Page 10 of Since You Came Along

‘That’s the spirit!’ Abhay exclaimed, his laughter carrying through the line.

Raghav smiled and leaned against his car for a moment, his gaze drifting back to the road where Meera had disappeared.

‘Told you she wouldn’t say no,’ Abhay gloated.

Raghav chuckled, shaking his head. ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.’

‘Did you tell her about… Veronica?’ he asked.

Raghav nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. ‘Yes, I did.’

‘Are you okay?’ Abhay asked him, worry evident in his voice.

‘I’m okay, really.’ The memory of that conversation with Meera came flooding back. Her patience and understanding had wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, easing the weight he hadn’t realised he was carrying. She hadn’t judged, hadn’t pried, and that meant everything to him.

Later that night, Meera sat at her desk, trying to focus on her lecture prep. The quiet hum of her laptop filled the room, and the faint aroma of freshly brewedchailingered in the air.

Her parents had bombarded her with questions earlier, and though she’d answered as neutrally as possible, the efforthad left her drained. She sighed, stretching her neck, when a notification for an incoming video call lit up her screen.

She answered the call, and as usual, Siya appeared first. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and the dark circles under her eyes looked like battle scars from her relentless schedule. Running high-profile merger negotiations for her family business left no time for sleep. Swayam joined the call, looking as if they’d interrupted a crucial moment in one of his intense video games.

‘So, how was he? How did it go?’ Siya asked, her voice distracted but curious as she flipped through her case papers.

Meera groaned. ‘Who told you guys? Oh, forget it. Stupid question.’

‘Duh! We get daily updates about you from your mom,’ Siya replied, still not looking up.

‘Well,’ Meera said with a small smile, ‘It went great. Really great.’

That got their attention. Both Siya and Swayam paused what they were doing and stared at her intently.

‘Really?’ Swayam asked, excited.

‘Yes. He seems like a great guy. We talked about all the important things. I even told him about Rutvik.’

Siya’s pencil snapped in her hand. ‘You told him about Rutvik? Oh my God, that’s huge!’

‘Tell us everything!’ Swayam chimed in.

Meera told them about Raghav’s family, his work, and even briefly mentioned Veronica. She kept the details vague, feeling it wasn’t her place to share too much about his past.

The questions came at her one after another. Then, Siya cut to the chase, as always. ‘Do you like him?’

Meera hesitated, her fingers brushing over the edge of her notebook. She thought back to the day they spent together, his calm demeanour, the easy way they talked, and the comfort she felt in his presence. The answer came, almost like a revelation. ‘Yes, I do.’

Siya let out a squeal so loud that Swayam shoved his fingers into his ears.

‘You like him enough to consider getting married to him?’ Siya asked, her tone softening.

Meera nodded. ‘Yes, I do. He’s a good man. I know it’s only been two days, and I’m not the best judge of character, but he seems genuine. He’s kind and understanding. The way he’s still loyal to his childhood love tells me he values commitment. That’s the kind of man I could see myself getting married to.’

Swayam leaned forward, grinning. ‘So, when do we get to meet this guy?’

‘He invited me to dinner with his friends on Saturday,’ Meera said, glancing between them. ‘I thought of asking you both to come along, but I know how busy Siya is with her merger, and Swayam, you’re always swamped with work too.’

Siya sighed, her shoulders slumping. ‘I really wish I could come, Mihu, but with the final meeting coming up, I barely have time to breathe.’

Before the guilt could settle, Swayam jumped in. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll go with her. Siya, send me your list of questions, and I’ll grill him.’

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