cross road

Chapter-16

Pallavi watched as her uncle's vehicle drove away, and she could see him visibly relaxed. He signed a gesture that Pallavi recognized, one that his uncle often used when he was content or at ease. Before closing the window, her uncle glanced back, his demeanor more at peace than it had been in a long time.

Pallavi felt a sense of relief. At least, for now, he seemed less burdened. She knew he was heading out to gather information about Raghav, Seeing her uncle so calm made her hope that, perhaps, his worries were not as overwhelming as they had been just moments before.

Raghav continued talking to her, but his words barely registered in her mind as she was lost in her own happiness. With a beaming smile, she slipped the paper her uncle had written on into her small bag. Looking up at Raghav, she cheerfully said, "I'm hungry."

Raghav's patience was starting to wear thin. He watched her for a moment, then, unable to hold it in any longer, snapped, "Did you hear anything I said?" His voice was sharper than intended. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Just a few minutes ago, you were crying uncontrollably,  and now... out of nowhere, you're acting like nothing ever happened. What is going on with you?"

He shook his head, his breath coming out in an exasperated sigh. "You were on the verge of an accident, and now you're... happy? It's like flipping a switch with you." He paused, trying to gather his thoughts, but the confusion only seemed to intensify. "Honestly, you're driving me crazy, Pallavi."

Pallavi let out a light chuckle at his frustration, "I'm sorry, I know I'm crazy," she teased, her tone playful. "To make up for it, lunch is on me. Come on, let's go." She gestured ahead, excitement in her eyes. "After lunch, you can go back."

Without waiting for a response, she reached out and grabbed his arm, trying to gently push him in the direction of the hotel. But her efforts barely made any progress. Raghav stood there, unmoved, his feet planted firmly as if he hadn't noticed her at all.

Frustration crept into her expression, and she spun around to face him. "Are you coming or not?" she snapped, her voice tinged with impatience. "I'm hungry!"

Raghav sighed heavily, clearly exasperated by her antics. He ran a hand over his face, trying to maintain his patience. "Fine," he said, his voice sharp. "But tell the rented driver to leave. We're going in my vehicle."

Before she could protest, Raghav took hold of her arm and pulled her towards his own car, parked just a few meters away. The suddenness of the action caught her off guard, and she stumbled slightly before managing to keep pace with him.

They grabbed some food, and he insisted on paying, despite her protests. "I've got it," he said,  that only made her more frustrated. 

Without a word, she stormed toward his car, the sound of her legs hitting the pavement sharp and deliberate. He followed behind, amused by her stubbornness, and couldn't help but laugh softly under his breath. She was angry, but there was something almost endearing about it.

She slammed the door of the car as she slid into the passenger seat, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"You're impossible," she muttered, glaring out the window.

He just shook his head, the edges of his smile still playing at the corners of his mouth. "You know, you're adorable when you're mad."

Her response was a huff, but she didn't argue. Silence settled between them as the engine hummed to life.

Raghav glanced over at her as she slept, her head resting against the passenger side window, her breathing steady and calm. A small smile tugged at his lips. She was crazy. He'd known that from the moment they met.

She was crazy, sure. But she was his crazy.

Before he could even process the thought fully, the feeling was so strong it stopped him in his tracks. Raghav hit the brakes abruptly, the tires screeching as he pulled over to the side of the road. His hand gripped the steering wheel tight, the adrenaline from the sudden stop mingling with the strange mix of emotions coursing through him.

What the hell was he doing?He stared ahead, his breath caught in his chest. It was one of those moments—one that felt like everything had just shifted, like the world had tilted slightly on its axis, and everything made sense, even though nothing had really changed.

It was both terrifying and exhilarating, the weight of it all settling over him like a storm cloud. He glanced back at her, still oblivious in her slumber, her face relaxed, the tension from earlier gone. She'd made him laugh, frustrated him, and now... now she had him thinking about things he wasn't sure he was ready to face.

He let out a slow breath, shaking his head. What am I doing?

His thumb absently traced the edge of the steering wheel as he tried to steady himself. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake the sudden storm of thoughts swirling inside his head.

Raghav took a deep breath, leaning back into the seat as he tried to regain his composure. His hands were still tight around the steering wheel, but his mind was elsewhere. The sound of Pallavi's soft breathing, the faint thrum of the engine, and the quiet hum of the world outside seemed distant now.

He closed his eyes for a moment, his head resting against the back of the seat, and the realization hit him—he had feelings for Pallavi.