Legacy Unveiled: The Hidden Heir

Chapter 18: You...okay?

***Pragyan's POV ***

As we stepped out of the car, watching it zoom off with Madhu, Arnav, Shivansh, and Geeta inside, all wrapped up in their romantic world, I couldn't help but find it amusing. Deep down, though, I wished for the same kind of connection with Kiran. The impending departure this month weighed heavily on my mind, casting a shadow of depression over me. Kiran seemed to sense my mood and approached me, her eyes filled with concern.

"You okay?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. Damn, she noticed my mood. I flashed her a grin, mustering up the strength to put on a brave face. "I'm good, don't worry," I reassured her, trying to hide the turmoil within me.

She looked at me with those puppy eyes, silently pleading for me to open up. My heart did a flip at the sight of her, looking adorable. It took all my self-control not to pinch her cheeks right then and there. Walking alongside her, trailing behind our friends who were lost in their affectionate world, we finally arrived at the cafe. We found an isolated corner with a breathtaking view of the beach, the gentle breeze adding to the serene atmosphere.

We settled into our seats, with Kiran and me occupying one side, Madhu and Arnav on another, and Shivansh and Geeta on the third. The arrangement felt oddly comforting, surrounded by the familiar faces of my friends, each pair lost in their world of whispered conversations and stolen glances.

We placed our orders, and it seemed like everyone was obsessed with fish, except for Kiran, who despised it and opted for a chicken salad instead. The anticipation in the air was palpable as both the girls and the guys looked at me, then at Kiran, expecting something. I shook my head, feeling a bit queasy at the thought of what was to come.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, our food arrived. True to form, Kiran finished her meal first; she was always the fast eater. As I was about to dig into the last quarter of my pasta, Kiran looked at me expectantly.

"Kiran, you hate fish. This dish has fish and prawns. Are you sure?" I asked her, concern evident in my voice. She nodded confidently.

"I'm starving. Give me food. You aren't even going to finish it. I know you well, Pragyan," she said, her eyes pleading with me.

I couldn't resist her puppy eyes. With a sigh, I pushed the bowl towards her, watching as she devoured it in record time. A surge of warmth flooded my chest, and I couldn't help but feel my heart swell with affection. Oof, someone please save me from this girl.

Throughout the meal, I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on me, their expectant gazes adding to the tension of the impending departure. Trying to maintain composure, I flashed a strained smile, but inside, my nerves were a chaotic mess. The thought of leaving without seeing Kiran again had my heart in a vice grip.

As Kiran leaned back, her expression content after devouring my meal, I couldn't help but smile at her, grateful for her unwavering presence amidst the turmoil. She glanced around innocently, seemingly oblivious to the scrutiny we were under from our friends. With each passing moment, the reality of our separation loomed larger.

With a sense of finality, we settled the bill and made our way to the beach for a walk. Side by side with Kiran, flanked by Madhu and Arnav on one side and Shivansh and Geeta on the other, the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken emotions. The crashing waves provided a somber soundtrack to our silent procession.

After a while, I summoned the courage to break the oppressive silence. "So... umm... have you tried that latte at the new cafe that opened up recently?" I ventured, hoping to inject a bit of levity into the somber mood.

Madhu, always the playful one, crossed her arms with a smirk. "Well, we were planning to, but uh, Arnav here claimed he had a sudden stomachache after inhaling a bit too much air," she quipped, shooting Arnav a playful glare.

Arnav chuckled, trying to defend himself. "Hey, I had to go on a college campus trip, babe," he retorted, pulling Madhu closer with a grin.

Madhu rolled her eyes playfully. "Babe? Seriously, Arnav?" she teased, her expression teasingly incredulous.

Arnav's sheepish grin betrayed his amusement. "Oops? My bad," he admitted, feigning innocence.

Undeterred, Madhu turned the tables with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, since you're feeling guilty, how about you carry me? I'm feeling a bit too lazy for walking," she teased, flashing a playful smile.

Without missing a beat, Arnav scooped her up onto his back, eliciting an 'aww' from Kiran and Geeta. Shivansh, catching Geeta's eye, couldn't help but offer a similar gesture of affection.

"If you want, Geeta, I can carry you too," he offered, his tone soft and sincere.

Geeta's cheeks flushed at the unexpected offer, but she couldn't hide her smile as she shyly climbed onto his back, mirroring the playful display of affection between Arnav and Madhu.

Kiran's playful grin ignited a spark of mischief in her eyes. "If you're up for it, I could carry you, but fair warning-I might drop you," she teased, her tone daring and flirtatious. Her words elicited a chorus of chuckles from our friends, their amusement echoing in the air.

She stood there, her vibrant energy contrasting with her petite frame amidst our group of towering figures. At 6'3", I towered over her, with Arnav at 6'4", Shivansh at 6'1", and the girls-Madhu at 5'10" and Geeta at 5'9". Kiran, at 5'8", may have been the shortest, but her spirited personality made her stand tall.

Amidst the laughter and banter, Kiran's hand found mine, intertwining our fingers with a playful tug. As she swung our clasped hands like a carefree child, her laughter bubbled up, infectious and pure. But as the laughter subsided and quiet settled over us, her cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment.

Sensing her unease, I tightened my grip on her hand, silently conveying reassurance. "Forget about them. I love holding your hand," I murmured, my voice a soft whisper but brimming with sincerity. Her eyes widened in surprise before a shy smile graced her lips.

Unable to contain my affection, I blurted out, "How are you so irresistibly cute?" My heart raced at my own boldness, but Kiran met my gaze with a playful twinkle in her eyes.

She leaned in closer, her breath warm against my ear as she whispered, "Maybe it's contagious," her voice laced with teasing allure. Kiran looked at my face and observed it, she walked in front of us and stopped facing us.

Kiran's sudden halt caught us off guard, her 14-year-old frame standing with an air of determination, her gaze sweeping over our 16-year-old faces with a mixture of curiosity and concern. With a hand planted firmly on her hip, she fixed us with a pointed stare, demanding answers.