Blueprints of Love

21. Lines Drawn in the Sand

The next morning in Konkan was bright and breezy, with a faint scent of wet earth lingering from the rain the night before. Savi stood on the terrace, sipping her chai, watching the locals go about their day. The breeze tugged at her hair, and for a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the peace. But that peace didn't last long—her thoughts drifted back to Rajat's confession the night before.

He'd opened his heart, vulnerable in a way she never thought possible for him. And yet, here she was, holding her own heart hostage, too afraid to let it go.

As she watched Rajat below, chatting easily with a group of locals, her frustration grew. He fit in so naturally, as if he had always belonged in her world. He was helping the florists with garlands now, his easy smile making it impossible for anyone not to warm to him. The employees had begun teasing them too—"a perfect pair," they'd said, with knowing grins that made Savi's stomach twist in ways she refused to admit.

Later That Morning, Savi and Rajat worked side by side, preparing the venue for Meera and Raghav's wedding. As they tied ribbons and placed flowers, the space between them seemed to pulse with unspoken words.

"Could you pass me the marigolds?" Rajat asked, his voice low, as if testing the waters.

Savi handed them to him without looking. "You seem to be enjoying this a little too much," she said, her tone dry but not unkind.

Rajat grinned. "You're surprised I can make garlands?"

"I'm surprised you're still here," she muttered under her breath.

Rajat paused, glancing at her with amusement. "And here I thought you'd be grateful I didn't run off to Paris."

Savi shot him a glare, though a flicker of a smile tugged at her lips. "Don't push your luck."

By afternoon, the team had gathered for lunch. The beach was calm, and everyone sat under a canopy, sharing a lighthearted meal. Raghav's younger cousin, always up to mischief, grinned across the table at Savi and Rajat.

"So, when are you two getting married?" he teased, earning chuckles from the group.

Rajat leaned back with an easy smirk. "Whenever she's ready," he said without missing a beat.

Savi choked on her drink, glaring at him while the others burst into laughter. "In your dreams, Rajat."

One of the other employees grinned. "Come on, Savi, you two make such a good team! Admit it—it's like you were made for each other."

"Yeah," another chimed in. "Like two puzzle pieces that just fit."

Savi rolled her eyes, but her cheeks burned under the scrutiny. She didn't dare look at Rajat, knowing that he was probably enjoying this far too much.

Later that evening, Savi took a walk along the beach, needing some time to think. The employees' words had lingered in her mind longer than she'd liked. Rajat was everywhere—his laughter, his teasing, the way he effortlessly slid into every part of her life. It was maddening how easily he belonged, how comfortable he seemed, as if he had never left.

And worse, how a small part of her didn't want him to leave this time.

She stopped at the water's edge, watching the waves curl toward her feet before retreating. The ocean felt endless, much like the questions swirling in her mind. What if she was wrong to keep pushing Rajat away? What if she missed out on something real—something she might never find again?

Footsteps approached from behind, and she didn't have to turn around to know who it was. Rajat came to stand beside her, hands in his pockets as he stared out at the sea.

"Long day?" he asked gently.

Savi gave a half-hearted shrug. "Just... thinking."

"Dangerous habit," Rajat quipped, earning a faint laugh from her.

For a moment, they stood in companionable silence, the sound of the waves filling the spaces between them. Then Rajat broke the quiet, his voice soft. "You know, they're not entirely wrong."

"Who?"

"The employees."

Savi scoffed. "They're just bored. They need someone to gossip about."

Rajat chuckled. "Maybe. Or maybe they see something we don't."

Savi turned to him, brow furrowed. "Don't," she warned.

"Don't what?"

"Don't say things like that."

Rajat tilted his head, studying her. "Why not? Because you might believe them?"

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, but she refused to let him see how much his words affected her. "I've spent years getting over you, Rajat. I'm not going to let a few jokes undo all that."

Rajat's smile faltered, and for the first time, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "What if it's not a joke?"

Savi clenched her fists, her emotions tangled in knots. "Then you're too late."

The weight of her words hung heavy between them, and for a moment, Rajat looked as if she'd knocked the wind out of him. But then, slowly, he nodded, accepting her anger with quiet grace.

"I'm not here to undo your life, Savi," he said softly. "I'm here because... I want to be part of it. If you'll let me."

Savi swallowed hard, emotions clawing at her chest. "You say that now. But what about when things get hard? You'll leave. Just like before."

"I won't," Rajat whispered, his voice filled with quiet conviction.

"And how do I believe that?" she demanded, her voice cracking. "How do I trust that you won't walk away again?"

Rajat stepped closer, but he didn't reach for her. Instead, he let the space between them speak for itself. "You don't have to trust me all at once. Just give me a chance to show you."

Savi's breath hitched, and for the first time in a long while, she felt her walls begin to tremble. The fear was still there—deep, unrelenting—but so was the hope. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.

They stood on the shore, side by side, as the waves lapped at their feet. Savi knew that nothing between them had been fully resolved, but something had shifted—a crack in the armour she had so carefully built around her heart.

Rajat didn't press her for answers or promises. He simply stood there, patient and steady, waiting for her to decide. And for the first time, Savi felt that maybe—just maybe—she wasn't standing alone anymore.

The wind picked up, tugging at her saree and scattering sand across their feet. Savi glanced at Rajat, who smiled softly. "Come on," he said, nudging her shoulder. "We've got a wedding to finish."

She gave a small, reluctant smile in return. "You're not getting out of garland duty, Rajat."

Rajat laughed, the sound light and full of promise. "Wouldn't dream of it, Kitty."

As they walked back toward the venue, Savi couldn't shake the feeling that, for the first time in years, she was exactly where she was meant to be.

And maybe—just maybe—the lines she had drawn in the sand weren't as permanent as she thought.

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