Here After!

39. The Afterglow

Anu

The sound of the waves had become a familiar lullaby, but as our trip neared its end, I could feel reality slowly creeping back in. The carefree days, the stolen moments under the starlit sky, and the warmth of Giri's hand in mine—everything felt so perfect here. But deep down, I knew it wouldn't last forever.

I sat on the balcony, watching the sun rise over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Giri was still asleep inside, his soft breathing a comforting presence. I hugged my knees to my chest, letting the cool morning breeze brush against my skin. A part of me wished we could stay here forever, away from responsibilities, expectations, and the routine of everyday life.

But life was waiting for us back home. Work, family, and everything in between. Could we hold onto this newfound peace once we left this place? The thought lingered in my mind as I sighed, feeling a familiar heaviness settle in my chest.

The waves continued their rhythmic dance as if whispering secrets only the ocean knew. I closed my eyes, trying to memorize the sound, the scent of salt in the air, the way the golden light shimmered on the water. Hold onto this, Anu. Don't let it slip away so easily.

Inside, Giri stirred slightly, turning in his sleep. I smiled softly. He always seemed so at peace here, away from the endless notifications and deadlines that usually demanded his attention. I wondered if he felt the same way I did—if he, too, dreaded returning to the predictable chaos that awaited us.

A seagull cried in the distance, snapping me out of my thoughts. I reached for my phone, almost instinctively, but hesitated. No messages. No calls. Just the quiet morning and me.

But I knew it wouldn't last. Soon, the world would come rushing back in, filling the spaces we'd carved for ourselves here with noise and obligations.

Giri's voice, thick with sleep, broke through my reverie. "Morning."

I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, eyes still heavy with sleep but laced with something else—contentment. I wondered how long that would last once we left.

"Morning," I replied, forcing a smile. "Ready to head back?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Not really. But I guess reality doesn't wait for anyone, does it?"

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle over us both. He sat beside me, resting his head gently on my shoulder and wrapping me in his arms—just the way he always does, pulling me into my comfort zone.

"Anu," he murmured, his voice soft yet certain, "we can leave after breakfast. That way, we'll be home by evening. Maybe we can visit your parents tomorrow, and then... back to work life from Monday." He paused, pressing a gentle kiss on my hand. "But we need to make more memories like this."

His words held a quiet promise, one that warmed my heart. I tightened my hold on his hand in response, silently agreeing.

A few minutes later, we packed our things, letting the weight of reality settle in. With one last glance at the ocean, we hit the road, carrying our memories with us—etched into our hearts like footprints in the sand.

The return journey was... okay, I guess. Somewhere between the long stretches of road and the quiet hum of the car, I decided to take the wheel for a while. I could tell Giri needed the rest, and though he was reluctant at first, he eventually let me drive.

With a few breaks along the way, we finally made it home. The evening had settled in, and as expected, Mom was busy with her tuition class. She greeted us with a quick nod and a warm smile before going back to her students. "I'll be done soon. You both freshen up," she assured us before disappearing into the next room.