CROWNED WITH LOVE : A JOURNEY OF TRADITION AND TEMPTATION

CHAPTER 24 : The Confession

HAPPY READING

By the end of the first day, exhaustion hung heavy in the air. The villagers had graciously arranged for their accommodation in a small community center, offering only about 20 small rooms for the 30 exhausted travelers. With weariness settling in, whoever managed to secure a spot for rest gratefully settled in for the night.

Once everyone was settled, Vihanna stepped out into the open ground of the community center. Amidst the tranquility, she spotted Aadhyant sitting alone on a bench, gazing up at the star-studded sky.

Approaching him, she took a seat on the bench beside him, allowing herself a moment of reprieve. Leaning back, she rested her head on the bench and closed her eyes, finding solace in the peaceful serenity of the night.

Observing her weariness, Aadhyant gently inquired, "Tired?" Vihanna responded with a soft "Hmm..." Her eyes remained closed as she continued, a tired laugh escaping her lips, "Everyone is asleep—some in rooms, others even in the corridor with their sleeping bags. By the way, there's no room left for us."

Adoring her as she spoke, Aadhyant reached out, taking her hand in his. With a gentle tug, he rose from the bench, suggesting, "Come on, let me show you something." Wearily, Vihanna hesitated, murmuring, "Aadhyant, I'm really tired right now. Can't I see it tomorrow?"

Despite her fatigue, she reluctantly rose from the bench as Aadhyant led her to the back of the community center. "Close your eyes," he requested, his voice barely above a whisper. Obliging, she shut her eyes tight. Aadhyant's next question came softly, "Have you ever slept under the stars?"

Confused, Vihanna opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his.He slowly whispered, "Look up". Following his pointed finger, she looked up and gasped. Above them, thousands upon thousands of stars adorned the sky, painting a breathtaking picture of the Milky Way in all its sprawling, glittering glory. In that moment, it was just the two of them, the vast expanse of the sky, and the quiet of the night.

"I thought you might like it," Aadhyant said, a hint of tenderness in his voice. "It's not something you see in the city."

A wide smile spread across Vihanna's face as she responded, "I love it." In an instant, the weariness of the day seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of wonder and joy.

Aadhyant directed her attention to the tent nestled in the center of the ground, adorned with twinkling fairy lights that cast a soft glow. Holding her hand, he guided her inside. Stepping into the tent, Vihanna was met with a scene of enchantment—a cozy mattress surrounded by plush pillows, a small table adorned with their dinner, and soft music playing from a laptop. It was a romantic setup, and she couldn't contain her happiness. No one had ever done anything like this for her before; it felt truly special.

Emotionally overwhelmed, she whispered, "It's beautiful." Aadhyant smiled, pleased that she liked it, and suggested, "Let's eat. You must be hungry." Taking a seat on the mattress, Vihanna lifted the lid of the dish in front of her, revealing her favorite—dahi Maggi and roti. Surprised, she turned to him with curiosity. "How did you even arrange this here?" she asked.

With a humble smile, he confessed, "I cooked it. It may not taste like yours, but I tried my best." Her eyes welled up with tears at his heartfelt gesture, and without a second thought, she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace.

He was caught off guard by her unexpected gesture, momentarily stunned by the depth of emotion it conveyed. As he collected himself, he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into a tender embrace. In that moment, she whispered a heartfelt "thank you," her voice laden with gratitude.