Hiten leaned casually against the doorway, grinning. “Ready, Muffin?”

Aarya froze mid-step, cheeks warming. “Stop! I hate that nickname!”

“Yet you smile every time I say it,” he teased, dodging the pillow she tossed at him.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small grin tugging at her lips. “Impossible.”

They headed to the local market, alive with the weekend crowd. Stalls overflowed with bright saris, lehengas, jewelry, and the aroma of street food. Aarya led the way proudly, showing Hiten the places she loved as a child.

“Now I’ll show you my personal favorite food stalls,” she said, pointing to a row of small vendors. “I spent so much time here growing up.”

Hiten’s eyes twinkled. “You’re still a little hungry baby when it comes to pudding, Muffin?”

“Not! It’s nostalgia! Respect my culinary heritage!” Aarya shot back.

Hiten grinned. “Of course, Muffin. Your heritage is safe in my hands.”

They moved from boutique to boutique, holding up fabrics, comparing colors, and testing accessories. Hiten occasionally held a lehenga against himself, pretending to “coordinate twin outfits” with Aarya.

“Imagine this,” he said, draping a blue kurta over his arm. “If you wear this pink lehenga and I wear this blue kurta, we’ll be a perfectly coordinated pair. Everyone will stare!”

Aarya laughed, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous. But… okay, that would look cute.”

Hours passed as they sampled jewelry, tried on lehengas, and playfully argued over accessories. Hiten teased her relentlessly, and she returned every jab with mock anger and a playful grin.

Finally, they returned to Aarya’s house, bags full and spirits high. The living room quickly transformed into a mini fashion show. Aarya twirled in her favorite lehenga, and her mother clapped. “You look wonderful, beta!”

Hiten leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Absolutely stunning. And… Muffin, you wear it like it was made for you. Also… what do you think about me in the twin kurta I picked?”

Aarya peeked at him, raising an eyebrow. “You actually brought one? Let me see.”

He spun around dramatically, showing off a pastel-colored kurta, perfectly matching her lehenga. “See? Twin goals. What do you think?”

Aarya laughed, her hands flying to her mouth. “You’re such a show-off, Hiten!”

Her parents chuckled at the scene, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

“By the way,” Hiten whispered, leaning toward Aarya with a mischievous grin, “this nickname—Muffin—it fits perfectly.”

Her father perked up. “Muffin?”

Hiten shrugged innocently. “Oh… it’s a little nickname. There’s this café we usually go to after exams. She was eating a muffin, making the cutest faces… I just named her Muffin.”

Aarya buried her face in her hands. “Stop saying that… or…”

“Or?” he asked, tilting his head.

“I’d punish you!” she whispered, trying to sound stern.

“Okay, Miss Angry Muffin,” he said teasingly.

The room filled with laughter. Aarya rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. The nickname had officially been cemented.

After trying on all the outfits and showing her family, they spent the evening coordinating twin colors, comparing fabrics, and teasing each other over silly styling choices. Every small touch, every playful glance made the day feel cozy and intimate.

As the shopping adventure wound down, Hiten and Aarya collapsed on the sofa, exhausted but happy. The shopping bags were heavy, but the memories they’d made were even heavier — in the best way possible.

---

Author Note:

Twin outfits, playful teasing, and the official introduction of Muffin — volume 2 is keeping the romance light, fun, and full of adorable chaos! Can Hiten keep up with Aarya’s stubbornness, or will Muffin teach him a lesson?