Chapter 30

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over Paris. The air was crisp, and the bustling sounds of the city mixed with the soft rustling of leaves as Mayank and Niharika strolled down the cobblestone streets. The Eiffel Tower loomed ahead, standing tall and elegant against the evening sky.

Niharika glanced up at it, a soft smile spreading across her face. "I can't believe we're actually here," she murmured, more to herself than to Mayank.

Mayank glanced at her, then back at the iconic landmark. "I know. It feels like a dream."

They continued walking, taking in the charm of Paris. The quaint cafés lining the streets, the little boutiques with their colorful displays, and the distant hum of people enjoying their evening all added to the magic of the city.

After a while, they found themselves at a small outdoor café, the kind that felt as though it had been plucked from a painting. Tiny tables with checkered tablecloths and wicker chairs were scattered across the sidewalk, and the scent of freshly baked pastries filled the air.

"Let's grab something to eat," Niharika suggested, taking a seat at one of the tables.

Mayank raised an eyebrow. "What's good here?"

Niharika scanned the menu and pointed to a few items. "The croissants here are supposed to be amazing, and we can't leave Paris without trying some éclairs."

"Alright," Mayank said, grinning. "Let's do it."

They ordered croissants, éclairs, and cappuccinos, enjoying the simple pleasure of good food. Niharika couldn't help but take a moment to snap a quick picture of her food before diving in. "I'll have to post this on Instagram," she said with a grin.

Mayank chuckled as she clicked the picture, then looked around. "You really love taking photos, huh?"

She shrugged, a playful smile on her lips. "It's part of the experience. Plus, how can I not when everything looks so good?"

As they enjoyed their food, the sound of a street musician playing a soft tune on the violin floated through the air, adding a soundtrack to the peaceful afternoon.

"I love how laid-back everything feels here," Niharika said between bites. "Back home, it's always rush, rush, rush. But here, it's just... relaxed."

Mayank nodded, savoring his food. "Yeah, it's nice. No rush. Just enjoying the moment."

After finishing their meal, they wandered through the streets, taking in the sights. Niharika stopped at a nearby shop and admired a display of colorful scarves.

"These would make such a great souvenir," she said, her fingers brushing the soft fabric.

Mayank glanced at the display and then at her. "You should get one."

Niharika raised an eyebrow. "I don't know."

"It's Paris," Mayank shrugged. "Live a little."

With a small laugh, Niharika picked out a bright red scarf and they paid for it. "Alright, alright. I'll take your advice this time."

They continued walking, slowly making their way towards the Seine. The sun was now beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a soft glow over the water.

As they reached the river, Niharika stopped to take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp evening air. The view was beautiful—the Seine glistening under the last rays of the sun, the boats gently drifting by, and the golden reflection of the Eiffel Tower dancing on the water.

"This place is amazing," she said, her voice soft.

Mayank glanced at her, then out at the view. "It really is."

They stood there for a while, taking in the calmness of the moment. It was a rare kind of peace, the kind that only a place like Paris could provide. Neither of them felt the need to rush or talk, just content to enjoy the simplicity of the evening.

Eventually, they started walking again, making their way back towards the bustling streets. The cafés were getting busier as people came out to enjoy their dinners, and the streets were alive with the glow of lanterns and the hum of voices.

As they walked past a street vendor selling crepes, Niharika couldn't resist. "I have to have one of those," she said, pointing at the crepes stacked neatly in the cart.

Mayank raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

"Definitely," she said with a smile, walking up to the vendor and ordering a Nutella-filled crepe.

Mayank laughed and followed suit, ordering one for himself. "You really do have a sweet tooth."

Niharika shrugged as she took a bite of her crepe. "Paris has a way of making everything taste better."

Mayank had been taking her pictures. He had noticed that she was fond of them—but she never took her pictures. She always got shy.

They continued their stroll, eating their crepes as they walked along the Seine, the city twinkling around them. It was simple, but it was perfect. Just two people enjoying Paris together.

The evening stretched on, and as the sky darkened, the lights of the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle, casting a soft glow over everything.

"This has been a great day," Niharika said, glancing at Mayank.

He smiled at her, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets. "Yeah, it really has."

They walked on, the sounds of Paris accompanying them, and for the first time in a while, everything felt just right.

~•~

When Mayank and Niharika entered their hotel room, the initial sense of excitement from the day's adventures quickly gave way to a moment of awkwardness. Neither of them had stayed in the same room before, and the sudden reality of it left them both unsure of what to do.

The room was small but comfortable, with a soft queen-sized bed in the center, flanked by two nightstands. The windows were open, letting in a soft Parisian breeze, the glow of streetlights filtering in. For a brief moment, the only sound in the room was the soft rustling of clothes as they each unpacked their things.

Mayank looked around, unsure of where to start. Should he claim the bed, or was it polite to let her have the bigger space? He wasn't sure of the etiquette in these situations.

Niharika, sensing the sudden tension, cleared her throat. "So... I guess I'll sleep on the side closer to the window," she said, avoiding his gaze as she fiddled with her bag.

"Yeah, that works," Mayank replied, his voice slightly strained. He could tell she was just as uncomfortable as he was. They hadn't shared a room.

She changed quickly in the bathroom, emerging in a simple cotton nightdress, her hair slightly tousled from the day. She avoided looking at him as she climbed into the bed on her side. Mayank, meanwhile, took his time in the bathroom, trying to shake off the awkwardness. As he returned to the room, he saw Niharika already lying on her side, facing the wall.

He hesitated for a moment, before climbing into the bed and pulling the covers over himself. The bed was big enough, but the space between them felt vast.

The room was quiet except for the occasional sounds of the city coming in through the open window. Mayank stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in his mind. Paris had been incredible, the sights, the food, the walks—everything had been perfect. But there was something about tonight, about being here with Niharika, that had started to stir up feelings he hadn't fully acknowledged before. He couldn't shake the thought of how natural it felt to be with her, how comfortable it was to share these small moments, even if it was just wandering through the city, or sitting in a quiet café.

As he lay there, he heard Niharika's steady breathing beside him. The soft rise and fall of her chest, the way she seemed so peaceful in her sleep—it made him feel at ease, despite the awkwardness earlier.

As he shifted on his side, trying to get comfortable, his hand brushed against hers. It was subtle at first, just a fleeting touch, but it was enough to make his heart skip. He froze for a moment, unsure if he should pull away or let it be. But before he could make a decision, Niharika shifted in her sleep, her hand falling lightly on the edge of the bed, just close enough to his.

His heart beat a little faster, and without thinking, his hand slowly moved toward hers. He wasn't sure why he did it, but it felt natural, like he needed to feel her warmth next to him, even if only for a moment.

His fingers brushed against her hand again, and this time, he didn't pull away. He gently took her hand in his, lacing his fingers with hers. The contact sent a calm, comforting warmth through him, and for a moment, he simply lay there, holding her hand, feeling the rise and fall of her breathing.

Niharika's fingers twitched slightly in her sleep, but she didn't wake up. Mayank smiled to himself, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't expected. He wasn't sure what this moment meant, but it felt right. He wasn't ready to label anything, but there was something about being close to her like this, in a quiet Parisian room, that made everything else fade into the background.

With his hand still holding hers, he allowed himself to relax, letting the day's events replay in his mind. The way she had looked in her dress, the way they had wandered the streets, laughing and enjoying the little things together—everything had been perfect. Even the awkwardness of the room, of sharing this space, seemed to melt away in the quiet of the night.

He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her hand in his, and for the first time in a long while, he felt content, truly at peace.

As the night wore on, the tension in his body eased, and he finally drifted off to sleep, still holding her hand. The gentle weight of her fingers against his was the last thing on his mind before he fell asleep, and the first thing he felt when he woke up the next morning.

He wasn't sure what the next day would bring, or what this moment meant, but for now, he felt grateful for the quiet, for the simplicity of the moment, and for the feeling of being close to her.

In the stillness of the Paris night, Mayank let himself sleep, knowing that things had shifted ever so slightly between them—an unspoken understanding, a quiet connection. And for once, that was enough.

🩷