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Chapter 28 - GoodBye

Amara's POV: 

It's our last day here; the past three days were really unpredictable, but in the end, this city relieved me. I feel much better after talking to him last night. As much as I know him, I know he has already started inquiring about the culprits of my parents, but I don't want him to find the edge. They are monsters. I couldn't take it if anything happened to him. I can't risk his life at any cost. I was indulging in my own thoughts when I heard a knock on my door. It was Nani on the door. "Please come, Nani," I said, and she entered. "You two are leaving too early. I wanted to spend more time," she said. She gestured for me to sit beside her. "You know, I was always worried about him after her mother died. He was left alone, but then Vincent got married again, and luckily, his second wife was really nice to Vihaan, so for some time, I thought he would not be alone. But god has some different plans. She died due to some chronic disease, and he was left all alone again. The worst was that this time, Vincent also left him with his little brother's responsibilities on his little shoulders," she let out a sigh and then continued.

"He became quiet, didn't talk much. Sometimes I visited him, but only for a few days. He stopped calling as often as he did. I always thought, what if nobody tried to understand how lonely he is? What if he never gets the person who could fill his heart with love and laughter? But when I called him on his birthday, he was cheerful, happy, and, more importantly, he was talking without any hesitation. I was relieved. Then he told me about you; he loves you so much, and I know you love him as well," she said.

When we were done talking, it was time to say goodbye to this beautiful family and this beautiful city. It really gave me a lot of things that I never expected. When we got out, Vihaan was talking to Nana when he saw me. He looked at me, concerned as if asking if I was okay. I smiled, letting him know I was fine.

We left, not only with memories but with a lot of bags filled with snacks.

Once we were seated on the plane, I noticed Vihaan staring out the window, a faint frown creasing his forehead. He looked thoughtful, maybe even a little heavy from the events of the last few days. I decided he needed a little distraction.

I nudged him lightly. "Hey, Vihaan," I said, leaning closer with a sly smile, "do you know why pilots are so brave?"

He raised an eyebrow, turning to me with a small grin. "No… why?"

"Because they've never had to follow me in Jaipur streets," I said, grinning wider. "You should've seen yourself—looking so serious, like a bodyguard, while I zigzagged through every alley!"

He laughed, a genuine, lighter laugh that made my chest feel warm. "You're impossible," he said, shaking his head, trying to hide the smile tugging at his lips.

I poked his arm. "And don't pretend you weren't worried! Admit it—you almost panicked when that bike came out of nowhere. You looked like a cartoon!"

His laugh got louder, and I couldn't help but giggle along. "Okay, okay, I admit it. But that doesn't mean you get to tease me like this!"

I shrugged playfully. "Hey, I'm just balancing the karma for making me go through your 'Jaipur tour of panic.'"

He shook his head again, still smiling, and grabbed my hand lightly. "Fine, little troublemaker. I'll let you have this round… only because you are too cute."

I grinned, leaning back in my seat, satisfied. The tension from the past days seemed to lift slightly, replaced by this playful, easy connection—the kind that reminded both of us that even amidst farewells and goodbyes, we could still find lightness together.

The plane touched down softly, the engines slowing, and the wheels rolling across the runway. I felt a small sense of relief as the familiar hum of the airport greeted us—quiet after the whirlwind of Jaipur.

The hum of the car, combined with the gentle sway of the streets, made my eyelids heavy. Before I even realized it, I had drifted into a soft sleep, my head leaning lightly against the window.

Vihaan glanced at me, a small, fond smile playing on his lips. Carefully, he shifted the seat slightly so I could rest more comfortably, letting me sleep without waking me. The sight of her so relaxed, so unguarded, made his chest tighten with a quiet protectiveness.

When we finally reached my place, I stirred awake, blinking against the soft light of the hallway. Vihaan was already standing beside me, holding my bag.

"Thanks," I murmured softly, my voice still thick with sleep.

He chuckled quietly, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "You're welcome," he said, his hand lingering for a moment. "Sleeping through the drive? Classic Ama."

I smiled faintly, leaning slightly into his warmth, just enough that our fingers brushed. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to shrink down to the soft space between us.

"You know," he murmured, voice low, "I could get used to moments like this. Just… quiet. You. Me."

I looked up at him, heart skipping slightly. "I think… I could too," I admitted softly, the faintest warmth coloring my cheeks.

He leaned just a little closer, enough for our foreheads to almost touch, a gentle, fleeting closeness that made my pulse race. And then, as if the universe remembered other plans, the door burst open.

"AMA! Tell me everything!" Jia's voice rang through the hallway. "How was India? Did you see all the streets? The food? Did you—wait, Vihaan? Were you two—"

I groaned softly, pulling myself gently away from Vihaan, who chuckled behind me, clearly amused by Jia's relentless energy.

"Yes, yes, Jia," I said, shaking my head but smiling. "I'll tell you… everything. But first, let me just breathe."

Vihaan finally checked the time and stood, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I should head home before it's midnight."

"Text me when you reach," I said, walking him to the door.

He brushed a thumb over my knuckles—quick, almost secret. "Always," he murmured, then slipped into the night.

The door clicked shut and—bam!—Jia practically leapt from behind the hallway wall.

"Okay," she said, planting herself on the couch like an interrogator. "Three. Whole. Days. Spill everything before I explode."

I crossed my arms, feigning innocence. "It was just a trip."

"Just a trip? Ama, please. I saw the way you looked at each other when he left." She patted the spot next to her. "Sit. Talk."

I laughed and sat, already knowing she wouldn't stop. "Fine. Where do I even start?"

"Start with the good stuff," she said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Alright…" I leaned back, memories rushing in warm and vivid. "The first day, we went to his family's farm outside the city. It was beautiful—quiet fields, a sky that felt endless. He showed me where he used to run around as a kid. We fed the animals, walked by the orchard… it felt like the world had slowed down just for us."

Jia let out a dreamy sigh. "That already sounds suspiciously romantic."

I nudged her shoulder. "Then on New Year's Eve, he surprised me with a gift—a golden chain with a beautiful pendant. Each charm stands for something we've done together."

Her eyes went wide. "Amaaa. That's practically a love confession in jewelry form!"

My cheeks warmed. "It was… thoughtful. He said it's for all the memories we've made and the ones still to come."

Jia squealed, hugging a pillow. "I'm melting. Continue."

I hesitated, biting my lip, then decided there was no point hiding. "Later that night… we had our first kiss."

The pillow nearly fell out of her hands. "You WHAT?!"

I giggled despite myself. "It just… happened. Under the stars. Soft, unexpected… perfect."

Jia pressed the pillow to her chest, grinning like she'd won the lottery. "Finally! My slow-burn romance dreams fulfilled."

I shook my head, smiling. "But the trip wasn't all perfect. Yesterday, there was a moment—someone in the crowd almost got hit by a bike. I thought it was Vihaan. For a few seconds, I couldn't find him and I…" My voice faltered as the memory tightened my chest. "I panicked. I thought I'd lost him."

Jia's expression softened. "Oh, Ama…"

"He was fine," I said quickly. "He found me, held onto me until I stopped shaking. But I can't forget how it felt in that moment."

For a while, we just sat quietly, the weight of it passing between us. Then Jia nudged me with a tiny smile. "Well, if anyone could calm you down, it was me, but I think I have a competitor."

I exhaled a small laugh. "Yeah. He always knows."

Jia grinned again, her teasing spark returning. "So… farm walks, meaningful gifts, first kiss, dramatic rescue—did you just live an entire romance novel in three days?"

I hid my face behind a cushion, laughing. "You're impossible."

"And you," she said, eyes dancing, "are officially the luckiest."

Her laughter filled the room, bright and infectious, and I couldn't help but join in—still carrying the warmth of Vihaan's quiet goodbye and the memories of Jaipur that felt like they'd changed everything. Suddenly, a message popped up: "Got home." It was from Vihaan.

"Good Night." I replied, Jia almost fell over my phone while trying to sneak.

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