Just you and me

Morning

I woke up with sunlight falling on my face.

For some reason, I felt really good today. Light. Free.

Istretched and smiled for no reason.

Then suddenly I remembered -

"Oh my god... today is my date with Vihaan."

My heart jumped. I sat up instantly.

I was SO happy. Like, too happy. I couldn't stop smiling.

I quickly got up and went to wash my face.

I was humming in the bathroom.

Mom was in the kitchen. She saw me and frowned.

"What happened to you this early in the morning?"

I froze for a second.

"Nothing, Amma." I said casually, trying to hide my smile.

"Just... good mood."

Mom looked at me weirdly. "Good mood? Since when do you wake up like this?"

I just laughed and ran to my room.

Inside, I checked my phone.

No message yet. But I knew he would come.

My heart was racing.

Today... Alleppey. Just me and him.

10 AM - My House

There was a knock on the door.

It was Vihaan.

But before I could go, I remembered -

Aadhya was at my house today.

She's Vihaan's younger sister. Her friend lives near our house,

so she will stay at our place until she goes back.

She was sitting in the living room with Mom.

Aadhya saw me with my bag and immediately started grinning.

"Akka!" she said, teasing me.

"Where are you going alone?"

"Tell me na... who are you going with?"

I got nervous. "I'm going to a friend's house, kutty."

Aadhya raised an eyebrow. "Friend? Or... special friend?"

"Just some work." I quickly changed the topic.

"It might take time to come back."

She came closer and whispered, "Tell me the truth Akka... you're going with my bhaiya, right?"

My face turned red. "No yaar. Shut up."

Aadhya laughed. "Okay okay. Go safely, Akka.

And send me photos, okay?"

Mom looked at us. "Keda poyi? [Where are you going?]"

"Library, Amma. Group study." I lied.

Vihaan was waiting outside in the car.

I waved at Aadhya and walked out quickly.

Dad was in the hall. He just looked at once.

I walked out quickly.

Vihaan was waiting in the car.

The Journey

2 hours drive to Alleppey.

Green fields, canals, coconut trees.

Vihaan held my hand. "Excitement und? [Are you excited?]"

I nodded. "Bahut zyada. First time aanu. [Very much. It's my first time.]"

"Today only us. No Aadhya, no crowd. Boat house full day."

I leaned on his shoulder. "Nandri. [Thank you.]"

Alleppey Backwaters

We reached the jetty.

A wooden boat house was waiting.

Vihaan helped me get in. "Swagatham Alleppey il. [Welcome to Alleppey.]"

The boat started moving. Slow. Peaceful.

We sat on the deck.

Vihaan poured tea. "Chaya kudikku. [Have some tea.]"

He looked at me. "Ninte kooda ivide irikunna samayam... ithanu enikku vendathu.

[The time I spend with you here... this is what I want.]"

My cheeks turned red. "Enikku oru dream pole thonunnu. [Feels like a dream.]"

He moved closer. "Baya vendaa. Njan kooda und. [Don't be scared. I'm here.]"

Afternoon

We had lunch on the boat.

Fish curry, rice, Kerala meals.

Then we went inside to rest.

The boat was rocking gently.

Vihaan lay down. "Vaa, kidannu kolloo. [Come, let's rest.]"

I lay next to him, head on his chest.

He played with my hair.

"Ippol njan santhosham aanu. [I'm happy now.]"

"Why?"

"Because you are here with me."

I closed my eyes. "Njanum santhosham aanu. [I'm happy too.]"

Evening

Sunset time.

Orange sky, golden water.

We stood at the edge of the deck.

Vihaan came behind me and hugged me.

"Nokku. [Look.]"

"It's beautiful."

"Like you."

I turned. "Cheyyalle... [Don't...]"

He smiled and kissed my forehead. "Truth aanu. [It's the truth.]"

"Shall we go home now?"

I nodded. "Haan. Before it gets late."

Night - Returning

8 PM. He dropped me near my street.

I quietly opened the door and stepped inside.

Living room light was on.

Mom was sitting on the sofa.

And next to her...

Aadhya.

She was eating chips and watching TV like she’d been waiting for me.

The second she saw me, her eyes lit up.

"Akkaaa! You’re back!" she said, dragging the word.

My heart skipped. "Haan... I’m back."

Mom looked up. "So late? What time does library close?"

"Group study got long, Amma." I lied, trying to sound normal.

Aadhya put her chips down and stood up. She walked straight to me.

She looked me up and down and smirked.

"Library, huh?" she said, teasing.

"So... how was it? Did you do anything interesting?"

I froze. "What? No... just studying."

Aadhya leaned in and whispered, "Only studying? Or something *very* interesting too?"

My face went red instantly. "Aadhya! Shut up!"

She burst out laughing. "Okay okay, I’m just joking!

But you’re glowing, Akka. Something’s up."

Then she suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Can I sleep with you tonight, Akka? I have to ask you something interesting."

I panicked. If she sleeps with me, she’ll keep asking questions.

"Uh... thik hai." I said nervously. "Okay."

Aadhya grinned like she won. "Yay! I knew it."

Mom looked at us. "Don’t talk too late. Both of you sleep early."

I nodded quickly and dragged Aadhya to my room.

The moment the door closed, she turned to me.

"Sooo... tell me everything. Don’t lie."

I sat on the bed, heart racing.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***