Destiny: Time To Fall In Love

Chapter 5 - The End of Autumn

Aashi's POV

The morning air at the campsite was intoxicating, cool, crisp, and smelling of pine needles. I woke up at 6:00 AM, feeling energized by the events of the night before. I looked to my right, expecting a partner for a morning jog, but Richa was sprawled out like a fallen soldier.

"Oh my god, this girl," I muttered, shaking my head. "Sometimes I really wonder if she's human or a hibernating bear."

I leaned over and started tapping her shoulder. "Richa, wake up! Are you here to enjoy nature or just to sleep the whole day? Look at the scenery, it's beautiful! Let's go for a jog. Wake up, Richu!"

Richa didn't even open her eyes. She just pulled the duvet tighter over her head. "I'm here to sleep," she mumbled, her voice muffled by the fabric. "If you want to go jogging so bad... go take Prof. Aryan with you. He's a morning person too."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name, but I huffed. "Offo... I can't just ask him here, Richa! People will talk. Now, are you coming or not?" I asked sternly.

"NO," she groaned, burying herself deeper.

"Okay, fine! Then I'm going alone," I whispered-yelled and stepped out of the tent.

The mountains were breathtaking. I started jogging, but soon the athlete in me gave way to the photographer. I found a trail that led to a small ridge overlooking a misty valley. I took dozens of pictures, sat on a rock to watch the sun climb higher, and completely lost myself in the silence of the woods.

It was only when the sun started feeling warm on my back that I checked my phone. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. 9:00 AM?!

"Oh my god, I've been out for three hours!"

I sprinted back toward the campsite, my lungs burning. As I broke through the treeline and reached the clearing, I didn't see a group of students eating breakfast. Instead, I saw a tense circle of people.

Three faces stood out immediately:

Mr. Pathak: He looked pale and was pacing back and forth, looking genuinely worried.

Richa: She looked terrified, clutching her phone and biting her lip, probably regretting she didn't wake up.

Aryan: He was standing in the center, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His face wasn't worried. It was thunderous. He looked absolutely furious.

As I slowed to a halt, the sound of my heavy breathing drew their attention. One by one, they turned toward me. The silence that followed was scarier than the "owl" in the woods.

"Where were you, Aashi?"

The voice didn't sound like the man who had laughed with me about owls last night. It was ice-cold, sharp, and carried an authority that made the entire campsite fall silent. Aryan was standing just a few feet away, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscles pulsing.

"I... I went for a jog," I managed to say. I knew I was late, but I hadn't realized the level of tension I was walking into.

"And you didn't think you should have informed one of us? Either me or Mr. Pathak?" He took a step toward me, his aura so stifling I had to fight the urge to step back. "This is a jungle, Aashi! There are wild animals, there could be bandits, anything could have happened to you! Do you even realize that?"

He was yelling, his words harsh and biting, but as I looked up at him, I saw it. His hands were slightly trembling. The anger was a mask for the pure, unadulterated terror in his eyes. He wasn't just mad that a student broke the rules; he was haunted by the thought of me being hurt.