Locked down in lockdown

10-The Past

"I want to hug you once" Vikrant texted his soon-to-be bride, eagerly waiting for her reply. He hoped to get a positive response from her.

But when Vaani saw his message, she was not about how she really felt about that but her stomach did churn with unease. She was not ready for that.

"Hmm, let's see there is still time for that" She texted back, neither rejecting nor accepting his request for now.

" Why don't we meet tomorrow?" He asked instead, with a plan in his mind which Vaani was totally unaware of.

"And I don't want to hear a No, please just I really want to see you " He continued texting.

Now, she did not want to disappoint him every time so she agreed to meet just for a few hours.

It had been 2 weeks since her birthday and this was the least she could do to appreciate his efforts of celebrating her birthday like that.

"Ok, I'll tell mom that I am meeting some friends but only for some time." She informed him.

She had to lie to her mom this time about seeing him, as she knew this would not be appreciated. Even though she never stopped them, she has always asked Vaani to invite him over instead of going out somewhere else.

Her mom also didn't want anyone seeing them alone, it was not that she did not believe them. She knew people would first assume wrong and then ask.

The next day being a Saturday, she got ready wearing her high-waisted jeans, pink top, and her white shoes. It was already hot outside, The March heat was already more than enough to cook up a feast on the cars on the roof.

He had told her to park her bike outside the mall, where they were supposed to meet and then they will go in his car. She had no idea where they were heading off to. Even though she had been here for 3 years she had not seen many places.

Reaching her destination, she saw his car and parked right behind that. He came out, took her keys, and told her to wait inside. He had gone to park her bike.

Coming back she saw him carrying a bag in his hands with juice boxes, confusing her even more. Where exactly were they going? She was afraid to even ask.

"What is that?" she asked him, not able to stop herself when he entered the car.

"Just some drinks for later" He commented nonchalantly, starting the car and driving off.

"Where are we going then?" she continued facing him.

"where do you want to go?" He asked her instead rather than answering her.

"I don't know, you were the one who asked me to come. I don't know many places here." She informed him, looking at the road. 

He was driving outside the city now.

"Let's just go for a drive then," He said, smiling, taking her hand.

Vaani was feeling rather uncomfortable at his sudden act. He did not understand how she felt when she was physically held like this. It was hard for her to adjust and it would need some time but she was trying.

He drove for a while and talked about things that come to their mind but after a while, he stopped his car near a village, near a temple.

"Why did you stop?" She questioned his behavior.

"We have to go to that temple, they say that every time we pass this place we should visit the temple." He said, taking off his shoes inside the car.

"Ok, but why?" She asked again. She wanted to know the reason behind everything, as there should be some kind of logic to things.

"Just, I have heard people say," He said getting out, "Now, come on"