𝐓𝐔𝐌 𝐊𝐘𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄

𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

chapter fourteen

no different

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

Anjali's POV

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing, Lily grumbling lowly as she sleepily slurred something I couldn't quite decipher. The tent was dark as the three girls slept, and I immediately shot up to sit straight, putting my phone on silent. 

As I saw the caller ID, my heart thumped against my chest.

Aai.

I took a huge breath in, getting up from my sleeping bag as I walked outside of the tent. The brightness outside contrasted the darkness of the tent, making me squint my eyes. I rushed out, picking the call up. "Good morning Aai." I answered, trying to make myself sound as fresh as I could. 

"Where are you?" 

I gulped, my breath matching the pace of my running heart. Had she found out? I came up with a lie as quick as I could, panic surging through my veins. "I'm on a run," I stated plainly, walking alongside the river. 

"Where's Tarini? Give her the phone." 

I knew she'd ask me to. She was trying to make sure that I was still with Tarini, the trust that she never had withering away from her heart into her suspectful voice.  

"She's sleeping still, she's a little sick because of her period," I lied straight through my teeth. There was a small pause on the other side, letting the panic sink deeper into my heart. Each second made my hearbeat go even faster. It was a breezy morning, yet beads of sweat began forming onto my forehead. After another moment of silence, she finally spoke up. 

"Okay. Your Baba and I won't be home tonight, so just... message us when you come back." 

The hint of concern in her voice disappeared as quickly as it came, and a sense of relief washed over me. I hummed as a reply, and she hung up before I could bid her good bye. I let out a breath that I'd held in for way too long, my head hanging low.

"Good morning." 

I yelped, hearing the familiar voice greet me from behind. "You know if your mother had seen your face, it would be too easy to tell that you were lying," Dhruv said, his hands behind his back. He wore a grey sweatshirt and black joggers. His hair was wet and slicked back today, enhancing the features of his face, especially his eyes. I took his presence in, not bothering to reply to his comment, partially knowing what he said was the truth. 

I gulped, moving my gaze away from him as we walked together. "Why were you overhearing the conversation either way? Creep," I teased, trying to ease my own panic. He chuckled, the sound bringing an unconscious smile to my face, as he looked down at the rocks. "Oh no. I was just walking," He smiled. "You happened to be talking loud enough so that I could hear."

I scoffed, crossing my arms against my chest. "I'm loud?" 

He only smiled, somewhat cheekily, shaking his head. Silence fell ever so comfortably, and I breathed fresh, the panicking tornado dissipating into calm tides. Maybe it was the morning breeze, or the fact that I had someone walking by my side. I didn't feel much at that point, but a glimpse of contentment showed itself once or more.