44
The next morning sunlight spilled gently through the curtains, warming the quiet bedroom.
Vaani stirred awake slowly, blinking against the soft light.
She reached for her phone on the bedside table, her hand brushing against the cool screen.
First instinct — check for any unread messages.
Nothing. Dhruv must still be asleep, she thought.
Cairo time was behind hers, after all. She smiled faintly, put the phone back down, and pushed herself out of bed.
Her morning routine was almost automatic now.
Shower. Dry hair. Simple cotton kurta. She padded into the kitchen, started the kettle, and then paused, staring at the silence of the apartment.
The quiet was pressing in. She missed the little hum of conversation, even if Dhruv wasn't much of a talker.
That's when it hit her. I need a distraction today. A whole day outside.
She picked up her phone again and scrolled through her contacts.
Three names she didn't even have to think twice about: Ria, Simran, and Naina.
Her constants. Her best friends since college days.
They all lived in Dubai too, scattered across different parts of the city, but still knitted tightly into her life.
She dialed the group call.
"Hellooo," Ria's bright voice chimed first.
"Morning!" Simran joined in, her tone still laced with sleep.
"Arre what's going on, why so early?" Naina yawned into the speaker.
Vaani laughed. "It's not early, it's almost nine already. Listen, I am so bored today. Are you guys free?"
"Ooo," Ria dragged the word out mischievously. "Bored Vaani means spontaneous plans!"
Simran chuckled. "I actually don't have anything today. Work-free Saturday for once."
"Same," Naina said, voice sharpening as the sleepiness lifted. "My mom was telling me to come shopping with her, but if you're planning something, count me in. What's the plan?"
Vaani grinned, pacing in her living room with the phone on speaker. "That's what I'm calling you for. Let's plan a day out. Full day. Just us."
"Yes!" Ria squealed. "Okay options, options."
"Beach?" Simran suggested first. "We could do Jbr, chill, eat, maybe a boat ride?"
Naina hummed. "We always do beaches though. How about something different this time?"
"Desert safari?" Ria offered. "Dune bashing, camel rides, all that?"
Vaani wrinkled her nose though they couldn't see it. "Hmm... feels very touristy. I want something more... adventure plus scenic."
There was a pause as they all thought. Then Simran gasped. "Guys. Jebel Jais."
The line erupted.
"Oooo!" Ria's voice was instantly excited. "Yes yes yes! That's perfect."
"Finally!" Naina clapped through the mic. "I've been wanting to do that drive for ages. The roads, the views... everything."
Vaani's smile widened, her heart lifting at their collective excitement. "Exactly! We'll do a proper road trip. Stop for pictures, chai breaks, the works."
"Deal!" Ria confirmed immediately. "Okay logistics—my Jeep can handle the mountain drive best. I'll pick everyone up. Meet at Vaani's by 10am?"
"Perfect," Naina said. "I'll bring snacks. Chips, cookies, maybe some fruit."
"I'll get cold drinks and water bottles," Simran added quickly.
"And I..." Vaani said thoughtfully, glancing toward the kitchen, "I'll make masala chai for all of us to have on the road. The thermos is ready. Fresh. Kickstart to the road trip."
"Wah!" Ria exclaimed. "Best start. Okay done, done, done. We leave sharp at 10:30, no delays!"
Naina laughed. "Sharp and you in one sentence? Please, Ria."
"I'll prove you wrong!" Ria declared. "See you guys at 10. Wear comfy clothes, sneakers. Road trip, baby!"
The call ended in a mess of laughter and overlapping goodbyes.
Vaani set her phone down and just stood there for a moment, buzzing with excitement. It felt good. Different. For the first time since Dhruv left, she felt lighthearted instead of restless.
She hurried into the kitchen, filling the kettle again for her morning chai. But today there was an extra bounce in her step. While the water heated, she pulled her laptop onto the counter and typed into the search bar: Things to do in Jebel Jais.
The results made her eyes widen.
"Longest zipline in the world?" she murmured, clicking through the images. The view of the mountains stretched endlessly, rugged and golden under the sun. "Oh wow... we have to try this."
She scrolled further. Hiking trails, viewing decks, adventure park setups, little cafes tucked in the corners of the roads.
She grinned. Her friends would love this.
The kettle whistled, snapping her out of her scrolling. She poured the hot water, added tea leaves, crushed ginger, cardamom, and let the aroma fill the kitchen. As the chai simmered, she kept scrolling, noting things aloud to herself.
"Viewing deck park at the top... okay we'll stop there for sure. Sunset shots will be beautiful. Oh and zipline—I wonder if the girls will be brave enough. Ria definitely. Naina maybe. Simran... hmm, questionable." She chuckled softly to herself.
Pouring her cup, she leaned against the counter, sipping slowly while the excitement ran through her veins. For the first time in days, the apartment didn't feel silent or heavy. It felt like the starting point of something fun, something that was hers.
And though a small part of her thought of Dhruv, wondered what he'd say if he knew she was heading on a spontaneous road trip—she smiled to herself. He'd probably just nod and say "hmm" the way he always does.
She laughed softly at the thought, finished her chai, and started getting ready.
Today was going to be hers.
30 minutes later, Vaani stood in front of the mirror, holding up two pairs of shoes. One was her usual running pair, comfortable but a little worn out. The other—newer, sturdier, bought specifically for hikes but barely used. She bit her lip.
"Today deserves the newer ones," she whispered to herself, sliding her feet into the second pair. The snug fit instantly gave her a rush of confidence.
She had already picked her outfit with care: black sports leggings that stretched just right, a pale blue tank top that brought out the warmth in her complexion, and a light white jacket tied around her waist just in case the mountain breeze turned sharp.
She tied her hair up in a neat high ponytail, slipped on her watch, and slung a small backpack over her shoulders.
When she finally stepped back and looked at her reflection, she felt a little smile tugging at her lips. Not bad, Deshmukh. You clean up well for an adventure.
Just as she was fixing a stray strand of hair, the doorbell rang.
"Coming!" she called, padding to the door and pulling it open.
On the other side stood Simran and Naina, both dressed in casual sporty outfits too. Simran wore a loose oversized tee tucked into joggers with sneakers, her hair braided into a neat plait. Naina had gone for chic comfort—shorts with a fitted top and a cap pulled low.
The moment they stepped inside, both gasped dramatically.
"Broooo, this place is so gooood," Simran exclaimed, spinning slowly as she took in the airy apartment.
"Wow, Vaani!" Naina said, eyes wide. "How do you even keep it this neat? It looks like one of those model apartments they show in magazines."
Vaani laughed nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Arre, it's nothing... just, you know, I had time. So I did some cleaning."
"Some cleaning?!" Simran raised her eyebrows. "This looks like a five-star hotel suite. If I had this, I wouldn't want to step out."
Naina smirked, giving Vaani a sly glance. "Speaking of stepping out... where's Dhruv? I thought we'd meet him today."
The question made Vaani pause. She shifted her bag on her shoulder before answering. "Arre, he's in Egypt. Work trip. Left a couple of days ago."
"Ohhh," both her friends chorused, their eyes softening.
"So you're just... chilling here alone?" Simran asked.
Vaani nodded with a small sigh. "Yep. Just me. And honestly—it's lonely. I didn't realize how quiet it would feel when he's not here."
Her words hung in the air for a second. Simran and Naina exchanged a quick glance before bounding over to her.
"Don't worry, we got you!" Naina declared, slinging an arm around Vaani's shoulders.
"Exactly," Simran added warmly. "Today's for you. You won't even remember you're alone."
Before Vaani could answer, her phone buzzed loudly with Ria's name flashing on the screen. She swiped it open.
"Hellooo?"
"Madam," Ria's voice came through, teasing and cheerful. "I'm down. Jeep's waiting. Get your butts downstairs."
Vaani laughed. "Okay, okay. We're coming."
She ended the call and looked at her friends. "She's here."
"Let's go then!" Simran clapped her hands together.
Quickly, the three of them grabbed their bags. Vaani double-checked her apartment out of habit—gas switches turned off, curtains drawn halfway, shoes neatly aligned by the door. She locked up, slid the keys into her bag, and they made their way to the lift, their voices echoing in the corridor.
The ride down was filled with chatter already.
"Do you think Ria's actually on time today?" Naina teased.
Vaani chuckled. "For once, yes. She called me right on time."
When the lift doors opened, the sight that greeted them made Vaani grin. Ria leaned casually against her dark green Jeep Wrangler, sunglasses perched on her head, dressed in leggings and a fitted crop tee. She looked every bit the road trip driver.
"There's my squad!" Ria shouted dramatically, arms opening wide.
"Driver's here!" Naina quipped, waving exaggeratedly.
Ria rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Shut up and get in. I even speed cleaned the Jeep today."
Simran walked around the vehicle, whistling. "Damn, Ria, she's gleaming. You love this car more than anything, don't you?"
"Correction," Ria said smugly, tapping the hood, "more than anyone."
They all burst into laughter, piling in—Ria sliding into the driver's seat, Simran calling shotgun, and Naina and Vaani climbing into the back. The doors slammed shut with a satisfying thud, and the engine roared to life.
The girls looked at each other, grins spreading wide. The adventure had begun.
The Jeep roared down the Dubai highway, the desert stretching out on both sides like a golden sea. The AC blasted cool air, but the windows were cracked just enough for the wind to rush in, carrying with it the scent of sand and freedom.
Ria tapped the steering wheel to the beat, sunglasses back on, hair flying in the slight wind. Simran leaned forward from the passenger seat, scrolling through the playlist on her phone, while Naina and Vaani lounged in the back, already giggling.
"Okay, okay, enough with the English songs," Simran announced dramatically. "Today, only Bollywood. Road trips without Bollywood are illegal."
"Yes!" Ria cheered. "I second this motion."
Naina clapped. "Approved. Now play something good."
Simran grinned wickedly and pressed play. Instantly, the opening beats of Sooraj Dooba Hai filled the Jeep.
"Areeeee!" Ria shouted, turning up the volume.
All four of them broke into song, voices off-key but full of energy:
"SOORAJ DOOBA HAI YAARO DO GHOOT NASHE KE MAAROOOO..... "
Ria drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, her body swaying. Simran leaned halfway out the window, hair whipping around, singing at the top of her lungs. Naina, laughing, pulled Vaani's hand up and made her wave it in the air to the beat.
"Party karne ki hai raat...!!" they all screamed together, out of tune but deliriously happy.
Vaani found herself laughing so hard her stomach hurt. For the first time since Dhruv left, she wasn't thinking of the silence in the house, or how empty the evenings felt. Right now, there was just music, laughter, and the endless road ahead.
Song after song followed—Dil Chahta Hai, Gallan Goodiyan, Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main. Their voices cracked, their throats turned dry, but they didn't care. They sang as if the desert itself was their audience.
Meanwhile, in Egypt...
Dhruv sat on the back seat of a car with Aarav beside him, the city of Cairo buzzing past the windows.
His phone was in his hand, his thumb absentmindedly scrolling.
Between calls, meetings, and the constant back-and-forth of schedules, he rarely allowed distractions. But today was different.
He clicked open WhatsApp and scrolled to Vaani's chat. The message he had sent in the morning still stared back at him.
Did you have breakfast?
Sent one hour ago. Two ticks. No reply.
Dhruv frowned slightly, his thumb hovering. She must be busy... right?
Aarav glanced at him, smirking. "Checking the markets or waiting for a reply?"
Dhruv didn't look up. "Markets."
"Right." Aarav leaned back, clearly amused but letting it go.
Inside, though, Dhruv was debating. Should he send another message? Or would that look... impatient? His jaw tightened. It wasn't about impatience—it was about knowing if she was okay.
Finally, he typed:
Hi. Is everything okay?
The message went. Two ticks again. Still no reply.
He leaned back against the seat, exhaling slowly. Relax, man. She has a life outside being your wife. She's probably relaxing, maybe with her friends. You don't need to check every hour.
Yet, as the car weaved through Cairo traffic, Dhruv's gaze kept flickering back to the phone screen, as if expecting it to light up.
~·~
The song changed to Gallan Goodiyan, and the car erupted again. Ria slapped the steering wheel in time with the beats, while Simran half-turned to scream into the backseat.
"VAANI, YOUR TURN!"
"What?!" Vaani shouted, laughing.
"Sing, bro!" Naina insisted, holding an imaginary mic to her mouth.
Vaani shook her head, cheeks heating, but then—caught in the mood—she gave in. She belted out a few lines, voice cracking, and all three of them screamed in mock admiration.
"Wah wah wah!" Ria hollered. "Madam Deshmukh on fire!"
The Jeep rocked with their laughter. The road stretched endlessly ahead, the mountains faintly visible in the distance.
For Vaani, the hours melted away. The breeze tangled her hair, her cheeks hurt from smiling, and her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. She had almost forgotten about her phone tucked in her bag, vibrating silently as Dhruv's second message went unnoticed.
~·~
The afternoon sun burned bright against sandstone buildings as Dhruv and Aarav stepped out of yet another meeting. They were supposed to head to a local site visit, but Dhruv's thoughts weren't entirely there.
He unlocked his phone casually, pretending it was just habit.
Still no reply.
He stared at the screen a second longer before sliding it back into his pocket. His face remained its usual composed self, but something in his chest tugged.
He told himself the same thing again: She's fine. She has her own life. You don't need to worry.
And yet... every few minutes, his hand drifted toward the phone again, almost unconsciously.
Meanwhile, the Jeep raced on, music thumping, the girls' voices rising in unison against the hum of the desert road. For Vaani, the day felt alive. For Dhruv, thousands of miles away, time stretched just a little slower, his thoughts circling around one unread chat.
The Jeep swayed a little as Ria took a wide turn, the music blasting so loud the doors practically vibrated.
Simran was screaming "Gallan Goodiyan!" into the wind, Naina thumping the seat to the beat.
Vaani, caught between laughing and singing, reached for her bag almost absently when she felt a buzz against her leg.
Her phone screen lit up.
Two unread messages.
From Dhruv Deshmukh.
Her chest tightened before she even read them.
Did you have breakfast? — sent hours ago.
Hi. Is everything okay? — sent just an hour back.
Vaani blinked at the screen, her heart dropping.
I didn't even check my phone since we planned the trip.
She bit her lip, guilt pricking her chest. He'd messaged twice.
Twice. Dhruv, who barely spoke more than necessary, who kept everything sharp and efficient like his work emails—he'd actually checked in on her, and she hadn't replied.
Her thumb hovered over the keyboard. What should she even say? "Sorry, I was busy"? But she wasn't busy—not really. She was singing Bollywood songs with her friends, while her husband somewhere far away in Egypt was probably wondering why she hadn't even bothered to reply.
Her friends were still yelling lyrics around her, but her focus blurred. For a moment, it was just her and that blinking cursor on the phone screen.
Should I tell him I was with my friends? Should I just keep it simple? Will he think I was ignoring him?
The memory of last night, his calm "Goodnight Vaani," flashed in her mind. That strangely warm weight in her chest when she had said goodnight back. And now—she hadn't replied for hours.
Vaani sighed, her fingers tightening around the phone.
Naina suddenly leaned over, poking her arm. "Brooo, what's with your face? Who texted you?"
Vaani quickly locked the screen, forcing a smile. "Nothing, just... work stuff."
Simran twisted back from the front seat, grinning. "Liar. That's your husband, isn't it? Look at that blush!"
"I'm not blushing!" Vaani protested, pressing her phone to her lap defensively. Her ears, however, betrayed her, heating up as the girls howled in laughter.
Ria, never missing a chance to tease, shouted over the music: "Dhruv ji missing biwi ji from Egypt?!"
"Shut up!" Vaani said, but she was laughing too, the guilt softening slightly. She glanced back at the screen, still debating. What do I even say...
The road stretched endlessly ahead, the mountains of Jebel Jais drawing closer, but in Vaani's chest there was only one thought circling:
He messaged me twice. And I left him waiting.
The Jeep rattled a little as it climbed higher on the winding mountain road, the music still loud but now mixed with bursts of laughter and the occasional shriek when Ria took a curve too fast. Vaani sat in the backseat between Naina and a pile of bags, her phone resting in her hands.
The unread messages from Dhruv glowed on the screen, tugging at her more than she wanted to admit. Should I type? But then they'll keep asking what I'm doing. If I start writing a long message, they'll peek into my phone, tease me more. Ugh.
Then, without overthinking, she pressed the little microphone button and held it close. Her voice came out a little rushed, background noise of Bollywood beats and her friends' chatter spilling in.
"Dhruv... sorry," she said quickly, her words tumbling out. "Ria, Simran, Naina and I made a spontaneous Jebal Jais plan and I was just getting ready—we left an hour ago. I didn't check my phone. Sorry!"
She let go of the button and stared at the screen. The message was sent. A small wave of anxiety hit her—I had never sent him a voice message before. Would he find it weird? Would he think I was being careless?
But there was no time to linger. Ria suddenly yelled from the driver's seat, "Next song, DJ Simran!" and the Jeep filled again with music.
Meanwhile in Cairo...
Dhruv had just stepped into the hotel lobby after wrapping up an informal chat with a client. The air inside was cool, a relief from the heavy desert heat outside. He loosened his collar slightly as he walked toward the elevator, scrolling through his phone.
Then—ting.
A new message. From Vaani Deshmukh.
His brows furrowed. A voice note. She had never sent him one before. His thumb hesitated above the play button for a second. Is she okay?
He pressed it.
Her voice filled his ears, rushed but familiar. "Dhruv... sorry. Ria, Simran, Naina and I made a spontaneous Jebal Jais plan and I was just getting ready—we left an hour ago. I didn't check my phone. Sorry!"
Behind her voice, he could hear the muffled chaos of friends laughing, the thrum of a song, the echo of a car ride.
And just like that, something inside him softened. He hadn't even realized it until now—but hearing her, so alive, so present, eased that restless knot in his chest.
His lips curved slightly into a smile. Without giving it too much thought, he typed back:
No worries, have fun.
In the Jeep again...
Vaani's phone vibrated, and she quickly unlocked it.
No worries, have fun.
Her heart skipped. She stared at the words. That's it? He doesn't sound angry... but what if he's masking it? She knew Dhruv wasn't the type to write long sentences, but something in her wanted more reassurance.
So she quickly typed:
I'm sorry I didn't message.
The screen showed he was online almost immediately. Then his reply came:
No need to apologize. Have fun and stay safe.
Vaani's shoulders slumped with relief. She bit her lip, fingers hovering again, before she added:
Thanks.
The blue tick appeared. He'd seen it. She stared at the screen for a few seconds longer, waiting for another reply. But nothing came.
Her chest fluttered strangely—half nervous, half happy. She smiled to herself, tucking the phone away.
"Who's making you smile like that?" Naina teased, elbowing her.
"No one!" Vaani said, laughing, pushing her hand away.
But inside, she was calmer now, lighter. The guilt of ignoring his messages had faded, replaced with a warmth she didn't want to admit out loud.
Meanwhile, Dhruv slipped his phone back into his pocket as he entered his hotel room. Aarav was already sprawled on the couch, ordering food for dinner.
"You look weirdly calm," Aarav muttered, scrolling through the menu.
Dhruv ignored him, walking to the window and pulling the curtains open.
The Cairo skyline glowed against the evening sky.
Somewhere deep inside, he thought about that rushed voice message again, the way her friends' laughter bled into her words, the way she'd said sorry twice, as if genuinely worried.
And for reasons he didn't explore, his mind stayed with that for a long time.
Meanwhile, the Jeep roared higher, the sky bluer, the cliffs sharper. Ria shouted over the music: "GUYS, WE'RE ALMOST THERE!"
Simran and Naina cheered, throwing their arms up. Vaani laughed, joining in, her earlier tension completely dissolved. She leaned back against the seat, the wind rushing over her face, her heart lighter than it had been in days.
Because somewhere far away, Dhruv had read her message, heard her voice—and told her to have fun.
And that was enough.
~·~
Dhruv pushed open the door of his hotel room that night, the faint click echoing against the silence inside. The day had been long—meetings, walking around with Aarav, checking on documents, a dinner with clients. His body was tired, but his mind... his mind refused to slow down.
He slipped his blazer off, draping it across the back of the chair, and walked toward the large window. Cairo stretched endlessly beneath him, its golden lights flickering like embers across the desert night. He glanced at his watch.
9 p.m. Dubai time.
His first thought, unbidden, was: Would she be back home by now?
He shook his head slightly, loosening his tie. Why did his mind keep going back there? To that quiet flat, where she was probably chatting with her friends, maybe still laughing, maybe already winding down with her evening chai.
Just then, his phone vibrated on the nightstand.
He turned, almost too quickly. The screen lit up with a name that had become strangely important over the last month and a half—Vaani.
He picked it up.
Her message blinked across the screen:
Dhruv
His brows rose. A simple name, no punctuation. He tapped back:
Yea?
The dots appeared almost instantly. She was typing. Then her reply came:
We're at home. Is it alright if Ria, Simran and Naina stay over for the weekend? Like only today and tomorrow.
Dhruv leaned back against the window frame, phone resting loosely in his hand. His lips pressed into a thoughtful line. She's asking me? He replayed her words in his head. It's her house too. Why does she feel the need to take permission?
He typed back:
Of course. Why do you need to ask me?
The dots appeared again, then her reply:
Tumhala nahi samaznaar. (You won't understand.)
He stared at the line for a few seconds, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. He could almost hear her voice saying it, half teasing, half serious. He chuckled softly and typed:
Samzo mag. (Then make me understand.)
For a long moment, there was no reply. He imagined her sitting with her friends, phone in hand, biting her lip as she thought of what to say. And then, the message popped up:
Nantar kadhi tari. (I will, some other time.)
Dhruv exhaled through his nose, a soft sound that was almost a laugh. He could picture it now—the faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, the way she always lowered her gaze when caught off guard.
The phone buzzed again, but this time it wasn't a message. The sound of her friends' voices filled the background faintly—she must've been called back into their conversation. Her presence slipped away, pulled back into that circle of warmth and chatter.
Still, Dhruv found himself staring at the screen longer than necessary. The glow of her words stayed there, reflected faintly on his face.
A simple exchange. Barely anything at all. Yet his chest felt oddly light, tingling in a way he didn't name.
~·~
In Vaani's apartment, the girls were sprawled everywhere—bags on the floor, shoes kicked off, Ria flipping through Netflix on the TV while Naina and Simran argued over snacks.
Vaani sat on the edge of the sofa, her phone still in her hand. The words Samzo mag flashed on the screen, and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks again. Quickly, before anyone noticed, she had typed Nantar kadhi tari.
And then Ria shouted her name. "Vaani! Stop daydreaming, come here. We need your opinion!"
Vaani jolted, stuffing her phone under a cushion as if it had betrayed her. She hurried toward them, but her mind still lingered on the exchange. Why does he make me feel like this with just a few words?
Back in Cairo, Dhruv finally put his phone down, though not without one last glance. He went about his routine—shower, a quick skim of documents for the next day, setting his alarm. But each time his gaze flicked toward the nightstand, the same faint smile tugged at his mouth.
When Aarav called to check if they'd head out in the morning, Dhruv's answers were short, distracted. Even Aarav noticed. "What's with you? You look like you're thinking of something else."
"Nothing," Dhruv said, too quickly.
And maybe that was true. It wasn't really thinking. It was just... that simple, lingering warmth from a message thread, the kind that stayed long after the screen went dark.
Later that night...
Vaani and her friends were curled up in blankets, popcorn bowls scattered across the floor, a movie playing faintly in the background. The others laughed at the screen, but Vaani's eyes kept drifting to the cushion where her phone lay hidden.
At one point, she sneaked it out, checking for any new message. Nothing. Just the last line from her: Nantar kadhi tari.
Her cheeks warmed again. She locked the phone quickly and pressed it to her chest for a second before sliding it away.
Her friends didn't notice—but her heart did.
Dhruv, miles away, lay down on his hotel bed, the city lights seeping through the curtains. He reached over, turned his phone to silent, and set it beside him. But before closing his eyes, he tapped the screen one last time, letting his gaze rest on her words.
Nantar kadhi tari.
A small exhale left him, his face calm, his lips tugging into the faintest smile.
And then, finally, he let sleep take him.
??