[23]

Rishit and Vaani were seated in the car, an unsettling silence enveloping them. Neither of them seemed inclined to break it. The hum of the engine and the faint sound of passing vehicles were the only interruptions in their stillness.

After some time, Vaani's phone buzzed, breaking the monotony. She glanced at the screen and noticed it was Kartik calling. Answering the call, she greeted him with a calm, "Hello."

On the other end, Kartik's animated voice cut through. "Bhabhi, Rishit ghar par hai kya?"

A hint of surprise crossed her features. "Hum dono hi ghar par nahi hain," Vaani responded. "We are going somewhere."

The silence from Kartik’s side was short-lived before an incredulous "What?" escaped him. His tone betrayed his astonishment as he continued, "You’re with Rishit?"

A slight frown creased Vaani's brow. "Haan," she affirmed, puzzled by his reaction. "But why are you so shocked?"

"'Cause Rishit kabhi kisi ko waha nahi le jata," Kartik explained, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Main bhi sirf ek-do baar hi gaya hoon."

At his words, a gentle warmth spread through Vaani’s chest. She turned her gaze toward Rishit, who was focused on the road. Her lips curved into a soft smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling with affection.

"Main baad mein baat karta hoon, Bhabhi," Kartik said hurriedly before ending the call, leaving Vaani in reflective silence.

Still smiling, Vaani shifted her attention back to Rishit. The curiosity in her tone was unmistakable as she asked, "Hum kahan ja rahe hain, Rishit?"

Rishit spared her a glance, his expression unreadable, before returning his focus to the road. Instead of answering her question, he asked his own, his voice calm yet curious. "Kiska call tha?"

"Kartik," she replied simply. Rishit gave a knowing nod, understanding what Kartik must have conveyed to her.

"Bas, pahuch hi gaye," Rishit said after a while. The car slowed to a halt, and Vaani’s eyes widened slightly as she took in the building before them.

Stepping out of the car, she followed Rishit to the entrance. The weathered signboard caught her attention, and she read it aloud, "RN NGO."

Her brows furrowed slightly as she turned to him. "What is this, Rishit?" she asked, her tone filled with intrigue.

Rishit’s expression softened, a glimmer of pride evident in his voice as he replied, "It’s my NGO." Without elaborating further, he pushed open the gate and stepped inside.

Vaani followed, a smile playing on her lips as she observed him. "I never knew Rishit had this side to him," she muttered under her breath, her admiration growing with every step.

As they entered, the atmosphere shifted. Children’s laughter echoed faintly in the background, mingling with the bustling sounds of volunteers. Vaani's gaze moved over the vibrant murals on the walls, the neatly arranged activity areas, and the unmistakable energy of a space brimming with hope.

The aura of the place was transformative, and Vaani found herself looking at Rishit in a new light.

As they stepped into the living room of the NGO, a chorus of cheerful voices greeted them.

"Rishit Bhaiya!"

A group of children rushed toward them, their laughter filling the room. They stopped just short of him, their faces lighting up with joy.

"Kaise ho tum sab?" Rishit asked warmly, a rare smile gracing his face.

"We are fine, Bhaiya," replied a young girl named Raahi, her voice brimming with excitement.

Raahi’s curious eyes then shifted to Vaani, who stood by Rishit's side, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Bhaiya," she asked innocently, "yeh didi kaun hai?"

Rishit turned to glance at Vaani, his expression softening. "She’s not your didi," he said, his tone laced with a hint of playfulness. "She’s your bhabhi."

Vaani’s smile widened at his words, her cheeks tinged with a subtle pink as an unfamiliar warmth spread through her.

Before the moment could linger, a young boy named Rohit piped up, his tone tinged with reproach. "Bhaiya, aap itne din baad kyun aaye humse milne?"

Rishit crouched slightly to meet the boy’s eyes. "Woh beta, main kaafi busy tha," he explained.

"Bhabhi ke saath," Raahi interjected with an innocent smile, her words causing both Rishit and Vaani to freeze momentarily.

Their eyes met briefly before they quickly looked away, both visibly flustered.

"Woh office mein kaam zyada tha," Rishit clarified, clearing his throat. "Aur phir shaadi bhi toh thi na meri."

A boy named Karan grinned mischievously. "Bhaiya, aapne shaadi kar li!" he exclaimed.

Rishit nodded, matching Karan’s smile.

Vaani, observing the lively chatter, decided to join in. "Waise aap sab mujhse nahi milenge?" she asked, opening her arms wide.

The children didn’t hesitate and ran toward her, enveloping her in a warm group hug. "I am Vaani," she introduced herself, her voice soft yet confident. "Aapke Bhaiya ki wife."

The children introduced themselves one by one, their energy contagious. Vaani made a genuine effort to remember each name, her heart swelling with affection for them.

After spending over an hour with the kids, engaging in stories, laughter, and endless chatter, Rishit finally announced their departure. "Achha bachcho, ab hum chalte hain. Meri flight bhi hai na."

The children collectively sighed in disappointment but nodded understandingly. "Okay Bhaiya, bye Bhaiya, bye Bhabhi," they chorused, their voices tinged with fondness.

Rishit and Vaani bid them farewell and headed toward their car.

As they reached the vehicle, Vaani unexpectedly wrapped her arms around Rishit’s waist, catching him off guard. His eyes widened in surprise, his arms momentarily hovering awkwardly in the air.

After a brief pause, Vaani pulled back, her face glowing with happiness. "Thank you so much mujhe yahan lane ke liye," she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Rishit, still slightly taken aback, simply nodded, his expression softening. Without exchanging another word, they both got into the car, a comfortable silence settling between them.

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

After some time, they returned to the house and ascended to the floor where their room was situated. The silence between them remained, a mixture of unspoken thoughts lingering in the air.

Upon reaching the corridor outside their room, Rishit stopped and turned slightly toward Vaani. "I’ll be back in a few minutes," he said in his usual composed tone.

Vaani nodded, watching him as he walked a few steps down the hall toward another room. She assumed he thought she had entered their room, but curiosity rooted her in place. She observed as he stopped at a door, keyed in a password she happened to catch, and disappeared inside.

She tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowed in confusion. Shaking off the moment, she finally entered their room, but the image of Rishit unlocking that room lingered in her mind.

Inside the mysterious room, Rishit locked the door behind him and turned toward the far wall. Hanging there was a large portrait of Nandini—her serene smile immortalized in paint, her eyes seemingly gazing back at him. This room was a sanctuary of her memories, where everything she had ever touched or cherished remained undisturbed.

Rishit approached the portrait, his fingers gently tracing its edges as if to feel her presence. His eyes softened, and he spoke into the stillness. "Tumhe pata hai, Nandini?" he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of warmth and hesitation.

"She hugged me today. And do you know what?" He paused, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Mujhe ajeeb nahi laga."

He let out a small breath, his hand still resting on the frame. "Mujhe hamesha se hi physical touch pasand nahi tha," he continued, his voice quieter now, as though speaking only to her. "But when you touched me, it was one of the most beautiful feelings I had ever experienced."

He stepped back slightly, running a hand through his hair as emotions warred within him. "And now, she touched me... and it didn’t feel wrong," he admitted, almost to himself. "I don’t know why, but there’s something inside me for her, something I can’t quite grasp or understand."

He let the silence linger before speaking again, his gaze dropping to the floor. "But is it right?" His voice was a whisper now, heavy with conflict.

His eyes lifted slowly, meeting hers in the portrait as though seeking answers. "Is it, Rishit? Is it right?" he repeated, his tone filled with raw vulnerability. "Is it, Nandini?"

For a moment, the stillness of the room seemed to hold his question, the weight of it pressing against his chest.

"I don't know... but kuch toh baat hai Vaani mein," Rishit murmured, his gaze fixed on Nandini’s portrait, as if seeking her silent approval. The conflicted emotions swirling in his chest were mirrored in his eyes.

He exhaled deeply, running a hand over his face, before continuing in a low, resolute voice. "I’m leaving for Singapore... meri flight hai," he said, his words deliberate, as though trying to reassure himself.

He paused, looking at the room one last time, his eyes lingering on every corner filled with Nandini’s memories. "But," he added, his voice softening, "I will come to a decision after I return."

Rishit stood there for a few moments longer, absorbing the stillness of the space and the memories it held, before finally turning away. He unlocked the door, stepped out, and closed it gently behind him, leaving the room and its weight behind—for now.

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

At the airport, the atmosphere was filled with the usual hustle and bustle, but for Vaani, time seemed to move slower. She stood near Rishit and Kartik, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, as if holding onto something invisible.

"Bye," she said softly, her tone betraying a hint of sadness as her eyes remained fixed on the floor.

"Bye," Rishit replied, his voice neutral as he turned to leave. But before he could take a step, he felt Vaani's arms wrap around his waist.

He froze mid-step, his arms hovering in the air, unsure of what to do. The sudden gesture caught him off guard. Just as he was about to react, Vaani pulled away as quickly as she had embraced him, her cheeks flushed.

"Bye," she said again, this time with a small smile, before turning and hurrying back to the car.

Rishit stood rooted in place, watching her retreating figure disappear into the car. A faint expression of confusion and something unspoken lingered on his face.

Meanwhile, Kartik stood to the side, a knowing smile spreading across his lips. He leaned slightly towards Rishit and teased him," Oohoo."

Rishit shot him a glare but said nothing, his gaze flickering back towards the car as it pulled away.

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

In Bangalore, the morning sun filtered through the corridors of the college as Ved made his way to his classroom. Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly collided with someone at the doorway.

"I am sorry," Aarohi mumbled hurriedly, not meeting his gaze, before slipping into the classroom.

Ved sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yahi kyun dikhti rehti hai mujhe aaj kal," he muttered under his breath before following her inside.

He walked straight to where Vidhi was already seated, trying to ignore the quickened pace of his heartbeat. Coincidentally, Aarohi and Amrita were sitting in the row beside them, positioning Aarohi right next to Ved.

Ved stole a glance in Aarohi's direction but immediately turned his face away upon realizing she was already looking at him. His fingers instinctively tightened around his notebook as he focused on anything but her.

As the lecture began, a moment of accidental contact sent an unexpected jolt through both of them. Their hands brushed lightly against each other while reaching for their pens. Aarohi felt her pulse quicken, while Ved clenched his fist, willing himself to remain unaffected.

"Ooh God, ye class kab khatam hogi," Ved whispered under his breath, pretending to be engrossed in the lecture.

The weight of Aarohi's gaze bore into him for the entirety of the class, her silent admiration making it impossible for him to concentrate. Ved's ears burned, and his discomfort grew with every passing second.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the lecture. Without a second thought, Ved practically bolted out of the classroom, eager to escape the overwhelming atmosphere.

"Wait for me, Ved!" Vidhi called out, rushing to catch up with him, her curiosity piqued by his strange behavior.

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