Layers of Us

Chapter 24: A Detour Under the Stars

The ride back to the hotel was quiet but far from uncomfortable. The glow of the streetlights illuminated the car’s interior as Ram drove, glancing occasionally at Tripura, who was looking out of the window, lost in her thoughts.

Out of nowhere, Tripura broke the silence. “Mr. Kapoor, are you tired?”

Ram looked at her briefly, his brows furrowing in curiosity. “Ahm, no, I’m not. Why do you ask?”

She hesitated, biting her lip slightly before turning to face him. “If you’re okay with it... can we go somewhere else?”

Ram’s heart skipped a beat. Tripura rarely asked him for anything, let alone something like this. Her hesitance and vulnerability at that moment only made him want to do whatever he could to make her happy.

“Of course,” he said without a second’s pause, his voice warm. “Where would you like to go?”

Tripura hesitated for a moment longer before finally saying, “Can we go to Juhu Beach?” Her voice was soft, almost as if she wasn’t sure he’d agree.

Ram smiled, his heart swelling with happiness. “At your service, ma’am,” he said with a playful salute, making her laugh softly.

----------------------

As Ram parked the car, he quickly got out and jogged around to Tripura’s side, opening her door with a flourish.

He extended his hand, grinning like a child.
Without hesitation, Tripura placed her hand in his, allowing him to help her out. The warmth of his hand sent a faint shiver up her spine, but she quickly brushed it off, smiling at him.

The beach was serene, the waves gently lapping at the shore under the moonlight.

The cool breeze carried the scent of the sea, and the soft sand cushioned their steps as they walked toward the water.

Ram couldn’t help but steal glances at Tripura as they walked. Her hair flowed freely in the breeze, and her dress fluttered like a delicate whisper against the night air. She looked like a vision — ethereal and breathtaking.

They found a quiet spot near the water’s edge and sat down, the silence between them comfortable. For Tripura, this moment felt like a breath of fresh air, a much - needed escape from the chaos of her life.

For Ram, it was something more. Watching her lost in thought, her face serene under the moonlight, he felt his heart ache in the best way possible.

I’m in love with her, he realized, the thought settling in his chest like an undeniable truth.

Neither of them spoke for a while, content to simply exist in the moment. The waves crashed softly against the shore, a soothing rhythm that seemed to mirror the unspoken connection growing between them.

Tripura finally broke the silence, her voice soft. “Thank you, Mr. Kapoor.”

Ram turned to her, his brows furrowing slightly. “For what?”

“For this,” she said, gesturing toward the ocean. “For bringing me here. For being... you.”

Ram’s heart swelled at her words, and he couldn’t help but smile. “It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Kapoor. Always.”

As the night wore on, they stayed there, watching the waves and talking about everything and nothing. For the first time in a long while, Tripura felt at peace.
And for Ram, it was a night he knew he would never forget.