[30]

Rishit and Vaani were driving back from the hospital, the gentle hum of the car engine filling the comfortable silence between them. Vaani clutched her medical report in her lap, her brows furrowed slightly as she glanced at Rishit.

"I told you it was just a simple cold, but no, you never listen to me," Vaani chided, her tone laced with a mix of frustration and fondness as she turned to face him.

Rishit, unfazed, kept his eyes on the road but couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across his face. "Routine check-ups are important, Vaani. Just think of it as a precautionary measure," he replied with a wide grin, his tone light.

"Haa haa, theek hai," Vaani mumbled under her breath, turning her attention to the window. The cityscape blurred past, the golden hues of the setting sun casting a soft glow on her serene face.

After a few minutes, the car slowed, and Rishit expertly pulled over in front of a quaint, warmly lit restaurant. Vaani, startled by the unexpected stop, looked at the building and then back at him, her confusion evident.

"Hum yahaan kyun aaye hain?" she asked, her brows knitting together.

Rishit rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish smile creeping onto his face. "Well, we've never really gone on a date, so I thought… why not?"

Vaani’s lips twitched, a soft chuckle escaping her. "Oh, so today you've decided to take me out on a date?" she teased, her tone laced with amusement.

Rishit nodded shyly, his gaze briefly dropping to his hands before meeting hers again. The gesture made Vaani smile warmly, her hand unconsciously brushing against the curve of her neck.

"Do you know what, Rishit? You’re giving me that 18 year old boy in love kind of vibe," she said, her laugh melodic as it filled the small space of the car.

Rishit’s grin deepened, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he stepped closer, his voice dropping into a soft, teasing whisper. "Now let’s go, or I might just give you that 24 year old man in love kind of vibe," he said, leaning in just enough for his words to tickle her ear.

The effect was immediate. A deep blush spread across Vaani’s cheeks, her flustered state causing her to break eye contact almost instantly. Without a word, she nodded and stepped out of the car, walking toward the restaurant with a deliberate pace.

Rishit chuckled to himself, his heart swelling at her reaction as he locked the car and followed her inside.

After that, they were escorted to a private room in the restaurant, its ambiance cozy and intimate with dim lighting and soft music playing in the background.

The table was elegantly set with a small vase of fresh roses and flickering candles, creating an atmosphere of warmth and romance.

Rishit walked ahead, pulling out a chair for Vaani like a perfect gentleman. "Have your seat, madam," he said, his tone playful yet warm, his smile reaching his eyes.

Vaani chuckled at his chivalry, her face lighting up. "Thank you, patidev," she replied with mock seriousness, taking her seat gracefully.

Rishit settled into the chair across from her, leaning slightly on the table as he met her gaze. "I hope this lives up to your expectations of a first date," he said with a lopsided smile.

Vaani shook her head, her eyes sparkling. "Let's see."

They exchanged a smile before calling the waiter to place their orders. The menu was an assortment of exotic dishes, and after a little discussion and playful arguments over their preferences, they decided on a few favorites.

After a short wait, their food arrived—plates of aromatic dishes that made Vaani's stomach grumble softly, much to her embarrassment. Rishit noticed and laughed softly, serving her a portion of the delicacies.

"Shuru kijiye, biwi jii,  You must be starving after all the scolding you gave me earlier," he teased, raising a brow.

Vaani shot him a mock glare but couldn’t hold back her smile. "You deserve every bit of it," she retorted, taking a bite of the food.

As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly. They spoke about everything and nothing—old memories, funny anecdotes, and fleeting dreams. Vaani shared stories from her childhood, while Rishit recounted a recent mishap at work that had her laughing until her eyes watered.

At one point, Rishit paused, watching her as she animatedly described an incident from her college days. The way her eyes sparkled, the way her hands moved as she spoke—it was captivating.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Vaani asked suddenly, her voice breaking his reverie.

Rishit smiled softly, leaning his elbows on the table. "Kabhi kabhi lagta bhi h ki tumhara meri aankhon ke samne hona hi mere jeene ke liya kafhi h."

Caught off guard, Vaani felt her cheeks flush. She looked down at her plate, unable to meet his gaze, but the smile on her face gave away how much his words affected her.

The dinner continued, punctuated by laughter, stolen glances, and the quiet realization that this was not just a dinner date—it was a moment they’d both cherish forever.

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

Bangalore

The next day, Vidhan and Vidhi found themselves sitting in the hospital waiting area. The sterile smell of antiseptics lingered in the air, and the faint hum of conversations and footsteps filled the quiet moments.

"Vidhi, hum hospital kyun aaye hain? Na tum bimar ho, na main," Vidhan asked, his brows furrowing in confusion as he glanced at her.

Vidhi, seated comfortably beside him, turned her head slightly and gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Vidhan, there’s this thing called a routine check-up. Wahi karwane aaye hain," she said, her tone teasing.

Vidhan frowned slightly, clearly unimpressed. "But meri meeting thi," he muttered, sounding mildly exasperated.

Vidhi, however, wasn’t fazed. She rolled her eyes dramatically and said, "Vidhan, aap na bhai ki tarah sadu bante ja rahe ho. Wo bhi bas meeting-meeting karte rehte hain," her voice laced with playful mockery.

Vidhan couldn’t help but grin at her remark. "Theek hai, theek hai. Routine check-up ke baad chala jaunga," he said, relenting with a wide smile.

Vidhi glanced at him from the corner of her eye, struggling to suppress her laughter. "Hmm," she hummed nonchalantly, her lips twitching as she tried to maintain a straight face.

Vidhan chuckled softly at her antics, shaking his head. Shortly after, their names were called, and they both headed in for their respective check-ups.

Once done, they stepped out of the hospital into the bustling city streets. The sun shone brightly overhead, and a gentle breeze carried with it the faint aroma of flowers from a nearby vendor.

"Vidhan, aap reports le lena," Vidhi reminded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and Vidhan nodded.

"Waise, Vidhi, ye achanak routine check-up karwane ka idea kyun aaya tumhe?" he asked, his curiosity piqued as he glanced sideways at her.

Vidhi shrugged casually, her expression nonchalant. "Bahut dino se nahi karwaya tha, so thought of doing it now," she replied, her tone light.

Vidhan gave a small nod, accepting her answer without further questions. "Okay," he said simply.

After a brief drive filled with light conversation, Vidhan pulled up outside Vidhi’s college. She stepped out, waving at him with a cheerful smile.

"Take care, Vidhi," he called out, watching as she walked toward the gates.

"You too, Vidhan," she replied, her voice soft yet carrying a note of affection.

As she disappeared into the crowd of students, Vidhan sighed and turned the car toward his office, already bracing himself for the day’s meetings. The thought of Vidhi’s playful remarks, however, lingered, bringing a small smile to his face.

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

Vidhi entered the classroom, her usual confident demeanor intact, only to notice an unusual commotion at the far end. A group of girls had gathered around a desk, their chatter creating a low buzz that filled the room.

Frowning slightly, Vidhi made her way toward the desk. Her steps quickened when she recognized the familiar figure sitting there. It was Ved, perched casually on the desk, though something seemed off.

"What’s happening here?" Vidhi asked loudly, her voice cutting through the murmurs.

One of the girls turned to her, concern etched on her face. "Ved ko chot lag gayi," she explained, gesturing toward him.

Vidhi’s heart skipped a beat as panic set in. Her eyes darted toward Ved, scanning him from head to toe. "Kaha aur kaise, Ved?" she demanded, her voice laced with urgency.

Ved, trying to appear nonchalant, lifted his injured foot slightly. "I hurt my toe," he said, his tone calm but his expression betraying mild discomfort.

Vidhi sighed, exasperated. "Dhyan se chalna chahiye tha na," she scolded gently before crouching to examine his foot. Her brows furrowed as she inspected the injury, relief washing over her when she realized it wasn’t severe.

"Thank God, jyada nahi hai," she said, her tone lighter now. She straightened up and moved to sit beside Ved on the desk, her presence grounding him.

Turning to the girls still hovering nearby, Vidhi spoke with calm authority. "Jyada chot nahi lagi hai. You all can go back to your places."

The girls, though hesitant at first, eventually dispersed, leaving Vidhi and Ved alone.

Ved’s gaze, however, wasn’t on Vidhi. Instead, his eyes subtly drifted toward Aarohi, who sat a few rows away. Aarohi was stealing glances at him, her expression a mix of concern and hesitation.

Ved’s jaw tightened as he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible but heavy with hurt. "Waise to bahut bolti hai ki ‘I love you,’ aur yaha tak aayi bhi nahi."

Vidhi caught the faint edge in his tone and followed his gaze, immediately understanding the source of his frustration. She looked back at him, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Paas aaye to bhi problem, aur na aaye to bhi problem. Tu bahut ajeeb hai Ved," Vidhi finally said, breaking the silence with her straightforward remark. Her voice carried a hint of exasperation, but her eyes held a teasing glimmer as she looked at Ved.

Ved heard her but remained silent, his gaze still fixated on the floor. The corners of his mouth twitched as if he wanted to respond, but he held back, his emotions tangled between hurt and frustration.

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

Dehradun

Rishit and Vaani sat across from each other at the dinner table, the soft clinking of cutlery against plates filling the comfortable silence.

The warm glow of the chandelier overhead added a cozy charm to the evening. Both were engrossed in their meal, savoring the simple joy of dining together.

Breaking the silence, Vaani glanced up, her tone soft yet longing. "Rishit, hum ghar kab jaenge?"

Rishit looked up from his plate, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Jab aap kahe, tab chal denge," he replied, his voice calm and reassuring.

A faint pout formed on Vaani’s lips as she rested her chin on her hand. "Kya hum jaldi se jaldi ja sakte hain?" she asked, her eyes carrying a hint of yearning.

"I want to live with everyone," she added, her tone tinged with nostalgia as her pout deepened slightly.

Rishit couldn’t help but smile at her childlike expression. "Haan, hum jaldi hi chalenge," he promised, his voice warm and soothing.

Hearing his words, Vaani’s face lit up with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

Once they finished their meal, Rishit helped clear the table before they made their way to their bedroom. The room was dimly lit, the cool breeze from the open window adding a serene vibe to the space.

As they settled into bed, Vaani nestled into Rishit’s arms, her head resting comfortably on his chest. His arms wrapped around her protectively, offering her a sense of peace.

The rhythm of their breaths synced, the warmth of their closeness lulling them into a deep, tranquil sleep, their hearts content and dreams filled with the thought of home and the family they longed to reunite with.

____________________________________________________________________________

[ A / N : I have two weddings to attend continuously, so it will be difficult for me to write chapters between the wedding functions. So I won't be able to update from 20 Jan to 6 Feb. I will try to update if I will be free but can't promise, hope you all will understand.

Thank you 🎀 ]

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