The next morning, the first thought that crossed my mind when I woke up was, Did he go to Aarne's house last night… or somewhere else? But where could that be? My mind kept circling around the question.
When I went downstairs for breakfast, I didn't see Sarthak anywhere at the table. I asked my mother,
Me: "Mom, where are Brother Sarthak and Aarne?"
Mom: "He went for a meeting. He told me to tell you and Manya to pack your luggage—your flight is tonight."
Me (shocked): "What? Okay, I'll pack my things right away!"
Mom: "Good, sweetie! Now hurry up, eat breakfast, and go to college. Sarthak will be picking you up today too."
Me: "Okay, Mom… but I'm not really hungry."
I grabbed my bag and headed out.
Me: "Uncle Anirudh, can you please drop me? I also have to pick up Anvi…"
Uncle: "Of course! I'll drop you."
Me (smiling): "Thank you, Uncle!"
Uncle (grinning): "Let's go now!"
He practically dragged me out while I waved goodbye to everyone.
At Anvi's Home
When we reached Anvi's house, she opened the door and frowned.
Anvi: "Why did you say you'd pick me up for college?"
Me: "Because I brought someone with me!"
Anvi (eyes widening): "Who? Oh… Anirudh! You're here!"
Uncle (laughing): "Yeah, she told me she'd go with you, so I came along." He playfully kissed her on the cheek.
Anvi (blushing): "Okay, okay… let's go, or we'll be late!"
She hopped into the front seat, still smiling like a lovestruck teenager.
At College
After Uncle dropped us off, he said, "If Sarthak doesn't come, call me," and left.
Me (whispering to Anvi): "Hey… I need to tell you something."
Anvi: "What is it?"
Me: "Yesterday when I got home, Sarthak told me to go inside and tell Mom he'd skip dinner. What do you think—where did he go?"
Anvi: "Maybe to a bar… or to meet Aarne?"
Me: "That's what I thought too. I'm thinking of following him tonight."
Anvi (eyes sparkling): "Can I come too? I'll tell Mom I'm sleeping at your place."
Me: "Okay! Message her now. Today, Sarthak will pick me up, so we'll go with him. Now let's go before we're late."
In Class
As I sat studying, I kept glancing at Uncle and Anvi, who couldn't stop blushing when their eyes met. I sighed. Am I the only one single… the only one who loves someone but can't tell them?
After class, Uncle clapped his hands to get attention.
Uncle: "Okay everyone, you need to make teams of four and work on the cases assigned today. Research and submit by Monday. Got it?"
Everyone (in unison): "Yes, sir!"
Me (to Krati and Tia): "Will you be in our team?"
Krati & Tia: "Sure! Why not? When do we start?"
Me: "Let's start tomorrow at Lavender Café at 10 a.m.—wait, no! I forgot, I have a business trip with Brother this weekend. And today is my flight! So, let's meet Monday."
Anvi (concerned): "Hey! If your flight is tonight, how will we work on the investigation?"
Me: "Oh no, I forgot again! We'll follow him on Monday. Today, you go home with Uncle."
Anvi (nodding): "Okay, let's go before you stand here at the entrance forever."
Me: "You're right. Let's go."
At the Entrance
As we walked toward the entrance, we heard girls whispering and giggling, "How handsome… who is he here for?" Their eyes practically devoured him.
Jealousy hit me like a wave. I ran to Sarthak and blurted out,
Me: "Brother! You're here—let's go now!"
I climbed into the car quickly.
He smirked as he slid into the driver's seat.
Sarthak (teasing): "Why the rush? Are you excited for Africa… or jealous?"
Me (defensive): "I'm neither excited nor jealous! I just have to go home and pack my luggage."
Sarthak (grinning): "Oh…" and he started the car.
Me (earnest): "I'm telling the truth. Why don't you trust me?"
Sarthak: "When did I say you lied? I was just teasing you. Do you want to buy something?"
Me: "No! Let's go home directly."
Sarthak: "Okay," and he sped up the car.
At Home
When we arrived, I must've fallen asleep in the car. He tried waking me gently, but when I didn't stir, he bent down to pick me up. Just as his arms lifted me, I woke and instinctively hugged him tightly, lost in the warmth of his closeness.
But when reality hit and I saw him so near, I panicked. I pushed him away and ran to my room, my cheeks burning.
Inside, I whispered to myself, Why does God keep bringing him closer… if he's meant to be someone else's? Why can't I stop thinking about him?
I threw myself onto the bed and started packing, trying to drown my feelings in clothes and toiletries.
After a while, Manya barged into my room.
Manya: "Come on! Get ready, we're leaving in ten minutes!"
I sighed and got up. As I returned to the room, she scolded me playfully.
Manya: "You take forever to get ready! Brother's already angry with me. Now that you're here, let's go!"
The Final Moments
When we went downstairs, Sarthak stood by the door, dressed in a beautiful sweater and dark sunglasses. I sat in the car quickly and whispered,
Me: "Please, let's leave now."
Everyone settled into the car, and we drove off toward the airport—toward new secrets, new journeys, and my restless heart.