Rainy retreats

05: Cinnamon hearts

《Author》

Nithya woke up to the gentle hum of the ceiling fan, the sun filtering softly through the thin curtains of her room. She blinked, glancing at the clock beside her bed. 9:30 AM. A lazy yawn escaped her lips as she stretched, feeling the lingering warmth of the soft bed beneath her. It was late—much later than she usually woke up, especially after the past two days of sneaking out early with Ved before the world around them even stirred.

The quietness of the morning felt almost foreign to her now. For two days, she had been whisked away by Ved into the early morning adventures—whether it was an elephant safari, or their magical ferry ride to Majuli. There was a comforting predictability in waking up before dawn, knowing that Ved would be there waiting, excitement lighting up his eyes for whatever he had planned.

But today, there were no plans. No early morning sneaking out. No text from Ved saying, "Ready? I'll be there in five." The morning felt strangely empty without him, and she realized just how much she had begun to expect and enjoy those moments with him.

Nithya smiled softly, remembering how he had been full of energy every morning, always eager to show her something new. She missed it already. The past few days had flown by like a whirlwind, and now, on her last day in Assam, the realization hit her—she would have to leave this place.

With a deep breath, she threw off the covers and got out of bed. Today would be a slower day, a day to relax and soak in the atmosphere. She wasn't sure what she'd do, but she didn't mind that.

Nithya stepped out of the shower, the warm water doing little to shake off the bittersweet feeling that had settled within her since waking up. She dried her hair with a towel and glanced at her reflection in the mirror, sighing softly. The past few days had been a whirlwind, and now, on her last day in Assam, she couldn't shake off the sense of finality.

As she got dressed, pulling on a comfortable t-shirt and joggers, her mind wandered back to yesterday—how carefree and happy she'd felt with Ved. A small smile tugged at her lips when she remembered how she had asked him for half a cup of tea from his cup yesterday.

"You don't even like tea," Ved had teased, raising an eyebrow as he poured her some.

"It's too not bad," she'd replied casually, surprising even herself with how true those words felt. His influence had seeped into her in the smallest of ways, and it wasn't just the tea.

Today, as she made her way downstairs for breakfast, Nithya found herself asking for tea without even thinking twice.

"Chai today, madam?" Amar, asked with a gentle smile, a little surprised at the request. 

Nithya chuckled softly, nodding. "I think I've developed a liking for tea recently, just half a cup ." She glanced at the cup as Meena poured the hot liquid, her thoughts drifting back to Ved.

Sipping her tea, Nithya sat at the small wooden table by the window, gazing out at the garden. The quiet atmosphere of the homestay felt even more peaceful today, though she knew this peace wouldn't last long. Tomorrow morning, she'd be leaving, and the thought left a weight in her chest.

Her musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching.

"So, when are you heading out tomorrow?" he asked, glancing at her cup of tea with a grin. "I see Assam's rubbing off on you."

Nithya smiled, setting the cup down. "I'll be leaving early morning. I've booked a cab that will drop me off in Meghalaya." She felt a pang as she said it aloud. Tomorrow seemed too close for comfort.