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~ Ruby's path coverage, with Darsh's stride,
Unplanned meeting, fate's gentle tide.

Tailor's visit, for wedding attire,
Heart's unexpected flutter, love's sweet fire.

Calm exterior, hides racing heart,
Unprepared encounter, a love to start.

In that moment, time stands still,
Love's spark ignites, with a gentle will.

Ruby's thoughts whirl, in Drash's gaze,
Fate's whispered promise, in every phase.

Darsh's eyes lock, on Ruby's shine,
Unspoken connection, heart's rhyme.

Early November, monsoon's treat,
Sudden downpour, their steps retreat.

Rainy surprise, on street so bright,
Ruby and Darsh, in love's delight.

Rain-kissed moments, pure and true,

Comforting silence, love's sweet nest,
Darsh and Ruby, in monsoon's rest. ~

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6th November 1899
Calcutta, Bengal

KAVITA POV ~

As I step into the dimly lit tailor shop, the air feels warm, in contrast to the coldness outside, with the scent of fabric and faint traces of chalk dust.

And then, there he is- standing beside the sewing machine, his silhouette frames by the golden light from the lantern.

Our eyes meet, and a rush of warmth floods through me, illuminating the otherwise shadowy room.

I quickly lower my gaze, and it feels hard to look at his soft gaze.

"What is he doing here?" I question my hazy mind.

I feel my hand clammy, my heart flipping non-stop.

All I can hear is the sound of my own heartbeat-quickening with each passing second as he glances my way.

"Uh... hi... you are here too!" Darsh says, trying to have some conversations.

"Y-yes..." I stammer, feeling nervous. I walk inside a little and warmth rushes into my face as I stand beside him, in a small room.

I try to calm my expression and my wandering thoughts.

Then, from behind a wooden counter, the tailor uncle emerges-his hands full of three colorful dresses.

Uncle places those dresses on his table and hands Darsh a slip.

"Here's your clothes, dear" Uncle says to Darsh and hands over the dresses to him.

"Uncle, I came to give some fabrics for sewing" I say, my voice feels weak. I keep a few pieces of fabric on his table.

"Okay, do you have measurements?" Uncle asks, counting the fabrics.

"Yes, I have" I say, passing the measurements and the details in a paper to him.

I sneak a glance at Darsh with the corner of my eyes and see him glancing back at me.

I quickly avert my eyes, and nervously tug my hair behind my ear.

Confusion swirls within me- is it anxiety? Is it admiration? A mix of both? Or something deeper?

It's thrilling yet terrifying, like standing at the edge of a cliff, peering into an unknown abyss.

My heart races in an unfamiliar rhythm with my thoughts-what are these feelings? It feels like standing on the precipice of something unknown and exhilarating.

Each glance exchanges feels heavy with unspoken words, igniting a spark of curiosity and fear.

The air is infused with the rich scent of wool and cotton, mingling with a hint of sandalwood from a nearby incense stick.

His presence seems to amplify these aromas into something intoxicatingly familiar.

Unknowingly, my gaze falls on his hand and I feel my stomach twisting, not in a good way but not in a bad way either.

It stirs memories I can't quite place- his hands on my Waist. His breath on my face. My hand on his chest.

His every presence is unlocking the forbidden memories of diwali night.

"It was an accident, kavita... don't let it overwhelm you" I reassure myself.

I break off my million thoughts reverie as I hear someone clearing their throat.

"Umm... if you don't mind, may I accompany you? It's getting late, and I... I'd feel better knowing you're safe" Darsh requests respectfully, glancing directly at my soul, making me shiver under his soft yet piercing gaze.

"...I'll be glad, thank you" I say, nodding my head while walking towards the door.

"Why did I agree??!!" I scold myself in my mind, questioning myself.

I don't know why.... But I want to spend some more time with him.

I can't help but want to be......close to him.

"It's not me, it's not me..... it can't be me" I think, walking beside him, at a safe distance.

As I walk beside him, the chill of winter wraps around me like a delicate shawl, each breath visible in the frosty damp air.

The streets are lined with saptaparni trees, their fragrant blossoms mingling with the crisp scent of dew.

I keep glancing secretly at him, feeling my heartbeat rising each second.

The mute colors of the city-grays and browns-seem to soften under the pale winter tint, casting a gentle glow on his features.

"...umm, t-the weather is getting bad" Drash says, his words a little hesitant.

I hum in response, not able to find words to talk.

"I- you came alone... Where is Prachi?" He again asks, glancing down at me.

"She's having a fever..." I mumble slowly, feeling my heart fluttering.

I bite my lips, fidgets with my dupatta's hem, fumbling to form more words.

I can clearly see his efforts to have a smooth conversation, but miserably failing on it.

What is it about him that makes me feel this way? Am I foolish for wanting to linger at this moment?

The silence between us feels heavy in my heart.

My thoughts tangle together in a chaotic dance-should I smile? Should I speak? Or should I simply walk and let this moment stretch on forever?

With every secret glance, my heart races-a silent symphony of emotions playing out in my chest.

The winter fog envelopes Calcutta like a thick, silken veil, blurring the outlines of houses and trees, casting the town into a dreamlike haze.

The winter sky, once a dull gray, suddenly darkens as thick clouds roll in, heavy with moisture.

The cold air feels sharp against my skin, biting through layers of wool and fabric.

In an instant, the first drops fall-large and plump-splashing against the cobblestones and sending up tiny plumes of mist.

I gasp, gazing up at the dark sky, and at that moment the drops land on my skin, it feels like a cool whisper against my warm cheeks-a gentle shock that sends ripples through my senses.

It's followed by another drop, then many more, each one cold and refreshing as they splash against my arms and neck.

"Why did it suddenly start raining?!!" I gasp in shock, scanning around to find some shelter.

"Come this way!" Darsh says, pointing at a small stall which is closed.

Cold droplets struck my skin like sharp little needles, sending a shiver through my body.

I can feel my clothes growing heavier with each passing moment, soaking through and clinging uncomfortably to the skin.

The chill seeps into my bones, contrasting with the warmth of adrenaline coursing through me as we dash for cover.

DARSH POV ~

The first cold drop of rain hits my neck, sending a chill cascading down my spine.

I glance at her, startled by the sudden downpour, and see her looking skyward, her face lit with wonder, despite her surprise.

I quickly scan the area to find some shelter to shield her before the rain drenches us.

I see a small stall made of wood under a tree, beside a street.

I turn to her and she looks at me, her eyes wide, her lips parting slightly in confusion.

I turn to her, my voice steady despite the chaos around us.

My heart skips a beat before I manage to say,"Come this way!"

My hand hovers near her back, torn between the instinct to guide her and the restraint to respect her space. She runs ahead, clutching her shawl tightly.

Our hurried footsteps create a soft squish as they splashes through puddles, muffled by the thick fog that envelopes us.

By the time we duck under the wooden overhang of the stall, my breathing is uneven-not from the run, but from the way she looks.

Her cheeks are flushed, and her lips tremble slightly as she tries to catch her breath.

I lower my head as the roof of the stall is low. I stand in front of her to stop the splashes of rain falling on her.

The wooden stall creaks slightly under the force of the rain. Its overhang offers us fragile protection, yet the close proximity makes me more aware of her than the downpour outside.

Her damp hair clings to her face, water droplets tracing their way down to her neck.

The rain intensifies, each drop hitting the ground with a distinct plop, merging into a symphony of my thumping heartbeat.

The rain does little to distract me from the sight of her-her damp hair framing her face, each drop tracing a delicate path down her skin. It's almost painful, how beautiful she is, and how far away she feels despite standing so close.

Distant thunder rumbles like an echoing heartbeat, adding to the atmosphere's electric tension.

I force myself to look away, gulping down the shivers, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere between us.

The cool rain contrasts sharply with the closeness of our bodies , creating a delightful tension that made my heart race.

I glance back at her and notice her avoiding my gaze and fidgeting with her damp scarf.

I can feel the dampness seeping through her clothing, clinging to her like a second skin.

The cool air grew even colder, wrapping around us like a chilling embrace, while the moisture in the atmosphere clung to her skin.

"Are you cold?" I ask softly, watching as she turns to me, her eyes wide with something I can't quite decipher-fear? Embarrassment? Or is it the same unspoken feeling stirring within me?

"...A little" She whispers softly, and I notice her fingers shivering.

I remove my damp coat, and see her quickly lowering her head, still fidgeting with her soaking shawl.

After removing my overcoat, I remove my another coat which is still dry and warm, due to my body heat.

"Here, take this, you'll feel better, or else, you'll get sick" I say with respect, forwarding the coat to her, trying not to make her uncomfortable by any chance.

I notice her hesitating, battling with herself-accepting the coat feels too intimate, yet she's too cold to refuse.

"It's okay, you'll get sick too, if you'll give me yours" She says, not meeting my gaze.

"Ruby, please, you're shivering badly, and I'm wearing two coats. I'm not feeling much cold, I'll be fine." I reassure her but see her still hesitating with her decision.

"See, if my Maa will get to know that you got sick because of me, she'll beat me, you don't want me to get beaten by my Maa, right?" I say, trying to ease the tension with some light words to melt her hesitation.

She chuckles softly, lifting her face to meet my eyes and raises her hand to take the coat with a soft smile.

Her fingers brush mine as she takes it hesitantly, murmuring a soft thank you. The warmth of that fleeting touch lingers, even as the cold rain continues to fall around us.

"She's not like that, she's so sweet" She whispers, making me smile, seeing the earlier awkwardness breaking down.

"She is" I whisper back, smiling as I remember last night, when Riya shared that she and Maa met Prachi and Ruby at the local Market.

"Riya and Maa told me about yesterday evening" I say with a smile and she nods her head with a smile.

I glance at her, now in my coat, which is reaching almost till her knees.

I bite my lips not to chuckle seeing her looking so cute and adorable in my coat, like a baby bear.

I see her nervously glancing at me and quickly turn around and try to fold the sleeves as her whole hands are inside the long- very long sleeves.

The aroma of saptaparni intensifies, their fragrance released by the moisture, filling the air with sweetness.

As the storm brew overheads, the clouds swirl ominously, darkening the sky to an almost unnatural shade of charcoal.

Lightning flickers in the distance, illuminating the heavy masses with brief flashes of white, revealing their turbulent forms.

With each rumble, I notice her shivering, clutching her hands.

Then comes the loud rumbling of thunder-a deep, resonant growl that rolls across the sky, making her flinch hard and covers her ears tightly.

She looks scared.

"Are you okay? Are you scared of thunder?" I ask, concern evident in my tone.

Unconsciously, I walk closer to her when she nods her head and I see her shivering badly.

"Shhh... it's okay, I'm here" I coo her, standing close to let her know that she's not alone.

Another loud thunder rumbles in the sky, more intense than before. It rumbles and echoes, vibrating through the air and resonating around us, a sound both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

A deep shiver runs down my spine when she clutches my coat, leaning to my chest, flinching hard from the loud rumble.

My body freezes, and I just keep glancing at her small form.

My blood starts running marathons along with my heartbeats skyrocketing.

The sudden proximity makes me stunned and the surrounding feels blurring from my vision and just Ruby is visible.

The rain, the thunder, the cold-they all fade into the background. All that remains is her warmth against me.

The sound of raindrops on the wooden roof, the smell of wet earth, the cool breeze carrying her faint jasmine scent, is all driving me closer to her.

I shake my head gently, trying to calm my heavy breaths.

I didn't say anything, nor push her away, letting her calm down at her own pace.

I gulp down, feeling her fingers tightening on my coat.

After what feels like eternity, I sense her stirring a little, and slowly lifts her face to glance at me.

The moment our eyes meet, my heart feels like stopping all its functions and my breath hitches.

Her face- a pink hue adorns her cheeks, her damp hair on her forehead, her warm breath on my jaw, her faint jasmine scent- everything about her starts making me lose my heart and mind.

My eyes flicker down momentarily to her quivering lips- dusky pink and soft.

My gaze falls on her small dark mole on her lower lips, making me gulp nervously.

I glance back at her eyes. Her gaze pulls me in like the moon draws the tide-soft yet irresistible.

I slowly raise my right hand, tugging her damp curls behind her ear.

She closes her eyes for a fleeting moment, while her breath turns slow.

Realising my gesture and our proximity, I clear my throat, taking a step back, trying to compose myself to not scare her.

I shouldn't be here with her-not like this, not so close. But I can't bring myself to move away. My guilt from Diwali night resurfaces, but so does the pull toward her, stronger than ever.

I notice her stepping back too, biting her lips and I glance at her cheeks and ears, which is now a dark shade of red.

What would society say if they saw us like this? And yet, right now, all I care about is her blushing and nervous figure beside me.

"Are you....fine? The rumbles are lessening" I say in a light hearted yet concerned tone.

"Wo..uh.. humko pta nahi tha ki tumko bijli garajne se itna darr lagta hai...tumhara chehra bahut dara hua lag raha hai" I say, chuckling a little, trying to ease up the sudden shift of another awkwardness between us.

[ UH.. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU'RE SO SCARED OF THUNDER... YOUR FACE LOOKS REALLY FRIGHTENED ]

"R-really?!" She asks, palming her face gently, looking at me nervously.

"Yes!! Your face is really frightened!! If Riya had seen you, she would have teased you so much!" I utter whatever comes to my mouth that moment to ease the situation.

"God, please, I really don't want her to be more awkward with me... it's already bad" I pray to God in my mind.

I notice a flicker of ease on her face, her lips twitching upward into a shy smile. My own chest relaxes at the sight.

I sign in relief, seeing her taking in my nonsense and slowly rubbing her cheeks, with a gentle smile.

"Our families must be worrying, right? It's all because of this sudden downfall" I mutter, glancing towards the street, changing the sentences again and again to distract both of us, especially her, from the earlier awkwardness.

She walks forward, standing beside me and gazes at the blurry horizon.

"Yes, you're right. This was out of the blue" She whispers, rubbing her hands to warm them up.

I place my hand on my chest, thanking God for keeping the awkwardness away from us.

The minutes slowly tick by and the rain begins to ease, leaving behind a cool mist that clings to the air.

The rain slows, but I find myself wishing for another downpour, just to steal a few more moments with her in this secluded bubble of ours.

"It's stopping," I say, though part of me wishes it wouldn't. Wishing we could stay hidden here, away from the world, just a little longer.

"We should go, before it intensifies again" Ruby urges, peeking above and the surrounding areas, getting dark.

"Yes, we should... let me drop you, it's really getting dark" I request and she glances at me with hesitation.

"Please, it's really getting dark, and my utmost priority right now is your safety, I'll feel at ease to see you safe back inside your home" I request again, mentioning the dangers.

She nervously scans the area and nods her head, making me smile.

She steps out into the damp street, her figure blurs by the mist.

I follow her suit, walking beside her, glancing up to feel the light drizzle of water falling on us like dews in the morning.

I glance at her with the corner of my eyes and a shy smile adorns my face, being able to spend my today's evening with her.

With each step, as her home draws closer, I feel my each step heavier than the last, the distance between us small yet vast.

If only she knew how much she stirs within me.

~ You're the storm I carve every night.

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻.✾.჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻

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