She wrapped herself in a blanket and shuffled to the door. When she opened it, her sleepy eyes met a familiar, mischievous smile.

“Morning, Muffin,” Hiten said softly, wearing a sweater that made him look effortlessly cute. In his hand, he held another sweater, neatly folded.

Aarya blinked. “Hiten… what are you doing here at this hour?”

“Come on,” he said, extending the sweater. “Let’s go on a walk.”

She groaned, hugging her blanket tighter. “Not now… please… let me sleep!”

“Nope. No sleeping. Not today.” His tone was gentle but firm.

“I said no!” she protested, her voice muffled by the blanket.

Hiten grinned. “Okay, okay. Wake up first, then. Let me make you a cup of strong coffee. Wash your face, freshen up — then we go. Deal?”

Aarya huffed, exasperated but secretly pleased. “Fine… whatever. Make it quick!”

A few minutes later, Hiten handed her a steaming cup. The warmth seeped into her hands, the aroma waking her senses more than she wanted.

“Finish this up quickly,” he urged, “we’ve got a walk to enjoy.”

She sipped, eyes half-lidded. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

“Crazy? Maybe,” he said, with a twinkle in his eyes. “But I’d like to think I’m persistent.”

Eventually, wrapped in the sweater he brought, they walked side by side toward the lake. The early winter air nipped gently at their cheeks, and a soft fog hovered over the water.

They found a quiet spot near the shore and sat down. Aarya hugged her knees to her chest, gazing at the lake. Hiten remained beside her, calm, his own gaze following the gentle ripples of water.

“I had a dream,” Hiten said suddenly. His voice was quiet, thoughtful.

Aarya glanced at him, intrigued. “A dream?”

He nodded. “I saw you. You said… ‘Tomorrow at 5, we will go on a walk.’”

Aarya raised an eyebrow. “You’re lying.”

Hiten chuckled softly. “Caught me. Red-handed.”

“Yeah, you’re definitely caught.” She nudged him lightly, a small smile playing on her lips.

“But… I really wanted to spend this time with you,” he admitted, sincerity in his voice. “You had once said you’d love to go on a walk in early winter along the lake, while everyone else sleeps… I remembered.”

Aarya blinked, her playful teasing melting into warmth. “You… actually remembered that?”

“Of course I did,” he said. His gaze met hers, steady and calm. “So I made sure it happened.”

The lake shimmered faintly as the fog danced above the surface. Silence settled comfortably between them — not awkward, not forced — just the quiet understanding of two people who cared.

After a while, she nudged him gently. “I guess… I’m glad you woke me up.”

“I’m glad too,” Hiten murmured, leaning back slightly, his head brushing hers for a brief, cozy moment.

They talked softly about the winter air, the mist, memories of past seasons, and little hopes for the day ahead. It was a conversation without the usual jokes, yet it carried laughter, warmth, and connection all the same.

Finally, the sun began to peek above the horizon, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks. Hiten stood, extending a hand to Aarya.

“Ready to head back?” he asked.

Aarya smiled, taking his hand. “Yeah… but this walk… I’ll remember it for a long time.”

“And I’ll remember you,” he replied, with a teasing glint. “Even if Muffin says it’s early for poetry, I might just write a few lines about this morning.”

She laughed softly, her cheeks tinged with pink. “Flirty, poet. You really are flirty.”

“Excuse me, Miss Angry Muffin,” he said with a grin. “I’m a poet. That’s my excuse.”

Aarya rolled her eyes, smiling, as they walked back toward the house, leaving soft footprints in the winter frost, the lake behind them whispering gently in the morning fog.