The Classy Thirteen

Exploring London

Rajveer's POV

I turned the steering wheel with one hand as the car glided smoothly down the empty road, the city lights fading into the distance. It was 3 AM, but sleep was the last thing on my mind. My thoughts were entirely consumed by her-Sara.

The cool night breeze filtered through the open window, carrying with it the faint scent of the rain-drenched earth from earlier in the evening. I turned up the volume of the car stereo as Tera Hone Laga Hoon by Atif Aslam filled the silence. The lyrics struck a chord deep within me, as if they were written for this very moment.

The memory of her drunken laughter and the way she swayed gracefully to the music at the party replayed in my mind like a film reel. She was breathtaking, completely in her element, unapologetically herself.

I wasn't expecting to feel this way tonight.

I had gone to the party with no particular expectations, just with the intention of seeing her and wishing her a happy birthday in person. But when she walked into the room, everything shifted. The noise, the lights, even the people around us-all of it faded away. She was the center of my world, and I didn't even realize it until now.

I reached for my phone at the red light, quickly unlocking it. Her Instagram profile was the first suggestion in my search bar-of course it was. I had been debating whether or not to follow her all night. Something about this moment, though, felt like the perfect time.

With a deep breath, I tapped the follow button.

I smirked, imagining her reaction when she saw the notification. Would she smile? Roll her eyes? Laugh? It didn't matter; I was confident she'd accept it.

The light turned green, and I eased back onto the road. The city seemed to sleep around me, its usual chaos replaced with an almost magical tranquility. The song reached one of my favorite parts:

"Aankhon se choo lun ke, bahein tarasti hain
Dil ne pukara hai haan, ab to chale aao..."

I couldn't hold back any longer. Rolling down all the windows and opening the sunroof, I let the crisp night air flood the car. With one hand gripping the wheel and the other raised to the heavens, I sang the lyrics at the top of my lungs.

"I love you, Saraaaaa!" I shouted, my voice echoing into the vast emptiness of the night.

I laughed at myself, shaking my head. Who was this version of Rajveer? Blushing, smiling like an idiot, shouting declarations of love into the night-it was absurd. And yet, it felt incredible.

My heart raced as I stole a glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror. There it was: the unmistakable flush on my cheeks. It wasn't something I was used to seeing, but tonight, it felt right.

Every moment, every thought seemed more vivid, more alive. The world felt softer, warmer, more welcoming. The moonlight illuminated the road ahead, and even the occasional streetlight seemed to glow a little brighter.

As the song transitioned into another romantic melody, I let my mind wander further into memories of the night.

Her laugh.

The way her hair fell over her shoulders as she danced.

Her shy smile when I teased her about being drunk.

The way she clung to my arm when she stumbled, trusting me to steady her.

I couldn't help but replay the moment I'd lifted her into my arms. She was light as a feather, her giggles filling the air as she protested half-heartedly. Her cheeks were flushed, not just from the alcohol but from the sheer joy of the evening.