Author's Note:Hey readers! I've been a little busy, so this chapter took some time to write. But I promise, the wait will be worth it—there's excitement, bonding, and a beautiful temple visit ahead! Hope you enjoy every little moment with the gang.
Blurb:The journey to Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple is filled with laughter, legends, and curiosity. As tales of ancient heroes echo through the bus, every child and guardian feels the pull of devotion and history. Yet beneath the sacred aura, admiration and jealousy quietly weave their way into the day…
Chapter Draft
The bus hummed steadily along the winding mountain roads, its windows framing the green hills and streams glistening under the sun. Inside, excitement buzzed like a festival.
tention.
"This is a very famous temple," she began. "It was once the home of Guru Dronacharya, and Ashwathama was born here. Even today, drops of water naturally fall on the Shivling during abhishek—it's considered a miracle."
The children fell silent, listening wide-eyed. Kabir nudged Maya, whispering with a grin, while Avyaan bounced lightly on his seat. Ahead, Ryu's uncle, driving the car, gave a satisfied nod, and even her grandmother's face lit
Maya POV: I leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "I can't wait to see the temple! They say it's so beautiful… and the drops falling on the Shivling look magical."
Kabir snorted lightly, his grin mischievous.Kabir POV:"Beautiful? Forget that—I'm imagining the selfies near that spot! Can you imagine how epic they'll look? People won't believe it's real!"
Maya rolled her eyes but laughed, nudging him playfully.
Avyaan, who had been quiet until now, suddenly burst out with excitement.Avyaan :"You guys are thinking about photos? Don't you know this is the place where Ashwathama was born? Guru Dronacharya lived here! It's like… actually walking straight into history."
The chatter from the guardians floated through the bus. Siya di leaned slightly toward the children, her calm presence making them all hush.
Siya di: "This temple is very famous. Do you know why?"
Maya : I tilted my head, curious. What else could be so special?
Siya di smiled knowingly, her voice carrying both warmth and reverence.Siya di: "It was once the home of Guru Dronacharya, the great teacher from the Mahabharata. And yes, Ashwathama was born here. Even today, drops of water fall naturally on the Shivling during abhishek… many believe it's a miracle."
Kabir :Miracle or not… if those drops show up in the background of my photo, it'll go viral for sure.
Avyaan :See! This isn't just a temple visit—it's history, devotion, and magic all in one place.
Maya :I don't care about photos right now… I just want to see it with my own eyes. The way Siya di talks about it, the temple already feels sacred.
Avyaan POV:See! This isn't just a temple visit—it's history, devotion, and magic all in one place. How can he only think of photos?
Maya POV:I don't care about photos right now… I just want to see it with my own eyes. The way Siya di talks about it, the temple already feels sacred.
And in the middle of it all, Ryu sat quietly, her gaze shifting between her friends.
Ryu POV:Maya looks so excited, Kabir can't stop joking, and Avyaan… he sounds like he's ready to fight anyone who doesn't respect the temple. Me? I'm just trying to take it all in. Legends, miracles, devotion—it all sounds so grand. But somewhere deep inside… I wonder if I'll feel the same connection they do when I finally step inside.
Ryu absorbed the stories quietly, her gaze thoughtful. The air inside the bus seemed thick with devotion and anticipation.
"This temple is special… not only for its history but for its miracles. Even today, the Shivling is bathed by natural drops of water, as if the earth itself performs the abhishek."
"Everyone, get ready," Ryu's uncle finally called out. "We'll be reaching the temple soon."
Ryu leaned back against her seat, weary from the long ride. Just then, Aakash slid in beside her."Who was in the photo?" he asked gently, eyes curious.
Caught off guard, Ryu hesitated. "I… I don't know. I just found it a few days ago," she admitted, embarrassed.
Aakash POV:My throat tightened as my eyes lingered on the sketch. The lines were sharp, deliberate, every shade pressed with such intent. But what unsettled me wasn't the artistry—it was the familiarity. That face… it was mine.
For a moment, the world around me blurred. The chatter of the bus, the laughter spilling from the seats, even Rey's occasional glances—everything dulled into the background. All I could see was that page. My face, captured by Ryu's hand, staring back at me with an expression I didn't recognize.
Did she know? No… her startled reaction when I asked told me she didn't. She had drawn me, yet she didn't realize. That made it stranger. Destiny? Coincidence? Or something else I couldn't put into words.
I wanted to ask, to press her—Why me? How did you draw this without knowing? But the words never left my lips. Something in me told me it wasn't the right moment. Not here. Not now.
So I closed the sketchbook gently, masking the storm inside with a practiced calm. "It's… good," I said, forcing a small smile. My fingers tightened around the edges before I returned it to her lap.
But deep down, I couldn't shake the thought. She had seen me without ever knowing me. And that—was more terrifying than anything I could explain.
Meanwhile, Rey and Ravi sat on the steps, munching chips, as if oblivious to the grandeur.
Ryu POV:They're not even excited. Ryu's eyes drifted to Rey and Ravi, sitting on the stone steps like it was just another ordinary afternoon, their chip packet crinkling louder than the temple bells. She couldn't believe it. Everyone else was wide-eyed, buzzing with curiosity, while those two sat there acting like this ancient temple was nothing more than a backdrop for their endless banter. Yet, watching them argue over who got the bigger chip, she couldn't help but smile. It was so typical of them—unmoved by grandeur, but completely absorbed in their own little world. Maybe that was their charm, Ryu thought. The temple had its miracles, and perhaps Rey and Ravi were their own kind—small, ordinary miracles that kept everything grounded.
Rey POV:Ryu was watching. Rey knew it. Even through his nonchalance, he could feel her gaze. He popped another chip into his mouth, pretending he couldn't care less about ancient legends or holy drops falling on stone. The truth? He did care. He had always cared. But admitting awe or reverence wasn't his style. If he looked too impressed, he'd feel exposed—like he was no longer in control of himself. And besides, watching Ryu smile softly at their antics… that was the real highlight for him. He told himself he was here just to keep Ravi company, but his heart betrayed him every time her laughter reached his ears.
Ravi POV:Ravi licked the salty crumbs from his fingers, utterly content. Temples, myths, miracles—all of that belonged to books and stories. Chips, on the other hand, were real. Tangible. Delicious. And sharing them with Rey made the whole world simple. He knew people thought he wasn't paying attention, but he was. He noticed how the guardians' voices grew reverent, how Ryu's eyes lit up with curiosity, how even the air seemed charged with something unseen. But why complicate it? For Ravi, life was about enjoying the small pleasures. Let others chase legends; he was happy with chips and laughter echoing on ancient steps.
The bus screeched to a stop. Children and guardians spilled eagerly into the temple courtyard, their laughter echoing against the ancient walls. Ryu's gaze fell on her pichoda tucked safely in her bag. That's the one I'll wear for the darshan, she thought with a quiet smile.
The group lingered outside the temple courtyard, the laughter of children and chatter of parents weaving into the holy hum of bells. Ryu stood a little apart, adjusting her dupatta, when Siya di—Ravi's sister—came up to her with a warm smile.
Siya di: "Ryu, you've grown into such a graceful girl. Your aura feels… calming. No wonder everyone feels at ease around you."
Ryu blinked, cheeks warming. Graceful? Me? Her heart did a soft flutter—she had always admired Siya di's composed nature.
Just then, Kiara, Kabir's sister, nudged her playfully.Kiara: "And stylish too! Don't pretend you didn't plan this outfit. It screams 'main character vibes.'"
Ryu laughed, shaking her head. They actually notice these little things?
Before she could answer, Ishani—Avyaan's younger sister—grabbed her hand.Ishani: "Didi, you have such a kind smile. It makes even boring moments fun."
Ryu's chest softened. Kind smile… if only they knew how much these words mean to me.
Aryan, Ishani's elder brother, chimed in with a mock-serious tone.Aryan: "No kidding. You're the only one who can handle all our madness. That's a talent in itself."
Everyone laughed, and Ryu's heart swelled. Why does it feel like I actually belong here…?
Not wanting to just stand there glowing, she turned to Rey's siblings, Aarav and Anika.Ryu: "And you two—Aarav, your energy could light up the whole temple, and Anika, your sharp wit keeps everyone on their toes. Honestly, you guys make everything double the fun."
Aarav puffed up proudly, and Anika shot a mock bow.Aarav: "See, I told you I'm the hero of this trip."Anika: "Hero? Please. She clearly meant me."
The siblings bickered, making Ryu chuckle. They're so alive… and somehow, I feel alive with them too.
Not to be left out, Kabir leaned in with his usual smirk.Kabir: "Ryu, admit it—you think I'm the most charming one here."Avyaan added with mock jealousy, "Oh please, she knows I'm the one with brains and charm."
The group erupted in laughter again, teasing each other endlessly. Ryu shook her head, cheeks sore from smiling.
Compliments, jokes, warmth—it's like every corner I turn, someone's making me feel seen. For a girl who always thought of herself as quiet and unnoticed… this feels new. Strange. Beautiful. Maybe this is what family-like bonds feel like.
Ryu POV:I didn't know whether to hide my face or laugh along. Their words were overwhelming—sweet, funny, and so genuine. For once, I didn't feel out of place. These people… they made me feel like I belonged, like I was really part of something bigger than myself. Each compliment warmed me, not because of the words, but because of the affection behind them. For so long, I thought I was just a quiet shadow, sketching away in the corner. But here, right now, I felt seen. Truly seen.
Her eyes drifted ahead—caught by the sight of Rey leaning lazily against the railing, Ravi beside him, both watching the scene unfold.
Rey wore a crimson kurta that caught the light, while Ravi's deep-blue kurta made his features stand out. Ryu felt an unexpected warmth creep into her cheeks. What the devil… why does he look so perfect today?
Ryu POV:The moment my eyes landed on them, my breath faltered. Rey stood tall, his crimson kurta glowing like fire beneath the temple lights, making his presence impossible to ignore. Ravi, on the other hand, in his deep-blue kurta, looked striking in his own quiet way—calm, composed, with an air that made him seem untouchable.
A strange warmth rose in my cheeks, and I hated how obvious it felt. Why now? Why today of all days? My gaze lingered longer than I intended, tracing the contrast between them—Rey's sharp, restless energy and Ravi's unshaken stillness.
Ryu's gaze lingered on Ravi for a moment. "Blue suits you, Ravi… you look really nice today," she said, her voice gentle.
Rey POV: Her words struck like a thorn. She never says it like that to me… why him? His jaw tightened, and jealousy burned hot beneath his calm facade.
Ravi glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Ryu… though honestly, red suits you better than it suits anyone else here." His tone was casual, but his eyes carried an unmistakable sincerity.
Rey POV (again, sharper):Now he's complimenting her too? Great. Just great.
Before he could retreat fully, Ryu's fingers brushed against his wrist and then held on firmly. Her touch was light, almost hesitant, but it stopped him in his tracks.
"Mr. Devil, we have to gather offerings for the temple," she said softly, tilting her head with that mischievous smile that somehow made her words sound less like an instruction and more like an invitation.
Rey POV:Ms. Sensitive… why do you do this to me? Her smile tugged at places in me I didn't even know were vulnerable. The sunlight caught the strands of her hair, the warmth of her skin brushing against my hand, and I swear for a second the chaos of the world blurred away.
You're looking… way too cute.
Ryu's lips curved into a slow, genuine smile at his words, a faint pink rising to her cheeks. "You too," she whispered back, her eyes refusing to leave his, even for a second.
For a moment, the world around them—people moving, voices calling, the hum of the temple courtyard—faded into silence. Just his hand in hers, just her voice echoing softly in his chest.
Rey POV (quieter, almost hidden):If you keep holding me like this, I'll never want to let go.
And in that brief exchange—amidst sacred legends, laughter, and silent sparks—the visit to Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple became etched in memory, as unforgettable as the drops of water that never ceased to fall.