19

18

Everyone finally reached the hotel in Amritsar. The hotel looked big and beautiful, with shiny floors and soft yellow lights. Everyone stood together in the lobby, waiting for room keys. The staff welcomed them with juice, and everyone looked a little tired but happy.

First, all the parents got their rooms.

Then Shreya looked at everyone and started deciding the rest.

"Okay," she said with a smile, "Avyansh and Yuvaan bhaiya will share one room. Mai  aur Dadi ek room mein..."Everyone nodded.

She continued, "Ashirit bhaiya and Ekanshi can share one room. Aur Reyansh aur Ishani ek room mein."

As soon as she said that, Ekanshi started coughing loudly. Everyone looked at her in surprise. Even Ashirit, who was standing near her, looked a little confused. He softly touched her back and asked, "Are you okay?"

Ekanshi nodded while trying to stop coughing.

Ishani's face turned red. She didn't look at anyone, just stared at the floor. She was feeling very awkward. Reyansh, standing nearby, smiled slowly. He had a teasing smirk on his face as he looked at Ishani, enjoying her reaction.Ishani knew he was looking at her, but she didn't look back. She kept pretending to check her phone.

After a few seconds, Ekanshi quickly said, "Umm... Ishani di, can we share one room? And... maybe Reyansh bhaiya and Ashirit  can share another?"

There was silence for a moment. Then everyone agreed.

"Haan haan, that sounds good," Sunidhi said kindly.

Even Ashirit didn't say anything. He looked at Reyansh once, and Reyansh just shrugged, still smiling. "Okay, no problem," he said in a relaxed tone.

Ishani quietly let out a sigh of relief. Thank God! she thought.

While everyone got their room keys, Shreya came near Reyansh and whispered, "What's going on between you two?"

Reyansh gave a small laugh. "Nothing. She's just feeling shy these days."

Shreya shook her head and smiled. "You two are like a movie story."

After that, everyone moved towards the lift. Reyansh walked behind Ishani and smiled a little.

"Waise... agar ek room mein hote toh kya bigad jaata," he mumbled to himself, looking at her quietly.when Ishani finally turned a little and replied softly, "Kuch nahi..."

Then she paused for a second and added politely, "Aap thak gaye honge... thoda aaram karlijiye."

Reyansh smiled at her words. Even though her voice was quiet and shy, she was still thinking about him. That made him feel warm inside.

"Hmm," he said with a soft smile. "Aap bhi... rest kar lijiye."

After that, everyone slowly moved towards their rooms.The hotel staff guided them nicely.Rooms of Avyansh and Yuvan , Shreyas and Dadi and of their parents are at second floor.Reyansh and Ashirit's room and Ishani and Ekanshi's room were both on the third  floor. The lift doors opened with a soft sound, and all four of them walked out quietly.

"Room number 702, sir," the staff told Reyansh.

"703 for you, ma'am," another staff member told Ishani and Ekanshi.

Reyansh and Ishani walked side by side in the corridor, their rooms just next to each other.Ashirit and Ekanshi were walking behind them.There was a sweet, strange silence between Reyansh and Ishani.He looked at her once, but she still didn't meet his eyes.

"Still avoiding me, huh?" Reyansh thought and smiled to himself.

As they reached their rooms, Reyansh turned his key in the lock and looked back at Ishani one last time before entering.She noticed his gaze from the corner of her eye, but again, said nothing. Ashirit quietly entered the room and dropped his bag near the sofa.

"Long day," he said with a yawn.

Reyansh nodded, still lost in thought. He walked to the window and looked out at the Amritsar city lights.Ishani was also standing near the window peeked through the curtains of her room's window too.They both stood near the windows in their rooms - next to each other, yet not talking.He didn't know that she was thinking of him.She didn't know he was waiting for her to speak first.And the silence between them... was speaking the loudest.

Everyone reached their rooms and started to rest after the long journey. The beds were soft, lights were calm, and the rooms felt peaceful. Everyone was tired, so no one made any plans for the day.Even Ishani and Reyansh, whose rooms were next to each other, stayed quiet. They didn't talk. Ishani was still avoiding him.By evening, everyone got ready for dinner.

Reyansh was ready a little early. He looked in the mirror, fixed his hair and clothes, and smiled at himself. Then he looked at the door next to his room that is Ishani's room.He walked over and knocked gently.

After a few seconds, Ishani opened the door.

She was wearing a simple and cute night suit . Her hair was open. She looked a little surprised to see Reyansh.Reyansh stood calmly with his arms folded, smiling slightly.

"Chalein?" he asked softly.

Ishani didn't say anything, but nodded slowly.

Reyansh moved back and let her come out. They walked together towards the lift. They didn't talk, but walking together felt nice.When they reached the dining area, everyone was already there. The room smelled of yummy food, and everyone looked happy and fresh.

Everyone smiled at them and made space at the table.Reyansh and Ishani sat across from each other.Dinner started. There was hot butter naan, paneer, dal makhani, and sweet gulab jamuns.

Reyansh was talking to others but kept looking at Ishani. His eyes were soft, like he was waiting for her to look back.And sometimes, she did.Their eyes met a few times - but only for a moment. Ishani always looked away quickly, pretending to look at her food or listen to Shreya.

Reyansh saw everything. But he didn't say anything.He let her win the little eye game, again and again.But inside, he was smiling.

After dinner, everyone slowly walked back to their rooms, chatting and laughing.

Reyansh walked behind Ishani. He looked at her and thought silently:"Ishani... I've given you a lot of space."He put his hands in his pockets and looked down for a moment.Then he looked at her again, a little more serious now."But from tomorrow... I'll make sure you talk to me. Bas ab aur nahi."

He didn't say it out loud, but his heart had already made the promise.

Next morning, everyone had to go to the Golden Temple, so they all slept early the night before.

Ashirit got ready quickly and went downstairs. Ekanshi was with Shreya in her room, helping each other get ready.

Reyansh also got ready. He wore a maroon kurta with white trousers. He set his hair, sprayed a little perfume, and looked at himself in the mirror with a smile.Then he stepped out and walked to Ishani's room.The door was slightly open.

Reyansh didn't go inside. He just stood at the door and looked in quietly.

Ishani was getting ready inside. She stood near the dressing table, wearing a soft peach-colored anarkali suit. Her hair was falling on her back, and she was putting on her jhumkas (earrings).She didn't know Reyansh was watching.

But suddenly, she felt like someone was looking at her.

She slowly looked up at the mirror and in the mirror, she saw Reyansh standing at the door, looking at her.Her eyes widened a little in surprise.She got nervous, and her jhumka slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.But she didn't move. She stayed still, just looking at him through the mirror.

Reyansh walked in quietly. He picked up the jhumka from the floor and slowly came near her.

Without saying anything, he gently moved her hair to the side.Their eyes met in the mirror again. Ishani's heart was beating fast.Reyansh softly raised his hand and put the jhumka back on her ear. His fingers touched her gently, and his eyes didn't leave hers.

For a few seconds, they just kept looking at each other through the mirror.

Everything was quiet, but it felt special.

After fixing the jhumka, Reyansh smiled a little and whispered, "Perfect."

Ishani didn't say anything. She just looked down shyly.

And Reyansh? He just stood there, watching her... with a smile full of love.

Reyansh looked at Ishani with soft eyes and slowly asked,"Aise kab tak ignore karengi mujhe, Ishani?"His voice was full of love. Not angry, just caring.Ishani didn't reply for a whole minute.

She kept looking down, playing with her fingers.Then in a low voice, she said,"Main aapko ignore nahi kar rahi..."

Reyansh smiled gently."Sach mein?" he asked.

Ishani gave a small cute nod... but she still didn't look at him.Reyansh leaned a little closer.He lifted his hand and gently placed his finger under her chin, lifting her face up so she could look into his eyes.

"Ab meri taraf dekh ke boliye," he said softly.

Ishani's eyes met his, just for a second... then she looked away again, shyly.She didn't say anything.

Reyansh smiled again, but this time there was a little sadness in his voice."Aap bhi jaanti hain Ishani... aur main bhi," he said quietly,"ki aap ignore nahi kar rahi ... aap bas mujhse bach rahi hain."

Ishani's eyes filled with emotion. She didn't deny it now. And Reyansh... he just kept looking at her with the same gentle eyes, waiting for her to stop running, for her to speak her heart.

She bit her lower lip nervously, clutching the side of her kurti. Still no words.He moved a little closer and said softly,"Main janta hoon aap aise kyun kar rahi ho. But Ishani... it's okay. Sab normal hai. Humari shaadi hone wali hai... aap itna toh kar sakti ho na, mere saath?"

She finally whispered, in a very soft voice,"I... I know... but... I'm not able to talk to you properly. I get nervous. Uss din... jab date pe gaye the... sab kuch bahut achha lag raha tha. Aap jo bol rahe the... sab kuch. Isiliye... I kissed you. Bina soche."

Reyansh smiled slowly, leaning a little closer."Toh... aapko sab achha lag raha tha... isiliye aapne mujhe cheek pe kiss kiya?"

Ishani's blush deepened. Her lips parted, but she couldn't say anything.

Instead, she gave one soft nod... still not looking at him.

Reyansh's smile widened.He gently leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her left cheek.

Ishani's breath hitched. She stood completely still.

Then he leaned again, and kissed her.......................
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Ikaa

I write about quiet love , tender moments , and feelings that stay long after the page ends.