Simran’s POV

After that first meeting, everything changed subtly.

Like the quiet shift of the sky after sunset, when the light fades but the warmth lingers.

Papa and Maa were still calm about it. They just asked me once, two days later, “Toh, kya socha?”

I didn’t have an answer.

{“So, what did you think?”}

All I said was, “Thoda aur time de do… bas.”

{“Give me some more time…”}

Papa nodded, almost as if he’d expected that. “It's okay, beta. We told them the same thing, everything will take its own course.”

And to my surprise, Sarthak’s family agreed immediately. His father had apparently said,“We just wanted to meet. When Simran will be comfortable, only then we will move forward.”

I don’t know why, but that sentence stayed with me all day.

---

A few days later, my phone pinged with a message. Unknown number.

Sarthak: “Hi, this is Sarthak. Hope I’m not disturbing you.”

For a second, I just stared at the screen. My heart did something odd my heart picked a little pace and did a little paise.

I replied: “No, not at all.”

He texted again after a minute.

Sarthak: “Your father shared your number with mine. I thought we could talk… only if you’re okay with it.”

That “only if you’re okay with it” felt so… considerate.

I don’t think I’d ever had a man phrase something so gently.

Me: “Yeah, sure. Talking doesn’t hurt.”

Sarthak: “Good. I was hoping you’d say that.”

That night, we exchanged maybe five or six messages - light things, about our work, our favorite foods, even which weather we liked better. He said he loved winters, and I said I loved monsoons.

He replied, “Then maybe hum dono ka balance accha ban sakta hai.”

{“Then maybe we both can have a good balance.”}

I laughed reading that. He’s not as silent as I thought.

---

Over the next few days, our chats became a routine. A comforting one.

He’d text me “Good morning” around 8, and if I replied, he’d say something like, “Aaj kaam zyada hai ya chill day?”

{“Is there more work today or is it a chill day?”}

One night, I asked him why he’d agreed to see my proposal in the first place.

He said, “Papa told me your family values education and independence. Mujhe laga agar ladki aise environment mein badi hui hai, toh she’ll understand life better. Mujhe koi aisi chahiye jo sirf meri wife hi nahi, meri dost bhi  ho.”

{“Papa told me your family values education and independence. I felt if a girl grew up in such an environment, she would understand life better. I want someone who is not only my wife but also my friend.”}

I smiled at the screen. “And what if she’s quiet?” I typed.

He replied instantly: “Quiet people speak more, just not with their voice but with their eyes.”

That line… I don’t know why, but it's something deep for someone like me.

I found myself rereading it three times before finally going to sleep.

---

One Sunday, his family invited us to their home in Jodhpur. Papa also had some business there.

When we reached, their house didn’t feel like a mansion, a house, though it was big but it felt like a home. Laughter, warmth, the smell of parathas from the kitchen.

His mother hugged me like she already knew me.

Sarthak was in the living room, fixing something on his laptop. When he looked up, our eyes met for just a second.

He smiled that kind of small, knowing smile that says I’m glad you came.

“Welcome,” he said . “Bohot dino baad mil rahe hain.”

{“We are meeting after a long time.”}

“Lagta toh nahi aisa,” I replied without thinking. “Messages ka effect hai shayad.”

{“It doesn't seem like that, maybe it's the effect of the messages.”}

He laughed quietly. “Good effect, I hope.”

His brothers were there too - teasing him shamelessly. “Bhaiya ki toh smile hi alag dikh rahi hai aaj,” one said, winking.

{"Brother's smile looks different today,"}

Their banter was light, teasing. It felt like being in home.

During dinner, his mother insisted I sit beside her. She kept serving me extra chapati despite my protests.

And while she was done this, it felt like warmth had a physical presence in that room.

Sarthak’s father was as kind as mine. They didn’t treat this meeting like an inspection, but it was more like two families slowly intertwining.

Later, when we were leaving, Sarthak walked me to the gate. The evening breeze carried that faint earthy smell that comes before rain.

He said, “You seemed comfortable today.”

I looked at him and said honestly, “Your family made it easy.”

He nodded, eyes soft. “That means a lot. Because for us, family is everything. And if they like you…Maybe it’s a sign."

I asked, with a little shyness, “A sign for what?”

He smiled faintly, almost shyly this time. “For me to hope a little more.”

For a long moment, we just stood there, not saying much.

Around us was just an ordinary silence that felt strangely full.

When he said goodbye, his voice was steady but warm. “Take care, Simran.”

On the drive back to Karnal, I found myself smiling for no reason.

Maybe this is how it is going to start , not with fireworks in body or grand gestures, but with peace.

Dil kuch keh raha tha, par zubaan chup thi.

{The heart was saying something, but the voices were silent.}

Hi love 💖

Kese ho aap sab?

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Milte hai kal ek naye chapter ke sath, till then bye byee 😊