each selling colorful decorations, sweets, and toys. Laughter and chatter surrounded them, punctuated by the distant crackle of fireworks. Aarya pulled Hiten towards a rangoli competition stall. Together, they kneaded colored powder in their hands, working side by side to make a swirling floral design.

“You’re… surprisingly good at this,” Aarya teased, looking at the delicate patterns Hiten was making.

“Of course,” he said with mock confidence, “I’ve got the best teacher right beside me.” His gaze lingered on her, and she could feel a warmth creeping up her cheeks.

After finishing the rangoli, they moved to the sparklers stall. Hiten lit one for himself and one for Aarya, handing it to her carefully. She held it, the tiny sparks reflecting in her wide eyes. “Be careful!” she warned.

Hiten grinned. “Relax. I’ve got you.” He held her hand lightly, steadying it as the sparks danced around them. Her heart fluttered at the simple intimacy of the moment.

As they walked further into the festival, Hiten reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, pretending to casually check it. “Hey, Aarya… I got something for you,” he said, handing it to her.

Surprised, Aarya opened it to reveal a delicate bracelet, sparkling softly in the evening light. “Hiten… it’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, her hands trembling slightly.

“I saw it at the mall yesterday and… I thought it would look perfect on you,” he said quietly, watching her smile. Aarya slipped it onto her wrist, feeling the cool metal against her skin. “Thank you… it’s perfect,” she said softly, hugging him quickly.

The evening continued with small indulgences—tasting sweets from a nearby stall, laughing as Hiten tried a jalebi and got syrup all over his fingers, and watching fireworks together. Every pop and crackle in the sky seemed to make the moments brighter, the world around them fading into the background. Hiten kept glancing at her, admiring how the lights danced in her hair and the happiness radiating from her smile.

Finally, they found a quiet bench away from the crowd. Sitting side by side, Aarya leaned slightly on Hiten’s shoulder, watching the last of the fireworks bloom in the sky. “This… this is the best Diwali I’ve ever had,” she whispered.

Hiten smiled, feeling a gentle warmth in his chest. “It’s perfect because you’re here,” he said softly. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his thumb lingering for a moment. Aarya’s hand found his, fingers intertwining naturally.

The night ended with them walking home slowly, hands brushing, smiles lingering, and the bracelet on her wrist catching the faint glow of the streetlights. Both felt a quiet, contented joy, knowing that the festival wasn’t just about lights or fireworks—it was about being together.

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