Author's Note:
Laughter can hide the deepest emotions, and dreams can reveal what the heart fears to admit. In the calm of morning by the Ganga, hearts speak in gestures, in touches, and in moments we least expect. Dreams, secrets, and bonds long hidden begin to surface in ways even the heart cannot ignore.
Blurb:
A morning stroll to the Ganga ghat becomes a whirlwind of playful chases, teasing, unexpected splashes, and quiet moments of connection. Ryu, Rey, Ravi, and the rest navigate laughter, jealousy, and unspoken emotions as the river carries their diyas—and their hearts—forward.
The cold wind blew gently against their faces, carrying the fresh scent of the Ganga. Sunlight bathed the streets of Rishikesh in soft gold, glinting off dew-covered stones. Birds chirped cheerfully, their melodies blending with the distant chants of morning aarti. Ryu walked wrapped tightly in her shawl, the crisp morning air brushing against her cheeks. She had just finished breakfast with her friends and was strolling along the narrow streets, her footsteps echoing softly on the stone paths toward the ghat.
The sun rose slowly, casting its first golden rays across the sleepy town. From every house came the soothing melody of aarti, intertwining with the songs of birds. The atmosphere was serene, almost sacred, yet within Ryu, a storm raged quietly.
Ryu's POV
I hugged my sketchbook closer, lost in the dream that had haunted me all night. It wasn't just a dream—it felt like a message, a puzzle, a memory I couldn't fully grasp. Every chant, every chirp, every gentle flutter of wind seemed distant, as if they existed in another world.
Behind me, my uncle, grandmother, and the parents of Maya and Kabir discussed plans softly. The adults looked tired, voices hushed, while the younger children ran around, laughing and chasing each other, making every moment vibrant.
Kabir's father suggested we kids visit the ghat before heading to the next destination. Grandmother decided to stay at the temple, entrusting Arjun and Siya di with keeping an eye on us.
Excited, we all rushed toward the ghat. Kabir whispered, almost in awe, "This place is heaven."Avyaan nodded, wide-eyed. "Yeah… it really is."
Kabir & Avyaan's POV
Kabir:The moment we stepped onto the ghat, I felt my jaw drop. The river stretched endlessly, reflecting the soft golden sunlight like molten gold. The cool breeze carried the scent of the water and the faint fragrance of flowers from the temples lining the banks. I couldn't help but whisper, "This place is heaven." Even the laughter of the younger kids running around didn't disturb the calm—it somehow added to the charm. Every corner felt alive, yet peaceful, like the world had paused just for this moment.
Avyaan:Kabir wasn't exaggerating. I blinked a few times, almost afraid the beauty would vanish if I looked away. The aarti from the temples mixed with the gentle lapping of the river and the chirping of birds—it was like stepping into a painting. I nodded slowly, eyes wide, unable to stop myself from taking it all in. "Yeah… it really is," I said, my voice quieter, almost reverent. I wished we could stay here forever, let time slow down, and just soak in the beauty before the chaos of travel resumed.
Maya tugged my shawl. "Come on, Ryu, let's go faster."
I nodded quietly, letting her pull me along.
She glanced at me, frowning. "You seem… lost. What's up?"
I forced a small smile. "Nothing… just thinking."
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Do you like Ravi?"
I blinked, caught off guard. "What? Why would you ask that?"
"Curiosity," she said, playful. "You two are so close, I wondered."
I shook my head firmly. "No, Maya. He's just a friend."
Aakash's POV
I watched Ryu as she walked ahead, sketchbook clutched in her hands. Seeing her again brought memories flooding back—the one I had tried so hard to bury. She was familiar, yet distant. I wanted to tell her everything, but something whispered, Not yet. Not now.
Rey and Ravi exchanged glances, noticing my silence. They stepped forward together, and soon we were all by her side.
Aakash sat quietly beside Ryu. Rey and Ravi followed, settling near her. The river flowed steadily, the chants of the aarti rising in gentle waves, and Ryu kept staring at her sketchbook, lost in thought.
Finally, Aakash leaned closer. "Ryu… what's bothering you?"
"Nothing," she murmured, voice low, almost defensive.
Rey & Ravi's POV
She was distant, withdrawn, her fingers clutching the sketchbook tightly. I whispered to Ravi, smirk spreading across my face. Maybe teasing her would bring her back to us.
"Ryu," I called out, grinning, "don't tell me you're writing a secret love poem in there?"
Ravi joined in. "Or maybe sketching someone's face… whose is it?"
Ryu flushed, turning away. I nudged her lightly. "Your silence is suspicious."
Ravi chuckled. "Careful, Rey. She might throw that sketchbook at you."
Her annoyance only made us laugh harder.
Finally, frustration got the better of her. "You two—enough! Come here right now!"
Ryu's POV
I wanted peace. Just a moment to think, to sketch, to breathe—but of course, these two had other plans. Every teasing word, every laugh, dug at my nerves.
Why couldn't they just leave me alone? I clenched my fists around my sketchbook, trying to calm my racing heart.
But it was too much. My patience snapped. "You two—enough! Come here right now!" I shouted, my voice sharper than I intended, my face burning with frustration.
For a moment, silence fell between us… and then, of course, the chase began.
We exchanged glances, smirked, and bolted. Ryu's eyes flared as she chased us, her shawl fluttering in the morning wind like a banner. Maya, spotting the chaos, immediately pulled out her camera.
Kabir, Avyaan, Aryan, Ishani, and Kiara cheered: "Go, Ryu! Catch them!"Aarav and Anika laughed hysterically. "Yes! Run, Ryu!"
Ryu lunged, grabbing my sleeve, then my wrist. Balance lost, we stumbled forward—and splash! Both of us fell into the river with a loud splash.
Gasps echoed as Maya captured the perfect photo. Arjun and Siya di were instantly on edge, rushing forward.
"Ryu! Rey! Are you okay?!" Arjun shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
We climbed out of the water, soaked and shivering. I held Ryu's arm gently. "I'm sorry… are you alright?"
"Idiot! This is all your fault!" Ryu snapped, cheeks flushed, though she trembled slightly from the cold.
Ravi's chest twisted, watching. He wanted to be the one she worried about—it wasn't him.
Ryu's POV
I could feel my heart still racing, my chest tight from the panic that had taken over the moment we fell. The river, the splash, the cold—it had all hit me like a wave, and for a few seconds, I had thought I might drown.
And yet… here he was, holding me gently, worry clear in his eyes. My anger bubbled up, partly from the situation, partly because… why did it always seem like he had to be the cause of my troubles?
"Rey, you devil," I muttered, brushing water from my hair, "this all happened because of you."
Rey's POV
I couldn't stop myself from staring. She was scolding me, yes—but her trembling hands and the slight panic in her eyes made my heart tighten. I wanted to tell her it was fine, that she was safe, but all I could do was hold her, make sure she didn't slip again, and breathe with her until she steadied herself.
Her glare, her flushed cheeks, even her angry words—they were all hers, and somehow, they made me want to protect her even more.
Ravi's POV
I watched from the side, my chest twisting in a way I couldn't control. I wanted that worried look to be for me, not Rey. I wanted to be the one she looked at, the one she worried about when danger struck—but she had Rey. Always Rey.
It stung. And yet… even from here, I couldn't stop myself from feeling relieved that she was safe. Relief mixed with jealousy, twisting into something I couldn't name.
Kabir teased, simple and sharp: "Look at Rey, playing hero again."Avyaan added, "Better call him her bodyguard next time."I glared, muttering under my breath, ears red.
Maya pressed a towel into Ryu's hands. "You're fine… thank God. Dry yourself quickly before the elders see this."
Ryu nodded, letting the warmth of the sun slowly dry her drenched clothes.
Maya clapped her hands. "Let's float diyas into the river—it'll be beautiful."
Everyone eagerly prepared the lamps, lighting them carefully. The golden flames flickered in their palms as we stepped to the river's edge.
Ryu noticed Rey struggling with his diya. Without thinking, she grabbed his hand, steadying it.
Her touch was grounding, warm, familiar. Our fingers intertwined, and the diya floated safely. The river carried it away, tiny stars drifting downstream.
Maya clicked a perfect photo.
Ryu asked where her sketchbook was; Rey handed it back. The bus had arrived, ready for the next destination. Laughing, teasing, and chattering, the group ran toward it, leaving behind the Ganga, the diyas, and a morning none of them would forget.