The Mirror Maze

Wow, Surya! This is incredible—it feels like we've stepped into an entirely new world. The pink background, the mirrors reflecting our sweet moments together, everything feels so magical. Getting lost in this maze is actually giving us more time to talk, laugh, and create beautiful memories. I love this, Surya—I don’t ever want to leave this maze!

It's a bright and beautiful Sunday, Surya and Vaishali finally get a break from their professional lives. Today, Surya has planned something special, something Vaishali isn’t expecting.

They are at a grand five-floor mall, with so many people around. Stores filled with the latest fashion, restaurants with delicious food, and a massive theater—all of it feels exciting. But neither of them knows what surprises the day holds.

As they ride the escalator to the top floor, Surya’s eyes suddenly light up. A group of kids is playing in the fun zone, their laughter filling the air. The sight awakens the child within him.

“Vaishu, do you see that?” Surya asks, his excitement bubbling over.

“What?” Vaishali responds, looking around.

“There! The kids playing. Doesn’t it look fun?”

She chuckles. “So? What about it?”

“What do you mean so? Come on, let’s go there!”

Vaishali smiles and shakes her head. “Surya, are you a kid?”

“Is there a rule that only kids can play?” he counters sarcastically.

She sighs. “And what exactly are you planning to do there?”

“Let’s go inside first, then we’ll decide.”

Before she can say anything, Surya holds her wrist and pulls her to the fun zone, his excitement spreading.

“Now tell me, what do you want to play?” he asks, grinning like a little boy.

Vaishali folds her arms. “Surya, are you serious?”

“For the next hour, let’s forget we’re adults. Just once, let the child in you take over. Trust me, this will be a beautiful memory.”

She sighs dramatically. “Suryaaaaaa….”

“Please, dear? For me?” he pleads.

With an exaggerated innocent expression, she finally nods. “Okay, fine.”

Surya cheers and rushes to the billing counter to buy an access card for the games. They start playing, with Surya diving into the games enthusiastically, but Vaishali finds herself growing bored. She’s happy watching Surya enjoy, but this isn’t really her thing.

Fifteen minutes pass, and Surya suddenly notices her lack of interest. Realizing he has been selfishly enjoying himself, he decides to take her somewhere different—somewhere peaceful and magical.

That’s when he spots a glowing pink board:

“The Mirror Maze”

The soft, dreamy colors of the board instantly capture his attention. He turns to Vaishali, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

“Vaishu, look at that!” he exclaims.

She looks where he is looking. The pink glow and its mysterious charm seem interesting.

“What is this place?” she asks.

“I don’t know, but it looks interesting. Let’s check it out?”

Vaishali, wanting a peaceful place, nods.

Surya enters the maze first, then turns back with a playful smile, gesturing for Vaishali to go inside. She smiles and walks in.

As soon as they enter, the operator shuts the door behind them. There’s only one way out now—by solving the maze.

The atmosphere is unlike anything they’ve experienced before. Soft pink lighting surrounds them, creating a romantic and dreamy ambiance. This isn’t a terrifying, horror-movie-style maze; it’s warm, enchanting, and inviting.

They take their first turn and suddenly find themselves surrounded by mirrors. Endless reflections of themselves stretch in all directions. Confusion sets in, but so does excitement.

“Wow, Surya, this is amazing! It feels like we’re in a completely new world,” Vaishali exclaims, her eyes sparkling.

“You like it, Vaishu?” he asks, watching her reaction.

“Hmmm. And do you know the best part?”

“What?”

“No one else is here. No one watching, no sounds—just peace.”

Surya smirks. “And with this pink lighting, it almost feels like… our first night together as husband and wife.”

“Ayy! Chuppp!” she scolds, nudging him playfully.

Surya gives a playful grin, his face glowing with a familiar romantic look. Vaishali knows too well. She narrows her eyes.

“My dear Surya, I know what’s running through your mind. Don’t get any ideas. If you come closer, I’ll kick you.”

He chuckles, already expecting this response. Instead of answering, he takes a step toward her and suddenly pulls her into his arms. His voice drops to a soft whisper.

“Vaishu, do you really think I’d do that?” he teases.

Before she can react, he lets go of her and walks ahead. He knows she will stand still for a few seconds, trying to understand what just happened. As expected, when he looks back, she is standing there, blinking in shock.

“What happened, darling? Seems like you’re stuck. Don’t you want to complete the maze?” he teases playfully.

Vaishali snaps out of her daze and walks toward him, her eyes narrowed.

“What did you just do?”.

“What did I do?”

“You don’t know what you did, right?”

She reaches him and starts playfully smacking his back. “Will you ever dare to put your hands on me again?” she scolds between laughs.

Surya laughs, enjoying every moment. “No, darling,” he lies cheekily.

But this time, he pulls her against the mirror, blocking her escape. Trapped between him and the glass, she looks up at him, her heart racing.

“Will you ever dare to hit me again?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

Without hesitation, she grins mischievously. “Yes, I would. What will you do, uncle?”

Surya sighs dramatically. “What will I do? Nothing.” He steps back, releasing her from his playful trap.

Still lost in the moment, he puts an arm around her shoulder as they walk through the maze. With every turn, their reflections appear everywhere, showing their laughter, teasing, and stolen looks.

The maze becomes more challenging as they progress. The mirrors play tricks on them, creating illusions of endless pathways. It seems like they’ll be here for at least another thirty minutes.

Pausing to figure out their next move, Vaishali suddenly notices something.

“Surya, look at that.”

“What?”

She points to their reflection. The way they stand—his arm on her shoulder, their faces close—looks like a perfect romantic portrait.

“Isn’t that beautiful?” she asks softly.

Surya smirks. “Yes, the mirror is very beautiful.”

“Stop joking! Look at us. We look so… romantic.”

He grins. “Do you want to do something romantic too?”

“Ayyy, chuppp….”

He chuckles. “Hmmm. I’m chuppp….”

Vaishali turns to him, a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Surya, if we were stuck in this maze for five days, just the two of us, what would you do?”

His smile widens. “I’d be very happy.”

“Why?”

“Because I’d have the chance to create 99 romantic moments with you.”

She bursts into laughter. “Cheee, Surya! You’re impossible.”

“What happened?” he asks.

“Do you ever think of anything other than romance?”

Surya smirks. “Tell me, why shouldn’t I?”

"I know, only people like you think that way. No other work except romance!

"You’re mistaken, darling. Tell me, what do you think romance means?"

"I know what romance is, sir. Everything we’ve done so far is romance."

"True, but romance isn’t just that. Loving conversations can be romantic too."

"So, if we were stuck here, you’d just talk to me?"

"I love the kind of romance where we simply be together and share moments. It could be anything—you holding my hand for support, me kissing or hugging you, you resting on my shoulder, me wrapping my arm around you, or even just a five-minute chat remembering about old memories. Aren’t all of these romantic?"

"Maybe… maybe not…"

"Vaishu, listen. You decide what makes a moment romantic. If you believe it’s romantic, then it is. If you don’t, then it isn’t."

She rolls her eyes. “And what’s with that number—99?”

“I just said it to make it special.”

Vaishali shakes her head. “Ahhh…, I should kick you.” and she smiles.

Something about Surya’s words stays with her. She has always believed romance was just about kisses and hugs, but now she sees it differently. Romance is in the stolen looks, in the teasing, in the laughter.

Looking into Surya’s eyes, she asks, “Surya, is there any consequence of being too romantic?”