Hi all my lovelies! I know it's a late update. But I was quite busy these last couple of weeks.

I've moved city and house and it was really hectic doing it all alone. But now it's all set up, and I'm back with the new update 😎✌🏻

Btw, if you haven't read my other stories, please do check them out.

Also, answer to my last question-
My current obsession is k-pop these days, and my playlist has 'ON' from BTS and 'chk chk boom' from Stray Kids on repeat 😉

———————————————————————————

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. I stretched lazily, the events of last night still swirling in my mind. Sahil's unexpected arrival, our balcony conversation, Avi's suspicions—it all left me with a strange mix of excitement and unease.

Just as I was about to bury myself under the covers again, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Sahil:
"Get ready. I'm kidnapping you for the day. 😊 No excuses."

I smiled at the message, feeling a warmth in my chest. It was typical Sahil, turning even my last days at home into something special. But after last night's conversation, there was something more at play. I didn't know whether it was the looming flight to London or Sahil's sudden presence in my life again, but I knew today would be different.

Me:
"Kidnapping? Should I be worried?"

Sahil:
"Only if you don't like waffles. I'll be waiting for you downstairs in an hour."

Laughing, I jumped out of bed, shaking off the remnants of my restless sleep. By the time I got ready, he was waiting at the door, ready for whatever adventure he had planned.

"Wow, someone's eager," he teased, leaning casually against the car, his signature grin in place. "Ready to go?"

I nodded, feeling the familiar flutter of excitement I always felt when I was around him.

We drove through the city, passing familiar streets that I'd soon be leaving behind. The air was filled with a comfortable silence, the kind that only existed between two people who knew each other inside out. Eventually, we pulled up to a small café tucked away in a quiet corner of town.

"Breakfast first," Sahil said, opening the door for me. "And before you protest, I've already ordered your favourite—waffles with extra whipped cream."

"You know me too well," I laughed as we stepped inside.

The café was cozy, with its vintage décor and soft jazz music playing in the background. We settled into a booth by the window, and true to his word, Sahil had already ordered. The waffles were piled high with whipped cream and strawberries, just the way I liked them.

"So," Sahil said between bites, "what's the first thing you're going to do when you get to London?"

I paused, thinking about it. "Probably unpack and then sleep for a week. The time difference is going to kill me."

Sahil chuckled, but his eyes softened. "You're going to do amazing things there, Srish. I know it."

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, all I could do was smile back. It felt like he was seeing something in me that I wasn't quite ready to acknowledge in myself.

After breakfast, we spent the day wandering through the city, visiting some of my favourite spots—places I hadn't realized I'd miss until I was about to leave. We stopped by the park where we used to hang out as teenagers, laughing about the time Sahil had convinced me to try skateboarding (it did not end well). We browsed through a bookstore that had been a sanctuary for me on rainy days, Sahil teasing me about my never-ending reading list.

But it wasn't just the places we visited; it was the way Sahil went out of his way to make everything feel special. He took me to a gallery, knowing how much I loved art, and even surprised me with a small painting I had admired in passing.

"I thought you could take a piece of home with you," he said, handing me the carefully wrapped package.

I blinked back the sudden sting of tears. "Sahil, you didn't have to..."

"I know," he interrupted, his eyes locking with mine. "But I wanted to."

By the time the sun began to set, we found ourselves back at the café for a final cup of coffee. The sky outside was painted in shades of orange and pink, and the city was slowly winding down for the evening.

"Thanks for today," I said softly, stirring my coffee absentmindedly. "I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Sahil smiled, that easy, familiar smile that always made me feel at ease. "You don't have to thank me, Srish. I just wanted to make sure you had a day you'd remember before you left."

For a moment, neither of us said anything. The unspoken emotions between us lingered in the air, too heavy to ignore but too delicate to address outright.

Eventually, Sahil cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "I should probably get you home. Big day tomorrow."

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat at the thought of tomorrow. Of leaving. Of saying goodbye.

***

The next day arrived far too quickly. My suitcase was packed, my flight was booked, and the reality of leaving was crashing down on me. The house was filled with a strange energy—my family bustling around, making sure everything was in order for my departure. But beneath the surface, there was a quiet sadness that none of us could fully express.

Sahil arrived with Avi and my parents to see me off at the airport. The drive there was filled with nervous chatter and stolen glances out the window. Once we arrived, the goodbyes became real.

Mumma was the first to break, hugging me so tightly I thought I might never be able to let go. "Call me as soon as you land," she whispered, her voice shaky.

"I will, Mumma," I promised, feeling tears prickling at the back of my eyes.

Papa, ever the stoic one, gave me a firm hug, his silence speaking more than any words could.

And then there was Avi. He stood off to the side, arms crossed, trying to play it cool, but I could see the emotion in his eyes.

"Don't forget to annoy me every day with your texts," he muttered, pulling me into a quick, awkward hug.

"I won't," I promised, smiling through the tears.

Finally, there was Sahil. He had been quiet throughout the whole ordeal, standing off to the side as if waiting for his moment.

"So," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "I guess this is it."

"Not quite," Sahil replied, pulling out a small package from his bag and handing it to me. "I have something for you."

I blinked, surprised. "What is this?"

Sahil's eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw something raw in his expression. "Don't open it now. Wait until you get to London."

I frowned, curious, but I nodded, tucking the package into my bag. "Okay, but now I'm even more intrigued."

He smiled, but there was a sadness in his eyes that I hadn't seen before. "Just promise me you'll open it when you're alone. And after you read it... well, we'll talk."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, "I'll miss you," I whispered.

"Yeah," he replied softly, "I'll miss you too."

As the final boarding call echoed through the terminal, Sahil stepped forward, enveloping Srishti in a hug that felt different from any they'd shared before. His arms wrapped around her tightly, almost as if he was afraid to let go, his warmth lingering far longer than it should. Srishti could feel his heartbeat against her cheek, steady but heavy with something unsaid. When she tried to pull back, his grip tightened for just a second, and their eyes met—his gaze soft but filled with a depth she'd never fully noticed before. There was a tenderness, a vulnerability in the way his hand brushed her hair, his breath slow and deliberate as though this was not just a goodbye but an unspoken confession, hanging in the air between them. For a fleeting moment, it felt like there was something more in that embrace than friendship—something they were both too afraid to admit but could no longer ignore.

.
.
.
Hours later, as my plane soared through the clouds, I sat in my seat, the package from Sahil resting on my lap.

And as the plane flew through the sky, taking me further and further away from home, I couldn't help but wonder what I would do next.

But one thing was certain—things would never be the same.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Now, it's the new beginning of Srishti's journey.

Today's question- what was the last movie you watched?

Thank you for reading.
Please vote and comment.