Solace

|53|rendezvous

Happy Reading!!

The next update might take some time. But I'll try to update it on Sunday. Please bear with me, I'm a little busy.

***

Clutching my suitcase tightly, I pulled the edges of my jacket closer with my free hand, shielding myself from the biting cold. The chill was relentless, seeping through every layer. I sighed as the icy air brushed against my ears, making them ache. My nose felt numb, and I was sure it had turned red by now—just like it always did, along with my cheeks, whenever the cold got too harsh.

Adding to the chill, it was almost ten thirty. I was supposed to arrive by eight thirty, but the relentless rain had caused a massive traffic jam. When I finally reached the five-star resort, its grandeur stunned me. The property sprawled across acres, with lush greenery, towering statues, and magnificent fountains. The rain and occasional thunder only heightened its charm. It took me another half an hour to reach the block where my husband was staying.

At the entrance, a man in a pristine white kurta-pajama and a red safa opened the large glass doors for me. He bowed respectfully, and I returned a polite smile before stepping inside. Warmth engulfed me instantly, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. The wheels of my suitcase echoed softly against the sleek black marble floor as I approached the reception desk, where a woman dressed elegantly in a white saree greeted me with a bright smile.

"Good evening, ma'am," she said, her tone warm and welcoming.

"Good evening," I replied, setting the cake box carefully atop my suitcase.

"I need to know which room Mr. Vaibhav Rajawat is staying in," I asked, fishing my purse out of my handbag to retrieve my ID.

"And you are?" she asked, her expression curious but professional.

"Nidhi Rajawat, his wife," I replied confidently, handing over my identification.

After a brief moment, she smiled and said, "Ma'am, sir is staying in room number 206 on the first floor."

Thanking her, I left my larger luggage at the desk, keeping only the cake box and my handbag with me. I made my way to the elevator, my heart racing slightly as I thought about seeing him again after so many days.

My cheeks felt warm as I walked down the corridor, nerves bubbling within me despite the fact that I’d long stopped feeling nervous in his presence. If anything, his presence now made me feel happy, comfortable, and cherished—a stark contrast to the tentative days of our early marriage. Still, the anticipation of surprising him brought back a flicker of those old jitters.

I chanted room number 206 in my mind like a mantra. My steps were deliberate, my fingers tightening around the cake box I carried. Thanks to Rishita, everything had gone smoothly—she'd ensured I reached comfortably and that all arrangements were made. She had even insisted I didn't need to pay her, saying everything would be accounted for.

But this was supposed to be a surprise for him, a moment crafted out of care, respect and affection. How could I let someone else take care of it?

I stood in front of room number 206, my heart racing as I wondered how he would react. I knew he'd be happy, but I was eager to see just how much. All these ideas had come from Priya.

When I told her I wanted to do something special for him when he returned, she reminded me that his birthday was on Saturday, not in fifteen days. I was taken aback at first, but then it hit me—she was right. I had everything planned around that.

She said it feels like I'm in love with Vaibhav. If only she knew the truth—Vaibhav and I never needed grand declarations of love. We are practical people, and abstract notions like love have no place in our relationship. Nor do we want it to be that way.