Page 24 of Since You Came Along

The rain was now pouring in sheets, making it difficult to see, but Raghav didn’t stop until they reached the car. He yanked the door open and gestured for her to get in. Meera slid into the passenger seat, her hair dripping water onto her face, still trying to catch her breath.

Raghav started the car and sped off, his laughter breaking the tense silence.

‘What the hell was that?’ Meera demanded, punching his shoulder as he kept laughing, his wet hair sticking to his forehead.

‘Police,’ he said.

Her eyes widened before she too started giggling, the absurdity of the situation sinking in. ‘Are you serious?’

‘Dead serious.’ He glanced at her, grinning. ‘Almost caught by the cops for indecent behaviour in public. Very classy for the first kiss.’

Meera punched his shoulder again and laughed.

The rain outside seemed softer now. By the time they reached home, it was late and the sweet and intoxicating memory of their first kiss lingered in the air between them.

Chapter 11

The golden sunlight streamed through the curtains, nudging Raghav awake. He stirred, stretching his arms above his head before sitting up. A glance at the clock told him it was already ten in the morning. Despite the mere six hours of sleep he had managed, he felt refreshed.

Then, like a wave, memory of their kiss last night flooded in, bringing a smile to his lips. A flicker of heat rose in him as he recalled the soft warmth of her lips against his and the way she’d melted into him.

God knows where that kiss would’ve led them if they had been somewhere private. Raghav wondered whether to feel relieved or disappointed that it happened in public. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and got out of the bed.

As he stepped into the shower, his mind wandered to the evening ahead. Maybe he could go bowling with Meera. He considered inviting their friends too but dismissed the idea. It sounded much better to spend time with Meera alone.

He remembered how she had insisted he drink a glass of warm milk before bed to avoid getting sick. Her thoughtfulness had a way of tugging at something deep inside him, making him want to protect her, care for her. It wasn’t something he questioned anymore. It simply was.

Once dressed, he decided to take Meera out for breakfast. Perhaps she liked waffles too. He stepped out of his room, expecting to find her back from her morning run. Instead, the sight before him stopped him in his tracks.

Meera was slumped onto the living room floor, leaning against the couch, looking as if she had fallen asleep there. Her face was flushed and damp with sweat.

Alarm surged through him as he rushed to her side and kneeled down. When he touched her cheek, he felt she was burning up.

She stirred at his touch, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal tired, feverish eyes. Despite her condition, she offered him a faint smile. ‘Good morning,’ she rasped.

‘Good morning?’ he echoed, trying to keep the panic out of his voice. ‘What’s happened to you?’ He tried to stay calm, but seeing her so weak made his chest tighten. She looked as though even speaking was a struggle.

‘Fell sick,’ she murmured, as if it were no big deal. Her red nose and chapped lips told him otherwise. She looked so frail, every slight movement seeming to drain her of energy.

‘Why aren’t you in bed?’ he asked, frustration and concern mingling in his tone.

‘I got up to drink water. I felt weak and… I guess I passed out here,’ she explained, her words slow and punctuated by laboured breaths. She closed her eyes again, dismissing her condition with a shrug that made his heart ache.

‘You’ve been here all night?’ His voice cracked, betraying his guilt.

‘I’m okay, Raghav. Don’t worry,’ she said, her lips curving into a faint, reassuring smile.

‘Okay? In what world is this okay, Meera?’ he muttered, his frustration bubbling over. ‘Why didn’t you wake me up? I would’ve gotten you water. You should’ve woken me up the moment you felt unwell!’

‘I didn’t want to bother you,’ she whispered, her words slurring with exhaustion.

Raghav closed his eyes for a moment. She wasn’t okay. Not even close. Each breath hitched as a shudder wracked her fragile form under the covers. The marble floor must’ve been freezing after last night’s rain, and the thought of her spending hours like this made his stomach churn.

Meera opened her mouth to speak, hesitated, then closed it again. After a brief pause, she asked, ‘Will you please help me?’

‘I’m going to pick you up and take you to bed, all right?’

‘Water,’ she whispered, her voice cracking.

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