Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 05: Meet Me By The River •

The college library was filled with students, busy reading novels or completing assignments on a Saturday morning. Sakshi hurried into the library, her slippers tapping against the wooden floor.

Vinnati was seated by the window, burying her face into a thriller novel.

“I can't believe it's Saturday!” Sakshi said, grabbing her attention.

“Silence!” The librarian glared, pressing a finger to her lips. The other students cast weird looks at Sakshi.

Vinnati puffed her cheeks, controlling her laugh.

“It's not funny!” Sakshi whispered, dragging a wooden chair beside Vinnati.

“That was so awkward, how can I not laugh?”

Sakshi ignored her comment. She pulled out her accounts books and calculator from her bag, and placed it on the table.

Vinnati gasped in shock. “Girl! Did you forget where we're going today?”

“To meet Ayush,” Sakshi said casually, hitting the buttons on the calculator.

“Then why on earth are you doing accounts problems?”

“I told my brother that I'll be studying in the library. Let me finish at least one question and then we can go.”

“Sakshi, there's nothing wrong with a small lie!”

"You know me, Vini. If I tell a lie, guilt will torture me."

“Okay, girlie. Though it annoys me, it's something I admire about you.”

"Thanks for understanding."

Sakshi hastily worked out an accounts problem and shut the book. "Finally, I'm done!"

She got into an autorickshaw with Vinnati and headed off to the park near River Lehak.

“Hey, what if Ayushman turns out to be a serial killer? You can't trust people these days,” Vinnati said in a deep voice.

“Vini, I'm already nervous! Stop reading those thriller books!”

Vinnati snorted in laughter. “Hey, sorry.”

The wind rushed past them as they crossed narrow streets, huge flyovers, busy pedestrians, and shops. Sakshi had never been to this part of Sonambar. After an hour, the auto screeched to a stop near the huge park.

Her body was a mess of shyness and excitement as her feet hit the ground. She dialed Ayush's number, hands trembling with anticipation.

"Hello?" His gentle voice rang from the other end.

"A-Ayush, we are at the entrance."

"Just a second, I'll be there."

A familiar figure approached them with a dimpled smile. He wore a crisp white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, looking utterly handsome. A guitar was strapped around his body. His black hair looked dark brown in the sunrays.

"Hello, ladies! Please come in," he said, his gaze lingering on Sakshi.

They sauntered into the park with Ayush leading the way. The path was lined with flowers and tall trees. Sunlight filtered through the leaves. Fluffy squirrels bounced around.

He pointed to a picnic blanket on the grass. “I picked this spot because of the view.”

“This is another world!” Vinnati said, and Sakshi nodded in agreement.

The place overlooked the river and the distant green hills. The sound of the water gurgling and cuckoos singing filled the air. 

“Where's Gaurav Bhai?” Sakshi asked.