Here After!

14. Journey of Discovery

Giri 

It appears that she thoroughly relished those four days, indulging in late-night Korean drama sessions that led her to sleep in until almost noon. I find it perplexing why some individuals, particularly women, become so captivated by these dramas. Even at the office, I observe my female colleagues engrossed in watching series, sometimes at the expense of their work. Intrigued by her obsession, I couldn't resist asking her about the reason behind it, and her response left me speechless.

According to her, these dramas act as a sort of escape, akin to a drug, transporting them to a world of imagination devoid of stress. She believes they elevate her expectations and immerse her in an alternate reality. Initially, I was tempted to scoff at her explanation, but upon reflection, I realized the importance of respecting her perspective. If it brings her joy, who am I to judge? After all, it's her life and her moments to savor.

As she enjoyed immensely in those four days, I found myself at a loss for how to occupy my time at home. Initially, I considered spending time with friends, but they insisted I cherish the moments with Anu. Unable to disclose my predicament to them, I remained at home, feeling somewhat isolated. To make matters worse, Anil and Gayu took great pleasure in teasing me relentlessly, leading me to ponder the age-old adage that suggests our past enemies become our siblings in this lifetime.

                                                                                  *****

After eagerly anticipating her return for four days, I was filled with internal jubilation as the moment finally arrived. However, my excitement was short-lived as Mom intervened, instructing us to pack our belongings and depart for Anu's home for my sister-in-law's impending wedding.

Feeling disheartened by the sudden change of plans, I begrudgingly began packing our things and loading them into the car. Upon returning to the room, I noticed Anu offering me a smile as she retreated to the washroom, leaving me slightly disappointed that our interaction was so brief.

Determined to salvage the moment before our departure, I decided to engage her in conversation. However, upon her return from the washroom, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was intentionally avoiding me. Perplexed by her behavior, I confronted her, only to sense her nervousness.

Attempting to lighten the mood, I resorted to teasing her, hoping to dispel the tension between us. Yet, as our banter escalated, it took an unexpected turn, culminating in a moment of vulnerability and intimacy as we shared our first kiss, "A moment I never anticipated, at least not in that moment."

The unexpected turn in our interaction left me reeling, my mind racing with a flurry of conflicting emotions. As our lips met in that fleeting moment of intimacy, I couldn't help but feel a surge of both exhilaration and uncertainty coursing through me.

In the aftermath of our impromptu kiss, a palpable tension hung in the air, enveloping us in a cloak of uncertainty. With our hearts pounding in unison, we exchanged hesitant glances, silently grappling with the weight of what had just transpired between us.

Despite the swirling whirlwind of emotions, one thing remained abundantly clear - our relationship had taken an unexpected turn, propelling us into uncharted territory fraught with both excitement and trepidation. As we stood on the precipice of this newfound intimacy, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us, knowing that our lives had been irrevocably changed by this singular moment of connection.

Our locked gaze was interrupted by a knock on the door, prompting me to break away and answer it. Before leaving, I pressed a gentle kiss to Anu's forehead. Mom's arrival signaled the start of our journey, and after dropping her off at Gayu's place. Along the way, Mom initiated a bit of conversation, and we responded in kind, filling the journey with moments of connection and warmth.