Hidden Longing's

3.Meet❤️

Gayathri's pov:

Morning dawned softly, with sunlight spilling like golden threads through the train window. I awoke to find the stranger from last night vanished into the ether of sleep. Ignoring the fleeting encounter, I focused on the day ahead. The train, a steel serpent of journeys, would soon arrive at Mumbai station. I freshened up, brushing my teeth with mechanical precision, and settled by the window, bracing myself for the moment I would finally face Arjun bava.

"Just ask him how he's been," I whispered to myself, "and then move forward. You've got this, Gayathri."

As the train slowed, the cityscape of Mumbai began to materialize outside, vibrant and alive. When the train came to a halt, I faced the challenge of disembarking alone. My brothers' strong hands were no longer there to ease the burden, and I struggled with my luggage, my efforts marked by a clumsy dance of perseverance.

In the midst of my struggle, a hand reached out-a gesture of unexpected kindness. The man before me, neither familiar nor expected, introduced himself. "Hello, Miss Gayathri," he said, his voice smooth and assured. "I'm Dev, your cousin Arjun's secretary."

Confusion clouded my mind. I had anticipated Arjun bava's presence, not a stranger. "Oh," I replied,

Dev's smile carried a subtle mystery. "Arjun bava is waiting outside. See there?" He pointed through the window, and my gaze followed, landing on a figure I had longed to see.

Arjun bava, standing tall and poised, looked even more handsome than I remembered. Emotions swirled within me, and tears threatened to spill over-a poignant mix of longing and unease.

Dev's eyes twinkled with a knowing smirk, and I felt a flush of embarrassment for my emotional display.

"Let's get your bags," Dev said, gently drawing me from my reverie. I wiped away my tears, feeling a tinge of self-consciousness.

We made our way to Arjun, who was absorbed in a phone call, his back turned to us. I stood silently beside Dev, my heart a tumultuous sea of anticipation.

When Arjun finally turned, the world seemed to still. I managed a tentative smile, a silent plea for understanding, which he answered with a brief, guarded nod.
His curt nod, a constant answer to my inquiries, seemed to encapsulate the distance that had always existed between us. It was as if the silence spoke volumes, and I had come to accept it as part of our interactions.

"How are you, bava?" I asked, hoping for more than just the usual brief response.

"Fine," he replied, his tone as reserved as ever. I bit back any further questions, not wanting to impose on him.

Mr. Dev, perceptive to the situation, broke the silence. "Sir, shall we go?"

"Yes," Arjun bava answered simply.

We made our way to the car, my struggle with three heavy bags evident. I was about to ask Mr. Dev for help when Arjun bava, surprisingly, took the bags from me. His actions, though practical, surprised me. He settled the luggage in the car with an efficiency that was both comforting and alien.

As we approached the car, I had initially intended to sit in the front passenger seat. But before I could make my move, Mr. Dev opened the back seat for me. The gesture was unexpected and left me feeling both shocked and apprehensive. I took my seat in the back, making sure to keep a respectful distance from Arjun bava.

Arjun bava was absorbed in his phone, and I chose not to disturb him, content to observe the cityscape through the window. Meanwhile, Mr. Dev, ever the conversationalist, began to introduce himself. I smiled and responded politely, though my mind was elsewhere.