Page 50 of Since You Came Along

Raghav smiled. ‘Why didn’t you celebrate your next birthday there?’ he asked.

Her excitement dimmed, and she sighed. ‘They cut the funding for the orphanage. By my next birthday, it had closed down, and the kids were sent to different places.’

‘I’m sure they remember you,’ he reassured her.

‘I don’t know about that, but I remember them. Every year on my birthday, I open the box with their gifts, read all the cards, and wish the best for them, wherever they are.’

Of course she does, Raghav thought. That was just who Meera was, someone who carried people in her heart long after life had scattered them elsewhere.

An hour later, they pulled into the parking lot at Porcupine Point. The sun dipped below the horizon, drenching the hills in warm hues of orange and pink.

As soon as he turned off the engine, she jumped out, grabbed his hand, and tugged him towards the railings overlooking the valley.

Meera leaned against the railing, her face turned towards the horizon, her hair dancing with the breeze. Raghav watched her, unable to look away.

‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ she said, her voice full of wonder.

‘Yeah,’ he murmured, his gaze focused on her. ‘So beautiful.’

The place was alive with noise and activity. The cool evening breeze carried a mix of chatter, the faint smell of roasted peanuts, and the earthy aroma of damp ground.

Meera shivered, and Raghav pulled her closer. His arm brushed hers, sending a tingle up her spine as she flashed him a quick, grateful smile.

Raghav understood now why this place held such a special place in her heart. The view was breathtaking. It was the beauty that no photograph could capture.

He turned to tell Meera how much he loved the view, but his words faltered. Meera held out a packet of biscuits and a monkey snatched it and scampered away.

Her laughter, unrestrained and full of life, struck a chord deep within him. The golden light caught her face just right, making her skin glow like she belonged to this magical moment.

Raghav couldn’t resist. He discreetly took a photo, then another, as she tied her hair up. Each candid shot seemed to capture not just her beauty, but her spirit.

The sky grew darker, and a light drizzle began to fall. His mind flashed back to the day she’d been unwell after being caught in the rain.

Concerned, he urged, ‘Let’s get out of the rain, Meera.’

But she shook her head, closing her eyes and tilting her face towards the sky. ‘Shh, Raghav. Just enjoy it,’ she whispered, her voice soft yet commanding. The raindrops kissed her red lips, making them glisten.

A soft smile curved her mouth, and Raghav thought he had seen nothing more beautiful.

He couldn’t hold back any longer. He reached out and cupped the back of her head, his fingers threading through her damp hair. Her breath hitched, and he captured her lips with an urgency that surprised her.

She responded with equal passion, and going up tip-toes, she wrapped her hands around his nape. She pulled him closer, her body pressing against his as if seeking refuge from the world.

Raghav circled her waist, pulling her flush against him, the curve of her body fitting into his. Her heart wildly pounded when he whispered her name.

His lips moved against hers with increasing urgency, tasting, exploring, claiming. She fisted his shirt in her grip and clung to him for dear life.

When he pulled back, her lips tingled, and she longed for more. He rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathless. Her swollen lips, flushed cheeks, and eyes reflected a storm of desire.

‘Why do you always kiss me in the rain?’ she asked, breathless. ‘It’s such a cliché.’

Raghav chuckled, brushing his thumb over her lower lip. ‘It’s a cliché for a reason, Meera. It’s romantic.’

Her heart skipped a beat, and she swatted his chest, laughing at his corny response. But her legs felt like jelly after that kiss. ‘You’re impossible.’

He laughed, the sound low and rich, as he wrapped an arm around her. The rain eased, and they spent the next hour exploring the area.

Raghav took more candid pictures of her. At first, she was shy, waving him off whenever he aimed the camera, but eventually, she relented.

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