Between Us, Between Time

39. Is it possible to describe Love ? - Siddarth

The night brought with it a gentle chill, wrapping the town in an air of serenity as we descended from the fort. The slope felt less daunting this time, perhaps because of the magic of the sunset we had just witnessed. On our way down, we decided to stop at the stalls we had noticed earlier.

The displays were colorful and tempting, showcasing local artistry, intricate jewelry, handmade crafts, and vibrant paintings. However, the prices were steep, and I, being terrible at bargaining, opted out of buying anything. Saanvi seemed indifferent to most of the items, her focus more on the journey than souvenirs. As we walked, the view of the town below caught our attention. Fully lit up, it resembled a vibrant tapestry of lights, reminding me of Diwali. It was breathtaking, almost surreal, like a scene straight out of a dream.

Once we reached the bottom, we stumbled upon a cozy sweet shop aptly named "House Of Sugar. The warm, sugary aroma lured us in immediately. Sweets have always been my weakness, and I couldn't resist sampling a few. Saanvi joined me, though she was much better at controlling herself than I was. The variety was overwhelming, and I silently promised myself I wouldn't go overboard, though I wasn't entirely successful.

The night felt too alive to end just yet, so we wandered further into the town and found ourselves at a club called Woz Layer. It wasn't one of those overly flashy, crowded places. Instead, it had a cozy yet energetic vibe that struck a perfect balance.

The club had two distinct areas, one side pulsating with loud music and flashing lights, while the other offered a more laid-back atmosphere with games and comfy seating. I wasn't keen on drinking much, so I settled for two shots, savoring the experience without overdoing it. We explored the game area, and that's when I discovered Saanvi's competitive side.

She was already engrossed in a game of table tennis when I decided to join her. Let's just say my skills (or lack thereof) didn't stand a chance against her. She was quick, focused, and relentless, while I struggled to return even a single shot. Eventually, we teamed up against the others. My role? Serve and cheer while she dominated the game.

Later, we moved to foosball, and to my surprise, I was a natural. This time, I managed to keep up with her, even winning a few rounds. She laughed and pretended to be annoyed at losing, but I could tell she was enjoying herself just as much as I was.

The night reached its peak on the dance floor. The music was funky and irresistible, and despite my self-proclaimed terrible dancing skills, I joined in. We didn't care about the steps or rhythm, we just let the music guide us. Laughter echoed around us as we watched each other's goofy moves. It was pure, unfiltered joy, a kind of freedom that made the world outside feel irrelevant.

Once we were all danced out, Saanvi and I decided to step outside for some fresh air. The streets were quieter now, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. As we strolled, we stumbled upon a quaint little cafe with an amusingly simple name, Coffee Shop. The open-roof design, adorned with walls of flowering creepers, exuded charm.

We ordered their special hot coffee, and, in my eagerness, I took a sip too soon. My tongue burned, and Saanvi burst into laughter, teasing me mercilessly. I set the coffee aside, content just to sit and talk with her. The atmosphere was perfect, cool breeze, the scent of flowers, and the absence of other customers adding an intimate touch to our time together.

We talked about everything, our lives, silly memories, and random dreams for the future. Her laughter, her expressions, the way she absentmindedly tucked her hair behind her ear, I was captivated. It felt like time had paused, the world narrowing down to just the two of us under the starlit sky.

Reluctantly, we decided to head back as it was getting late. The walk to our rooms was peaceful, punctuated by short conversations and the occasional pointing out of constellations. Orion was always easy to spot, and I couldn't help but admire the vastness of the night sky.

When we reached our rooms, we lingered outside for a moment. She stepped closer, wrapping me in a warm hug. Her scent was intoxicating, her hair soft against my cheek as I gently ran my fingers through it. She chuckled softly, a sound that filled me with inexplicable warmth.

Then, she kissed me on the cheek, her lips leaving behind a lingering sensation that made my heart soar. I watched her walk to her room, unable to tear my gaze away. It felt like my entire world had condensed into that single moment.

Back in my room, I couldn't stop smiling. The happiness bubbling inside me was overwhelming. I flopped onto the bed, still buzzing with excitement, replaying every moment of the night in my mind.

That night, I didn't just dream, I lived in one.