Author's Note:
Sometimes, the heart speaks when we least expect it, and the timing isn't always perfect. This chapter explores the delicate moments when feelings are revealed and how each person experiences love, confusion, and longing differently. I hope you enjoy the emotional rollercoaster and find a little piece of yourself in these characters.
Blurb for the Chapter:
A simple bus ride turns into a moment no one will forget. Unexpected closeness, stolen glances, and hidden feelings come to light as Ravi gathers the courage to confess to Ryu. But how will Ryu respond? And who is quietly watching, hearts quietly breaking? In "Confessions on the Journey," every look, every touch, and every word carries the weight of unspoken emotions.
The bus rumbled steadily along the winding road, sunlight spilling through the windows in shifting patterns, wrapping the sleeping faces of its passengers in a golden glow. The bus settled into a hush of tranquility as the children drifted into sleep.
Ryu and Rey both slept peacefully in their seat.
The sun glowed softly on their faces, making them look gentle and serene. Her wavy black hair brushed against her cheeks, looking like ink spreading on paper. The elders were busy in their usual chatter, whispering about the next stop, unaware of the small world forming in the back seat.
Suddenly, the bus took a sharp turn, and Ryu's head sank into Rey's lap. Both of them woke with a jolt, hearts racing, eyes locking in surprise. Ryu's heartbeat pounded furiously as her gaze got lost in Rey's dark brown eyes. And in that instant, Rey's eyes, too, seemed to get lost in hers.
Ryu's POV
Uff... this sudden incident made my head fall into Rey's lap, and we both woke up from sleep in a shock. My heart started pounding so fast as I stared into Rey's dark brown eyes. I also realized that he kept glancing at my eyes, and that made my cheeks flush a rosy pink.
His constant teasing had always been bothersome, making me roll my eyes, but now... my gaze got completely lost in his. As I shifted slightly, I noticed his cheeks were flustered too, and he quickly tried to hide it from me.
The bus hummed quietly around us, but in that moment, it felt like time had slowed, leaving just the two of us and the sudden closeness that neither of us expected.
Rey's pov:
Ryu head suddenely fall into my lap and this made me wake up . My cheek's got flustered and my eyes got lost into her icy blue eyes . My heart skipped a beat and my mind got lost into her thoughts of how she smiles, how she pouts, how she hum a song and I think i am falling for her little things. She noticed how my cheeks got read and I tried to hide it.
Suddenely , Ryu stooed up and said sorry and fled from there. I was lucky that everyone was still in deep sleep so they didnt notice this. I enjoy the scene with Ryu.
Suddenely , Kabir mom , Avyaan mom and Maya mom woke everyone up and Kabir asked her mother for how much time they were sleeping.
Kabir mom replied Yes , Mr Kumbhkaran for almost 3.5 hours. Kabir murmured mummy don't call me that.
They all burst out laughing.
Ryu asked where they were going?
Ryu grandmother replied that they were going to Devprayag'
Avyaan asked why ?
Siya di pov:
Devpayag is where bhagirathi and alakhnanda river get mixed and ganga river gets originated.
Ryu uncle replied we are reaching there in few minutes.
Everyone got thrilled and then Ryu uncle said that we will visit the temple and we will take dip there and we will leave for our village .
After few minutes the bus stopped at devprayag and everyone rushed outside . Ravi wanted to talk to Ryu about something he wants to share a long time along but Ryu got distracted and left the bus.
Ryu , Maya , Kabir, Avyaan, Rey, Ravi anfd elder and more people walked towards the temple and to pray . Ravi sensing the oppourtunity hold Ryu"s hand and took her to quiet place .
Ravi :Ryu I want to tell you something that I want to tell you for a while?
Ryu asked what do you want to say Ravi? They are waiting for us ?
Ravi pov:
Ravi said: Ryu... I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time, but I guess I never found the right moment. Every time I see you, I feel like the world stops for a second, and nothing else matters. Your laugh, your stubbornness, the way you care about everyone—it all... it all gets to me. I can't ignore it anymore, not even if I tried. I like you, Ryu. I like you more than just a friend, more than I ever thought I could like anyone. And I just... I just had to tell you, because keeping it inside feels impossible.
Ryu puzzeld : What are you saying ?I cant understand.
Ravi : Ryu, I love you .
Ryu : I .. I don't lo...ve and then Ryu left the place.
RYU POV:
What... what just happened? Ravi confessed to me. My mind went completely blank, and for a moment, I couldn't even form words. I don't love him—not like that—but somehow, hearing him say it made my chest tighten. Why now? Why when I had already told him about my feelings... or at least part of them? I wanted to answer him, but my thoughts were tangled, and my feet moved on their own. I just... left.
Even as I walked away, my heart felt heavy, confused. I wasn't hurt, but I wasn't ready either. I kept replaying his words in my mind, trying to make sense of them while pushing down the fluttering unease.
REY POV:
I watched from a distance, unable to move. A part of me ached seeing Ravi pour his heart out to Ryu. I couldn't hear what she said exactly, but I could see the way she left—so fast, so unsettled. My chest tightened. Why did it have to be him? I wanted to run to her, to ask if she was okay, but something held me back. I just stood there, silently wishing I could tell her how I really feel... before someone else did.