Roohi returned from the restroom, her bright smile and sparkling eyes scanning the table where Shruti and Siddharth sat. Her gaze landed on Shruti's face, and her eyes widened with interest. Shruti's cheeks were flushed a deep red, and Roohi's curiosity was piqued.
"What were you talking about?" Roohi asked, her voice filled with excitement and curiosity. She plopped down in her chair, her eyes darting back and forth between Shruti and Siddharth.
Shruti's eyes met Roohi's mischievous grin, and she knew she had to change the subject quickly. She didn't want to give Roohi any ammunition to tease her or Siddharth.
"I... I should leave now, it's getting late," Shruti said, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in her chest. She glanced at her watch, pretending to check the time.
Siddharth immediately stood up, his manners impeccable. "I'll escort you to the car, Miss Singh," he said, offering his arm.
Shruti took his arm, feeling a spark of electricity as their skin touched. They walked to the car in silence, the only sound being the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet.
As they reached the car, Siddharth turned to Shruti and smiled. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Singh. See you again," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Shruti smiled back, feeling a sense of shyness wash over her. "Thank you, Mr. Rai. It was nice meeting you too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The car door opened, and Shruti slid into the seat. Siddharth closed the door behind her, his eyes meeting hers through the window. The car started, and Shruti felt a sense of excitement and anticipation as she drove away.
As the car door closed behind her, Shruti let out a deep breath, trying to calm the flutter in her chest. She settled into the plush seat, her eyes gazing out the window as the restaurant's lights faded into the distance. But her mind was still reeling from the encounter with Siddharth.
She couldn't understand why her heart always seemed to beat at an alarming rate whenever she met him. It was as if her heart was racing with excitement, skipping beats in anticipation of what might happen next. Shruti's hands instinctively rose to her chest, as if trying to physically calm the erratic rhythm.
"Come on, calm down," she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible over the soft hum of the engine. She took a few deep breaths, inhaling slowly through her nose and exhaling through her mouth, trying to slow down her racing heart.
As she breathed, Shruti's thoughts drifted back to Siddharth - his charming smile, his piercing blue eyes, and his effortless charm. She couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards him, but she was determined to keep her emotions in check. After all, she didn't know him that well, and she wasn't about to let her heart rule her head.
But as the car continued to drive through the quiet streets, Shruti couldn't shake off the feeling that her heart was already halfway gone, lost in the depths of Siddharth's captivating gaze.
Several days had passed since the dinner, and Shruti and Siddharth had both returned to their normal routines. Shruti and Roohi, however, had continued to exchange letters, their friendship blossoming through the written word.
One day, Siddharth was sitting in his office, pouring over papers and documents as he worked to meet a looming deadline. The sound of a knock at the door broke the silence, and he looked up to see Roohi standing in the doorway.
"What happened?" Siddharth asked, his eyes scanning the papers on his desk as he tried to refocus.
Roohi skipped into the room, her bright smile infectious. She plopped down in the chair opposite Siddharth's desk, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Why are you always busy with work?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of accusation.
Siddharth looked up, his eyes meeting Roohi's. He knew his sister all too well, and he could tell that she was cooking up something.
"What's cooking in your head now?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Roohi's face lit up with excitement as she jumped out of her seat. She hurried over to Siddharth, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"Let's go on a trip!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling over with excitement. "It's been so long since we went on a trip last time!"
Siddharth sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew that Roohi could be persistent when she set her mind on something.
"I'm afraid I'm too busy, Roohi," he said, trying to reason with her.
But Roohi was not to be deterred. Her face fell, and she crossed her arms across her chest, her lower lip jutting out in a pout.
"You're always busy!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in indignation.
Siddharth chuckled, despite himself. He knew that Roohi was a master manipulator, and he was no match for her drama.
"Don't be stubborn, Roohi," he said, trying to placate her.
But Roohi was having none of it. She stamped her foot, her eyes flashing with determination.
"I don't know anything, I just want to go on a trip!" she exclaimed. "If you don't listen, I won't talk to you!"
Siddharth sighed, knowing that he was beaten. He raised his hands in defeat, a wry smile spreading across his face.
"Fine," he said, resigned. "We'll go on a trip."
Roohi's face lit up with excitement as she flung her arms around Siddharth's neck, hugging him tightly.
"Such a drama queen you are," Siddharth said, laughing as he hugged her back.
"Bhaiya, can we invite Shruti too?" Roohi asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she gazed up at her brother.
Siddharth's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his expression questioning. "Shruti?" he repeated, his voice tinged with amusement.
Roohi's face lit up with a proud smile, her chest puffing out slightly. "We're best friends now," she declared, her voice filled with importance. "And she said I can call her by her name."
Siddharth chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that seemed to vibrate through the air. He shook his head, a smile still playing on his lips. "We can invite Miss Singh to come with us," he said, his voice dripping with formality, "if she is not too busy, that is."
Roohi's face fell slightly at the formal title, but she quickly brightened up, her excitement taking over. "I'll send a letter to her right now." she exclaimed, already racing towards the door to write a letter.
Siddharth's eyes followed her, a mixture of amusement and curiosity on his face. He couldn't help but wonder how Shruti would react to the invitation, and whether she would accept.
At the grand Singh Palace, Shruti stood on the balcony, her easel set up in front of her as she lost herself in the vibrant colors and textures of her painting. The warm sun shone down on her, casting a gentle glow over the entire scene. The sound of birds chirping and the distant hum of the city created a soothing melody that seemed to match the rhythm of her brushstrokes.
Just as she was adding the final touches to her masterpiece, a soft voice interrupted her creative flow. "Miss Shruti, a letter for you," said the maid, approaching her with a delicate silver tray.
Shruti's eyes lit up with excitement as she took the letter from the tray. She recognized the familiar handwriting on the envelope, It was from Roohi.
Shruti opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. Her eyes scanned the pages, devouring every word as she read Roohi's invitation to join her on a trip. Shruti's face broke into a wide smile as she felt a surge of happiness and excitement.
As she read on, her heart skipped a beat. Siddharth would be joining them on the trip too. Shruti's heart fluttered with anticipation, her pulse racing with excitement. She couldn't wait to spend more time with Roohi and Siddharth, and the thought of exploring new places together filled her with joy.
Shruti's mind wandered to the fun times they would have, the laughter they would share, and the memories they would create. She felt carefree and lighthearted, her heart filled with anticipation and excitement.
As she stood there, lost in thought, the maid discreetly retreated, leaving Shruti alone with her thoughts. The sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the distant chatter of the palace staff seemed to fade into the background as Shruti's mind whirled with excitement and joy.
Shruti's hands moved swiftly as she penned her response to Roohi's letter, accepting the invitation to join them on a trip. She couldn't wait to explore new places and create memories with her new friends. As she sealed the envelope and handed it over to the maid to be sent, she felt a thrill of excitement. The destination was decided - Paris, the City of Love and Lights.
The day of their departure finally arrived, and Shruti's anticipation had been building up for what felt like an eternity. She arrived at the airport, her suitcase rolling behind her as she made her way through the bustling crowds. As she entered the terminal, she spotted Siddharth and Roohi waiting for her, their faces lighting up with warm smiles as they caught sight of her.
The three of them exchanged greetings, and after a brief wait, they proceeded to the gate, where they boarded the plane. As they settled into their seats, Shruti found herself at the window seat, Roohi in the middle, and Siddharth at the corner seat.
Roohi suddenly piped up, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Can I sit at the window seat?" she asked, her voice filled with a hint of excitement.
Shruti turned to her, a questioning look on her face. "What's wrong, Roohi? Don't you like the middle seat?" she asked, curious about Roohi's sudden request.
Roohi's grin grew wider as she leaned in, a conspiratorial whisper escaping her lips. "I love watching clouds" she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Siddharth, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Is that so, Roohi?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
Shruti's eyes darted between Roohi and Siddharth, a sense of curiosity building up inside her. What was Roohi up to?
