Here After!

37. Whispers of Renewal

Anu

True to his word, Giri took care of most of the planning. By the time of dinner, he'd already booked the accommodations and mapped out the route to Pondicherry.

I smiled softly, trying to shake off the last of the tension. "Giri, Pondicherry is more known for its beaches than its lakes," I said, my voice calm but firm. "I just focused on the beaches, as you suggested."

His expression softened a little, and he nodded. "You're right. We'll make the most of it."

We both sat there for a while, looking out over the garden, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like we were starting to find our way back to each other.

"Everything's set," he announced proudly. "We'll leave early tomorrow morning. That way, we can beat the traffic and have plenty of time to explore once we get there."

His enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself nodding along, the weight of the past week lifting just a little. "Sounds perfect," I said, genuinely looking forward to the trip.

I spent the night gathering my things, carefully picking out clothes for the beach, and packing my favorite books for quiet moments. Giri popped into the room occasionally, giving updates about the itinerary or teasing me about overpacking.

"You don't need half the closet," he joked, leaning against the doorframe.

"Says the man who packed for a weeklong trek last time," I shot back, smirking.

His laughter filled the room, and for a moment, it felt like we were back to being us—lighthearted and easygoing.

Later, we sat down with Mom on a video call to let her know about our plans. She looked pleased, her usual stern demeanor softening as she nodded approvingly. "Good," she said. "You both needed this."

As the night wore on, I found myself feeling something I hadn't in days: anticipation. This trip wasn't just a break from routine—it was a chance to reconnect, to heal.

When I finally lay down to sleep, I caught Giri watching me, a small, unreadable smile on his face.

"Goodnight, Anu," he said softly.

"Goodnight," I replied, feeling a flicker of hope for what tomorrow might bring.

The next morning came with the first light of dawn, and we were both awake earlier than expected. Giri was already packing the last few items into the car when I walked out, sleepy but excited. He gave me a quick grin, already in travel mode, and I couldn't help but mirror his smile.

"Ready?" he asked, adjusting the rearview mirror as I slipped into the passenger seat.

"More than ready," I replied, feeling a flutter of nerves in my stomach. This trip felt like the beginning of something—a new chapter, a fresh start.

The drive was calm, with the sun rising slowly behind us, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. We shared light conversation, teasing each other about silly things and reminiscing about old trips, but there was an underlying sense of calm between us, a mutual understanding that we were both here for the same thing—to make things right.

By the time we reached the resort in Pondicherry, the day had fully awakened, and the warm sea breeze greeted us as we stepped out of the car. The resort, nestled by the coast, was everything I had hoped for: quiet, serene, and perfect for unwinding.

We checked in and quickly made our way to our room, a cozy little cabin overlooking the beach. As I looked out the window at the waves crashing gently against the shore, I felt a sense of peace I hadn't in weeks.