Silent whispers of love

~Chapter Ten~

It was our second day in Munich.

I had just finished getting ready for the day when there was a knock on my door, 'hurry up! We are leaving soon', ritika's voice ringed across the closed door.

I opened it and said, 'i am done. Let's go.'

We had already done breakfast by eight in the morning and now were leaving for a city tour.

We arrived outside the hotel gates, where everyone was already seated in the car. I and ritika quickly approached them and we drove off.

Abhi, as usual was driving, Darin was on the front seat and we three girls had settled down in the backseat.

This city had so much to offer, we travelled around every small attractions around us In half of the day, and now were strolling around in an alley, filled with rich aroma of pretzels.

'who thinks they can eat the most pretzels?', Darin jokes, pointing towards a stall nearby.

'I can definitely take you all on...', Abhi replied with a grin, playfully nudging me.

'oh please, you'll be begging for mercy after two!', I shot back, trying to sound lighthearted.

We decided to grab some pretzels from that stall, where an old man stood scrolling through his broken phone, waiting for customers. Well, now he's going to get many.

As we bit into our snacks, a lighthearted debate erupted between ritika and Darin about which toppings were the best. Darin insisted on sweet mustard while ritika fought for the classic salt.

'let's vote. Who stands with me?', ritika said raising her hand.

'Me! me!, salted ones are better for sure,' I instantly joined in.

'I would have gone with Darin but, since he tried to junk my car...I'm with ritika too', Abhi passed Darin a mischievous grin.

'you conspirator...', Darin tried to fake a sad face.

'don't worry Darin, I stand with sweet mustard', Girija lifted his head up.

'you traitor...', said Abhi faking a remorse, and we laughed heartily.

The banter flowed easily, but underneath the laughter, I could feel my heart sinking with every glance he stole at Girija.

Sometime later, we again wandered through the alley. Abhi and Girija walked side by side, a bit ahead of us, discussing their favorite foods, leaving us trailing behind. Abhi, fueled by his plan, seems even more buoyant, his laughter ringed through the paths.

'when is he going to propose?', Darin asked out of the blue.

'Tomorrow', I answered with a heavy heart, and Darin nods in confirmation.

'are you alright? You have been acting strange lately?', ritika whispers to me, inaudible to Darin. She still notices everything.

'I am good, just a bit tired.'

She made a doubtful face, letting me know she doesn't believe me.

'I see it all, the way you look at him.', she said further.

'how do I look at him?'

'like you never want to look away.' She says.

That was it. I needed her words to clear mind. We walked a bit farther away from Darin, and I told her every single shit going through my head till now.

She looked less astonished than I had depicted. After thinking something for a moment with her vivid mind, she said, 'what are you waiting for then? Go tell him as soon as possible.'