CHAPTER XXXV
"Third-Wheel Alert"
It was supposed to be a simple, quiet outing—just me and my Sita. We were heading out to pick up a few things and maybe drive around the village so she could see a little more than just the walls of our house. I had just stepped into the car, excited for a moment alone with her, when fate—disguised as my sister—decided to intervene.
Just as Sita reached the car, Saumya popped up like a surprise quiz.
"If you both are going out," she said with that I'm-being-very-sweet-but-this-isn't-optional tone, "can you please take Jasmine with you? She's getting so bored at home. I would've sent her with my husband, but he's busy running after the kids."
Sita smiled—because of course, she's the epitome of calm and kindness—and nodded. "Sure, we'll take her. No need to explain so much."
Saumya beamed and, like a blessing from a Bollywood mother-in-law, placed her hand gently on Sita's head. "Thank you, Sita."
Before I could even sigh properly, Jasmine came strutting out like she was auditioning for a road trip movie. I was about to unlock the passenger side for Sita when Jasmine smoothly slid in and made herself comfortable.
"Oh, I hope you don't mind," she said in a singsong voice, tightening her seatbelt. "I get really uncomfortable sitting in the backseat. Motion sickness and all that."
I stared at her, blinking. Really? This is happening?
I turned my head slowly toward Sita, leaned close, and muttered under my breath, "Why are we even taking her with us?"
Sita gave me a look that said, Behave, and replied softly, "Because your sister asked us to."
I groaned. "Great. Okay then, you drive. I'll sit in the back and die a little."
Sita laughed. "The village roads are bad, Ved. You sure you want me behind the wheel?"
I leaned in dramatically. "Sita, you drive better than me and you know it. Don't pretend now. And please, don't refuse me this one luxury—I want to sulk in peace."
She chuckled and shook her head. "You always get so dramatic so fast. Fine. We'll drop her at a cute café and sneak away. How about that?"
My face lit up. "Now that's my genius wife! Look at you, saving the day with style."
Sita smirked. "Yeah, yeah. In return, you're buying me that new makeup kit. My last one's crying for help."
I raised an eyebrow. "With the way you slather on powder, I'm surprised the whole kit didn't run away."
"Ved…" she said warningly, but with a teasing sparkle in her eyes.
"Okay, okay! You win!" I held up my hands like a surrendering cartoon character. "Let's just go. And by the way—look at Jasmine trying to eavesdrop from the front seat. She's practically burning holes in the dashboard."
Sita burst out laughing as she got behind the wheel, the engine humming to life. I climbed into the back like a martyr, dramatically sighing as I fastened my seatbelt.
Jasmine turned slightly and said, "Is something wrong?"
I smiled sweetly. "Nope. Everything's perfect."
And as we drove off, watching Sita take the wheel like the goddess of patience she is and Jasmine babbling about café menu options, I leaned back and whispered to myself, I'm totally buying her that makeup kit… with a bonus lipstick for putting up with this third-wheel adventure.
"Who Needs GPS When You Have Ved?"
Sita had just taken the wheel, and I couldn't help but play my usual role of the self-declared navigator. I leaned in, a little too confidently, and said, "Sita, let me guide you through the route, okay? I know the way."
Without even turning her head, she replied coolly, "No need, Ved. We have GPS, remember?"
I scoffed. "Yeah, but the GPS will take us through the old boring roads. Trust me, I know a better way."
Sita gave me a sideways glance, half amused and half exasperated. "Ved, GPS stays up to date. You don't need to worry so much."
Before I could launch into my passionate argument on why Google Maps can't beat my instincts, a sudden voice broke through our little domestic drama.
Jasmine, who had been sitting in the passenger seat, silently bobbing her head to music through her earbuds, suddenly yanked one out and huffed, "You know what? I'm coming to the back. You two clearly need to sit together and bicker properly before we even leave."
Before I could react, she unbuckled her seatbelt with flair, stepped out, and climbed into the backseat—right beside where I had been sitting earlier. That left me standing there awkwardly outside the car, mid-eye roll, with no option but to go sit in the passenger seat next to Sita.
I slid into the front seat with a dramatic sigh, trying not to grin too obviously. Sita peeked over at me with a sly smile and said, "You're so wicked, Ved. You planned this, didn't you?"
I gasped, hand on my heart like I was in a courtroom drama. "Sita! How could you say that? Can't you see my innocent little face? I'm wounded."
She snorted. "Ved, everyone knows you too well by now. Spare me the act."
Before I could cook up a defense, Jasmine's voice rang from the backseat, crystal clear. "By the way, I haven't put my earbuds back in yet. I can hear everything."
I turned slightly, smirked at her, and teased, "Well then, you're welcome. We were performing for you anyway. Now please, feel free to resume your concert and let us embarrass ourselves in peace."
Sita burst into laughter, trying to hide it behind her hand as she started the car. But her eyes sparkled with mischief, and her shoulders shook with silent giggles.
The car rolled forward, our little triangle of chaos humming along with the engine. Jasmine rolled her eyes but smiled, pulling her hoodie up and finally putting her earbuds in, pretending she wasn't secretly enjoying every second of the madness.
And me? I just leaned back in my seat, grinning to myself like the smooth criminal I am.
Because in the end—mission accomplished.
"Coffee, Keys, and a Little Escape Plan"
After a light-hearted ride filled with teasing, music, and laughter, the three of us finally pulled up to a cozy little café at the edge of the village. It was quiet, warm, and smelled of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries. The kind of place that made you forget the world existed beyond its glass doors.
We led Jasmine inside and ordered our coffees—mine, extra strong; Sita's, sweet and mild; and Jasmine's, some fancy vanilla cold brew with whipped cream. The café felt like a little pocket of calm, but something about Jasmine's expression told me she was still itching to be elsewhere.
Once we found a quiet corner, I leaned toward her and asked gently, "If you need to go anywhere or have something else to do, Jasmine, don't hesitate to tell us, okay?"
She stirred her drink, looking slightly hesitant, and then said, "Actually... yeah. I want to go to the Lady Bar."
I blinked. "The bar? At this hour? Don't people usually go to bars at night?"
Jasmine laughed lightly. "It's not like that. The owner is an old friend of mine. I just want to meet her. It's not really for drinking or partying."
I nodded, a small smirk playing on my lips. "As you wish, madam."
We sipped the last of our drinks, and as promised, after finishing up at the café, we drove Jasmine to the bar she had mentioned. The building was sleek and quiet from the outside, clearly not open for the night crowd yet. It was the kind of place you could imagine transforming into a lively neon dream once the sun set.
I hopped out of the car with her and turned to Sita. "Park the car right here. Let's give Jasmine the keys."
Sita looked at me, a little confused. "Why are we handing her the keys? Are we not going back with her?"
I grinned, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Sita, just trust me on this. We're about to go have a lot of fun. No car, no responsibilities—just you and me."
Sita raised an eyebrow. "Ved... what are you planning now?"
I slipped the car keys into Jasmine's hand and gave her a wink. "You go ahead, Jas. Drive safe and take your time. We'll catch up later."
Sita stood there for a second, still trying to figure out what was going on. But then, without a word, she looked at me—and just smiled.
The kind of smile that said "Okay, I'm in."
Without hesitation, she reached out and took my hand in hers. No questions, no doubts. Just her fingers slipping into mine like they always belonged there.
We turned away from the parked car, walking side by side into the unknown, hearts light, laughter trailing behind us like sunshine.
In that moment, it didn't matter where we were headed—what mattered was who we were heading there with.
To be continue....