Page 14 of Since You Came Along

Raghav felt a wave of relief wash over him. It meant a lot to him to be in agreement with someone he considered a brother.

Swayam cleared his throat, his tone more serious. ‘You know, she’s been hurt before,’ he said to Raghav.

The table went silent. Luv and Abhay leaned back, giving the two men space to talk.

‘I know,’ Raghav said. ‘She told me.’

Swayam nodded, his expression hardening. ‘She may have told you about him, but she hasn’t told you how it affected her. She’s like a sister to me, Raghav. I care little for blood ties, but she’s my family where it truly counts.’

‘I understand,’ Raghav replied.

Swayam’s voice was laced with genuine concern. ‘I can’t imagine what losing someone so close to you must have been like. I’m sorry you had to go through that.’

Raghav heard the sincerity in his tone and appreciated it. Swayam, despite his friendship with Meera, showed remarkablecompassion for his grief. Sitting there, Raghav realised he could see himself getting along with Swayam.

‘I just want you to be sure about what you want,’ Swayam continued. ‘I care for Meera, and I want her to have the best in life. If there’s one thing Meera hasn’t had in her past relationships, it’s commitment. I’m sure your intentions are good because Meera wouldn’t have brought you here if she didn’t believe that. But please, proceed only if you can truly commit to her. She shouldn’t settle for less. She deserves the best in the world.’

Raghav didn’t respond. His gaze shifted to the doorway, where Meera was entering with Siya. Her smile lit up the room as she laughed at something Siya said. Mid-step, she held the door open for a waiter juggling several plates, nodding when he thanked her. The simple gesture was so… Meera. He thought about Swayam’s words. He was right; she deserved the best.

When Meera joined the table, the men had moved on to discussing sports. Her eyes kept darting to Raghav, and she couldn’t help but think back to her conversation with Siya, who had asked her one simple question. ‘How do you feel around him?’

Meera had answered without hesitation. ‘I feel comfortable with him. There’s no pressure, no pretence. I like that he is respectful, family-oriented, dedicated to his work and the people he cares about.’

But Siya had pressed further. ‘Will like be enough for a lifetime?’

‘Yes,’ Meera had replied, and she’d meant it.

When the dinner was over, Raghav asked Meera, ‘Would you like to take a walk with me?’

‘Of course.’

The chill of the night nipped at their skin as they stepped outside. Raghav glanced at her as they walked side by side. She was trying to act unfazed, but he noticed the slight shiver she tried to suppress. Without saying a word, he slipped off his jacket.

‘You’ll be cold,’ Meera protested as he draped it over her shoulders.

‘I’ll survive,’ he replied, adjusting it so it sat snugly around her. The warmth of his jacket enveloped her, and she caught a faint trace of his woodsy cologne that felt as comforting as the gesture itself.

‘You didn’t have to,’ she murmured.

‘I wanted to,’ he said with a warm smile. She slipped her arms into the sleeves, which were too long for her, the cuffs hanging past her hands. Raghav chuckled softly at the sight.

‘What’s so funny?’ she asked, tilting her head.

‘Nothing,’ he said, holding her gaze. ‘It just suits you.’

They strolled until they found a bench under the soft glow of a streetlamp. His mind raced, searching for the right words, until Meera broke the quiet.

‘Is there something you want to say?’

He took a deep breath. ‘I loved Nica with everything I had, and she’ll always be a part of my life. There are times when I miss her, and I still visit her grave sometimes. Would that bother you?’

‘Not at all,’ Meera said without hesitation.

Her understanding gave him the courage to continue. ‘If we marry, I want to be clear about my commitment to you. I promise I’ll give it my all. But I’ll need you to be patient with me. I’m not perfect, and I can’t read your mind. If something’s wrong, talk to me. Meet me halfway, and I promise we’ll make it work.’

Her gaze didn’t waver. ‘I understand, Raghav. No one’s born ready for marriage. It’s something you build together. I’ll always want to work things out, not let issues fester.’

Still, he hesitated. The question weighing like a boulder on his mind refused to remain unsaid. ‘What about love?’

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