Ethereal: Eternal Echoes

22

Smriti

The cold fingers of dawn pried open my eyelids, coaxing me out of the cocoon of sleep. My mind was still hazy, and I felt like I was swimming through a dense fog of exhaustion. I blinked several times, trying to clear my vision and make sense of my surroundings. To my utter shock, I was not alone in the bed. There, inches away from me, was Ishan, his chest rising and falling steadily with each breath.

A jolt of panic surged through me, and I scrambled out of bed, my heart pounding like a frantic drum in my chest. I stood there, my mind racing as I tried to piece together the fragments of last night. How did I end up here? Was this a dream? Was I still asleep?

My movements had woken Ishan, and he turned towards me, his eyes still heavy with sleep. He looked at me with a mischievous glint, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Morning, Sleeping Beauty," he said, his voice laced with an easy charm.

I was burning with embarrassment, my cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "What... what is this?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. The intensity of my feelings was making it difficult to focus.

Ishan propped himself up on one elbow, his smirk widening. "Don't overthink it," he said nonchalantly. "You fell asleep while I was in the bathroom. It's only natural for us to share a bed. After all, we are engaged."

I could barely contain my irritation. The casual way he spoke about it made my face even redder. "So, you just decided it was okay to share a bed without asking me? What if I wasn't comfortable with it?"

He chuckled, the sound both soothing and infuriating. "Come on, Little Miss Sunshine. It's not like I'm a stranger. We're getting married, remember? You're going to have to get used to this. And honestly, it's not like you were complaining last night."

His smirk didn't waver, and I found myself at a loss for words. My anger was melting into a mix of confusion and resignation. "You really know how to make a situation even more awkward, don't you?"

"Well, I like to keep things interesting," he said with a wink. "Now, how about we get ready and start our day? We've got a lot of places to see and food to try."

Still feeling flustered but unable to hold onto my irritation, I nodded. Ishan climbed out of bed and, as he headed for the bathroom, I took a moment to steady myself. This was going to be a day full of new experiences and, apparently, a closer proximity to Ishan than I'd planned for. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that this was part of the journey we were on together.

---

By the time we were dressed and ready, the sun was well on its way to full brightness. We headed out to explore the local attractions, our first stop being the Prem Mandir. The grandeur of the temple was breathtaking, its white marble shining in the early morning light. The intricate carvings and the serene ambiance created a sense of calm that was almost meditative.

Ishan and I walked through the temple complex, taking in the beauty of the place. The spiritual atmosphere was a welcome change from the chaos of our earlier conversation. We participated in the morning Aarti, the rhythmic chants and bells adding to the sacred atmosphere. The feeling of unity and peace was palpable, and I found myself losing some of my earlier discomfort.

After Prem Mandir, we made our way to the Sri Ranganatha Temple. This temple was different from the first; it had a more traditional, rustic charm. The vibrant colors and the lively presence of the devotees created a lively and welcoming environment. We joined in the prayers and rituals, and I felt a deep sense of connection with the surroundings.

Our next stop was the Banke Bihari Temple, famous for its enchanting deity and the enchanting stories that surrounded it. The temple was bustling with activity, and we were swept up in the flow of the crowd. The devotion of the people and the reverent atmosphere made it a memorable experience.