Page 48 of Since You Came Along

Raghav stepped closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘Let’s go today. Right now.’

Before she could protest, he continued, ‘It’s only a couple hours drive. We’ll catch the sunset and have dinner. What do you say?’

Meera struggled to process his spontaneity. She had never done anything so impulsive before.

Leaning in closer, Raghav whispered, ‘Let’s call it a sunset date.’

The words made her squeal with joy, startling him. He laughed and pulled her into his embrace.

Chapter 18

Two hours later, they were in the car, crawling through traffic.

Meera groaned, rubbing her temples. ‘I can’t believe I let you convince me to do this! A long drive on a Saturday? Of course we’d get stuck in traffic.’

Raghav chuckled, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel. They’d been at a standstill for thirty minutes. Meera had suggested twice that they turn around and find a restaurant instead. He was determined to make her happy, unable to get her thrilled expression out of his mind.

‘It’s fine. Let’s talk about something to pass the time,’ he suggested.

Meera huffed, but leaned back in her seat. ‘I don’t want to miss the sunset.’

‘You won’t. We’ve got time. Trust me,’ he reassured her.

‘Fine. What do you want to talk about?’

He shrugged. ‘Let’s ask each other questions.’

‘Okay, so how long till we reach Matheran?’ Meera asked.

Raghav chuckled. ‘Any question but that!’

She smiled at his reaction and changed the topic. ‘Alright then, where would you rather live—a cabin in the mountains or a house by the beach?’

Raghav didn’t need to think. ‘That’s easy. A house on the beach! And you?’

‘A cabin in the mountains,’ she replied.

Something in her tone made him glance her way. ‘Why the mountains?’

Her eyes lit up as she painted a picture with her words. ‘Just imagine it. You’re surrounded by the silence that stretches for miles. You’d wake up to the sound of birds chirping every morning. And then you could watch the sun rise over the mountains. Doesn’t that sound peaceful?’

He couldn’t help but smile at her wistful tone. ‘It does,’ he admitted. ‘But I’d still pick the beach. It just looks cooler.’

She rolled her eyes and punched his shoulder. ‘Typical.’

He laughed, though her description lingered in his mind. For a moment, he imagined himself standing beside her, sharing that sunrise, wrapped in one blanket.

He asked, ‘Skydiving or deep-sea diving?’

‘Oh, skydiving, definitely! I love heights,’ she replied with enthusiasm. ‘But water? No chance. I’m terrified of it.’

Raghav raised an eyebrow. ‘Terrified? Why?’

Meera wrinkled her nose, and said, ‘I almost drowned once during a river-rafting trip. Since then, I can’t bring myself to go near deep water. And before you even say it, no, I am not interested in facing my fears.’

He nodded, recognising the finality in her voice.

The traffic eased and Meera asked, ‘What’s your favourite childhood memory?’

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