Siri's POV
Back at home, I managed to sneak in, past my parents, who were absorbed in their nightly routines. The TV was on, something low and dramatic humming in the background. The smell of soap and the faint remnants of dinner lingered in the air.
Grabbing a towel, I tried to dry my hair as quietly as I could. My shoes squelched against the floor, betraying my stealth. I winced.
"Siri?" Amma's voice came from the kitchen.
"I'm fine," I called back, quickly unzipping my damp hoodie. "Just got caught in the rain."
She peeked around the corner, concern written across her face. Her eyes scanned my soaked clothes, her brows knitting together. "Caught in the rain? You'll catch a cold!"
"I'll change and make some warm water," I assured her, already heading to my room. As soon as the door shut behind me, I leaned against it and exhaled, my smile breaking through.
It wasn't just rain. It wasn't just a hug.
It felt like something had shifted between Bhargav and me. Something real. And I like it.
---
Bhargav's POV
By the time I reached home, I was drenched to the bone. Water dripped from my hair, from the sleeves of my hoodie, from my shoes with every step. I paused in the living room, only to be spotted immediately.
"You look like you took a bath in the rain," Indu declared, hurrying toward me with a towel.
I grinned sheepishly and accepted it. "It's not what it looks like. I just danced."
She rolled her eyes as I dabbed my face. "Really? Because it looks like you've been standing under a waterfall."
I chuckled, rubbing the towel over my head. "Just couldn't resist."
Her eyes narrowed. "And the real reason?"
I hesitated. My chest still felt light from Siri's touch, her words, her warmth. I wanted to tell someone, but also… didn't.
"No reason," I said quickly. "It was peaceful."
She gave me a long, suspicious look. "You're hiding something."
"No. I'm not. Stop that," I muttered, ducking past her and into my room.
Once the door shut, I exhaled. My wet clothes clung to me, but I didn't care. I fell face-first onto the bed, grinning like a fool. My heart was racing again, not from the rain or the chill, but from the memory of Siri's hug—how tightly she had held me, the way her breath had warmed my neck, how her fingers had curled into my shirt.
I rolled onto my back and laughed softly, covering my face with my hands. What is happening to me?
---
The next morning, I woke with a pounding head and sore limbs. I groaned, turning over to face the wall, but it didn't help. Everything ached, from my neck to the tips of my toes, and my skin felt like it had been sunburned from within. The blanket tangled around my legs like vines, and every movement sent a fresh throb through my skull.
The door creaked open, and Indu strolled in with a dramatic sigh, arms crossed like she'd predicted this exact scenario.
"Told you," she said with mock severity. "What did I say?"
"Shut up," I croaked, burying half my face in the pillow.
She sauntered closer and pressed her palm to my forehead, frowning. "You're burning up. You idiot."
I winced at the contact and moaned, "I just wanted to enjoy the rain."
"And now you're enjoying the fever," she quipped. "No. The fever's enjoying you, Bhargav. It's taking you on a honeymoon."
I squinted at her through fever-hazy eyes. "What? Why do I hear something else?"
"Because your brain is fried," she said, smirking. "And probably romanticizing even the virus."
I tried to laugh, but it turned into a cough. Every spasm felt like my ribs were splintering.
A moment later, Amma entered with a cup of steaming tea and a stern frown etched deep on her face. "See? See what happens? You're as bad as that girl. Siri's sick too, her mother said."
I froze mid-cough. "What?"
Indu's smirk widened like a cat spotting milk. "Oh really?" she said, her voice practically dancing.
Amma nodded, placing the tea on the side table. "She was out in the rain too. Her mother said she's burning up, poor girl. Something fishy is going on."
Indu turned to me, eyes gleaming like a detective solving a case. "Did you two dance in the rain together?"
"No!" I said too quickly. "I didn't even see her!"
She raised an eyebrow. "You're a terrible liar, Bhargav. Honestly. You have all the subtlety of a neon sign."
"I swear!" I said, pulling the blanket up to my chin. "Can everyone stop interrogating me? I feel like I'm dying."
"Fine," Indu said, but she leaned over and pinched my forehead gently. I yelped.
"Akkaa!" I screamed, eyes watering. "You sadist!"
"I prefer the term 'concerned sister.'" She snorted and left the room laughing.
Siri's POV
I curled up on the living room sofa, the weight of the blanket doing little to ease the chills running through my body. Every inch of me felt sore, and even blinking seemed like a monumental task. My throat was raw, my lips dry, and the back of my neck throbbed with tension.
Amma entered with a bowl of hot water and a towel, setting it beside me. "Here. For steam. You should've changed your clothes quickly yesterday."
I nodded weakly. "I didn't realize I was that wet."
She sat beside me and began setting up the towel over my head. "You and Bhargav both. His mother said he's down with a fever too."
I froze. "Bhargav?"
Appa walked in from the hallway, holding a newspaper. He didn't even look up as he added casually, "You two are getting sick at the same time? Something's going on." He smirked and raised an eyebrow just enough to make me groan.
"Appa, no. Don't start," I mumbled.
He raised his hands in surrender. "We're just saying. It's suspicious."
"I'm going to my room," I muttered, gathering the blanket like a cape and fleeing before the teasing could escalate.
But I could still hear their laughter echoing behind me.
Back in my room, I collapsed on the bed with a thud. My heart fluttered despite the fever, because... Bhargav was sick too. He hadn't left when I said I didn't want to. He'd stayed in the rain. Just like I did.
Something about that meant more than words ever could.
—
Later in the afternoon, a soft knock roused me from sleep.
"Come in," I rasped, my voice dry and hoarse.
The door opened, and Indu peeked in, carrying a bottle of ginger ale and a mischievous smile. "Look who I found shivering under layers like a soaked kitten."
Despite my ache, I smiled weakly. "You too, huh?"
She walked in and set the drink on my table. "Bhargav didn't say a word about anything, but he looked... stupidly happy this morning. Well, before the fever caught up with him."
I looked down at my hands, twiddling my fingers under the blanket. "We just talked. That's all."
She raised a brow. "That's all?"
I hesitated. "Also... he stopped Abhi. Three days ago. He came to my office. But Bhargav warned him. Told him to stay away."
Her eyes widened. "He didn't tell me that." Then she leaned back, crossing her arms with a proud grin. "Good. That guy needed someone to shut him down."
I looked away, trying to hide the heat rising in my cheeks despite the fever. "Thanks for checking on me."
She sat beside me and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'm proud of my little brother. Finally growing a spine. And a heart."
I chuckled softly.
But she wasn't done. "Don't think you're off the hook. I'll get the truth out of you eventually."
"What do you mean?" I blinked.
"Don't act like you don't know anything," she said, poking my forehead gently. "I'm not blind, Siri. You two have a vibe. It's not just 'talking in the rain' anymore."
"Really. I don't understand what you're saying," I said quickly, even as my ears turned pink.
"What else, my dear best friend?" she said with mock drama. "I'll find out what's going on between you and my baby brother. Even if I have to interrogate your pillows."
I tried not to smile. But failed. "Shut up. I told you. We're just friends. Really."
She laughed. "You should say that without blushing, girly."
She stood and ruffled my hair. "Bye. Just wanted to check on you. And deliver this dramatic monologue."
"Bye," I murmured, watching her leave.
As the door clicked shut behind her, I leaned back into the pillows. My fever still raged, but my heart felt oddly light. God, she startled me. The way she watched me... as if she already knew everything.
Shit. We need to be careful. We can't get caught like this again.
And yet...
I wasn't sure I wanted to keep hiding forever.
To be continued...