Awkward Heartstrings (HEARTSTRINGS SERIES-1)

Chapter -16

"Hey, Reyansh," I greeted, my voice slightly breathless.

"Hey, Aadya," he replied, his voice warm and unexpectedly familiar. "Just wanted to see how you're doing. Everything alright?"

"Yes, fine," I said, trying to sound casual. "A little… apprehensive, I suppose. But I'm excited too, I guess."

"Me too," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability in his tone. "It's been a while since we've… really talked."

A comfortable silence followed, charged with a strange intimacy. I found my mind drifting back to our brief engagement period, a whirlwind of family gatherings and stilted conversations. The forced smiles, the awkward handshakes, the polite inquiries about our hobbies and aspirations – it all seemed to blur into a hazy memory.

Yet, amidst the chaos, certain moments stood out with startling clarity. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the way his hand had brushed against mine under the table during dinner, the fleeting moments of shared laughter that felt like a secret between us.

"Do you remember that time at your sister's wedding?" Reyansh asked, his voice breaking the comfortable silence. "When we snuck away to the balcony for some air?"

I smiled, the memory instantly vivid. "How could I forget? Your aunt was convinced we were running off to elope!"

He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine.

"Yeah, she was convinced. Said we were 'whispering sweet nothings' to each other."
We both laughed, the sound light and easy, a welcome release from the tension that had been simmering between us.

"Actually," I began, remembering a specific encounter, "I remember that day at your parents' house. You were showing me your childhood photographs, and you tripped over the rug and almost landed on me."

Reyansh burst out laughing. "Oh god, I completely forgot about that! You were so startled, and I… I think I blushed."

I couldn't help but smile. "You did! And then you tried to play it off like it was all part of the plan, some elaborate icebreaker."

"Well, it wasn't entirely a failure, was it?" he teased, his voice playful. "We ended up talking for hours that day, didn't we?"

I nodded, remembering the unexpected ease with which the conversation had flowed. We had talked about everything and nothing, sharing stories, dreams, and fears. For the first time, I had felt a genuine connection with him, a sense of ease and comfort that surprised me.

As we continued to reminisce about our brief encounters during the engagement period, I began to realize that perhaps, just perhaps, this arranged marriage wasn't the daunting prospect I had initially imagined. Maybe, beneath the surface of our carefully constructed facades, there was a genuine connection waiting to be discovered.

"Hey Aadya," Reyansh began, his voice surprisingly steady,

"I was thinking... perhaps it would be good for us to spend a little more time together before the wedding. All these formal gatherings and family functions, they can be a bit overwhelming. I was hoping we could have a chance to... well, just talk. Get to know each other a little better outside of all the expectations."

I felt a flutter in my chest, a mixture of nervousness and a strange anticipation. "I think that's a good idea too," I replied, trying to keep my voice even. "It would be nice to have a more relaxed conversation, you know? Without all the eyes on us."

"Exactly," he agreed. "Maybe we could find a quiet café downtown? Somewhere we can chat without being interrupted."

"That sounds lovely," I said, a genuine smile gracing my lips. "Tomorrow evening? Around 7 PM?"

"Perfect," he replied, a hint of a smile in his voice. "I look forward to it."

As I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement I hadn't expected. This unexpected meeting felt like a secret, a small rebellion against the orchestrated schedule of the wedding.

My phone buzzed, and I snatched it up, heart pounding. It was Rooh. "You will NOT believe this!" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

"What? What is it, Aadya?" Rooh's voice was a hushed whisper in response.

"Reyansh... he wants to meet me tomorrow evening. Just us. No chaperones, no parents." I could practically hear Rooh gasp through the phone.

"Are you serious? You're actually going to do it?
"
"I want to," I confessed, "I need to just have a quiet time with him before the wedding chaos begin."

"Anything, girl. Anything." Rooh's voice was fierce with loyalty.

"I'm going to sneak out," I admitted, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. "I need to figure out how to get out of the house without them noticing."

Rooh's excited squeal was muffled, but I could hear it clearly. "This is amazing! We're going to have to plan this perfectly. Give me a minute, I've got some ideas..."

And then, Rooh launched into a whirlwind of suggestions. "Okay, tell your parents you're going out with me for some late-night shopping. We can even go window shopping for a while to make it seem legit."

"But what if they call you?" I worried.

"Don't worry, I'll answer my phone and pretend we're still out," Rooh assured me. "We can even pick up some late-night snacks to further solidify our alibi."

"Brilliant!" I exclaimed. "I'll just tell them I'm going out shopping with you. I'll say I'll be back by 9 PM."

"Perfect," Rooh agreed. "Just make sure you're out of the house by 7 PM. I'll be waiting at the usual spot."

As I hung up the phone, a thrill coursed through me. This was a rebellion, a small act of defiance against the constraints of my arranged marriage. And with Rooh by my side, I knew I could pull it off. The thought of spending time with Reyansh, of forging my own path, filled me with a sense of exhilarating freedom, despite the risk.

So Sneaky date is  on the way, I hope you are enjoying the book so far , do let me know your thoughts.

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