Dev's P.O.V.

As I sit on the soft grass, my gaze fixed on the horizon, time seems to stretch endlessly. The birds, those harmonious messengers of nature, continue their song, their melodies weaving into the tapestry of the fading day. 

The sun, now a molten ball of fire, inches its way toward the edge of the world. Each passing moment feels like a heartbeat, and my heart drops with every second that slips away. The fog of doubt thickens as the sun casts its final golden glow.

The sky, a canvas of hues, transforms from warm oranges to soothing purples. It's a gradual descent into darkness, the transition marked by the disappearance of the clouds in the embrace of the vast expanse above. Stars begin to emerge, timid at first, then growing bolder as the canvas of the sky becomes an endless sea of pinpricks of light.

My attention remains tethered to the phone clutched in my hand. The screen remains unaltered. I can't bring myself to check if he's read it. The fear of rejection, of being met with silence, grips me, freezing my movements like a deer caught in the headlights.

The lake, once a mirror to the day's vibrant colors, now shrouds itself in a blanket of mist. The cold winter breeze sweeps around, carrying with it the scent of anticipation and the chill of the approaching night. I hug my knees tighter, the fog of breath escaping into the evening air. The birds, having sung their evening lullaby, retreat into the shadows, leaving behind an echoing silence.

The sudden ring of my phone jolts me out of the contemplative silence, and for a moment, excitement sparks in my chest. I almost fumble the device in my eagerness, but when I glance at the screen, it's not the message I've been waiting for. It's Mom.

My heart, which had briefly soared with anticipation, drops again as I answer the call. "Where are you, Dev?" her voice carries genuine concern, a mother's worry seeping through the phone, "It's really late, sweetie."

I take a moment before responding, my gaze fixed on the now-darkened surroundings. "Yeah, Mom, I guess it's too late," I say, a sigh escaping me. The trees, once silhouetted against the evening sky, are now mere lines of darkness, and even the water of the lake seems to have taken on a deeper, somber hue. 

There's a pause on the other end before Mom's voice breaks through, filled with maternal care. "You okay, Dev?"

I rise from my seat on the grass, dusting my pants with my hand, a futile attempt to shake off the heaviness within. "Yeah, Mom, I'm fine," I assure her, my voice carrying a hint of weariness. I take a final, longing look at the night sky, my breath catching in the cold air. The emptiness and numbness settle in, a quiet ache beneath the surface.

"Do you want me to pick you up?" Mom offers, and I shake my head even though she can't see it. "No, Mom, I'll take a rickshaw. Don't worry," I reply, my gaze now turning toward the trees. I start walking, each step feeling heavier than the last, until I reach the road lights that guide me out of the shadows.

With a heavy heart, I walk away from the place where I had hoped for a reunion, the echoes of the night still lingering as I disappear into the quiet embrace of the waiting road. With each step, the night envelopes me in its cool embrace, the breeze sending subtle shivers down my spine. I glance around, searching for the familiar yellow-and-black silhouette of a rickshaw, but the road stretches ahead, deserted and silent. There's no sign of a ride.

The city, its distant lights now visible, beckons me like a distant beacon in the night. I begin walking, the echoes of my footsteps the only companions in the quietude. The night breeze carries with it a palpable sense of loneliness, the kind that settles deep within the soul.

So, it seems Raj has made his decision, a heaviness settles in my chest. I respect his decision; I always have. But that understanding doesn't shield me from the sting of rejection. I had my chance, and in the dance of choices, I let it slip away. A sigh escapes me, a wisp of breath in the chilly night air.

As I step out of the rickshaw, the chilly night air wraps around me, and I fumble for change to pay the driver. The soft glow of the streetlights casts a muted halo around me, illuminating the desolate street that stretches ahead. Rows of houses stand like silent sentinels, their windows reflecting the quietude of the winter night. Why is it that winter nights always seem to cradle the world in a hushed embrace?

As the rickshaw pulls away, its engine fading into the distance, I turn to face the path leading to my house. Each step feels heavier than the last, echoing the weight in my heart. The night is eerily silent, broken only by the distant hum of city life and the crunch of gravel beneath my shoes.

"Excuse me, I'd like to adopt a puppy." 

The unexpected voice behind me brings me to a halt. My heart skips a beat, and my breath catches in my throat. 

It's him. 

It's his voice.

That soft voice, with a warmth that wraps around me like a comforting blanket.

I turn around, and there he is. There he is, leaning casually against the streetlight, his arms crossed, and his bicycle propped against the fence of a nearby house. My eyes well up with tears, and before I know it, a sob escapes me.

I rush towards him, the distance closing between us in a heartbeat. I press myself against him, feeling the contours of his body, the solid reality that I feared I might have lost forever. His hands find their place around my waist, and mine wrap around his neck, pulling him in closer. His touch is everything I've missed for those agonizing months. Raj bends slightly, his lips and nose grazing my neck. The warmth of his breath sends shivers down my spine. 

As Raj's hand glides gently over my back, tracing soothing patterns, I feel an ache in my chest. It's a familiar touch, one that I had missed more than I dared to admit. His fingers, warm and comforting, weave through the fabric of my shirt, creating a delicate dance. The sensation shifts and Raj's fingers find their way into my hair, a tender exploration that sends shivers down my spine. Each strand seems to come alive under his touch. I clutch onto his jacket, the material rough beneath my fingertips, grounding me in the reality of his presence.

The embrace tightens, and I find myself burying my face in the crook of his neck. It's an involuntary response, an instinctive need to be closer, to feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my cheek. The scent of his cologne, familiar and comforting, fills my senses, overpowering the lingering chill of the night air.

It's overwhelming, the flood of pent-up longing and regret that I had been holding back for far too long. The dam breaks, and I start to sob, silent tears escaping my eyes. My grip on Raj's jacket tightens, as if afraid that he might disappear if I let go. The sobs echo in the quiet night, and I can feel the dampness seeping into the fabric beneath my face. Raj's embrace doesn't waver; instead, it strengthens, as if he, too, understands the depth of the emotions that have been unleashed.

"I missed you," the words escape between sobs, muffled against his chest. It's a simple confession, but it carries the weight of months of solitude and self-imposed distance. "I missed you so fricking much." 

Raj's hands, those familiar hands that I've missed so much, trace a path along my arms, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. Raj's hands, those familiar hands that I've missed so much, trace a path along my arms, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.

Our eyes lock, and in that moment, I see understanding in his verdant green eyes. Oh God, those eyes, I can't-

"I'm sorry," the words escape me in a choked whisper, accompanied by a fresh wave of tears. "I'm really, really stupid. I'm an idiot."

Raj's gaze softens, and with a gentle reassurance, he brushes his thumb over my cheek, wiping away the tears that linger there. "No, you're not," he says, his voice a soothing melody in the quiet night.

Despite the self-imposed distance and the words left unspoken, he's here now, offering comfort and understanding. I bury my face in his jacket again. His arms encircle me, providing a haven that I had foolishly pushed away. The soft fabric of his jacket absorbs the muffled sobs that escape me. 

Raj's lips press against the crown of my head in a tender kiss, "It's okay."

Time seems to stretch and contract in that embrace, the comforting silence weaving around us like a cocoon. As my sobs subside, the weight in my chest begins to lift, and I feel a sense of lightness settling over me. Yet, I'm not ready to let go. The hug, Raj's arms around me, the rhythmic heartbeat beneath my ear—everything is a lifeline I'm not willing to release just yet.

My head remains nestled against Raj's chest, and I can feel the rise and fall of his breath. His chin rests on the crown of my head, his fingers tracing random patterns on my back.

In the tranquil lull that follows, I gather the courage to break the silence. "Raj?" I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Hmm?" he responds, the sound rumbling through his chest.

I move my hand to encircle us underneath his jacket, a silent plea for the warmth and security of our shared space. "Are you still mad at me?"

Raj takes a slow breath before answering, "I was never mad, Dev."

I shift, putting my chin on his chest and lifting my head to look at him. His gaze meets mine, and in that moment, he leans down, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. I close my eyes, savoring the warmth of his lips against my skin.

He continues, his voice a soft murmur, "I was just hurt that even after all that, you couldn't trust me enough to tell me what was going on with you. I was hurt that I couldn't gain your trust to know your fears, your problems."

His words resonate with a truth I had been avoiding. The pain in his eyes, the hurt I inflicted by keeping him in the dark, becomes painfully clear. The weight of his disappointment settles on my shoulders, and I feel a pang of regret. 

"No, it wasn't you, Raj," I say, my grip tightening on his sleeves. "It was me who was just scared, so scared... I'm sor-"

Before I can finish my sentence, Raj's lips gently meet mine. It's a tender, unexpected kiss that silences my words and erases any lingering apologies. His lips move against mine in a rhythmic dance, soft and comforting. The world outside us fades away, leaving only the warmth of his touch.

As we separate, Raj's thumb caresses my bottom lip, a gentle gesture that sends a shiver down my spine. "Don't be sorry, Dev," he whispers, his eyes locking onto mine. "Just promise me, you won't hide anything from me. You won't keep anything that bothers you."

"I promise," I reply without skipping a beat. I meet his gaze, and Raj leans in again, his fingers find the strands of my hair, delicately intertwining them as his lips meet mine once more. The kiss is a delicate exploration, a mingling of breath and warmth. Our lips move in harmonies like a silent conversation, new promises, and unspoken desires.