[20]

The Next Evening

The atmosphere was serene as the clinking of cutlery punctuated the quiet dinner at the table. Vaani, Rishit, and Kartik sat together, savoring their meal. Kartik’s voice broke the silence.

“Rishit, main tujhe yeh batane ke liye aaya tha ki hume Banaras jaana hoga,” he said, his tone casual yet firm.

“Why?” Rishit questioned, a flicker of confusion flashing across his face. Vaani mirrored his expression as she turned to Kartik, seeking answers.

“Woh, Mr. Khurana chahte hain ki hum Banaras mein milein. Actually, he’s coming to India with his wife, and she wishes to explore Banaras,” Kartik explained, his words deliberate.

“Kab jaana hai?” Rishit asked, leaning slightly forward, his curiosity piqued.

“Kal subah,” Kartik replied promptly. Rishit nodded in acknowledgment, his mind already processing the sudden change of plans.

Vaani, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. “Can I join you?”

“Haan haan, bilkul bhabhi,” Kartik replied enthusiastically before Rishit could utter a word.

However, Vaani’s gaze shifted to Rishit, silently awaiting his reaction. Sensing her eyes on him, Rishit looked up, meeting her expectant gaze.

“Do you need my permission to go somewhere?” he asked, a teasing arch of his brow evident.

“Bilkul nahi,” Vaani replied with a hint of pride in her tone. “I am just asking whether I can join you or not.”

“Yeah, yeah, you can join us,” Rishit responded with a soft chuckle.

The conversation dissolved into comfortable silence as they finished their meal. Once done, everyone retired to their respective rooms.

As Vaani entered their room, Rishit was about to follow when Kartik stopped him.

“Oohooo, ek hi room mein,” Kartik teased, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

“Shut up! Bahut zyada bolne laga hai aaj kal,” Rishit retorted, rolling his eyes.

“Thank you, Rishit,” Kartik said, his tone now devoid of humor, replaced by sincerity.

“Kyun?” Rishit asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.

“Thoda hi sahi, par apne aap ko Vaani bhabhi ke saath comfortable karne ke liye,” Kartik said, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

Rishit paused for a moment, lost in thought. Kartik seized the opportunity to tease him further. “Waise, yeh chamatkar hua kaise?”

“Pata nahi,” Rishit replied, his voice tinged with genuine confusion.

“Ab nikal yahan se,” Rishit added before Kartik could press further. He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him.

Kartik stood there for a moment, a warm smile gracing his lips. “Ab bas tujhe jaldi se pyaar ho jaaye,” he muttered to himself before walking towards his own room.

********************

Banaras

The city greeted them with a blend of mysticism and timeless charm. The trio stepped out of the airport, the cacophony of bustling streets meeting them immediately.

“Ab kya karna hai?” Vaani asked, her eyes darting around, trying to absorb the aura of Banaras.

“Pehle Mr. Khurana se meeting kar lein, then we’ll explore Banaras,” Kartik replied. Vaani nodded in agreement, her excitement barely contained.

Upon reaching the hotel, they freshened up and prepared for the day ahead. Soon, Kartik and Rishit left for their meeting, leaving Vaani to explore the city on her own.

It was her first time visiting Banaras, and every corner seemed to whisper stories of its heritage. As she stepped out onto the vibrant streets, the aroma of incense and freshly made jalebis wafted through the air.

She wandered through the narrow lanes lined with age-old temples, colorful shops, and the occasional sounds of temple bells mingling with chants.

For Vaani, the city was an enchanting maze, each turn offering something new to admire—a soulful journey that was just beginning.

******************

Bangalore

The cozy café buzzed with soft chatter and clinking cups. Vidhan, Vidhi, and Ved sat at a corner table, their eyes discreetly fixed on Amrita and Aarohi seated a few tables away.

“Hum itne door kyun baithe hain? Kuch sunai nahi de raha,” Ved complained, leaning forward in frustration.

“Haa toh ek kaam karte hain—unhi ke table par ja kar baith jaate hain. Achhe se sunai dega,” Vidhan retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Vidhi tried to suppress her laughter but failed miserably. Ved shot her a look. “Haan haan, tu bhi has le!” he said, his irritation evident.

“Sorry yaar,” Vidhi said, stifling another laugh. The trio returned their focus to the duo they were stalking.

Just then, Vidhan’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—Vaani was video calling him. Without hesitation, he picked it up.

“Haan bol,” Vidhan said.

“Kaun hai?” Vidhi and Ved asked in unison, their curiosity piqued.

“Yeh ladki kaun hai aapke saath?” Vaani’s teasing voice came through as she noticed Vidhi sitting beside Vidhan, though her face wasn’t visible on the screen.

“Vidhi hai,” Vidhan replied, turning the camera toward Vidhi.

“Hi, bhabhi,” Vidhi greeted with a cheerful smile.

“Tum mere bhai ke saath?” Vaani teased, feigning shock.

“Ved bhi hai, bhabhi,” Vidhi quipped, shifting the camera toward Ved.

“Hi, di,” Ved greeted with a shy smile. Vidhan took the phone back, shaking his head at their antics.

“Aap teeno ek saath kya kar rahe ho?” Vaani asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“Stalk,” Vidhan said nonchalantly.

“What? Kis ko aur kyun?” Vaani’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Woh baad mein batata hoon. Abhi chup reh, sunne de,” Vidhan replied, motioning for silence as they resumed eavesdropping.

While the trio focused on Amrita and Aarohi’s conversation, Vaani’s attention drifted elsewhere. Her gaze lingered on the subtle closeness between Vidhan and Vidhi. The way Vidhi leaned on Vidhan for a better view or casually held his arm—it was a natural, effortless camaraderie that spoke volumes.

A soft smile played on Vaani’s lips as she observed them. A realization dawned upon her, one that filled her with a quiet joy.

Meanwhile....

“Aarohi, I’m telling you, he doesn’t have any girlfriend,” Amrita said.

“Toh jaa aur propose kar de,” Amrita urged, her tone insistent.

“Yeh log kiski baat kar rahe hain?” Vidhi whispered, her curiosity piqued.

“Dekhte hain,” Vidhan replied, leaning in further to listen.

“But what if he rejects me?” Aarohi’s voice was tinged with hesitation.

“At least tell him how you feel. Baaki sab baad mein dekh lenge,” Amrita encouraged.

“Okay, but not now. I need time. But I will definitely tell him that I love him,” Aarohi said, her resolve strengthening.

Amrita sighed. “Okay,” she said, before both girls turned their attention back to their coffee.

“Is that you, Ved?” Vidhan asked, a smirk creeping onto his face.

“What?” Ved said, looking utterly confused.

“Kya woh tujhse pyaar karti hai?” Vidhan asked, his tone teasing.

“I think Vidhan is right. She loves you,” Vidhi added, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Faltu baatein mat karo,” Ved snapped, getting up abruptly and leaving the café.

Vidhan and Vidhi exchanged heavy sighs, shaking their heads in unison.

“Kaun karta hai Ved ko like? Koi mujhe bhi kuch batao,” Vaani interjected from the call, her voice laced with amusement.

They chuckled and quickly narrated the entire story to her.

“And ab woh kuch bhi sochne ko tayar nahi hai,” Vidhan concluded, exasperated.

“Give him some time, bhai,” Vaani advised, her voice soothing. Both Vidhan and Vidhi nodded in agreement.

“Btw, tune call kyun kiya tha?” Vidhan asked.

“Banaras is so beautiful, bhai,” Vaani gushed.

“Tu Banaras mein kya kar rahi hai?” Vidhan asked, curious. Vaani quickly recounted the details of her trip.

“Accha, ab tu Banaras ghoom, and we should leave now,” Vidhan said, glancing at Vidhi.

“Okay, bhai. Bye bhai, bye Vidhi,” Vaani said, her warm smile lighting up the screen.

“Bye,” Vidhan and Vidhi said in unison before disconnecting the call.

*******************

Banaras

The golden hues of the setting sun streamed through the curtains as Vaani stepped out of the washroom, dressed in an elegant white anarkali suit that flowed like poetry with every step. The intricate embroidery on the fabric shimmered subtly under the soft light.

* Vaani's outfit *

“How am I looking?” she asked, her voice soft, yet curious, as her eyes

darted toward Rishit, who sat on the couch.

Rishit, dressed in black formal trousers and a crisp white shirt with rolled-up sleeves that revealed his veiny forearms, looked strikingly handsome.

For a fleeting moment, Vaani's breath hitched. Her gaze lingered on him, her heart seemingly skipping a beat. Unknowingly, a gentle smile curved her lips as she admired him, her mind momentarily lost.

Noticing her gaze, Rishit finally looked up.

“Acchi lag rahi ho,” he said simply, his tone neutral, his face a blank canvas devoid of emotions.

Vaani caught his lack of reaction but chose to ignore it, still captivated by how effortlessly he carried himself.

“Chale?” Rishit asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Haan, chalo,” she replied quickly, regaining her composure.

The trio soon arrived at Assi Ghat, where the ethereal beauty of the Ganga and the tranquil air seemed to cast a spell. They wandered through the ghat, soaking in the spiritual energy and the serene surroundings.

After visiting the temples, they approached a priest, seeking his blessings. Rishit and Vaani bent to touch his feet, Kartik following suit.

“Bhagwan aap dono ki jodi hamesha banaye rakhein, sada sukhi raho,” the priest blessed them with a kind smile. “Doodho nahao, puto phalo.”

The words hung in the air for a moment as Rishit and Vaani exchanged shocked glances. However, a soft warmth spread through Vaani’s chest. It was an unexpected but pleasant blessing.

“Issi ashirwaad ki toh zarurat thi, pandit ji,” Kartik muttered under his breath, his lips quirking into a sly smile.

As they moved to stand before the deity’s idol, Kartik silently joined his hands in prayer.

“Bhagwan ji,” he whispered fervently, “Aaj phir wahi maangne aaya hoon—Rishit ki khushi. Please, Rishit ko Vaani se pyaar karwa do.” With that, he touched the idol reverently, his sincerity shining through his actions.

After that, they walked toward the shimmering Ganga river, the evening sky painted in strokes of amber and crimson. Kartik walked a few steps ahead, leaving Vaani and Rishit to trail behind.

Vaani hesitated for a moment before looking at Rishit. “Rishit, can I hold your arm?”

Rishit stopped and turned to look at her, his expression contemplative. After a moment’s pause, he gave a slight nod.

A radiant smile spread across Vaani’s face as she gently wrapped her hand around his arm. The touch felt natural, and though Rishit didn’t say a word, the small gesture seemed monumental to her.

They reached the steps by the river and sat down, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The water reflected the fiery colors of the sky, creating a mesmerizing view.

“It’s so beautiful,” Vaani and Kartik said in unison, their voices tinged with awe.

Rishit, however, remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the horizon. His expression was unreadable, but something in his stillness spoke of unvoiced thoughts.

They lingered on the steps for a while, absorbing the serenity, before attending the Maha Aarti, a spectacle of devotion and grandeur that left them in awe.

After the ganga aarti, the trio eventually wandered into the vibrant local market, where the air buzzed with chatter, the aroma of street food, and the colorful display of handcrafted goods.

Vaani’s eyes sparkled as she browsed through the stalls, admiring the intricate jewelry and vibrant fabrics, while Kartik teased her with light-hearted jokes.

Rishit followed silently, his demeanor calm, though his presence beside Vaani felt reassuring.

For Vaani, the evening was magical, not just because of Banaras’s beauty, but also because of the subtle shifts she noticed in Rishit. Though his words were few and his expressions muted, there was a comfort in his quiet companionship that warmed her heart.

*******************

The trio returned to the hotel after an eventful evening, their minds filled with the sights and sounds of Banaras. Once inside, they headed to their respective rooms.

Rishit changed into a simple t-shirt and track pants and settled on the couch, intending to sleep there. He laid back, his eyes closed, as if the day's exhaustion had finally caught up to him.

Meanwhile, Vaani went into the washroom to change. After a while, she emerged in a night suit. Her eyes immediately fell on Rishit, who was lying on the couch. His face was calm, his features softened in repose, and she assumed he had fallen asleep.

Quietly, she walked closer, her movements gentle, almost hesitant. She lowered herself to the floor beside him and reached out, her fingers brushing through his thick hair in a soothing caress.

Rishit, who was very much awake, felt her every touch. Though his eyes remained shut and his breathing steady, his senses were acutely aware of her presence, her closeness, and the tenderness in her actions.

Vaani leaned in closer, her heart thundering in her chest. Her warm breath fanned over his forehead as she hesitated for a moment, unsure yet unable to stop herself.

Finally, she placed a soft, lingering kiss on his forehead, her lips staying there just a beat longer than necessary, as if pouring all her unspoken emotions into that gentle touch.

Rishit's heart stuttered at the unexpected gesture, but he remained composed, refusing to open his eyes or react.

Vaani pulled back slowly, a faint blush tinting her cheeks. She stood and quietly made her way to the bed, slipping under the covers and turning to face the wall.

Rishit waited a moment longer before his eyes fluttered open. His expression was one of quiet shock, his mind replaying the moment again and again.

He shook his head lightly as if trying to brush off the emotions stirring within him and closed his eyes again.

The room fell into silence, but their hearts whispered stories neither was ready to say out loud.

____________________________________________________________________________

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