When night falls

Journey

Meera

We were travelling in the car. Arjun is driving the car, next to him Ashwin and I are in the backseat. They were discussing something seriously, they didn't even notice me. I woke up from a nap of 4 hours. I rubbed my eyes and focussed on the driveway. The lights were blazing and the cars drove fast, they were like in a race some drove past us, and some left behind us. It makes me feel nobody will stand and wait for us. It's like a subway surf game. When we wait we will caught by the man behind us, and we need to run as fast as possible.
My thoughts were fully occupied. My phone got illuminated as it showed the message received from My well-wisher. I call her a well-wisher, she is the one who always helped me to complete my higher secondary and college. As am a scholarship student, I still need to pay extra fees for club activities, research and other things. She sponsors me for that. She doesn't reveal her identity to me. She feels it makes me feel indebted to her. So she stays anonymous. I speak to her once a week. She will always call me when I forget to call her. She is a sweet lady.

"Meera, have you reached Bangalore? Does your Arjun come with you? "

The message reads.

" No well, wisher we are still travelling. And yeah Arjun😍 is with me"

"Enjoy, grab the chance and spend time with him. It takes years to tell him your love. "

"use this chance wisely and spend time with him, alright"

"I will🙌🥰☺️"

"just ask him to take you to meet his family Meera. It will be a good start in a relationship"

" aren't it too soon? I mean we were just in the budding stage of a relationship"

"Meera, I know what you were trying to say. But, Meera is already 28 isn't it the big time to settle in life"

" Aunty, why are you talking like his mom? I mean aren't you, my well-wisher? Why do you feel for him? I am still young.

" yeah, Meera my daughter, you are still young. Take your time. I am just overwhelmed. "

"Take care. Aunty needs to arrange for a small gathering. Bye. "

" take care🌟 bye😇"

I smiled and soon sleep engulfed me.
Someone shook me, "What? " I mumbled while not opening my eyes.
"Meera get up. We are at the hotel we need to eat" Arjuns soothingly said.

"I don't feel hungry. I will be here. " I said sleepily.
But he held my shoulders. I opened my eyes groggily and saw him with anger.
He laughs at me. My anger is melting away. His hair is falling on his forehead and he slightly shakes his head. His smile makes his eyes twinkle like starlight. Is the whole galaxy, is in his grey eyes? Does his eyes hold this much magic? I think I am blessed with loads of luck.
"Meera, are you not feeling hungry?"
He gave me a charming smile, which made my heart flutter.
" I don't " I replied.
Why I do feel like I am falling for him harder.? It's like we have known each other for eternity. It's weird, I read him like a book, which you read a thousand times. But every time you read it felt new. It's like we were destined. He makes me feel like a pampered princess. It's all felt new but at the same time,e it's not. His image is engraved in my soul like it can't be erased.
He called Ashwin and told him to eat his food while walking from de to side. He stood at the other end of the car. My neck pain as I craned my neck too long to watch him.
But Ashwin came with a package of food.
We began the journey. But after 10 minutes, Ashwin began to eat fried rice. It smells divine. My stomach rumbles. But to my utter belief, the guys ignored me. They chatted. I am sure my stomach rumbles like thunder. Ashwin took another spoonful and craned his neck in my direction. I thought he would give me that spoon. But he ate the whole spoon and turned.
I sat there angrily. If I am in the cartoon, there will be smoke coming from my ears.
While driving Arjun gave something to me. It's in a wrapped brown bag. I opened it and I smiled wide at him. He saw me via the mirror and gave me his killer smile.
I munched the whole food. Ashwin was laughing hard while looking at me. Throughout the whole journey, I felt like he would tease me.

-----------------
Next morning

We reached Bangalore at 1:00 PM and we took a rest in the reserved room which was at the 4th-floor room next to each other. Arjun and Ashwin took the room left side of the pool and I took the next room.
I slept like a log. I didn't want to wake up the whole day. But my bad, I need to attend the party this evening.
I missed the breakfast. But Arjun and Ashwin made sure to make me eat the lunch. Now I am resting in the room. After half an hour I need to get ready for the party.
The party is taking place on the 1st floor of the hotel. So, Neha, the girl who Ashwin loves will be here. I will get a chance to meet her. I am more eager to meet her than to attend the party.
I want to befriend her then we will both tease Ashwin.
I am too excited.
I took the black colour party saree which I shopped with Ashwin the other day.
I neatly placed it on the bed. I began to do my hair. I left it open like every day as it suits with the accessories and saree.
I took the white stone dangles and wore them and then applied kajal to my eyes, and a nude shade of pink lipstick to my lips.
I finally wore the saree perfectly leaving the saree in floating.
I tried to neatly arrange the pleats but it came off every time I tried to pin it.
So, I finally got ready for the much-awaited get-together of Arjun.

_____

I opened the door there stood Arjun in his black shirt, leaving the first two buttons open. His silver chain peaks from his neck. But one thing is missing the bracelet. I made him wear the bracelet, I wore all the time. Yeah, you can say firstly it's not mine.
He protested, "Arjun it's yours, I accidentally took it now I am returning it to its rightful owner " I voiced.
"you can keep it" he muttered.
"yeah you are mine, then this bracelet is with me right? " I asked.
His ears turn red. I think he is blushing.

Guys, I am thankful for every single read and vote. I am thankful for that. It makes me feel happy. I thought that this story would not get past 100 reads, but you guys make it to 500+ reads. Thank you so, much guys for making it possible.
I hope today's chapter is okay. I didn't know that the length of the chapter was okay or I made the chapters draggy with unnecessary words. If you find I am dragging the plot or the length of the chapter is small you can tell me without hesitation
13 March 2024