Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 22

Shravan's POV

The past week had been a whirlwind. Aarav’s words still echoed in my mind, an unsettling reminder of something I couldn't quite grasp, but Lara had a way of anchoring me whenever the thoughts crept in. She made sure to keep me distracted, with her jokes and little gestures, pulling me back into the present whenever I seemed to drift. I even talked to my parents about shifting to a new place; they agreed it was time to move on since the current apartment had been a gift from Nick, and I had outgrown the need for it. Together, we were now looking for new places nearby, somewhere we could call our own.

The days spent with Lara were like little treasures, magical in their simplicity. We hadn’t yet come to a conclusion about how to approach the topic of my biological parents. The truth felt so close, yet distant at the same time. Each time we considered asking, the timing felt off. So, we kept quiet about it, biding our time until we were ready to face whatever might come.

In the office, our days were almost intertwined. We had sent a petition requesting our desks be shifted next to each other for two simple reasons: one, Lara’s neighboring desk had been empty since the previous employee resigned two weeks ago, and two, we were constantly working on the same projects. It just made sense to be closer, to share ideas and moments that didn’t need a hallway’s worth of distance.

As the week came to a close, Friday found us with some rare free time after office hours. It was nearly seven when we decided to spend the evening somewhere familiar—Marine Drive. That stretch of road was more than just a place to us; it was where we had shared countless moments, from late-night conversations to sunrise walks, and where we felt at peace. It was our spot.

We walked side by side along the promenade, the sea breeze ruffling our hair as the sun dipped lower in the sky. It felt good to be there, away from the bustle of the city, the noise of the office, and the weight of unanswered questions. The waves seemed to echo the thoughts we kept hidden, reminding us that not everything needed to be solved in a day.

Lara turned to me, a playful glint in her eyes. “So, I talked to Preeti about the whole live-in idea,” she said, almost as if she was letting me in on a little secret.

“Oh yeah?” I responded, genuinely curious. “What did she say?”

“She loved the idea,” Lara grinned. “I think she’s more excited than we are.”

I chuckled. “Sounds like Preeti. Always the enthusiastic one.” There was something reassuring about knowing her sister supported us. It made everything feel more real, like we were taking steps toward something significant, together.

The sky above us darkened, and the city lights began to shimmer across the water. I reached for Lara’s hand, squeezing it gently as we continued walking. “So, what do you think about meeting our families this weekend?” I asked. “Maybe we could talk about my parents, and then bring up the live-in idea. See what they think.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “I think it’s time,” she said. “But let’s not rush it. We’ll just see how the conversation goes. If it feels right, we’ll bring it up.”

Her calmness made me feel ready. It was moments like these—walking by the sea, hand in hand with Lara—that made the future seem less daunting, even if the past was still a tangled web. Whatever came our way, I knew we would face it together.

The familiar stretch of Marine Drive, the warm glow of the streetlights began to illuminate the path ahead. I could feel Lara's fingers intertwining with mine, her touch soft but reassuring. Her gaze seemed to flicker with uncertainty, as though she was trying to gather the right words before speaking.

“What do you plan to do today?” I asked, turning my head slightly to catch her expression.

She took a deep breath, and in a voice almost like a whisper, she replied, “I was planning this… I mean, don’t take it the wrong way, but… after we find the apartment, could I… maybe stay with you? You know, help with the unpacking, spend time with your family, and… just get to know them better?” Her voice wavered as she continued, “It could bring us closer, and it would be a good way to test how our live-in could work. Or, if you feel like we haven’t spent enough time together yet… we could think it over and see if we’re ready for that step or even for the wedding. It’s just a thought… I’m fine if… if you don’t think it’s right or if I’m overstepping.”