Chapter XVI
"Worries on the Road, Warmth on the Ride"
Time had passed — more than I expected — and yet, there was still no sign of Sita. The excitement that had once fluttered in my chest was slowly being replaced by concern. Every few minutes, my eyes would dart toward the door, half-hoping, half-praying she'd walk in. But she didn't.
Not yet.
Sensing the unease building inside me, one of my friends finally nudged me gently and said, "Vedu… go. Go bring her home."
That was all the push I needed.
"I'm going," I said, grabbing my bike keys without another second of hesitation.
I rushed outside, the cool air brushing against my skin as I started the bike and sped off toward her workplace. My heart pounded harder with every turn I took. It wasn't just worry anymore. It was the kind of restlessness that only came when someone you cared about deeply was late — and unreachable.
But fate had its own way of bringing people together.
Because just halfway down the road, I spotted her.
There she was — standing by the side of the street next to a cab that had clearly broken down. She was trying to talk to the driver, looking more frustrated than ever. But the moment our eyes met, everything around us slowed down.
I pulled over quickly and drove my bike up to her side.
Removing my helmet, I called out, gently but with a touch of frustration, "Sita… if anything goes wrong, if you're ever stuck like this — at least call me. Do you even know how worried I was about you?"
She looked at me with those soft eyes, filled with exhaustion and something else — something sharper. She crossed her arms and replied, "If you're that worried, then why don't you pick me up and drop me off every day?"
I blinked.
Ah… so that's what this was really about.
I couldn't help but smile — not mockingly, but with that quiet affection that slips through when you know someone well enough to see past their words.
"Okay," I said, leaning in a little with a playful nod, "So that's the issue? Fine then. Starting tomorrow, I'll be the one picking up and dropping off my honey every single day. Happy?"
Sita raised an eyebrow but couldn't hide the tiny smile tugging at her lips. "Wait a second… let me cancel this ride. Then I'll come with you."
And just like that, she pulled out her phone and canceled the cab booking. Then, without a word, she stepped closer and climbed onto the bike, wrapping her arms tightly around me.
Tightly.
It wasn't just about holding on for balance. It was a kind of grip that said I was waiting for this — for you.
I took a moment to close my eyes and breathe her in. That warmth. That closeness. That silence between us that didn't need to be filled with words.
I slipped my helmet back on and kick-started the bike.
As the engine roared and the city rushed past us, I felt it again — that soft thud in my chest. A feeling I was slowly beginning to understand.
Maybe this wasn't just about a ride home.
Maybe this was what falling in love really looked like — in the little things. In being there. In showing up. In turning around when someone didn't ask… but needed you anyway.
And so, we rode back together.
Closer than ever.
Homebound — not just to a house full of people…
But maybe, to something more.
"The Surprise She Didn't See Coming"
We finally reached home.
As soon as I parked the bike, I stepped off, turned around, and gently took Sita's hand in mine. She looked up, slightly surprised — maybe by the way I held her, maybe by the quiet warmth in my touch — but she didn't pull away.
Hand in hand, we walked together toward our apartment.
And the moment I unlocked the door and pushed it open, a wave of energy burst through.
Inside, everyone was waiting — my friends, her friends, all of them gathered in that one living room glowing with fairy lights and soft music. The moment Sita stepped in, a collective cheer echoed through the space.
"Welcome, Sita!" they all said in unison, their voices filled with joy and affection.
She froze for a second, clearly overwhelmed. But before she could even respond, a few of them stepped forward with wide smiles and guided her gently toward a chair in the center of the room — treating her like the guest of honor she didn't know she was about to become.
With soft hands and playful laughs, they seated her gracefully, making sure she was comfortable. A beautiful cake — carefully decorated, with our names etched on it — was then placed on the table in front of her.
And that's when the real surprise began.
Everyone gathered around, and before she could say anything, they giggled and told her, "Close your eyes, Sita!"
She hesitated for a moment, then smiled and obeyed.
As her eyes remained closed, I could see that soft curiosity beginning to form on her face.
"Now, make a wish," someone whispered beside her.
Sita took a slow breath, and in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "I wish my friends were here too…"
The room fell quiet.
And in the next second — hands lifted away from her eyes.
She blinked once. Twice. And then…
Her entire expression shifted.
Standing in front of her — Minaci, Dhanvi, Avika — her best friends, her soul sisters. The ones she thought were miles away.
They weren't.
They were here.
Sita gasped, a hand flying to her mouth as her eyes shimmered with disbelief and tears.
It took her a moment — just a moment — to process what was happening.
Then she turned toward me.
Tears still caught in the corners of her lashes, but her smile was the most unguarded I had ever seen it. Gentle. Grateful. Glowing.
"This was your plan… wasn't it?" she asked softly.
I didn't say much. Just nodded once, and said, "Yes."
And before I could add anything else — she leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek.
Not hurried. Not teasing.
A real kiss.
Soft. Quiet. Full of meaning.
My heart stopped for just a second.
Then she turned away and walked toward her friends — arms wide, laughter spilling from her lips as she hugged each of them tightly. The room erupted in cheers and giggles again, the air suddenly fuller, brighter — just like her.
And I stood there watching it all unfold.
Her smile.
Her people.
Her happiness.
It was everything I had hoped for… and maybe, something I hadn't even dared to wish for.
Because in that moment, I wasn't just someone who pulled off a surprise.
I was someone she looked at — really looked at — like I mattered.
And deep down…
I think I was starting to believe it too.
To be continue....