INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

Chapter 141

Happy Reading

The skies over San Francisco were painted in soft greys and golds, with sunlight peeking out just enough to promise a pleasant afternoon. The air was crisp but not cold — the kind of weather that made you want to wrap a scarf around your neck and sit under a tree with warm coffee.

The family had packed into two cars and made their way to a quiet, grassy park tucked away from the city bustle. Foldable chairs, picnic baskets, and rugs spilled out across the open patch under a tree. Kids ran past flying kites, and the hum of early celebration hung in the air.

Isabella laid out a floral tablecloth with snacks, while Dev tried  and failed to assemble a portable grill.

Dharshi, Keerthi, Elena, and Caroline lounged on a large blanket, sipping juice from fancy plastic cups and watching families stroll by with hot chocolate.

Keerthi (hugging her jacket tighter): “Okay, I miss Angad. Like… painfully miss him. Is this what they call ‘withdrawal’?”

Dharshi: “You should see yourself. All pouty and checking your phone every two minutes like it’s a long-distance relationship and not a 30-minute drive.”

Keerthi (grinning): “Shut up.”

Elena: “I’m not judging. I literally saw Damon’s cologne bottle on my nightstand this morning and almost cried.”

Caroline: “Wow. Y’all are down bad.”

Dharshi (sighing dramatically): “I miss Abeer too. Who knew I’d say that and mean it?”

Nick (passing by with a plate of chips): “Ugh. You guys act like it’s been years. It’s barely been half a day.”

Keerthi sat up with a smirk.

Keerthi: “Says the guy whose girlfriend just broke up with him because of his 'I’m-the-protector-of-the-world' complex.”

Dharshi: “Oooh, too soon?”

Nick (groaning): “God, not again”

Keerthi (mockingly): “I’m just doing what a brother should do.”
She did a perfect imitation of Nick’s voice.

Elena (trying not to laugh): “Okay, that was scarily accurate.”

Nick: “You all are the worst.”

Dharshi (clinking her juice cup with Keerthi’s): “No, you’re the worst. We’re just the consequence.”

Nick dramatically walked away muttering, “I need new siblings,” while the girls broke into laughter, their giggles echoing through the park.

__________

Keerthi wiped a tear of laughter from the corner of her eye and turned to Caroline.

Keerthi (playfully): “You know… out of everyone, you were the last person to know about me and Angad.”

Caroline raised an eyebrow, sipping her juice slowly like she was about to drop a mic.

Caroline (deadpan): “Keerthi. Babe. I already knew.”

Keerthi (blinking): “Wait, what?”

Caroline: “Oh my god. Bitch, I’m your freaking best friend. Remember that?”

The girls exploded with laughter again, and Keerthi playfully shoved her shoulder.