Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 04: He Falls Harder •

"Everything okay?" He tried to sound normal despite his raging heartbeat.

She quickly let go of his hand with an embarrassed smile. "I'm so sorry! I'm such a scared cat."

"No, you're so brave for trying this," he said.

"You're saying that just to make me feel better."

He looked straight into her warm brown eyes. "It's the truth, Sakshi."

A small smile appeared on her lips. Anyone could get lost in that cute. She opened her mouth to say something but looked away. None of them spoke another word till the ride ended.

"That was a wild ride!" Vinnati said, swinging her handbag as they walked out.

Sakshi placed her hand over her heart. "It was scary, but definitely worth it."

It was finally time to say goodbye, Ayush realised. No, not so soon. He scraped the corners of his brain to find an excuse to talk to her.

"Sakshi, would you like to visit Chirag's father's shop?" he asked.

Her eyes twinkled. "I would love... to see Chirag again."

His veins zapped with excitement.

"You two carry on, I have some work. Call me if you need anything, girlie." Vinnati nudged Sakshi and walked away, leaving her with him.

It was just the two of them together in the big sea of strangers. Ayush walked at the speed of a tortoise, hoping to spend more time with her.

A giant puddle with rainwater blocked their path. He scrambled to the other side and stretched out his hand to her. She smiled held it with her own hand.

His rough fingertips brushed her skin as their hands became one, her velvety fingers intertwining with his strong ones. Her touch was getting addictive. He steadied his heart and gently helped her across the puddle.

"Thank you," she said. Her airy voice knocked the breath out of his lungs.

How could she be so gentle yet affect him so much?

A wave of disappointment hit him as they reached the shop. He wished Gaurav's shop was 10 kilometres away.

Gaurav waved our to them happily, unaware of the thoughts in Ayush's mind.

"Namaste! So you're the lovely girl who helped my son."

"I'm Sakshi, pleased to meet you."

"Gaurav's the name and selling handmade jewellery is my game."

Ayush leaned in. "Bhai, can you show Sakshi your best jewellery collection?"

Gaurav placed a wooden bangle box with colourful designed bangles on the table. "These are Kalamkari bangles, hand-painted by rural Indian craftsmen."

"Wow, all of these are so pretty. Which one do I choose?" Sakshi said.

A pair of maroon bangles with colourful leaves captivated Ayush. It would look beautiful on her hand, he thought.

Just as he reached out to it, she did the same, making their hands brush again. Maybe they were meant to hold hands?

"You too like this one?" she asked, snapping him out his thoughts.

"I think it's perfect... for you," he said.

She slipped the bangles on her wrist and showed it to him.

"Beautiful," he said, looking at bangles and then at her.

Her breath hitched as he spoke. "Bhaisaab, I'll take this one. How much?"

"You have been so sweet to us, so please take it for free," Gaurav said.

"No, I can't..."

"It's our gift to you," Gaurav said in a kind but firm voice.

"Thank you, Bhaisaab." She placed the bangles into her college bag.

"Ayush, did you tell Sakshiji about your music?" Gaurav asked all of a sudden.

Ayush glared at his friend. Why did Gaurav bring that up? He was just an small musician. His dreams would never work in the real world. Sakshi would laugh hearing his melodies.

"You're a musician?!"

"Not really..."

"He's a talented composer and singer," Gaurav said.

Her face brightened. "Wow, I'd love it hear your music."

"It's not very good," Ayush said.

"Please?" she asked hopefully.

He couldn't disappoint her. "Alright, I have a few songs on my phone. This one is an old song of Kumar Sanu called Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye."

She plugged in the earphones and connected them to Ayush's phone. "That's one of my favourite songs!"

His stomach flipped as he hit the play button. What if she hated his singing?

Sakshi closed her eyes and strummed her fingers on the table, swaying her body like a flower in the wind. A peaceful smile appeared on her face.

The tension in his muscles drained away seeing her reaction. Gaurav winked at him with a thumbs up.

"This is so... precious. You have such a soulful voice!" she said, taking off the earphones.

"Do you want to hear him singing live?" Gaurav said.

"I'd love that!" Sakshi said.

Gaurav eyed Ayush with a smirk. He was trying to get him and Sakshi together again.

"Let's meet at the park near Lehak river. How about Saturday? Many families come there during the weekend," Gaurav asked her.

"I can make it at 12 in the afternoon. Is that okay?" Sakshi said.

"That's perfect!" Gaurav said.

Was he imagining things?

His body overflowed with adrenaline. A musical evening with his crush beside the peaceful Lehak river. What more could he ask for?

"How will Sakshiji inform you if there's any change of plans? Take down her number, man!" Gaurav told him with a frown.

Ayush felt gifted to have Gaurav in his life. How was his head filled with such amazing tricks?

"Please tell me your number, Ayush," Sakshi asked, with her phone in hand.

"The number is 98--------."

"I'm giving you a missed call," she said.

Her mobile number brightened up his phone the way her smile brightened his heart. He couldn't wait for the many conversations they would have and all the memories they would create.

He eagerly waited for Saturday to come.

This was the start of something new, something beautiful.

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