33
The narrow trail wound its way past moss-covered rocks and low stone walls, the mist rising in soft veils that blurred the jagged outline of the mountains.
The Isle of Skye felt almost unreal to Vaani, like stepping into the pages of an old folktale—hills rolling endlessly, dotted with sheep grazing lazily, while rivulets of water sparkled as they tumbled down from unseen heights.
Aria, walking arm in arm with Vaani, let out an exaggerated sigh of delight. "Oh my god, this place is everything. Just look at it, Vans. It's like nature decided to flex all at once."
Vaani laughed, nodding. "I know, right? It feels like a painting." Her phone was already in her hand, but for once, she hesitated before snapping another picture, wanting to soak it in.
Behind them, Dhruv and Aditya walked at a slower pace, the two men naturally falling into step. Dhruv, tall and steady, had his hands tucked into his jacket pockets, while Aditya carried a small backpack, swinging one arm casually as he spoke.
"So, what do you do, Dhruv?" Aditya asked, his tone friendly, conversational.
Dhruv glanced at him. "Operations and Finance - in the family company. Investment side of things mostly. A lot of restructuring projects lately."
Aditya's brows rose in recognition. "Ah, corporate life. I used to be in that before I switched gears. I'm in tech now—startups, mostly. A different kind of headache, but I think I like the chaos."
Dhruv gave a short chuckle, just enough to acknowledge the humor. "At least it's your own chaos, right?"
"Exactly!" Aditya grinned. "Corporate chains were choking me. Now, even if things blow up, at least I know it's because of my decisions, not someone in a shiny suit three levels above me."
Dhruv nodded thoughtfully, eyes scanning the misty horizon. "Makes sense. Freedom comes with its own risks, though."
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Aditya replied easily, and the two of them continued in their low-toned conversation, blending talk of career choices with occasional observations about the trail.
Meanwhile, up ahead, Aria was buzzing with her own energy. She tugged at Vaani's sleeve, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Okay, spill. Married life. How's it treating you?"
The question hit Vaani like a small jolt. Her smile wavered before she quickly composed herself, letting out a small laugh. "It's... it's fine. Just a lot of adjustments, you know."
Aria raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced but too wrapped up in her own joy to dig deeper. "Fine? Vans, come on. You've always been such a romantic. I thought you'd give me this long, filmy speech about your new life."
Vaani forced her smile wider. "Well, it's still new. We're figuring it out."
Aria grinned, completely missing the undercurrent. "Fair enough. Honestly, same here. I mean, Adi and I dated for years before we got married, but living together as husband and wife—ugh, it's like discovering whole new sides to each other. Some cute, some... not so cute." She giggled.
"I'm glad you kept Aditya in shadows back at Oxford, some things are better private, until permanent.
" Vaani chuckled softly, though her mind tugged at the contrast. Aria spoke of closeness and discovery, while she herself.
.. she thought of the quiet train rides, the silences stretching too long, the constant hum of Dhruv's phone with work.
Her chest tightened, but she pushed the thought away, not wanting to dampen Aria's infectious mood.
Aria looped both arms through Vaani's this time, almost bouncing as they walked.
"Hain na! Nazar is real! You know, I was telling Adi last night—I can't wait to see where life takes us in five years.
Maybe kids, maybe a little house somewhere by the sea.
What about you? Any big dreams for this marriage? "
Vaani's throat went dry. "Dreams? Uh... nothing fixed yet. Just... trying to balance things, I guess." She gave a soft shrug, as if to lighten the statement. "Work, home, family—it's a lot."
Aria hummed sympathetically but didn't press. She was too caught up in her own bubble of bliss to notice how Vaani's voice softened at the edges, how she kept her eyes on the wet trail instead of looking directly at her.
Behind them, Aditya was saying something about venture funding, gesturing animatedly, while Dhruv responded with calm, measured thoughts. Their conversation sounded almost technical, numbers laced with strategy, a rhythm of two men grounded in their careers, secure in their respective fields.
Vaani glanced back once, catching sight of Dhruv walking a step behind, his face composed as always.
There was no sign of impatience or boredom—he was listening to Aditya intently, offering insights here and there.
And yet, something about that quiet focus pricked at her.
Why does it feel like he's easier to talk to strangers than to me?
The four of them paused at a lookout point, where the land dropped into a dramatic sweep of cliffs, the sea below roaring in foamy waves. The mist curled through the valleys, parting just enough to reveal distant ridges. Aria gasped, pulling out her phone to take a panoramic shot.
"God, it's breathtaking," she said, her voice filled with awe.
Vaani smiled faintly. "Yeah... it really is."
She raised her own phone and clicked a few pictures, but her eyes kept wandering—first to the horizon, then quietly to Dhruv.
He stood a little apart with Aditya, pointing something out across the ridge, his posture relaxed, his profile striking against the gray sky.
He seemed... at ease. Comfortable in a way she rarely saw when it was just the two of them.
The thought sank into her chest like a pebble into water, rippling quietly but persistently.
Aria, oblivious, looped her arm through Vaani's again.
"Promise me, after this trip, you'll come visit us.
Adi and I want to host a proper dinner—we'll go full cheesy newlywed mode, candles and all.
We live in the same city and still we're meeting 2 years after university ended and in another country. "
Vaani laughed softly, masking the heaviness in her chest. "I'll try."
"You better," Aria teased. Then, lowering her voice slightly, she nudged Vaani. "By the way... you look happy, you know. I'm really glad."
The words stung in their sweetness. Vaani forced herself to nod, to smile, to play the role expected of her. But inside, the silence she carried with Dhruv weighed heavier than ever, all the more noticeable against Aria and Aditya's easy joy.
They moved on, the mist thickening around them, conversations splitting and rejoining. Aria's voice bubbled in her ear, while Dhruv and Aditya's calmer tones trailed just behind. To anyone looking, they were two happy couples exploring a breathtaking place.
Only Vaani knew that for her, the scenery was easier to embrace than the distance she felt with the man walking just a few steps away.
The stone path curved along the hillside, crunching under their steps as the mist swirled above them like a shifting veil.
The air smelled of damp earth and wild grass, the kind of freshness that felt almost intoxicating.
A light drizzle hung in the atmosphere, clinging to their coats, though no one seemed to mind.
Aria walked with a bounce in her step, excitement radiating from her every word.
She kept pointing at ridges, at grazing sheep in the distance, at waterfalls trickling down moss-darkened rocks, her voice bubbling with delight.
Aditya humored her, his hand lightly brushing her arm every so often, nodding to her observations.
Vaani, too, found herself smiling more than she expected.
Aria's energy was infectious; it carried her along in its wave.
They spoke about little things—old college memories, mutual friends, funny mishaps during trips.
Aria's laughter came easily, and Vaani found herself laughing along, though her own voice carried a softer note, as if she were half-afraid of being too loud.
Dhruv, walking a step behind, observed quietly.
His gaze lingered on Vaani as she laughed at something Aria said, her eyes lighting up in that way they hadn't for days now.
A strange sense of relief settled into him.
She looks better now. She's laughing.
That's good. The weight pressing on his chest since yesterday eased just a fraction.
It wasn't that he disliked her talking. He just..
. never knew what to say in return. Words often felt heavy on his tongue, unnecessary, while she seemed to carry a language of her own—stories, bursts of excitement, small observations.
He had wondered, fleetingly, if his silences were wearing her down.
But now, seeing her smile, some of that unease slipped away.
For the first time in days, he felt lighter.
"Guys!" Aria suddenly exclaimed, spinning on her heels. "Wait, wait, wait—this spot is perfect for a photo. Look at that backdrop, oh my god."
The group halted. Behind them stretched a dramatic view: rolling green hills falling into a wide valley, mist curling in threads that caught the pale sunlight peeking through. The kind of place postcards failed to capture fully.
Aria didn't waste a second. "Vans, stand there. Trust me, it's gorgeous."
Vaani raised her hands, shaking her head quickly. "No, no, it's okay. You go."
"Excuse me?" Aria gasped, dramatically placing a hand on her chest. "Vaani Joshi saying no to photos? Since when? You were the photo-freak of our college trips—remember Cambridge? You posed every two steps!"
Vaani let out a sheepish laugh, trying to wave it off. "That was years ago, Aria. Now I just... click others."
Dhruv, standing a little to the side, narrowed his eyes slightly. She was right—she hadn't taken many photos of herself during this trip. Most of what he saw were landscapes, cafes, skies... never her. It was curious.
Aria was relentless. "Come on, don't be boring. Stand there. Adi, give me your phone—I'll click. I have no storage."
Vaani glanced at Dhruv briefly, then back at Aria, and finally sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine."
She walked over to the spot Aria pointed at, tugging her trenchcoat tighter around her. She tried to pose casually, a small smile playing on her lips. Aria crouched, tilted, shifted angles, clicking away with the enthusiasm of a professional photographer.
"Ohhh, these are good," Aria declared, scrolling through quickly. "Now wait. Dhruv, come here."
Vaani froze. Her eyes darted to Dhruv instinctively. "Arre—it's okay, Aria," she started, her tone rushed. "Really. No need."
She thought—why would he want to take a photo with me? He hadn't suggested it even once during their days here.
But Dhruv merely shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Sure."
Her heart gave a strange lurch at the casual way he said it, as if it didn't cost him anything. He walked toward her, steady and unhurried. Vaani shifted slightly, her hands fiddling with the hem of her coat. She forced a small smile when he reached her side.
"Closer, guys!" Aria called out, grinning as she framed the shot.
Vaani hesitated, unsure how close was close enough. Her palms grew cold. She told herself it was just a photo, but her body refused to move naturally.
Dhruv, noticing the pause, stepped in. And then, with a movement so natural it startled her, his hand settled lightly on her waist.
Her breath caught. Goosebumps ran across her skin, heat rushing to her cheeks. She didn't dare look at him—afraid he would notice her reaction, afraid he wouldn't.
Instead, she fixed her gaze at Aria's phone and smiled. Her lips curved, but her pulse drummed loud in her ears. Dhruv, too, allowed a small smile to touch his face, easy, almost practiced. Together they stood, framed by mist and hills, as Aria clicked away.
"Yes! Beautiful!" Aria cheered. "This is such a cute shot. You two look amazing."
"She's very enthusiastic," he remarked quietly to Vaani, almost an aside.
Vaani looked up at him, her lips tugging into a small, reluctant smile. "Yeah... she is."
Before she could say more, Aria squealed again. "Wait, wait—you have to see this one." She rushed over, holding the phone out.
Dhruv stepped back slightly, his hand slipping away from her waist as though it had never been there. The sudden absence left a trace of chill on her side as they walked over to Aria.
On the screen was a candid—one Aria had snapped between poses. Dhruv's hand still rested on Vaani's waist, but instead of looking at the camera, he was glancing down at her. And Vaani, caught mid-smile, was looking up at him.
There was something soft in the frame, something unplanned. The mist in the background blurred just enough to make them the focal point. Two people, standing close, their expressions holding a tenderness neither had noticed in the moment.
"Guys," Aria said, her voice triumphant, "this is honestly frame-worthy. You two are so cute!"
The words hung in the air. Vaani's stomach flipped as she glanced at Dhruv. He was looking at the photo with an unreadable expression, then at her, just briefly, before turning back to Aria.
Vaani quickly cleared her throat. "Aria, now you go stand with Aditya. Your turn."
Aria laughed, oblivious to the tension. "Fair enough." She bounded back to Aditya, dragging him into place, the two of them posing playfully as Vaani clicked their pictures.
But her fingers trembled slightly around the phone. She couldn't shake the feel of his hand at her waist, the warmth of it lingering longer than it should. Nor could she forget the way he had looked at her in that candid—so naturally, so unguarded.
She told herself it was nothing. Just a photo. Just a moment. But as she handed the phone back to Aria, her chest tightened with a realization she didn't want to admit.
That even in silence, even in the smallest gestures, he had the power to leave her utterly unsettled.
~·~
The café Aria led them to looked like something out of a painting—warm, timber-framed walls with ivy trailing down the stone, and windows fogged up from the heat inside contrasting against the chilly Isle of Skye air.
The little bell above the door tinkled as the four of them stepped in, brushing the drizzle off their coats.
Inside, the scent of freshly ground coffee beans mingled with the sweet fragrance of scones and cinnamon. The wooden floor creaked softly under their boots, and every corner of the café was filled with a cozy hum—low conversations, the occasional burst of laughter, the hiss of milk being steamed.
They slid into a corner booth, its cushions worn but comfortable. A candle flickered in a small glass jar at the center of the table, casting a golden glow across their faces.
"This is perfect," Aria sighed happily, rubbing her hands together. "Warmth, coffee, food—what else does one need?"
Aditya chuckled and picked up the menu. Dhruv and Vaani followed suit, flipping through the pages. It was all hearty Scottish fare—rice, coffee, pies, thick sandwiches.
"I'm going for the manchow soup," Vaani said softly, glancing at Dhruv. "What about you?"
"Probably the Hakka noodles," he replied after a pause, setting the menu down.
Aria was already flagging the waitress down, rattling off her order with the confidence of someone who had done this countless times on their travels. Aditya followed smoothly. Dhruv ordered next, then Vaani, before handing their menus back with a polite nod.
They sat back, relaxing into the atmosphere.
The candlelight flickered, casting soft shadows across the table.
Aria leaned forward, animated as always, talking about how she and Aditya had planned their honeymoon—how they debated between Santorini and Scotland before deciding they wanted something quieter, something greener.
Vaani listened with a small smile, chiming in every now and then. But when her phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with "Aai," she reached for it immediately.
"Guys, Mom's calling," she said, standing. "I'll be back in a bit."
Aria waved her off cheerfully. "Go, go. Moms can't wait."
Vaani slipped out of the booth and stepped toward the café's small back corridor where the restrooms were, quieter and more private for her call.
For a moment, silence settled at the table. Then Aria leaned forward, eyes twinkling with mischief.
"So, Dhruv," she said. "How's it going? With Vaani?"
Dhruv, caught slightly off guard, blinked once before answering in his calm, measured tone. "It's going alright."
Aria laughed, shaking her head. "Alright?
That's all you've got?" She sipped her coffee dramatically.
"I'll tell you what—back in college, Vaani would always be talking about weddings.
Always. I mean, she made my engagement about her ideas for a wedding.
It was almost as if she couldn't wait to get married herself. "
Dhruv's lips pressed together slightly, though he said nothing.
Aria leaned back, continuing with a nostalgic smile. "I remember in Oxford, she'd go on and on—'my wedding dress this, my mandap that, I'll do this for my mehendi, that for my sangeet'... she had every detail in her head already. It was... honestly adorable."
Dhruv's gaze lowered to the coffee cup before him, his fingers lightly tracing the rim.
So different, he thought. Because the Vaani he'd been with these past few days wasn't brimming with plans or excitement.
She didn't ask for anything, didn't seem to want much.
If anything, she seemed more withdrawn, more cautious.
"Though you," Aria went on, pointing her spoon playfully at him, "you're the opposite. So silent! How are you managing with Vaani, then? She's got no mute button."
That drew a quiet chuckle out of him, a small huff of laughter that escaped despite himself. He shook his head faintly. "She... she does talk a lot."
Aditya raised his brows, glancing at Dhruv and then at Aria. "Really? She seems quiet to me."
"No way," Aria shot back immediately. "Not at all! I don't know why she's been so... toned down today. Maybe it's you guys being newly married? But trust me, she's not a silent person. Not even close. She could out-talk the both of us combined on any given day."
Dhruv didn't respond right away. He only looked down at his hands, resting on the table, his thumb absently moving over his knuckle. A flicker of thought pressed at him: Why hasn't she? Why hadn't she been like that here? Around him?
Aria softened a little then, stirring her coffee slowly. "I think... she's constantly just carrying her family on her back. She does everything for them, no matter what. Maybe that's what's weighed her down now. Makes her seem quieter, less like herself."
Dhruv's eyes lifted slightly at that. Something about the way she said it stayed with him.
He thought of the times he'd seen Vaani sigh when she thought no one was watching, the way her face grew distant when she was staring out at the Scottish hills, how tired she looked at night when she believed he was asleep.
He didn't say anything. But it echoed in his chest.
Just then, Vaani returned, slipping her phone back into her coat pocket. "What did I miss?" she asked lightly, sliding back into her seat.
"Arre, nothing," Aria said quickly, waving a hand with her signature grin. "We were just chatting nonsense. Sit, sit. Food's coming soon."
Vaani smiled and reached for her glass of water, taking a sip. She glanced between them, sensing a shift but not prying.
The waitress arrived then with steaming bowls and plates, placing them carefully onto the table. Manchow soup for Vaani, its aroma warm and comforting; the Hakka noodles for Dhruv, flakey crust steaming; scones and sandwiches for Aria and Aditya.
Conversation picked back up easily. They spoke about work, about the quirks of living in the UK, about travel dreams. Aria dominated most of the conversation, Aditya adding in with dry humor that kept her in check.
Vaani contributed where she could, smiling politely, while Dhruv mostly listened, occasionally inserting a comment or two when asked.
From the outside, it was just four friends sharing a meal in a café, laughter weaving through their words. But inside, Dhruv's thoughts kept circling back to what Aria had said.
She used to talk about weddings all the time. She couldn't wait to be married.
And here she was—his wife, across the table—sipping her soup quietly, her lashes lowered as if retreating into herself.
The disconnect tugged at him. A quiet realization pressed in: whatever he thought he knew of her... maybe he barely knew at all.
The food was halfway done by now. The bowls were nearly empty, plates scraped with knives and forks, and the warmth of the café had sunk deep into their bones. Conversation had grown easier, flowing with the rhythm of clinking cutlery and the occasional burst of laughter from a nearby table.
Aria, as always, was the most animated. Her hands moved when she talked, her voice rising and falling with energy. Aditya mostly looked at her fondly, adding dry one-liners that kept her in check, which only made her laugh harder.
Vaani was seated diagonally across from her, spooning the last of her soup, when Aria's eyes suddenly lit up with mischief. She leaned forward, lowering her voice as if about to reveal state secrets.
"Do you guys want to hear something hilarious about Vaani from college?" she asked, eyes darting between Aditya and Dhruv.
Vaani nearly choked on her sip of water. "Aria, no. Absolutely not."
Aditya perked up instantly, grinning. "Oh, I'm listening."
Dhruv, quiet as ever, tilted his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips as if amused already by Vaani's reaction.
Aria ignored Vaani's protest and dove straight in. "So... it was second semester, right? Oxford. Vaani had this massive crush on a TA in one of her classes. Massive. Like, she wouldn't shut up about him."
Vaani covered her face with both hands, groaning. "Aria, please—"
Aria laughed so hard she had to pause. "Wait, wait, it gets better.
So one day, Vans decides she's going to impress him.
She spends hours planning this whole outfit.
New dress, hair perfectly curled, even heels in the freezing rain.
And then... wait for it... she trips on the cobblestones right in front of him. Flat. On. Her. Face."
Aditya burst into laughter, almost spilling his tea. "No way!"
Aria clapped her hands, reliving the memory. "Yes way! And the poor TA—bless him—he rushed to help her up, all polite, and what does Vaani do? Instead of thanking him, she blurts out, 'Your handwriting is really nice.'"
The whole table erupted. Aditya was nearly choking with laughter, Aria was wiping tears, and even Dhruv, composed as he was, let out a low chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling in quiet amusement.
Vaani's face was crimson. She peeked out from behind her hands, groaning. "I hate you, Aria. You're the worst. And guys," she said addressing everyone, "I didn't have a huge crush, okay? It was just a small infatuation because he looked good. That's it!"
Aria only cackled louder. "Oh, right! sure sure! Come on, Vans. You were adorable. So earnest, so hopelessly dramatic. Don't pretend you don't laugh about it now."
"I do not laugh about it," Vaani muttered, glaring, though the pink in her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment more than anger.
Dhruv's gaze lingered on her a moment longer than usual.
He could picture it—her younger self, full of energy, dramatic, bold enough to try, to chase after things, to throw herself into life even if it meant falling on cobblestones.
And now... she sat here, quiet, reserved, almost hiding behind her smile.
It was funny, yes. But beneath the humor, something stirred inside him. A small dissonance, a curiosity tugging at his thoughts.
He leaned back, still faintly smiling from the story, but inwardly wondering. What happened to her?
Aria moved on to another memory, telling Aditya about their late-night study sessions that turned into dance parties, how Vaani once made everyone rehearse a wedding entrance for fun. Dhruv listened, filing away every detail, each piece of Vaani that he hadn't seen yet.
Vaani tried to keep her composure, laughing lightly here and there, but he noticed the way she avoided his eyes. She was embarrassed, but there was also a quiet ache, as if the reminder of her old self didn't sit easily on her shoulders anymore.
When the laughter died down, Dhruv reached for his glass of water, his voice calm but carrying a question beneath the casualness. "You seemed... very different back then."
Vaani glanced up, caught off guard, then quickly looked back at her soup bowl as if the remnants there could save her. "College was... different."
Aria didn't pick up on the weight in the words. She jumped in, oblivious. "Different? You mean you were wild. Vans was always the life of the group. She couldn't stand silence for more than a minute."
Silence. The word lingered.
Dhruv's jaw tightened slightly, though his expression didn't change much. He thought back to their quiet meals, their long train rides where she filled the silence not with chatter but with sighs and scrolling on her phone. Not once had she been that "life of the group" Aria described.
So why isn't she now?
As Aria and Aditya slipped back into their own little bubble of chatter, Dhruv found his thoughts spiraling. Aria's earlier words came back like a shadow: She's constantly just carrying and doing things for her family. It must have weighed her down.
He glanced at Vaani again. She was half-smiling at something Aria had said, but there was a hollowness to it, a thinness like paper.
What burden are you carrying, Vaani? he thought. What's weighing you down so much that you're not yourself anymore?
More pressing than that—did her parents even know? Or was she, like he suspected, quietly drowning under responsibilities no one saw?
He didn't ask. Not yet. The table wasn't the place, and Vaani already looked too fragile beneath Aria's playful teasing. But the question stayed with him, threading itself deep into his chest.
Aria launched into another story, about the time Vaani got locked out of her dorm in pajamas, waving frantically at the window for someone to let her in. Aditya laughed, Dhruv gave another quiet chuckle, and Vaani buried her face in her hands yet again.
The laughter was easy, but Dhruv's mind wasn't at ease.
He watched her carefully in those small, unnoticed moments—the way her fingers twisted in her lap when she wasn't holding her spoon, the quick downward flicker of her gaze whenever she caught him looking.
Everyone else saw the fun, the humor, the college memories. He saw the cracks.
And for the first time, he wondered if he should do something about it.
~·~
The laughter and hum of the cozy café still lingered faintly in Vaani's ears when she glanced at her phone, checking the time almost by instinct. The glowing numbers startled her.
"Goodness," she exclaimed, sitting up straighter. "It's already 5:15. We need to get to the train station before six. Our train is at six sharp."
Aria groaned dramatically, slumping against her husband. "No way. Time just flew."
"It did," Vaani admitted with a small, rueful laugh, tucking her phone away. There was a pang in her chest, realizing how quickly the day had passed in this rare reunion.
They pushed their chairs back, gathering coats and scarves.
The café door jingled as they stepped into the crisp air, a low breeze sweeping across the cobblestone street.
The horizon was painted with soft hues of early evening—burnt orange streaking into pale blue, clouds glowing faintly like embers.
"Wait!" Aria suddenly chirped, digging her phone out of her bag. "Before you leave, we have to get a group selfie. No excuses."
Vaani smiled, indulging her friend. "Of course."
They shuffled together, positioning themselves near the café's rustic stone wall where the light hit just right.
Aditya looped his arm around Aria, and Dhruv—quiet as ever—stepped behind Vaani, naturally filling the space beside her.
His presence was steady, almost grounding, and she felt his nearness before she even saw him on the phone screen.
"Okay, everyone smile!" Aria stretched her arm out, tapping the shutter. Four bright faces froze into pixels—the brief slice of time captured, laughter and quietness both folded into it.
Aria looked at the photo and beamed. "Perfect. I'm framing this one."
"Alright," Vaani said gently, her practical side surfacing again. "We really should head now."
The goodbyes began—Aria immediately wrapped Vaani in a warm hug, squeezing tight. "Stay in touch, okay? Don't disappear this time."
"I won't," Vaani promised, returning the hug with just as much warmth.
But before she pulled back, Aria lowered her voice just enough for only her to hear. "And Vaani... open up to Dhruv. Don't be scared. I know arranged marriages feel scary in the beginning, and I might not be the perfect person to give this lecture—but just relax. It'll get better. Just trust him."
Vaani froze for a heartbeat. The words cut too close, as if Aria had peered straight into the quiet storm she carried inside. But she schooled her features quickly, only giving a small nod and a soft "Yeah." Her voice almost cracked, but she masked it with a smile.
Aria pulled back, oblivious to the tremor inside her. She turned and hugged Aditya's arm, then flashed a grin at Dhruv. "Bye, you two. Take care."
"Bye," Vaani echoed quickly, moving to hug Aditya politely.
"Safe travels," Aditya said with an easy smile.
Dhruv gave him a polite nod, shaking his hand firmly. "It was nice meeting you."
The goodbyes settled into the cool evening air, fading as the couples turned in opposite directions.
For a while, neither Vaani nor Dhruv spoke as they walked.
The cobblestones clacked beneath her boots, the chill brushing her cheeks.
She felt lighter—meeting Aria after so long had lifted something inside her.
A forgotten piece of her, the part that laughed easily and embraced life openly, had surfaced for a brief few hours.
She found herself smiling faintly, remembering Aria's antics, her teasing. She smiled even more when she thought of the photo they'd just taken—all of them together.
Dhruv noticed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the small curve of her lips, the way her eyes softened at the memory she carried. She looked almost... different. Not the quiet, withdrawn woman he'd spent most of the trip with.
But he didn't say anything, not yet. He was too caught up in his own thoughts—Aria's words echoing, the things she had hinted about Vaani, the glimpses of her younger self that seemed so far from the present.
"Do you know the way to the station?" Vaani asked after a while, glancing at him.
"Yeah," Dhruv replied, his voice low but steady. "I know."
She nodded, adjusting the strap of her bag and continuing ahead, her steps brisk with purpose.
But after a few paces, his voice stopped her.
"Vaani."
She turned, her brows lifting in faint surprise. "Hm?"
He hesitated for only a breath, then asked, "You okay?"
For a split second, she didn't know how to answer. The instinctive "yes" sat ready on her tongue, a reflex she had practiced too many times. But his gaze was steady, not probing, not pressing—just... waiting.
So she nodded softly. "Yeah. I'm okay."
His eyes lingered on hers for a moment longer, as if searching for something she wasn't ready to show. Then he gave a small nod too. "If there's anything... you can tell me."
Something fluttered in her chest at that—not his words exactly, but the way he said them. Quiet, almost awkward, yet earnest. Like he wasn't used to saying such things, but meant them all the same.
She looked at him for a moment, her lips pressing together. Then she gave him a small smile, gentle and restrained. "Yeah."
That was all she said.
He didn't push further. He simply accepted her answer, even though a part of him knew there was more she wasn't saying.
They continued on, side by side this time, until the station came into view. The crowd had already started gathering, tourists and locals alike pulling luggage, sipping coffee, glancing up at the big clock tower ticking steadily toward six.
They showed their tickets, boarded, and found their seats. The train hummed beneath them, readying for its journey back.
Vaani settled by the window, pressing her bag to her lap, watching the swirl of people outside. Dhruv sat beside her, pulling his jacket closer, his phone tucked away for once.
The moment felt fragile. Not filled with chatter, not entirely silent either. Just... suspended.
And for the first time in a while, as the train shuddered to life, both of them seemed to sit with the awareness of the space between them—something unsaid, lingering, waiting for the right moment to break free.
??