Bhargav's POV
I was done. Absolutely done. The teasing, the endless whispers, the knowing smiles—it felt like everyone was watching, waiting for us to slip or say something foolish. Across the terrace, I spotted Siri sitting quietly, pulling nervously at the hem of her kurti. Her eyes met mine, tired but hopeful, like she wanted to escape just as much as I did.
I slid down beside her with a sigh. "Want to get out of here? Just disappear for a while?"
She looked up, relief flooding her face, like I'd offered her a lifeline. "More than anything. Can we just… go somewhere else? Anywhere but here."
I nodded, rubbing my palms on my jeans. "Yeah. This—this isn't for us. Not tonight."
We stood up together, almost in sync, and I called out loud enough for the small group lingering nearby to hear, "We're leaving."
Siri's voice followed mine, soft but steady. "We can't keep up with this teasing."
That got some raised eyebrows.
Rakesh, ever the instigator, perked up like a cat spotting a bird. "Oho! Going for a lovers' walk, are we? Just the two of you?"
Indu chuckled, folding her arms. "Don't get lost in the moonlight, you two. Don't make us come find you."
We exchanged a glance, both of us dead serious. Then, without hesitation, we said in perfect unison, sharp and clear: "Shut up."
The laughter froze for a moment. Their eyes sparkled with mischief, but the teasing took a step back, if only briefly.
Rakesh stood up, a sly grin tugging at his lips as he took a step closer. "Ah, come on! We're just messing around. Don't tell me you're scared to hold hands in public?"
I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms. "We're not scared. We're just tired of the circus."
Indu pushed off her chair, walking toward us with a teasing smirk. "Circus? We're family, Bhargav. And besides," she added, voice playful but warning clear, "you owe us some entertainment."
Siri's eyes flashed with sudden fire. She straightened, voice low and serious. "Try following us, and you're dead."
I stepped beside her, voice steady but with an edge. "Seriously. We mean it. No tailing, no sneaking. We want peace tonight."
Rakesh threw his hands up, laughing nervously. "Alright, alright. No stalking. We'll behave—for now."
Indu gave a mock salute, lips twitching. "Truce. But don't think this is over. We'll get our revenge."
Siri rolled her eyes. "Please don't."
I shook my head, smirking. "Come on. Let's go before they change their minds."
Without waiting any longer, we turned and headed for the stairs, our steps quick and synchronized. The chatter and laughter faded behind us as we slipped into the cool night air outside.
We walked in silence for a few moments, letting the sounds of the night settle around us. The cool air brushed against my skin, the faint rustle of leaves overhead, the distant hum of cicadas—all grounding, calming.
I snorted, breaking the silence. "Unhinged? That's probably the nicest thing you could say about them."
Siri chuckled softly. "You love it though. Admit it."
I shot her a sideways grin. "Yeah, I do. But sometimes, honestly? I want to tape their mouths shut. Just for a day."
She glanced at me with a sly smile playing on her lips. "I'm surprised you haven't done it already. You're usually quicker with those ideas."
I shrugged, a little embarrassed. "Might have, if I could get close enough without getting smacked."
She laughed quietly, the sound a soft melody in the night. For a few steps, silence wrapped around us again, only broken by the neighborhood's ambient noises—the distant bark of a dog, the faint clinking of glasses, the low murmur of voices far away.
I took a deep breath, then ventured, "So... how does it feel? All the wedding plans, the 'son-in-law' jokes, the neighbors acting like we've already signed some invisible contract?"
Siri exhaled, fingers running nervously through her hair. "Honestly? Embarrassing. But... not in a bad way. It's just... weird to be at the center of so much attention."
I turned to look at her properly, watching the way the streetlight caught the soft curve of her cheek. "Not bad?"
She met my eyes, a softness there that made my chest tighten. "No. It's like... being seen for something real. Something I didn't expect to feel. They're all so eager. Overwhelming, but kind of sweet too."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah, way too eager. Like they're planning everything already—before I even finish my studies."
She smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I felt embarrassed, honestly. But… I didn't hate it. Not completely."
I glanced sideways at her, teasing. "You didn't?"
"No," she said firmly, eyes bright in the night. "It was awkward and funny, but also nice. Like I mattered to them in a way I hadn't really realized before."
I smiled, a little wry. "They're already talking about wedding colors and dates. Meanwhile, I'm just trying to survive finals."
She laughed, a light, airy sound that made the tension inside me ease. "Well, we still have time. No one's rushing us."
"Exactly," I said, feeling lighter than I had in days. "We can take it slow. Until you're ready."
Siri stopped walking, her eyes locking onto mine with a quiet intensity that made my heart skip.
"Bhargav…"
I stopped too, breath catching. "Yeah?"
Her expression softened, but there was something serious in her gaze that froze me mid-step. "I'm ready."
Her words hung in the air, fragile and real, like a whispered promise.
"What do you mean?" I asked, voice barely above a whisper.
She stepped closer, her hands reaching out slowly, as if unsure whether I would stay or run. "I mean what I said. I'm ready to be with you. Not just maybe, not someday... but now."
I blinked, wide-eyed, trying to take in the weight of her words.
Without thinking, I pulled her into a hug. The world narrowed to just us.
She didn't hesitate. She wrapped her arms around me tightly, pressing her cheek against mine like she was grounding herself—and me.
For a moment, I stood frozen, stunned by the sudden warmth flooding through my chest, the fierce quiet in her embrace.
Then it hit me, like a dam breaking inside. A rush of relief, happiness, and a flood of emotions I'd kept bottled up for so long crashed over me.
My knees buckled before I could stop them. I sank down slowly, still clutching her like she was the only thing keeping me steady, my forehead resting softly against her belly.
Siri's hands moved gently to stroke my hair, her fingers trembling slightly as concern flickered across her face.
"Bhargav? Hey... why are you crying?"
I swallowed hard, my voice breaking under the weight of everything I'd held back. "I'm not crying because I'm sad," I managed, "I'm crying because... I'm happy. So happy."
She furrowed her brow, confused. "Happy? Why?"
I closed my eyes, breathing her in—the scent of jasmine from her hair, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat beneath my forehead—and finally let the truth spill out.
"Because... after all this time. After all the waiting and hoping... you just said you're ready. That you want to be with me. I thought I'd never hear those words—from you."
She pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around me more firmly, as if to make sure I really believed it.
"I mean it," she whispered, voice soft but sure. "I think... I'm in love with you, Bhargav."
That confession hit me deeper than I expected. I felt my tears fall faster, unrestrained.
"I'm in love with you too," I choked out.
We stayed like that for a long moment—two broken pieces finally fitting together, steady and true.
After a while, I lifted my head slightly, looking up into her eyes.
"I don't know how to say this without sounding stupid, but... I've waited so long to hear those words. I thought maybe you didn't feel the same. That I was alone in this."
She smiled, a gentle warmth flooding her eyes. "You're not alone. I've been scared too. Scared of what it meant, scared of getting hurt again. But now... it feels right. Being with you."
I reached up to cup her face, thumb brushing over her cheekbone. "I promise, we'll take it one day at a time. No pressure, no rushing. Just us."
She nodded, leaning into my touch. "I want that. I want you."
My heart was pounding so loudly I thought she could hear it.
"Then let's do this," I said quietly, voice steady for the first time in weeks. "Together."
Her smile was all the answer I needed.
And beneath the stars, wrapped in each other's arms, I felt something I hadn't in a long time—hope.
To be continued...