Waited For You

Chapter 31

{ The Past }

The carnival slowly began winding down as the music softened and students started leaving in groups, laughing and talking about the night.

Sanchi and Atharv walked out of the college gate together, still slightly breathless from all the dancing and games.

Sanchi stretched her arms a little. “My legs are officially dead.”

Atharv nodded in agreement. “Same.”

The road outside the college was busy with people leaving the festival, lights from nearby stalls still glowing in the night.

Without wasting a second, Atharv raised his hand and hailed a rickshaw passing by.
The driver stopped immediately.

Before Atharv could say anything, Sanchi grabbed his sleeve.
“Wait.”
Atharv looked at her. “What?”

“It’s festive season,” she explained. “They’ll charge way more than the actual price from here.”

She pointed down the road.

“We should walk a little distance and then take a rickshaw.”

Atharv stared at her for a moment.

Then he sighed dramatically.
“Both of our legs are killing us.”
Sanchi nodded slowly.
“And,” he continued, “I can’t carry you.”

She gave him an offended look.

“So it makes absolutely no sense to walk in pain.”
He gestured toward the rickshaw.
“So quietly sit on it.”

Sanchi tried to argue.

But her legs reminded her that he had a point.
“…Okay.”

They both got into the rickshaw.

The driver started moving, the vehicle gently rattling along the dimly lit streets.

For a few minutes they just sat there quietly, watching the festive lights pass by.

The cool night air felt nice after all the dancing.

Sanchi rested her elbow on the side of the rickshaw.
“So…”

Atharv looked at her.

“What about tomorrow?”
Atharv shrugged lightly.
“You tell.”

Sanchi thought for a moment.
Then her eyes lit up.

“Let’s go to the fair I told you about.”

Atharv nodded immediately.
“Done.”

Sanchi looked at him suspiciously.
“You didn’t even ask what’s there.”

Atharv smiled casually.
“Doesn’t matter.”

Then he leaned back comfortably, looked at her warmly and said,
“You lead the way.”
“I’ll follow.”

-----------------------

The next afternoon, the local fair was already buzzing with life when Sanchi and Atharv arrived.

Colorful stalls lined the entrance, bright balloons floated everywhere, and the smell of maggie, jalebi, and spicy street food filled the air. Children ran around excitedly while loud music played from different rides.

Sanchi looked around with a wide grin.
“See? I told you it’s fun.”

Atharv glanced at the giant Ferris wheel turning slowly above the fair.
“We’ll see about that.”

Before he could say anything else, Sanchi grabbed his wrist.

“First ride.”
“What ride?”
She pointed dramatically.
“The giant swing.”
Atharv stopped immediately.
“No.”
Sanchi turned toward him.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Atharv crossed his arms.
“I value my life.”