Along the Lines of Love | ✓

Chapter 18 : A Few Firsts

Early update! :)

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Kahin na kahin, jaagi hui hai koi aarzoo

♪

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Sharanya hadn't slept well. She had a sudden onset of worry about the wedding after the walk last night. She wouldn't admit it openly, but the truth was that she also, just like any other girl, had a vision of what her life partner should be like.

The epicentre of the worry wasn't that Nikhil didn't fit the bill, but the fact that he was showing signs of being just the opposite.

She'd always wanted a typical Romance guy, like they showed in movies. Someone with a sparkling witty sense of humour, a charismatic smile and a huge heart. Someone like Aman of Kal Ho Naa Ho, who'd light up her world, who'd be her angel. Someone who would make life worth all the struggle she had put up with in the past and would swim through in future.

Nikhil, just didn't fit. He was a guy of few words. His smile was rare. He definitely didn't light up a room with his personality. Up until now, Sharanya had thought he'd eventually open up. Introverts took time to open up, she understood. But what if, he was what he was. There was no more than what met the eyes.

Absently, she walked through the tea plantations. Their host was leading the way, explaining the various steps that went into processing of tea leaves. She had had minimal interaction with everyone including Gargi. She was sleep deprived and grumpy. She consoled herself by telling herself it was just the hormones. Once their chaos was over, things would fall back in line.

She let out a yawn. The last night she was very excited about the tea garden visit, but right now she'd give anything for a nice cosy bedroom and some silence so that she could catch up on her sleep.

"You okay?" She heard Gargi whisper to her.

"Yeah," she nodded climbing up the slope. She glanced over her shoulder as Arun and Nikhil followed them leisurely engaged in some conversation. They followed their hosts to the cottage.

"You'll all have tea, right?" The lady asked looking towards them.

"Yes, sure." Gargi said glancing back at the men who had just walked in.

"Come on I will show you how we make it." The host beckoned them over as she walked behind the huge counter. Arun followed them while Nikhil excused himself to take a call.

The tea was refreshing. Arun volunteered to carry a cup to Nikhil, while the ladies chatted about the weather and other things around the town.

"Let's sit here," Arun said meeting Nikhil just at the entrance.

Nikhil nodded and sat on the steps. Arun sat beside him handing him the cup of steaming tea.

"The ladies are doing their usual talk," Arun muttered. "So how was the walk last night?"

"What do you mean?" Nikhil asked, puzzled.

Arun glanced at the entrance and then back at him, "did you guys just hold hands or have you reached the goodnight kiss phase?"

Nikhil stared at his friend in disbelief.

"What?" Arun muttered, looking at him squarely while drinking from his cup.

"I barely know her." Nikhil said, while gazing at the contents of his cup. The aroma of the tea was strong. He generally preferred coffee but tea was just fine given the day and setting.