The morning sun disturbed my peaceful sleep. As I opened my eyes, I realized I had been sleeping on the sand where we got lost yesterday. Just a few inches away from me, there was no sign of Vaishank. I sat up, still struggling to clear my vision, and spotted him walking here and there, searching for a phone signal.
That's when I noticed I was wrapped not just in my dupatta, but also his jacket. My chest tightened for a second. I sighed, rolled his jacket aside, adjusted my dupatta, and stood up.
"Has no one noticed us yet?" I asked with concern.
He looked at me and exhaled. "I think no."
So… does this mean I have to spend another day here, with him again? Yesterday I already lost control and kissed him. Who knows what might happen today? Oh God, please help us. I lifted my eyes to the sky, as if heaven itself could see us.
"Give me your phone," he said suddenly. I handed it over, and he checked for a signal. At that moment, my stomach rumbled.
"It's okay," I said quickly. "First let's eat something. I feel so hungry."
He looked at me, sighed again, then nodded. A small smile slipped on my face as I opened my bag. Both of us pretended like nothing happened yesterday. He looked normal, like always, and I tried to act the same. I passed him some snacks, and we began to eat.
"What if we get stuck here?" I asked while chewing.
He replied calmly, eyes on the snack packet, "It would be great. I'd get quality time to spend with you."
I froze for a second, then quickly looked away and continued eating.
"Amrita!"
My eyes widened as I heard Sudesh's voice. Me and Vaishank exchanged glances, then I shouted back, "We're here!" Relief filled me when I saw Sudesh, Anita, and Nikhil approaching.
"I knew you guys would come!" I cried, running to hug Sudesh.
He let out a long sigh. "We got scared! Thank God you're both alive."
We followed them back, and finally reached the cars. "The winner is Sudesh," Nikhil announced proudly as Sudesh showed off his stones.
"Okay guys, we should go home quickly. Today is the mehndi function," Anita reminded, her voice tense but expression calm.
Someone was clearly impatient for their wedding.
"Fine, fine, we'll be there before evening," I muttered as we got into the car. Once again, Vaishank could see me through the rearview mirror. Why does this always happen to me? My heart pounded when our eyes met in the mirror, and I quickly looked away.
When we finally reached the mansion, everyone went to their rooms to freshen up. As I took a shower, memories of the kiss and his proposal rushed back to me. The water washed over my body, but inside, a strange feeling grew stronger. Did I… love him? Or was it just affection? Yet there was truth in his words. Genuine, unshakable. My chest tightened, my throat constricted.
I forced the thoughts away, wrapped myself in a towel, slipped into my purple salwar kameez, and stepped out. Anita was busy getting her mehndi done.
"Amrita, come join us! You should apply mehndi too," Sarala aunty said warmly.
I smiled, sat beside Anita, and nodded as she showed me her design.
As the girl applied mehndi to my hands, Vaishank crossed the room. His eyes fell on me. I tried to ignore it, but my stomach twisted, my heartbeat raced. He walked away, but I couldn't stop myself from sighing softly. A smile crept onto my lips.
The mehndi girl noticed and playfully smirked. I tried to control my expression. "What?" I asked, frowning slightly.
She shrugged and continued applying mehndi, but her smile lingered.
Hours passed, and my mehndi dried beautifully. Just then, Nikhil called out, "Amrita."
"What?" I asked.
He handed me a phone. "This is Vaishank's. Can you give it to him? I have to urgently meet my mom now."
I hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Okay."
I wandered through the halls, searching for him, debating if I should just pass it to Sudesh instead. But fate had other plans.
I bumped into someone's chest. My breath hitched when I looked up—it was Vaishank. He inhaled deeply as I stepped back. He raised an eyebrow in silent question.
I extended the phone. He looked at me, then at the phone, and finally reached out. His fingers brushed against mine.
A chill ran down my spine. His touch lingered just a second too long, sliding away slowly.
"Thank you," he said with a faint smirk.
What was with that smile? Did he know what his touch was doing to me?
"You're welcome," I whispered, smiling faintly, unable to meet his eyes. I quickly turned and walked away.
Argh… my heart was racing again. Only with him did I ever feel like this.