don't blame me [ 𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐥 ]

34. photos and feelings

As Shobhana hugged him tightly, Shubman felt a wave of relief wash over him. The Polaroid camera seemed like a simple gift, but he had put a lot of thought into it. He wanted something that would remind her of their special moments together, something she could cherish beyond just the birthday celebration.

"You like it?" Shubman asked a hint of nervousness in his voice despite her enthusiastic reaction.

"Like it? Nah, I love it, Shub! Thank you so much," Shobhana exclaimed, pulling away from the hug to examine the camera more closely. She turned it over in her hands, admiring its sleek design and imagining all the photos they could capture together.

"You're welcome, babe," Shubman replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. Seeing her happy made everything worth it. Shobhana looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know what this means, right?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

Shubman furrowed his brow in confusion. "What?"

"We have to test it out, of course!" Shobhana declared, already getting off the couch and heading towards the door. "Grab your jacket, we're going on an adventure."

Shubman couldn't help but laugh at her infectious energy. He quickly followed her lead, slipping on his jacket and grabbing the keys to their apartment. "Where are we going?" Shubman asked as they stepped out into the cool evening air.

Shobhana grinned at him, holding up the camera triumphantly. "Anywhere and everywhere, my dear. The night is young, and the city is ours to explore."

With that, they set off into the bustling streets, hand in hand, ready to capture memories together with their new Polaroid camera. As they strolled through the streets, Shobhana and Shubman found themselves drawn to the vibrant energy of the city at night. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting colorful reflections on the pavement below. They wandered through crowded alleyways and quiet parks, stopping every now and then to capture a moment with their Polaroid camera.

Shobhana was a natural behind the lens, her eyes sparkling with creativity as she framed each shot. She had a knack for finding beauty in the most unexpected places – a graffiti-covered wall, a patch of wildflowers growing between cracks in the sidewalk, the silhouette of a lone street musician against the glow of a street lamp.

Shubman watched in awe as she worked, her enthusiasm infectious. He couldn't help but smile as she posed for him, striking silly poses and making funny faces, each click of the camera capturing a new memory to treasure.

As they continued on their impromptu photo adventure, Shubman found himself falling more and more in love with Shobhana with each passing moment. It wasn't just her beauty or her talent that captivated him, although those things certainly didn't hurt. It was the way she laughed freely, the way she danced in the rain, the way she saw the world with endless curiosity and wonder.

And as they reached the top of a hill overlooking the city skyline, Shubman knew that this was a moment he would never forget. With the lights of the city spread out below them like a sea of stars, he pulled Shobhana into his arms and held her close, the warmth of her body pressed against his, the soft click of the camera capturing the moment for eternity.

In that moment, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city, Shubman felt like the luckiest man alive. And as they made their way back home, hand in hand, he knew that no matter where life took them, as long as they had each other, they would always find a way to make their own magic.

As they returned home, Shubman couldn't shake the feeling of contentment that washed over him. The warmth of the evening had settled into a cozy embrace within their apartment. Shobhana flopped onto the couch with a sigh of satisfaction as Shubman smiled, joining her on the couch and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, basking in the afterglow of their impromptu adventure. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated their faces, casting gentle shadows across the room.

"I still can't believe you remembered how much I love Polaroids," Shobhana said, leaning her head against Shubman's chest. Shubman chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I pay attention to the things that matter to you, that's all."

Shobhana lifted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes searching his face with an intensity that made his heart skip a beat. "You know, I don't say this enough, but I'm so grateful to have you in my life, Shubman," she said, her voice soft with emotion.

Shubman felt a lump form in his throat at her words. He had never doubted Shobhana's love for him, but hearing her express it so openly still filled him with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

"I feel the same way, Shobhana," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "You mean everything to me." They sat together in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts yet connected by an invisible thread of love and companionship. In that moment, surrounded by the gentle hum of the city outside and the warmth of each other's presence, Shubman knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be.