Between Us, Between Time

43. Is it possible to describe Love ? - Siddarth

As Saanvi and I slowly walked back to our rooms, her warmth pressed against me, I felt like the luckiest person alive. Her head leaned gently on my shoulder, and I instinctively wrapped my arm around her, drawing her closer. It was a simple gesture but one that spoke volumes about the connection we were building.

When we reached her room, we stopped outside, still holding hands. Neither of us seemed ready to let go of the moment. Her eyes glistened, a mixture of emotions swirling in their depths, joy, vulnerability, and something else I couldn't quite place. I smiled and broke the silence, thanking her softly.

"Thanks for an amazing night. I hope you'll let me return the favor someday."

She didn't reply, but her eyes spoke volumes. A shy smile spread across her lips, and for a moment, we were just two awkward, blushing teenagers standing under the moonlight, utterly enchanted by each other. We finally managed a whispered "Goodnight" before reluctantly letting go.

As she disappeared into her room, she glanced back one last time, gifting me a smile that made my heart skip a beat. I stood there, frozen, smiling like an idiot, overwhelmed by emotions I couldn't fully comprehend. Slowly, I made my way to my room, my thoughts consumed by her, the way she looked at me, the way she made me feel.

I wandered to the window, gazing at the starry sky, lost in thought.

"Is this what love feels like?" I whispered to myself. If it was, I never wanted it to end.

My daydreaming was interrupted by a call from my mom. As always, her voice was laced with a mix of concern and love. I told her about the trek, probably a mistake. She panicked, going on about all the things that could have gone wrong, from injuries to something far worse. Despite her overprotectiveness, I could hear the relief in her voice, knowing I was safe.

Of course, I didn't tell her about Saanvi or the kiss. That was something too precious to share just yet. Once I told Saanvi how I truly felt, then maybe... Mom, being Mom, ended the call with her usual affectionate goodnight kisses, as if I were still her little boy. I laughed, feeling both embarrassed and deeply loved.

Later, my friends returned from the beach, and I couldn't resist sharing what had happened with Saanvi. Nithin and Sreehari were more excited than I was, bombarding me with questions and teasing me relentlessly. It felt great to relive the evening with them.

Amid our banter, we noticed something unusual, Sreehari couldn't stop talking about Nithya. Nithin and I exchanged knowing looks. It didn't take long for us to figure out what was going on, Sreehari had a massive crush on her. He tried to deny it, but his enthusiasm betrayed him. Naturally, we teased him mercilessly, making him squirm until we all finally crashed for the night.

The next morning, as we prepared for the journey home, I was filled with anticipation. I had decided, once we got back, I would confess my feelings to Saanvi. No more holding back.

But then, my phone rang. It was Keerthi.

"Hey, Siddarth," she began, her voice slightly worried. "I've been trying to reach Saanvi, but she's not picking up. She told me she'd be with you last night. Did you see her?"

My heart skipped a beat.

"She was with me," I replied, a sudden unease creeping into my voice. "We walked back together, and she went to your room."

"She's not here," Keerthi said, her tone now clearly anxious. "And she's not answering her phone."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My grip on the phone tightened as a cold shiver ran down my spine. Memories of the doctor's words came flooding back,

"There is a chance this might happen again."

I stood there, frozen, my mind blank as Keerthi's voice continued on the other end of the line. Panic clawed at the edges of my thoughts, but I couldn't process anything. All I could think about was Saanvi, where she could be and what might have happened.

I had to find her. And fast.