When the Story Continues (Sequel to When the Script Changes)

Chapter 37: A Love That Grew in the Quiet

Pin narrowed her eyes.

"No."

Anil gasped dramatically.

"No? You're rejecting a date with your beloved girlfriend?"

Pin rolled her eyes, reopening her book.

"You're distracting me."

Anil leaned closer.

"Am I?"

Pin refused to look up.

"Yes."

Anil smirked.

"Good."

Pin sighed, turning the page.

"Just let me finish this chapter."

Anil grinned.

That meant yes.

-------------

Pin wasn't sure how Anil always got her way.

All she knew was that half an hour later, she was sitting outside an ice cream shop with a cup of vanilla ice cream in her hand—Anil's idea of a proper "study break."

"You always get vanilla," Anil teased, nudging her. "Live a little."

Pin shot her a look.

"And you always get mint chocolate."

"Because it's the best flavor."

"It tastes like toothpaste."

Anil gasped.

"You take that back right now."

Pin raised an eyebrow.

"I don't lie."

Anil dramatically clutched her heart.

"Babe, this might be the end of us."

Pin smirked, taking a small bite of her ice cream.

"You'll survive."

Anil stared at her.

Pin noticed.

She glanced up.

"What?"

Anil was smiling.

That soft, easy smile.

The one that made Pin feel too much.

"Nothing," Anil said. "I just love you."

Pin's stomach flipped.

She looked away, her ears turning pink.

"You say that all the time."

Anil tilted her head.

"Because it's always true."

Silence.

Pin slowly took another bite of ice cream.

And Anil just watched her.

Like she was memorizing every second.

And maybe—just maybe—

She was.

--------------

They should have checked the weather.

They should have paid attention.

But instead, they left the ice cream shop—and got caught in the rain.

Anil laughed as the first few drops fell.

"Oh, this is kind of romantic."

Pin groaned.

"This is a disaster."

Anil grabbed her hand, pulling her under a nearby shop awning.

"We can wait it out."

Pin sighed, shaking the water from her arms.

She was already soaked.

Anil—the ridiculous person she was—just smiled.

Pin glared at her.

"You planned this, didn't you?"

Anil grinned.

"If I say yes, will you be impressed?"

Pin rolled her eyes.

"You're impossible."

"And you love me anyway."

Pin hesitated.

Then, softly—

"I do."

Anil's teasing smile faltered.

Like she hadn't expected it.

Like hearing it out loud still made her breath catch.

"...Yeah?" Anil whispered.

Pin met her eyes.

And in a way that left no room for doubt—

"Yes."

Anil stared at her.

For a moment—just a moment—she looked completely speechless.

Then she took a step closer, eyes flicking to Pin's lips.

Pin's breath hitched.

For a second, she thought—hoped—

But then—

Anil smirked.

And instead of kissing her—

She booped Pin's nose.

"Cute," she whispered.

Pin exhaled sharply.

"Go away."

Anil laughed.

And despite the rain—

Despite the cold—

Pin had never felt warmer.

-----------

Pin lay in bed that night, staring at her ceiling again.

Thinking.

Feeling.

Knowing.

Anil had changed everything.

And she was okay with that.

More than okay.

She turned on her side, grabbing her phone.

Sent one last message before closing her eyes.

Pin: Goodnight, Anil.

It only took five seconds for the reply to come.

Anil: Goodnight, my love.

Pin smiled.

And for the first time in a long time—

She slept with zero regrets.