It’s a Valentine’s Day… Again? (Short Love Story)
Chapter 1: The Great Mix-Up
Aarav adjusted his backpack and looked around the luxurious resort with a frown. “This can’t be right,” he muttered, Aarav pulling out his phone to check the confirmation email.
Just then, a woman in a floral dress walked up to the reception desk beside him. She looked bright and fresh—like a spring morning. “Hi! I have a booking under Meera Sharma,” she said cheerfully (with her cute smile).
Receptionist shared a warm smile . “Welcome, Ms. Sharma and Mr. Malhotra! We’re so happy to have you both for our Valentine’s Special Couples Retreat!”
Aarav choked on air. Wait “Excuse me, what?” same as
Meera’s eyes widened. “Couple’s retreat? Both said at the same time No, no no ! I came alone.”
The receptionist’s smile faltered. “Oh! Wait let me check But… you were both booked under the same confirmation.”
Meera turned to Aarav with suspicion. “Did you book this place?”
Aarav scoffed. “Lady, I wouldn’t book a couple’s retreat even if someone paid me.”
The receptionist fumbled through her papers. “There seems to have been a mix-up. But unfortunately, we’re fully booked. We can arrange separate rooms, but you’ll still have to participate in the retreat activities since it’s a package deal.”
Meera groaned. “Ugh, what kind of nightmare is this?”
Aarav sighed. “Exactly what I was thinking.”
But with no other options available, they begrudgingly agreed to stay.
Chapter 2: The First Disaster—Dance Lessons
The next morning, Aarav stood stiffly in the middle of the dance hall, arms crossed. The instructor clapped excitedly. “Alright, couples! Let’s start with some simple moves.”
Meera nudged him. “Come on, grumpy, let’s get this over with.”
Aarav scowled. “I don’t dance.”
Meera rolled her eyes. “Neither do I, but I’d rather get this done than be the only ones standing like statues.”
Reluctantly, Aarav placed his hand on her waist while she held his other hand.
The instructor started the music. “Step right… then left… spin your partner—”
Before they could register what was happening, Aarav stepped on Meera’s foot. Hard.
“OUCH! Dude, are you wearing bricks instead of shoes?” she yelped, hopping on one foot.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have such tiny feet,” Aarav shot back.
The instructor sighed. “Relax, feel the rhythm, look into each other’s eyes—”
Aarav and Meera glanced at each other awkwardly before bursting into laughter.
“This is so stupid,” Meera giggled.
“Absolutely,” Aarav agreed, but he smiled for the first time.
Chapter 3: The Candlelight Dinner That Went Up in Flames
That evening, Aarav and Meera sat at a beautifully decorated table by the poolside, surrounded by dim candles and soft violin music.
“This is peak Bollywood cheesiness,” Aarav muttered, poking at the rose petals scattered on the table.
Meera smirked. “Bet you secretly love it.”
A waiter arrived with a flambé dessert, dramatically lighting it on fire.
Aarav leaned back, unimpressed. “Why is my food on fire?”
Meera snorted. “It’s called ‘romance,’ Mr. Cynic.”
Just as she spoke, her long sleeve accidentally brushed against a candle. A tiny flame flickered to life.
Meera’s eyes widened. “Oh crap! FIRE!”
Aarav reacted instantly, grabbing his glass of water and dumping it on her arm.
Silence.
The other couples turned to stare at the dripping mess that was now Meera. Her mascara slightly smudged, her dress soaked.
Aarav swallowed. “Uhh… you okay?”
Meera blinked, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Dude. You just put me out like a burnt matchstick.”
Aarav chuckled. “Better than letting you burn like a candle, no?”
And for the first time that evening, they actually enjoyed themselves.
Meera went to her room to change into a new dress, while Aarav went to his own room.
As Meera finished changing, her phone rang, and Riya’s name flashed on the screen.e
Meera: (You don’t understand! I’m stuck at a couple’s retreat!)
Riya:(HAHAHA! What? You? At a couple’s retreat? You’re allergic to relationships!)
Meera: (Yeah, go ahead and make fun of me! My luck is so bad that I got paired with a grumpy travel blogger!)
Riya: (Ooooh, grumpy travel blogger? What’s his name?)
Meera:(Aarav. And listen, he hates Valentine’s Day even more than I do!)
Riya: (Oh? So, you both are the same? Sounds like a perfect match!)
Meera: —” (Uff, it’s not a match, it’s a cosmic joke! First, they paired us for a dance lesson, then a candlelight dinner, and after that—)
Riya: (WAIT! Candlelight dinner? And you haven’t run away yet? There’s a twist in this story, Meera!)
Meera: (Yeah, there was a twist! I accidentally burned my sleeve on a candle, and he threw water on me!)
Riya: (HAHAHAHA! That’s a full filmy scene! Was there a guy playing ‘Pehla Nasha’ in the background too?)
Meera: “Shut up, Riya!” 😂
Riya: (No, seriously, tell me, are you enjoying this even a little?)
Meera: (I mean… a little. Just enough that, for the first time on Valentine’s Day, I’m actually laughing.)
Riya: “ (See? Maybe this is destiny, Meera! The universe is telling you that your romance season has begun!)
Meera: “(Hahaha! Just don’t say that I’ll fall in love with Aarav!)
Riya: (Why not? Love always comes unplanned! The ones who say ‘It won’t happen’ are always the first to fall!)
Meera:(Yeah, yeah, just don’t start showing me wedding dreams now!)
Riya:(Now we even have to think about your honeymoon destination, Meera!)
Meera: (You are crazy!)😂
And for the first time, Meera wasn’t irritated by the idea of
Meera (thinks for a moment ) Valentine’s Day. Maybe, just maybe, her best friend was right.
Chapter 4: The Night Under the Stars
Later that night, Aarav found Meera sitting alone on the resort’s terrace, gazing at the sky.
He hesitated before joining her. “Couldn’t sleep?”
Meera shook her head. “I like nights like these. Quiet, peaceful.”
Aarav nodded. “Same. Less people, less drama.”
Meera smirked. “Says the guy who dumped water on me at dinner.”
Aarav groaned. “Can we not bring that up again?”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the stars.
Then, Meera spoke softly. “You know… maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t so bad. I mean, it’s not just about couples. It’s about connections. Even unexpected ones.”
Aarav glanced at her. “You’re way too optimistic.”
Meera smiled. “And you’re way too cynical. Maybe that’s why we got stuck here together.”
Aarav chuckled. “Maybe.”
As the cool spring breeze surrounded them, neither of them realized that, for the first time in years, Valentine’s Day didn’t feel all that bad.
Epilogue: One Year Later
Valentine’s Day. Same resort.
Aarav and Meera stood at the entrance, smirking at each other.
Meera nudged him. “You sure about this?”
Aarav smirked back. “Nope. But I heard the dance lessons are still a disaster, and I’d hate to miss out.”
Meera laughed as they walked in together. This time, they weren’t strangers caught in a mix-up.
Love message for this story ” From a mistaken Valentine’s retreat to a warm, unexpected love—sometimes, the best romances start with a little chaos and laughter.” ❤️