89
The morning light slipped through the curtains in soft ribbons of gold, brushing against the edges of the room and waking Vaani before the alarm even had the chance to ring.
She stretched lazily, still cocooned in the warmth of the blankets, before rolling over and seeing Dhruv standing by the mirror, buttoning up his shirt.
He was dressed in a crisp navy shirt, sleeves rolled up, hair still damp from his shower — and he looked every bit the picture of calm efficiency.
"Morning," she mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Morning," he said, glancing at her reflection in the mirror, his voice smooth and already awake.
"You're so fast," she said, squinting at him. "Do you wake up before the sun?"
He chuckled softly. "Someone has to keep us on schedule."
She groaned dramatically, pulling the blanket over her head. "Schedule. Ugh. I'm on vacation."
"Vacation ends when you're late," he said simply, checking his watch. "And our cab's in twenty minutes."
That made her sit up instantly. "You said evening!"
Dhruv smirked, already expecting her reaction. "I was kidding," he chuckled, "twenty minutes, Vaan. And before you even ask — yes, we're flying today."
She pointed at him, squinting like an interrogator. "Flying where?"
He didn't even blink. "I told you yesterday. You'll know soon."
She groaned, dragging herself out of bed. "You're insufferable."
"Yet you married me," he said calmly, picking up the suitcases.
"Against my better judgment," she muttered under her breath, making him laugh quietly.
By the time they were downstairs and in the cab, the morning rush of New York had fully awakened. Cars honked in lazy rhythm, coffee carts hissed on corners, and people rushed past with coats half-buttoned, coffees in one hand, and dreams in the other.
Vaani leaned back in the cab seat, her trench coat perfectly pressed, sunglasses perched on her head, and turned to look at Dhruv, who was scrolling through something on his phone with that same unbothered expression he always wore when he was deep in thought.
"Dhruv," she said slowly.
"Mhm?"
"Can you please tell me where we're going?"
He didn't even look up. "You'll find out when we reach the airport."
She threw her head back dramatically. "You're annoying."
"Thank you," he said dryly.
"Dhruv!" she huffed. "This is not funny."
He finally looked up, smirking a little. "Take a guess then."
She narrowed her eyes, thinking. "Okay... fine. Berkeley."
That made him glance at her with the faintest hint of amusement. "You think so?"
She leaned forward, hopeful. "Is it Berkeley?"
He tilted his head, pretending to consider it. "It was a close second."
Her jaw dropped. "So it's not Berkeley?"
"Nope."
"Then where?" she pressed, eyes wide with mock frustration.
"You'll know soon, Vaan," he said, going back to his phone, his tone final but teasing.
She sighed, crossing her arms. "You're impossible."
He chuckled under his breath, thumb scrolling idly on his phone. "Relax. You'll like it."
"Define 'like,'" she said skeptically.
He just smiled without replying.
Vaani stared at him for another few seconds before turning to the window, muttering under her breath, "If he takes me to some boring conference or tech thing, I swear I'll—"
"I heard that," Dhruv interrupted, not looking up.
"Good," she shot back, "because I meant it."
He just smiled.
The cab rolled smoothly along the highway, the skyline of Manhattan slowly fading behind them.
The traffic thinned, replaced by open roads and wide skies.
Vaani's irritation started to dissolve somewhere along the ride; she found herself quietly watching the world outside, every now and then sneaking a glance at Dhruv, who looked perfectly at peace.
When they finally reached JFK Airport, the cab came to a smooth halt at the departure area.
Dhruv stepped out first, paid the driver, and began pulling their luggage out from the trunk.
Vaani followed, tucking her hair behind her ear as the wind caught it, the familiar airport buzz wrapping around her.
"Chalo," he said, his tone as calm as always, taking both their suitcases and striding toward the entrance.
She hurried to match his pace, grumbling lightly, "You could've at least told me which terminal."
"I could've," he said, glancing at her, "but then it wouldn't be a surprise."
"You're testing my patience," she muttered.
"I'd say you're passing," he replied with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling a little.
Once inside, Dhruv walked to the check-in counter while she stood a little behind him, pulling out her phone to scroll through photos from the last few days.
He handed over their passports and tickets, speaking quietly to the attendant, his tone confident and professional — something about watching him handle travel so effortlessly always fascinated her.
She didn't even notice when the attendant handed back their passports, saying, "Have a pleasant flight, Mr. and Mrs. Deshmukh."
Dhruv turned and gestured for her to follow. "All done."
"Did you just—" she began, but he was already walking toward security, expression unreadable.
"Dhruv!" she said again, jogging slightly to catch up. "You didn't tell me where!"
He gave her a look, half amused, half teasing. "You'll find out soon enough."
"You're so—" she threw her hands up. "Ugh!"
He chuckled softly. "I know."
They made their way through security, shoes off, coats off, everything neatly handled — well, neatly by his standards. Vaani, on the other hand, managed to drop her boarding pass twice and got distracted by duty-free perfume samples before Dhruv tugged her gently by the wrist toward the gate.
"Priorities, Vaani," he said dryly.
"Perfume is a priority," she argued.
He smiled slightly. "Noted."
They reached the gate area, and Vaani finally looked up at the display board — and froze.
"Wait," she said slowly, blinking twice. "Buffalo?"
Dhruv didn't even flinch. "Yes."
She blinked again. "We're going to a place called Buffalo?"
He nodded casually, putting his phone back into his pocket.
Her face was a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "Buffalo. Like... the animal?"
He chuckled. "Like the city."
"City?" she repeated. "There's a city called Buffalo?"
"Yes," he said simply.
"Where is it?"
"Upstate New York."
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at him. "You're taking me from New York City — one of the greatest city in the world — to another city in New York... called Buffalo?"
He smiled, unbothered. "Exactly."
She exhaled dramatically. "Amazing. You're full of surprises, aren't you?"
"I try," he said, grinning slightly.
She crossed her arms, still half-pouting but clearly intrigued now. "Fine. I'll play along. What's in Buffalo?"
"You'll know," he replied simply.
She groaned again. "If you say 'you'll know' one more time, I'm jumping out of this terminal."
Dhruv laughed softly, shaking his head. "Don't worry, you'll like it."
"Define 'like' again," she muttered, and he chuckled quietly.
They sat down in the waiting area, Vaani taking the window seat while Dhruv checked something on his phone. Around them, other passengers milled about, announcements echoing faintly over the intercom. Vaani tapped her fingers on her knees impatiently before finally turning to him again.
"Okay," she said, "give me one hint."
He looked up at her, amused. "One hint?"
"Yes."
He thought for a moment. "Scenic."
Her brows furrowed. "Scenic?"
He nodded.
She blinked. "That's not helpful."
He smiled. "You asked for one hint."
She groaned, leaning back. "I hate you."
"No, you don't," he said easily.
She glared at him playfully. "I might."
He only smiled, his calm presence unshaken.
A few minutes later, the boarding announcement began. Passengers started lining up, and Dhruv stood, grabbing both their bags before Vaani could even reach hers.
"Come on," he said.
She got up slowly, still staring at him suspiciously. "This better be good, Dhruv. If Buffalo turns out to be boring, you're buying me dessert every day for a week."
"Deal," he said simply, handing over her boarding pass.
She eyed him. "You agreed too easily. Now I'm nervous."
He chuckled, guiding her toward the gate. "Trust me, Vaan. You'll see why I picked it."
She smiled faintly at the nickname again — soft, unexpected, and yet now so natural when he said it.
As they handed over their passes and stepped into the jet bridge, Vaani muttered under her breath, "Buffalo. Who even goes to Buffalo?"
Dhruv smiled to himself as they boarded, his voice low enough that only she heard.
"People who like surprises."
The hum of the airplane filled the cabin, low and steady, like a song that played just under the chatter of passengers and the clinking of coffee cups.
Vaani had taken the window seat — of course she had — and Dhruv sat beside her, his long frame settled neatly, one arm draped lazily over the armrest, watching her with that faintly amused expression he often wore when she was in one of her "talking moods. "
And right now, she was in one of those moods.
"So," Vaani began, turning to face him, eyes wide and gleaming with curiosity, "Buffalo."
Dhruv looked at her calmly. "Yes."
She leaned closer. "You still haven't told me why we're going there."
He smiled faintly. "You'll know when we land."
She groaned, flopping back dramatically against the seat. "You're going to drive me crazy with this suspense, aren't you?"
"Already have," he murmured, glancing at her.
"Excuse me?"
He turned slightly, resting his chin in his hand. "You said I'm going to drive you crazy. Pretty sure I already have."
She blinked, caught off guard by his calm tone — and then smacked his arm lightly. "You're not funny."
"I wasn't trying to be," he said with that infuriatingly calm smirk.
She huffed, turning back to the window. "You're impossible."
He tilted his head. "So I've heard."
"From who?" she challenged, raising an eyebrow.
He looked straight ahead. "My wife."
She turned to him, eyes narrowing. "Very funny."
He smiled faintly, and she could tell he was trying not to laugh.
The plane started taxiing down the runway, and Vaani looked out, the city skyline slowly shrinking behind the glass. "Bye, New York," she said softly, waving at it. "You've been amazing."
Dhruv looked at her with that small, hidden smile again — the one that only came out when she wasn't looking. "You're coming back in 2 days. You're acting like you're never coming back," he said.
She shrugged. "You never know. I might get busy being mysterious like my husband."
He chuckled. "You wouldn't last five minutes not talking."
Her jaw dropped in mock offense. "Excuse me! I can be quiet."
He raised an eyebrow. "Prove it."
She crossed her arms. "Fine."
He waited.
Five seconds later, she blurted, "Okay, but like seriously, what's in Buffalo?"
He started laughing — an actual, low, warm laugh that made her blink in surprise. "You lasted five seconds, Vaan."
"Five and a half," she corrected proudly.
"Still a record," he teased.
She narrowed her eyes, but she couldn't hide her grin. "You're so mean to me."
"Honest," he corrected.
The plane lifted off the ground, smooth and quiet, and Vaani pressed her face slightly to the window, watching the clouds float past. "Wow," she whispered. "Every time I fly, it still feels new."
Dhruv looked at her softly. "You've flown a hundred times."
"Doesn't matter," she said. "It still feels like magic."
He leaned back, his gaze lingering on her face. "Yeah," he said quietly, "it does."
She turned to him, smiling. "See? You can be nice."
"Occasionally," he admitted.
The flight attendants started their service soon, rolling carts down the aisle. Vaani immediately leaned forward, whispering, "Do you think they'll give us snacks?"
Dhruv looked at her flatly. "We're flying for an hour."
"Still," she said earnestly, "I like airplane snacks."
He shook his head. "You're something else."
When the attendant stopped by, Vaani grinned. "Hi! Can I have pretzels and cookies?"
The attendant chuckled. "Of course."
Dhruv gave her a look. "You know they're going to think you're five, right?"
She gasped. "Excuse you, I'm just supporting the in-flight snack economy."
He smiled faintly, accepting his black coffee when it arrived. "That's very noble of you."
"Thank you," she said proudly, opening her pretzels. "You should try being noble too."
"I'll pass," he said dryly.
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes — or rather, Dhruv sat in silence while Vaani hummed under her breath, tapped her fingers on the tray, and occasionally nudged his arm to show him something out the window.
"Oh! Look," she said suddenly, pointing. "Clouds that look like ice cream scoops!"
He turned to look, smiling softly. "You're hungry again, aren't you?"
She gasped, pretending to be offended. "Are you calling me greedy?"
"I'm calling you predictable," he said calmly.
She shook her head dramatically. "You're lucky you're cute, Sharma."
He looked at her, amused. "Lucky, huh?"
"Yes," she said with mock seriousness. "Otherwise, I'd have replaced you during our UK trip."
"Replaced me?"
"Yes." She leaned in. "You know how many people in Oxford smiled at me? I could've found a British Dhruv."
He gave her an unimpressed look. "Sure. And what would you do when he didn't get your jokes?"
She blinked, thinking. "True."
"Exactly," he said smugly, sipping his coffee.
"But a British accent, though," she said dreamily.
"Wouldn't survive a week with your sass," he replied smoothly.
She chuckled, shaking her head. "Okay fine, you win."
"I always do," he said quietly.
The flight continued with her talking — about New York, about how she thought the pilot sounded like Shah Rukh Khan ("Tell me he doesn't sound like SRK!" "He doesn't." "He does!"), about how she wanted to watch a movie mid-flight even though the screen was tiny.
By the time the captain announced the descent, Dhruv had given up on reading anything on his phone and was simply listening to her ramble, his expression calm but eyes soft.
As the plane landed smoothly, Vaani pressed her hands together in mock prayer. "We survived!"
He looked at her, amused. "It wasn't turbulence."
"Still," she said, "it's tradition."
He shook his head, smiling.
They collected their bags quickly, weaving through the crowd and stepping into the crisp air outside Buffalo International Airport. The chill was different here — sharper, fresher, carrying that northern bite that hit straight through their coats.
Vaani exhaled loudly, her breath visible in the cold. "Wow, okay. That's cold."
Dhruv chuckled. "You'll get used to it."
"You say that like I'll live here," she said, pulling her scarf tighter.
He smiled faintly. "Who knows?"
She squinted at him suspiciously. "You're definitely hiding something."
He only smiled, signaling for a cab.
Once they got in, Vaani pressed her nose against the window like a curious child. "It's so different here," she said, eyes wide. "Peaceful. Where are all the people?"
"Not every city runs like New York," Dhruv replied, watching her reaction.
"It's cute," she said. "Like a Hallmark movie town."
Dhruv chuckled softly. "That's one way to describe it."
The cab drove through neat suburban streets lined with autumn trees — orange, gold, and deep red leaves swirling in the wind. The houses were pretty, the air smelled like rain, and the distant sound of the Niagara River whispered through.
Vaani turned to him suddenly. "Are we near Niagara Falls?"
He just smiled.
"Don't you dare," she said, pointing a finger at him. "Don't you dare say—"
"You'll know soon," he finished for her.
She groaned. "You're so predictable."
He smirked. "Now you know how it feels."
She huffed but couldn't stop smiling. "I swear, I don't even know why I love you."
He looked at her, tone quiet and teasing. "You do, though."
Her lips curved softly. "Yeah. Unfortunately for me."
He chuckled, shaking his head.
The cab finally stopped outside a sleek boutique hotel near the river — warm brick fa?ade, soft lights glowing against the dusky sky. The sign read The Riverstone Inn.
Vaani stepped out, pulling her coat tighter as the cold wind swept her hair across her face. "Dhruv," she said softly, "this is... beautiful."
He looked around, his expression calm. "Wait till you see the view."
She glanced at him, curiosity piqued again. "Okay, this is definitely leading up to something. You've planned something, haven't you?"
He just smiled faintly, picking up their luggage. "Maybe."
"Maybe?" she repeated, following him inside. "That means yes."
"Means maybe," he corrected, holding the door open for her.
She gave him a look. "You're lucky I'm patient."
He chuckled. "You're not."
"True," she admitted, laughing softly.
They checked in, the receptionist smiling warmly and handing over their keycards. When they reached their room, Vaani stepped in first — and immediately froze.
Large windows overlooked the calm expanse of the river, sunlight glinting off the rippling water. The entire room felt cozy and warm, all soft wood and quiet charm.
She turned to him slowly. "Dhruv."
He looked at her.
"Are we... near Niagara Falls?"
His lips twitched. "You'll know tomorrow."
She groaned, tossing a pillow at him. "You're impossible!"
He caught it midair, grinning. "And yet you still followed me to Buffalo."
She shook her head, smiling in defeat. "Fine. You win for now."
He walked closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Good. Because tomorrow, you're going to love me for this."
She blushed slightly but smiled. "I already do, idiot."
He laughed softly. "Then you'll love me more."
And as the evening sun poured through the windows, painting the river gold, Vaani couldn't help but think — if every surprise with Dhruv felt like this, she'd never stop wanting them.
~·~
The morning light streamed gently through the hotel curtains, a soft golden hue spilling across the room.
Vaani stirred, her hair tousled, still wrapped in the warmth of the duvet.
She blinked twice, then rolled over to see Dhruv already awake, sitting at the desk by the window, scrolling through his phone, hair slightly messy, wearing that calm expression that was just so him.
"Good morning, Mr. Deshmukh," she said, her voice still sleepy.
He glanced at her, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Good morning, Mrs. Deshmukh."
She sat up, stretching, yawning dramatically. "So..." she said, rubbing her eyes. "Are you finally going to tell me what we're doing today?"
"Nope," he replied smoothly, eyes still on his phone.
She groaned. "You're the worst at keeping secrets."
He looked up, amused. "You mean the best."
"Same difference," she muttered, standing up. "Fine. At least tell me what to wear."
"Jeans and a top," he said simply.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
She squinted at him. "You're being suspicious again."
"Just trust me, Vaan," he said calmly, still scrolling.
She sighed. "Fine, fine, jeans and a top it is." She rummaged through her suitcase, pulling out a light white top that framed her shoulders and a pair of fitted jeans. "Cute, right?" she said, twirling.
He looked up briefly and nodded, that soft, subtle nod that meant yes but I'm not giving you the satisfaction of knowing I think you look stunning.
She caught it anyway and smirked. "You're bad at hiding compliments, Dhruv."
He chuckled. "And you're good at fishing for them."
She laughed. "I'm a woman, it's a skill."
When she was done, she slipped into white sneakers, combed her hair, and turned to him. "You're ready?"
He stood, buttoning his dark jacket, and nodded. "Ready."
They were halfway to the door when Dhruv stopped her. "Vaani," he said, pointing toward the coat rack. "Jacket."
She blinked. "Huh?"
"Jacket," he repeated, folding his arms.
She looked down at herself. "Dhruv, this top is cute. The jacket ruins the vibe."
He stared at her. "It won't be cute if you get sick. You literally said it's chilly here yesterday."
She waved him off. "I'll be fine. It's not that cold."
He sighed, watching her confidently grab her bag. "You sure?"
"Yup," she said with a grin. "Totally fine."
He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he reached for his jacket. "You'll learn," he murmured.
"What was that?" she asked, turning.
"Nothing," he said quickly, smiling. "Let's go."
They walked down through the quiet hotel lobby, the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air. The morning outside was crisp — the kind that wakes you up instantly. Vaani stepped out first, inhaling deeply.
"Oh wow," she said. "Cold air really is the best."
Dhruv smirked. "Wait five minutes."
She gave him a look. "Why do you sound like a villain in a weather movie?"
"Because I know what's coming," he said dryly.
She rolled her eyes. "You think you're so smart."
"I don't think," he said simply. "I know."
Before she could come up with a comeback, he stopped a passing cab and opened the door for her.
"Okay," she said as she slid in. "Where are we going now?"
He got in beside her, closing the door. "One last cab ride," he said, "and you'll find out."
She groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up. "You love this suspense game, don't you?"
He smiled faintly, leaning back. "You're not bored, are you?"
She frowned. "That's not the point—"
"So you're not," he interrupted calmly.
She glared. "You're insufferable."
He chuckled. "And yet you married me."
"Clearly I was drugged," she said, crossing her arms.
The cab started moving, and Vaani turned toward the window, sulking for a whole minute before getting distracted by the passing scenery. Buffalo was quieter here — a stretch of green fields, occasional wooden fences, and trees just starting to turn golden with early autumn.
"Ooooh," she said suddenly, pointing out. "Look, a deer!"
Dhruv leaned over slightly to look. "Hmm."
"Hmm? That's all you're giving me? A deer, Dhruv!"
He chuckled. "I've seen one before, Vaan."
"Well, I haven't today!" she said proudly.
He looked at her, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable."
She turned back to the window, eyes wide as she watched the scenery shift into thicker woods. After a few minutes, she frowned, glancing around.
"Umm..." she said slowly, "Dhruv?"
"Yes?"
"Why does it look like we're driving into a forest?"
He smiled faintly. "Because we are."
She blinked. "Okay, wait. Are you... planning to kill me in this forest?"
Dhruv turned his head sharply to look at her, clearly unimpressed. "Are you crazy?"
"I'm just saying!" she said quickly. "This is how horror stories start! A couple goes on a trip, the guy's like 'surprise,' and next thing you know—"
"Bakwas nako karu," he muttered, shaking his head. (Don't speak nonsense,)
She giggled. "You're impossible."
He didn't answer, just gave a small, quiet smile that made her heart do that tiny flip it always did.
The car finally slowed down, and the driver glanced back. "We're here."
Vaani looked out. "Here? But there's nothing here except..." She paused. "Trees. And a path. Where are we?"
He just paid the driver, got out, and extended a hand toward her. "Come on."
"Dhruv..." she said cautiously, stepping out. "If I die, I'm haunting you."
He ignored her, still holding his hand out. "Vaan, trust me."
She looked at him for a moment, then sighed dramatically and placed her hand in his. "Fine. Lead the way, murderer."
He chuckled. "You watch too many thrillers."
They began walking along the narrow path, lined with towering pine trees and the sound of crunching leaves beneath their feet. Vaani clung to his hand, half curious, half pretending to be scared.
"Where are we going?" she whispered.
He just smiled. "You'll know in a minute."
"Ugh, if I hear that one more time—" she started, but then paused.
A sound drifted through the forest — faint at first, then growing stronger. A deep, endless roar that made the air hum. She frowned, tilting her head. "Wait... is that—"
The sound grew louder, the trees began to thin, and then she saw it.
"OH MY GOD," she gasped, stopping in her tracks. "No way."
Dhruv turned to her, watching her face light up as she realized what it was.
Beyond the trees, mist danced in the air — and there, thundering and magnificent, was Niagara Falls.
She covered her mouth, eyes wide. "Dhruv..."
He smiled softly. "You wanted scenic. So here you go."
Her eyes filled with wonder as she stepped closer, the roar of the falls vibrating in her chest. "It's so beautiful," she whispered, voice trembling slightly.
He nodded, watching her more than the waterfall. "Yeah," he said quietly. "It is."
She turned to him, smiling like a child. "I can't believe you brought me here."
He shrugged casually. "You said you wanted to see somewhere calm. Peaceful. Something you'd remember."
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "I thought you'd bring me to like... a park or a museum or something. Not this."
He chuckled. "I don't do half measures."
She looked at him, eyes glinting. "You really don't, do you?"
"No," he said simply, tucking his hands into his pockets.
The mist brushed across their faces as they stood near the railing, looking down at the endless rush of water. Vaani's hair was slightly damp from the spray, her eyes sparkling. She leaned into him gently.
"You're full of surprises, you know that?" she said softly.
He glanced at her, that small smile tugging at his lips again. "So are you."
She grinned, tilting her head up. "Dhruv?"
"Hm?"
"I'm cold."
He gave her a long look — that same patient, knowing look he'd given her in the room earlier. "Really?"
She smiled sheepishly. "Maybe a little."
Without a word, he unzipped his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
She smiled, snuggling into it. "Fine. You were right."
"I always am," he said calmly.
She looked up at him, smirking. "Don't ruin your moment by bragging."
He laughed quietly, and together, they stood there — watching the endless water tumble over the edge, the mist glistening around them, the world fading to the sound of their quiet laughter.
And for a long, perfect moment, neither of them spoke — because sometimes, even Vaani knew that silence said everything.
Dhruv had that look again — the one that always made Vaani suspicious. A mix of calm and mischief, like he was sitting on a secret he was thoroughly enjoying not sharing.
She was still wrapped in his jacket, hair slightly tousled from the mist of Niagara, when she turned to him and said, "This is insane, Dhruv. You really outdid yourself."
He smiled faintly, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You think we're done?"
She blinked. "Uh, yeah? You brought me to Niagara Falls. What else could possibly top this?"
He tilted his head. "Come on," he said simply.
"Dhruv..." she groaned, following him reluctantly. "If you're taking me into another forest, I swear—"
He looked over his shoulder. "Relax. No more forests."
"Then what?" she asked, jogging a little to keep up.
"You'll see."
"Dhruv!"
But he didn't answer — just gave her that maddeningly calm smile as they walked down the pathway. The closer they got, the louder the sound of the water grew again, this time mixed with faint laughter and the hum of engines. When she saw where he was leading her, she gasped.
The main dock stretched before them, alive with people — tourists donning blue ponchos, boats swaying gently in the mist, the roar of the falls echoing off the metal railings. The air smelled of river water and adventure.
Her eyes widened in realization. "Ooooo... are we boating?"
He grinned. "We're taking the Niagara cruise."
Her jaw dropped. "No way!"
He chuckled at her reaction as she practically bounced on her feet. "Yes way."
They joined the line of tourists boarding the large white vessel. The sound of chatter and laughter mixed with the deep rumble of the falls. The air was cooler here, damp and charged with energy.
As they stepped onto the deck, an attendant handed them bright blue ponchos. Vaani giggled as she tried to untangle hers. "Dhruv, help!"
He smirked, sliding his own on effortlessly. "You managed Oxford and Dubai but can't handle a poncho?"
"It's slippery!" she said, fumbling. "I swear this thing has a vendetta against me."
"Hold still," he said, tugging the plastic up over her head. The hood popped into place, and she burst out laughing.
"See? Teamwork."
"You're welcome," he replied dryly.
They found a spot near the railing as the boat horn blared, signaling departure. Slowly, the vessel began to move away from the dock, gliding toward the heart of the river. The mist grew thicker, curling like smoke in the air.
Vaani's eyes sparkled. "Oh my god, Dhruv... this is beautiful!"
He smiled, watching her more than the water. The way she was grinning — eyes wide, cheeks flushed, holding onto the railing like a child on a carousel — it was almost unfair how easily she made wonder look effortless.
The falls roared ahead of them, thunderous and alive. Rainbows arched across the spray, catching the sunlight like glitter. Water droplets clung to their ponchos, and the wind whipped at Vaani's hair.
"Dhruv!" she yelled over the noise. "We're literally in the middle of the falls!"
He laughed. "That's the point, Vaan!"
She threw her arms up dramatically. "This is the best thing ever!"
He leaned in closer. "Glad you think so."
She turned, grinning up at him. "Of course I do! But wait—" She reached for her phone.
"Vaani..." he said warningly.
"What?" she said innocently.
"Don't," he said. "You'll get it wet."
She gave him an exaggerated pout. "Why nottt?"
"Because I don't want to buy you a new phone tomorrow."
She squinted. "You could afford to."
"That's not the point."
"It's for memories!" she argued. "Come on, Dhruv, memories last a lifetime!"
He crossed his arms, shaking his head. "So does regret when your phone dies mid-selfie."
She gasped dramatically. "Wow. Deep."
He sighed. "Vaani—"
"Just one photo, please!" she pleaded.
He gave her a look. The kind that said you never listen to me, do you?
She smiled sweetly. "I'll take that as a yes."
And before he could respond, she was already holding up her phone, angling it perfectly with the waterfall behind her.
"Dhruv! Come in the frame!" she called.
He rolled his eyes but stepped closer anyway. "Make it fast."
"Say 'Niagara!'" she teased.
He deadpanned, "No."
"Say it!"
"Niagara," he muttered flatly.
She burst out laughing, almost dropping her phone. "You're terrible at this!"
"Because you're terrible at listening!" he shot back, though he was smiling now.
"Okay, fine, one more!" she said, turning back toward the falls. "Oh my god, Dhruv, look! Look at that rainbow!"
He turned, and sure enough, a brilliant arc of colors stretched across the mist. For a second, he forgot to roll his eyes. "That's... actually nice," he admitted.
"Actually nice?" she repeated, mock-offended. "It's magic!"
He smirked. "You sound like a Disney character."
She gasped, clutching her chest. "Did you just insult me or compliment me?"
"Depends which Disney character you think you are."
She narrowed her eyes. "Belle."
"More like Anna," he teased.
"I'll take that," she said proudly. "She's adorable."
He chuckled. "And constantly falling over things."
"Dhruv!" she said, hitting his arm playfully.
He laughed, moving to shield her as a big wave of mist splashed across the deck. She squealed. "Oh my god it's so wet!"
"I told you—"
"Shut up, it's amazing!" she interrupted, giggling uncontrollably.
Water was dripping from her hood now, and her laughter was pure and unrestrained — the kind that made strangers nearby smile too. Dhruv shook his head, grinning despite himself.
"You're insane," he said.
"I'm fun," she corrected.
He watched her with that quiet look — the kind that said she might be a whirlwind, but she was his whirlwind.
The boat drew closer to the falls, and for a moment, the world disappeared into white. Water crashed around them, loud enough to drown everything else out. Vaani's hand instinctively found his.
"This is unreal," she shouted, her voice barely audible over the thunder.
He squeezed her hand. "Now you see why I didn't want you to miss it."
She turned to him, droplets clinging to her eyelashes. "I love it, Dhruv. Thank you."
He smiled softly. "Anytime."
They stood there for a long while — just the two of them against the roar of nature. The spray danced around them like rain, and the sunlight turned everything to gold for a moment.
When the boat finally started to turn back, Vaani looked down at her soaked shoes and burst out laughing. "Dhruv, I think I'm walking back to the hotel squelching."
He laughed. "You wanted adventure."
"I didn't sign up for being a soggy adventurer!" she said dramatically.
"Next time, wear the jacket," he said, raising a brow.
She stuck out her tongue. "Next time, you carry me."
He chuckled. "That's not happening."
"Then you'll have to deal with my complaining."
"I already do," he said with a grin.
She gasped. "You love my complaining."
He didn't deny it — just smiled, shaking his head.
As they disembarked, she looked back one last time at the falls, still misty and majestic in the sunlight. "Dhruv," she said softly.
"Yeah?"
"I'm keeping these photos forever."
He smiled faintly. "Until your phone dies from water damage."
She rolled her eyes, nudging him. "You're impossible."
"And yet," he said, slipping his arm around her shoulders as they walked, "you still follow me into forests and boats."
She smiled, leaning into him. "Yeah," she murmured. "Because somehow, you always take me exactly where I want to be."
And as they walked back toward the cab, drenched and laughing, the roar of the falls faded behind them — but the sound of her laughter, echoing against the misty air, stayed with him long after.
~·~
Two hours later, they stumbled off the cruise, still laughing, their hair frizzy and damp from the mist. The world felt light and bright and soaked in sunlight, and Vaani couldn't stop replaying little moments from the boat — the rainbow, Dhruv's smirk, the way the air had felt wild and free.
She brushed her hair back, squinting up at him. "Okay, Mr. Surprise Planner, what's next?"
Dhruv looked around the dock — people bustling, kids running with ice creams, the hum of chatter filling the air. He slipped his hands in his pockets and said, half-sheepish, "Honestly, I only planned till here."
She blinked, amused. "You what?"
He shrugged. "I figured the falls would take up our whole day."
"And it did," she said, glancing at her phone. "It's like four already."
He nodded. "Exactly. Mission accomplished."
"Dhruv," she said, mock stern. "You can't just end the day here. You can't end a Niagara day without food and some chaos."
He gave a small chuckle. "Then what do we do, oh great planner?"
She thought for a second, tapping her chin. "Hmm. We eat first."
"That," he said, "I fully support."
They walked down the cobblestone street near the riverside, passing cozy cafés and souvenir shops with "I Niagara" mugs and T-shirts. The wind was chilly enough to make Vaani grateful for his jacket, though she'd never admit it.
They found a small riverside restaurant, one of those wood-and-glass places that smelled like garlic butter and sea salt. Inside, the lights were soft, the tables packed with tourists, and a slow jazz tune played in the background.
They sat by the window overlooking the misty river.
"Oh my god," Vaani said, sighing as she looked at the menu. "I'm starving. Dhruv, I could eat a whole pizza."
He raised a brow. "You always say that and then stop at slice two."
She frowned. "Because you judge me when I eat four."
"I don't judge," he said, smirking. "I'm just amused."
She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"And yet here I am."
"And yet here you are," she agreed, smiling despite herself.
The waiter came, and Vaani ordered the most dramatic meal possible — a fettuccini Alfredo pasta and a side of fries. Dhruv ordered a simple four - cheese pasta.
When the food came, Vaani made him wait as she took her usual "aesthetic" photo of the table.
"Vaani," he warned.
"One second!"
"You said that ten seconds ago."
"Patience, Dhruvi," she said sweetly. "It's an art form."
He shook his head but smiled — that small, quiet smile that always betrayed him.
As they ate, they talked about everything and nothing. How Vihaan must be busy drowning in induction events. How Oxford's river felt so different from Niagara's wild mist. How they hadn't had food this good since London.
At one point, she pointed her fork at him. "You know what I realized?"
"What?"
"You're relaxed here."
He looked up, mid-bite. "Relaxed?"
"Yeah," she said softly. "Like... happy relaxed. Not corporate 'I-just-closed-a-million-dollar-deal' relaxed."
He chuckled. "Maybe I am."
"You like it here," she said.
"I do," he admitted. "New York feels like a second home. And this," he gestured vaguely at the air around them, "is close enough."
She smiled, resting her chin in her palm. "You know, I think that's my favorite version of you."
He raised a brow. "Which one?"
"The one that laughs like this."
He tilted his head slightly, pretending to think. "Then you'll have to make me laugh more often."
She smirked. "Oh, I will. Don't worry."
When they finished eating, the sun was already dipping lower, painting the sky in streaks of pink and gold. They stepped out, the cool air brushing against their faces.
"So," she said, tucking her hands into the jacket sleeves, "where do we go now?"
He shrugged. "We could... go to a pub?"
She gasped. "Really? You suggesting a pub? Who are you and what have you done with my Dhruv?"
He smirked. "Just... no drinking, okay?"
She crossed her heart. "Scout's honor."
"You were never a scout."
"Details," she said, waving it off.
They walked toward a small pub nearby — the kind with warm lights, a wooden sign, and faint music floating out the door. Inside, it was cozy and alive: locals chatting at the bar, a small band playing in the corner, and laughter echoing through the room.
Dhruv guided her to a corner table. She could already feel herself bouncing in her seat.
"This is nice," she said, looking around. "Like, really nice."
"It's quiet," he said. "You can actually hear the music."
"That's because you're an old man," she teased.
He raised an eyebrow. "Old man?"
"Yes, old man energy. Prefers quiet pubs, hates noise, reads at airports—"
"I like peace," he said.
She laughed. "That's what old people say."
"Keep talking and I'll prove I'm not that old."
"Please," she said, smirking. "That's an empty threat."
He chuckled, leaning back. "You forget who's holding the hotel key."
She gasped. "You wouldn't leave me stranded."
He smiled slyly. "Wouldn't I?"
"You're evil."
"You love it."
"Unfortunately," she muttered, but her grin gave her away.
After a few songs, a small group started dancing near the stage. The music was upbeat — a bit of swing, a bit of chaos.
Vaani's eyes lit up. "Dance with me!"
He shook his head. "No chance."
"Come on, it's just one dance!"
"I don't dance."
"You can't dance," she corrected.
He smirked. "Exactly."
"Okay, but I can."
"That's debatable."
She stood up, pointing at him. "Come. Here. Now."
"Vaani—"
"Dhruv." Her voice was mock serious. "If you don't dance with me right now, I'm going to stand here and embarrass you by dancing alone."
He looked up at her — hair loose, eyes bright, already swaying slightly to the beat — and sighed. "Fine."
"Ha!" she said triumphantly, grabbing his hand. "You love me."
He followed her to the small dance floor, muttering, "Remind me why I agreed to this."
"Because deep down you know you can't say no to me."
"Hmm. Maybe."
"Not maybe," she said, stepping closer as the music picked up. "Definitely."
He placed a hand on her waist, the other still holding hers. She grinned up at him. "Look at you, so serious. You're supposed to move, Dhruvi!"
He rolled his eyes. "You move enough for both of us."
She laughed and twirled anyway, her laughter spilling into the space between them. The light caught in her hair, and even though he barely moved, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"You're staring," she said.
"Observation," he replied smoothly. "Not staring."
"Sure," she teased.
A slower song started. She hesitated for half a second, but he surprised her by pulling her a little closer.
"Now this," he murmured, "I can handle."
She smiled, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Look at you. Mr. Old Man has moves after all."
He leaned down slightly, his breath warm against her ear. "You talk too much."
She laughed softly, meeting his gaze. "And yet you never stop listening."
He smiled — small, genuine — and before she could tease him again, he kissed her.
It wasn't rushed or dramatic. It was soft, slow, like the kind of kiss that spoke in quiet sentences — of comfort, of belonging, of the strange magic that kept finding them no matter what city they were in.
When they finally broke apart, she whispered, "You're not bad at this."
"Hmm," he said, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "Neither are you."
She grinned. "I know."
They laughed softly, still swaying even after the music changed.
For the rest of the evening, they stayed like that — laughing, dancing, teasing each other between songs. Every now and then, she'd rest her head against his shoulder, and he'd just smile like he couldn't quite believe she was there.
When they finally left the pub, the sky was dusky and pink. Vaani slipped her hand into his as they walked down the quiet street.
"So," she said, looking up at him. "You think we're done for the day?"
He smirked. "Depends. Are you planning the next part again?"
She thought for a second, grinning. "Maybe. But only if it includes dessert."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Of course it does."
And as they walked, their laughter mixing with the hum of the night, it felt like the whole world had shrunk to just that — the sound of her voice, the weight of her hand in his, and the warmth that came with realizing that somehow, in a foreign city, they'd found home again.
??