Their first stop was Simhachalam Temple, nestled among the green hills just outside the city. The drive up was slow, the Thar winding along the narrow, curving road as sunlight slanted through the canopy like golden ribbons. The air grew cooler, fresher, filled with the scent of damp earth and distant incense that floated from the roadside stalls selling flowers, coconuts, and tiny packets of kumkum.
Shruti leaned against the open window, her fingers playing with the edge of her dupatta. She inhaled deeply. "Smells like... home. I don't know how else to describe it."
Arjun glanced at her, amused. "Home smells like flowers and cow dung?"
She elbowed him lightly. "Shut up, Arjun. You know what I mean."
"I do," he admitted, smiling softly. "It's nice. Peaceful up here."
When they reached the temple steps, Arjun parked the car and stretched his legs dramatically the moment he stepped out.
Shruti eyed the long flight of stairs with a grin. "Ready for your first workout of the day, Mr. Lazy?"
Arjun groaned, slinging the small bag of offerings over his shoulder. "Let's just say... this is how I cleanse my past sins."
"You'll need more than one climb for that," she teased, starting up the steps. Her anklets chimed with each step, the sound mingling with the temple bells in the distance.
"Hey!" Arjun called after her, already breathless halfway through. "I'm a good guy!"
Shruti looked over her shoulder, her braid swaying. "Then why are you wheezing like a grandpa?"
"Because I married a sadist who enjoys watching me suffer on temple steps," he shot back, hands on his hips, but smiling despite himself.
Inside, the temple was bathed in golden light, the air thick with camphor smoke and the murmur of mantras. The ancient stone walls glistened faintly under layers of sandalwood paste and oil. The idol of Lord Narasimha shone serenely as the priests moved rhythmically, bells ringing in intervals, flowers showered upon the deity.
Shruti folded her hands, closed her eyes, and mouthed a silent prayer. Arjun watched her for a moment—the serenity on her face, the delicate vibhuti smeared across her forehead, the way she seemed completely at peace.
"What did you pray for?" he asked as they descended.
"Peace," she said simply, adjusting her dupatta.
"Nothing for your poor husband's legs?"
"Oops," she teased. "I forgot."
"I see how it is," Arjun said, mock-wounded, bumping his shoulder lightly against hers.
---
Their next stop was the Kali Temple at RK Beach, its red-and-white facade bold against the roaring sea. The salt-laden breeze whipped around them, and the temple bells echoed like thunder over crashing waves.
Arjun watched as Shruti offered marigolds, her face fierce and reverent at once.
"Why does this place feel so different?" Arjun asked as they stepped back, brushing sand off his shoes.
"Because this is strength," she said, her voice steady. "Raw, protective strength. Kali is about standing up when no one else does. She's about not backing down."
Arjun regarded her thoughtfully. "So that's your favorite temple now?"
"One of them," she said, shielding her eyes against the sun. "She reminds me of what I want to be."
"You already are," he said quietly, but she didn't seem to hear over the sound of the waves.
They bought coconut water from a vendor. Arjun held the coconut for her as she sipped, watching the sea foam tumble onto the sand.
"Hey, when you're done being poetic with the ocean, let's move," he said with a smirk.
---
Next was Appikonda Temple, ancient and quiet. The sun had risen higher, but the cool stone of the temple soothed them. Shruti ran her fingers along the worn carvings of Nandi, her eyes soft with wonder.
Arjun lit a diya and placed it before the Shiva lingam. The flame danced wildly for a moment before settling into a calm, steady glow.
"I didn't know you'd light one," Shruti whispered, stepping beside him.
"I didn't know either," he said honestly. "But... it felt right."
They exchanged a quiet look, the kind that didn't need words.
---
At Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple, the queue snaked down the main road. The sun was relentless, but Shruti didn't complain.
When the crowd jostled around them, she slipped her hand down and loosely held his wrist.
He blinked at her. "What's this?"
"So you don't get lost, distraction boy."
"I'm the distraction?" Arjun laughed. "You're the one who keeps catching everyone's attention. I saw that group of uncles stare at you back there."
She rolled her eyes. "Focus on the goddess, Arjun."
"I am," he said with a grin. "She's holding my wrist."
Shruti tried not to laugh, but failed, shaking her head as they inched forward.
---
Their last stop was the Sai Baba Temple near MVP Colony, the neem trees casting long shadows over the courtyard. The air was fragrant with incense and rose petals; the soft hum of evening bhajans wrapped around them like a comforter.
Shruti folded her legs and sat, eyes closed, breathing steady.
Arjun sat too, awkward at first, then gradually easing into the silence. His eyes weren't on the deity—they kept straying to her. The girl who dragged him up steps, through crowds, across the city. The girl who still made him want to stay in places he never thought he'd care for.
When the bells rang for the final aarti, he leaned toward her and whispered, "So... spiritual enough for you?"
Shruti opened her eyes slowly, their brown depths glowing in the soft light. "It was perfect."
As they walked out, hand in hand, the sun dipped low, washing the skyline in amber and pink.
At the car, Arjun unlocked the door and sighed. "Next Saturday, I'm choosing the activity."
"Deal," she said, slipping into the seat with a grin. "As long as it doesn't involve sleeping till noon."
He shot her a look as he started the engine. "That's non-negotiable."
---
After visiting the last temple, the soft glow of the late afternoon sun painted the city in warm gold. Shruti leaned her head back against the seat, letting the breeze from the half-open window brush through her hair. The air smelled faintly of roasted peanuts and the salty tang of the distant sea.
Arjun's hands were steady on the wheel, his thumb tapping absently against the steering as if playing along to some tune only he could hear.
Then, as they turned into a quieter lane near MVP Colony, he slowed the Thar and nodded toward a small shop nestled between a tea stall and a tiny tailoring unit.
"There," he said, with that hint of mischief in his voice.
Shruti straightened, curious.
Her gaze followed his — to a faded signboard that read Lakshmi Educational & General Stores. The paint was chipped, the letters a little crooked, but the place had a charm that made her smile.
"A bookstore?" she said, eyes softening.
"Yep," Arjun said, parking. "We're going old-school for the books."
They stepped inside, the rusty doorbell jingling softly, its sound swallowed quickly by the thick scent of fresh paper, old ink, and wood polish. It was the kind of smell that wrapped itself around you like a childhood memory — comforting and familiar.
Shruti inhaled deeply. "Smells like school mornings… right before exams. When you'd open your book and realize you forgot everything."
Arjun laughed. "You mean you forgot everything. I was a model student."
She gave him a mock glare. "Liar."
"Okay, fine," he admitted, grinning. "Maybe I did cram a bit."
They parted inside the shop — Arjun heading straight for the Engineering Second Year shelf with practiced ease, while Shruti wandered toward the First Year section, fingers tracing the worn edges of textbooks.
She flipped through a few books, her eyes scanning prefaces, her fingers testing the weight of them like she was trying to judge which one would betray her first come exam season.
Arjun peeked over the shelf at her. "Found your victims yet?"
"Almost," she said, holding up a slim guide. Her grin was impish. "This one looks suspiciously easy. I want it."
Arjun walked over, balancing a stack of fat textbooks. He plucked the slim guide from her hands. "No shortcuts, Mrs. Arjun."
"Mean," she muttered, but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.
They spent a while gathering notebooks, pens, highlighters, and a geometry box she insisted she wouldn't need but added to the basket "just in case." Near the billing counter, as they waited for the shopkeeper to total up the pile of textbooks and stationery, Shruti's attention was quietly stolen by something hanging to the side.
A soft teal backpack — not too large, not too flashy — with delicate white floral prints that trailed like tiny vines across the fabric. It looked sturdy, simple, and beautiful in a quiet way that matched her.
Her fingers brushed against the strap absentmindedly, and for a moment, she seemed lost in thought, her eyes softening as she imagined carrying it.
Arjun noticed.
His lips curved into a small, knowing smile. Without saying anything, he stepped forward, gently took the bag off its hook, and placed it onto the counter with a satisfied flourish.
"Heroic husband moment," he announced grandly, puffing up his chest as though he'd just rescued a princess from a dragon.
Shruti blinked, then gave him an exasperated, fond look. "Arjun…"
"What? I saved the day," he said, crossing his arms like he'd earned a medal. "And look — perfect color, perfect size. I have excellent taste."
She shook her head, trying to hide her smile. "You're unpredictable."
"And yet, you're stuck with me," he teased, nudging her shoulder lightly as the shopkeeper began packing the bag along with their books.
The warmth in that tiny gesture, the way he'd noticed without her having to ask — it lingered with her as they stepped out into the fading evening light.
She elbowed him, laughing softly. "You're ridiculous."
"And yet, effective."
The old shopkeeper began packing their things, sliding books into paper covers with practiced hands. As Arjun paid, Shruti noticed him glance outside, toward a sleek glass-fronted store across the street.
"Come," he said suddenly.
"Where?"
"Next surprise."
"Arjun!" She groaned, her feet already tired.
"Trust me." That grin again — the one that always disarmed her.
To be continued...