Inescapably Yours

IX

The next day, Ranveer decided to give Deepika some space. Thus, he was currently spending his day at the spa of his hotel.

Deepika was glad to have the festivities spread out which meant a few free days before the mehendi. She needed a little time to herself to think things over. She was stretching out on the porch when Neha and Shreya joined her. She smiled up at them, "hi."

"Hi babe," Neha smiled back.

"How are you?" Shreya inquired.

"Good. You? And the baby?" Deepika replied.

"We're great," she answered smiling.

"I was coming in a few minutes," Deepika told them.

"It's okay. I wanted to talk to you alone anyway," Neha said.

"Sure. What's up?" Deepika asked curiously.

"I saw what happened yesterday," Neha winced, "and I know you're overwhelmed."

Deepika sighed in response. She wasn't expecting an intervention.

"Babe, we're not trying to interfere or anything but we want you to talk to us," Shreya said touching her shoulder.

"I don't know what to say," Deepika told them honestly.

"Say what's going on up there," Neha poked her temple, "don't get too in your head. Use us as your soundboards," she squeezed her hand affectionately.

Deepika sighed. She looked like she was going to say something then refrained. She opened her mouth again only to shut it again.

"Say it!" Neha yelled.

"I'm confused!" Deepika let out in frustration. "I don't know what to think or what to do. I don't even know what I want!" she squeaked out looking like she's on the verge of tears.

"Of course you are," Neha reasoned, "it's not easy running into the love of your life again only to find him waiting with open arms. It would have been much easier if he had moved on, na?"

"Much," Deepika snickered.

"Pretend there are no expectation. No risks. Nothing. Just the two of you," Shreya paused to let her words to register, "would you take him back and try to work it out or would you walk away again?"

***

The following day, after having had a quiet few hours where Ranveer thought about his next move, it came to him. Like an epiphany, he remembered a pact they made more than five years ago.

Filled with a new surge of excitement, Ranveer immediately started searching for one specific bakery. It was a little shop not expensive or extravagant which made his hunt that much harder. He went through a couple yellow pages, asked the hotel receptionists, even employed google until he finally found what he'd been seeking.

He instantly called them and reserved the whole place. Then, he got dressed and left the hotel looking like a man on a mission. He stopped first at her friends' cabin where he was told she wasn't there yet. He then moved to her parents' cabin and they also told him she wasn't there.

He stood on her parents' porch trying to figure out where she might be. He looked around at the sandy beach attempting to spot her. He couldn't quite make her out but he knew he would find her there so he made his way to the beach.

He walked up the coast and down, searching. Just when he was about to give up, he spotted her silhouette in a secluded area by the bushes. He let out the breath he'd been holding and walked up to where she was.