"He cooked for her, and in doing so, showed her his love."
                                     - Unknown

It had been a few days since their wedding, and the days seemed to have flown by in a blur of laughter and new beginnings. Today, however, had been a long day. Roohi was sitting at the couch in their cozy living room, her laptop screen glowing softly in the dim light of the evening. She had been working from home, buried in emails, presentations, and coding for the last several hours.

Vivaan, on the other hand, was immersed in his own world, his art studio at the far end of their house filled with colors and sketches, some unfinished, some just starting to take shape. It had become his sanctuary, his quiet place to express himself after a long day of silent reflection.

Despite the silence between them, there was an unspoken bond that had formed over the last few days. Their lives had intertwined so naturally that it felt as though they had always been a part of each other's worlds.

The evening had settled into a comfortable calm, and Vivaan and Roohi were in their cozy living room, settling into the quiet of their new home. The aroma of fresh flowers in the air, the soft glow of the lights casting gentle shadows on the walls—it was beginning to feel like their space.

Vivaan, standing by the kitchen counter, looked over at Roohi, who had just finished arranging a few things in the living room. His usual reserved demeanor was still there, but today, there was something different about him - a quiet eagerness, a calm anticipation.

"So, Roohi," Vivaan asked, his voice softer than usual but still clear, "what’s your favorite food?"

Roohi paused for a moment, surprised by the casualness of the question. She looked over at him, raising an eyebrow. It wasn’t like Vivaan to ask something like that out of the blue.

"My favorite?" she repeated, thinking for a moment. "I love chicken biryani and prawn fry. It’s just - " she smiled, "the perfect combination."

Vivaan nodded thoughtfully, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Done," he said casually, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. "I’ll make it for you."

Roohi blinked, her eyes widening slightly at the unexpected offer. "You’ll - what?" she asked, the surprise clear in her voice.

"I’ll make it," Vivaan repeated, his tone calm but with an unmistakable hint of determination. "It’s your favorite, right? So we'll have it for dinner."

Roohi’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected him to say that at all. Sure, Vivaan was quiet, reserved even, but something about his calm confidence in that moment made her feel both surprised and touched. He had already made her feel so cared for in such a short time, and now this - a gesture so simple, yet so meaningful.

"You can cook it too?" Roohi asked, her voice soft with curiosity. She knew he had mentioned it before during their first meeting, when she had confessed she didn’t know how to cook, and Vivaan had casually reassured her that he didn’t mind.

Vivaan gave her a small, modest smile, as if the idea of cooking for her was nothing extraordinary. "Yes," he replied, his voice calm but steady. "I can cook. I’ve done it plenty of times before."

Roohi smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Well, I’m definitely looking forward to it then."

Vivaan moved into the kitchen, and Roohi followed him, unsure of how much help she’d be. She stood by the counter, watching as Vivaan effortlessly began to gather the ingredients, his movements smooth and practiced. It was clear he wasn’t just doing this for the sake of it - he was putting his heart into it.

"Can I help?" she asked after a moment, feeling a little uncertain.

Vivaan glanced over at her, his expression thoughtful. "Sure," he said with a small smile. "You can chop the onions."

Roohi nodded enthusiastically, ready to pitch in. She had no idea how to make biryani or prawn fry, but she could definitely help with the small things. As they worked together, Vivaan’s quiet nature seemed to fill the space, yet there was something so comforting about it. She marveled at how effortless he made it all seem, and how he quietly guided her through the kitchen steps.

As the kitchen filled with the delicious scent of spices and herbs, Roohi couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment. It was an ordinary evening,nothing extravagant or dramatic but the feeling of Vivaan cooking for her, of the two of them working together in the warmth of their new home, made it feel special.

Soon, the food was ready. The biryani was perfectly fragrant, the prawns glistening with flavor. Roohi looked at the spread with wide eyes, impressed by how effortlessly Vivaan had created something so delicious.

"It looks amazing," she said, her voice full of genuine admiration. "I can’t wait to try it."

Vivaan smiled, his usual soft, reserved smile, and gestured for her to sit. "I hope it tastes as good as it looks."

They sat together at the dining table, the quiet between them comfortable and warm. Roohi took a bite of the biryani, her eyes lighting up. "This is delicious," she exclaimed. "You really do know how to cook this sooo good."

Vivaan chuckled softly, but it wasn’t the typical, closed-off laugh Roohi had grown accustomed to. There was a warmth to it, a softness that made her smile. "I told you," he said. "I’ve had plenty of practice."

Roohi, still marveling at the food, couldn't stop talking about how delicious everything was. "Seriously, Vivaan, I don’t think I’ve ever tasted such good biryani. It's so full of flavor. And the prawns, they’re perfect!"

Vivaan listened, nodding along as she spoke, a subtle smile on his face. He didn't speak much, but he was clearly enjoying hearing her talk so freely, so animatedly, about the food.

As they finished their meal, Roohi placed her head on Vivaan’s shoulder, her tiredness finally catching up with her after a long day. The evening had felt so warm, so comfortable, and this simple act of leaning on him made everything feel even more peaceful.

Vivaan, feeling the weight of her head on his shoulder, froze for just a moment. The warmth of her against him, the closeness, it stirred something in him - a quiet feeling of contentment, and a small flutter in his chest. He hadn’t expected to feel this way, but there was a sense of peace in knowing that she was here, with him. He carefully adjusted his position so that she could rest more comfortably, his hand instinctively finding hers and squeezing it gently.

Roohi let out a soft sigh, feeling completely at ease in the moment. Her head on his shoulder, the quiet of the room surrounding them, the comfort of being with someone who cared - it was a new feeling for her, but it was one she didn’t want to let go of.

Vivaan, for once, allowed himself to fully experience the moment. He didn’t feel the need to hide behind his usual reserved nature. Instead, he let himself simply be in her presence, grateful for the peace she brought into his life.

The movie played on, but neither of them really watched it. Instead, the evening unfolded in a quiet, gentle rhythm. When the movie ended, they didn’t even need to say anything. Roohi, still resting on Vivaan’s shoulder, could feel her eyes growing heavy, the soft rise and fall of Vivaan’s breathing lulling her into a sense of calm.

"Goodnight, Vivaan," she whispered, her voice barely audible as sleep began to take over.

Vivaan’s hand gave hers a final squeeze. "Goodnight, Roohi," he murmured back.

And with that, the two of them drifted to sleep, wrapped in the quiet comfort of each other’s presence, the bond between them growing stronger with every passing moment.

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