𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐚'𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞

9) The Parcel Keeper

Nalini's POV

The café was a cozy sanctuary from the morning chill, its warm light a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. Vansh, Yuvika, and I settled into a corner booth, the quiet hum of conversation around us feeling oddly distant.

I could see the struggle on Vansh’s face as he tried to find the right words. His usual confidence was replaced by an awkward hesitation that made my heart race. I could tell he was holding something back, and it gnawed at me.

“So,” I began, trying to break the thick silence, “what did you want to talk about, Vansh?”

He fidgeted with his coffee cup, casting nervous glances between Yuvika and me. “Well, I thought we could start with something lighter. I didn’t want to dive into the heavy stuff right away.”

Relief mixed with frustration washed over me. “Alright, let’s talk about something else for now.”

We drifted through mundane topics—upcoming school events, amusing anecdotes, weekend plans. The conversation was a pleasant distraction, but I couldn’t ignore the way Vansh’s eyes kept darting towards me. There was an intensity in his gaze that made my stomach churn with anxiety.

The minutes ticked by too quickly, and I felt the weight of time pressing on me. I had an important study session planned with Yuvika, and the clock was relentless.

My phone buzzed with a message from Yuvika: “Sorry, Nalini, I’m running late. Can we meet in an hour?”

I glanced at the clock and then at Vansh, my chest tightening. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Yuvika’s running late, and I need to meet her soon.”

Vansh’s face fell, his eyes reflecting a mixture of urgency and despair. “Nalini, wait. There’s something important I need to tell you.”

I started to stand, a pang of frustration twisting inside me. “I know, Vansh. But I can’t stay here right now. Can’t it wait until later?”

His expression turned pained, a silent battle raging behind his eyes. “Please, just a few more minutes. It’s something you need to hear.”

Yuvika, who had been silent and distant, finally stood up, her face a portrait of resolve. “Maybe it’s best if we discuss this later, Vansh. It seems like Nalini has other commitments.”

I felt a rush of conflicting emotions—guilt, frustration, and an odd sense of relief. I wanted to stay and understand whatever Vansh was about to reveal, but I couldn’t ignore my other obligations. “Alright, we’ll talk later,” I said, my voice trembling slightly.

As I walked out of the café, the cool air hit me like a splash of cold water. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of worry and curiosity swirling within me. The unanswered questions about the flowers, Vansh’s hidden feelings, and the tension with Yuvika all seemed to collide into a heavy knot of confusion.

I glanced back at the café, feeling Vansh’s gaze lingering on me. The unspoken words between us hung in the air, an invisible thread pulling at my thoughts. I needed time to process everything—to understand what Vansh had wanted to say, and to confront the growing sense of unease that shadowed my every step.
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The library was a haven of quiet as I settled into my study session with Mihira. The soft rustle of pages and the occasional murmur from other students created a calming backdrop to our intense focus. I was just beginning to lose myself in the textbook when my phone buzzed on the table, jolting me back to reality.

I glanced at the screen and frowned—it was a message from an unknown number. My curiosity piqued, I hesitated for a moment before opening it. A picture loaded on the screen, and my breath caught in my throat.