The bells chimes softly at the distance, the morning sun falling across the lake, casting a golden ripple on the water. I adjust the edge of the dupatta over my head, watching everyone walking ahead of me.

“It's alright if you wanna wait here, it will just take a small visit” I say, removing my shoes near the temple steps. I turn to face Lucas — a flicker of surprise crosses my face as I watch him remove his shoes too

He smiles, his perfectly done morning hair now messy due to the wind. “I wanna come along. If that's alright?”

“Are you sure?”

He nods, already stepping up to stand beside me “I want to, maybe take some blessings too” He says, looking forward to the temple. Something about the sincerity makes me feel calmer.

We both walk upstairs. Right after breakfast, we all left for this cousin's day out. Our first stop was supposed to be at ambrai ghat, although we are still there — we all decided to pay a visit to the temple nearby while Kunal and Nikhil booked a boat trip for us.

Inside, the temple was cool and quiet. The peace of morning along with the calming presence of Lord Shiva made me realise I needed to come here.

A soft chant echoed in the background from other visitors mingled with the scent of marigold and incense. I feel the worries lifting off my head as I press my palms together and close my eyes.

“Hey bhagwan, mere bhai ki is nai safar mai madad karna. Uski is nae zindagi ku aasan aur khushiyan se bhar dena. Joh rastha bhai aur bhabhi ne chuna hai, baas unh par apna aashirwad bane rakhna. Aur aapne jo meri zindagi mai nai khushi ki wajah laae hai, uske liye shukriya. Dheere hi sahi, lekin mujhe yeh ehsaas hora hai ki uske bina uske ab acha nahi lagega. Please please, aap humesha uski raksha karna”

[Translation - Oh Lord, Help my brother in this new journey of his life. Make his new life easy and fill it with happiness. The path my brother and sister in law has chosen, just shower them with your blessings. And the new source of happiness you have brought in my life, thank you for him. Slowly maybe, but I have come to a realization that I wouldn't like my life without him. Please please, always protect him]

I slowly opened my eyes, glancing at Lucas who was mimicking my position. His hands pressed together, shoulders tensed and eyes shut. His lips moved softly and slowly while he prayed too.

He finally opens his eyes and looks at me “Now?” He asks carefully, waiting for my direction. I gesture him to follow me — Veer, Kabir, Kavya, Sonia and Maya have already moved forward.

Lucas followed me, he didn't question anything. My breath slowed as he followed my bow. Copying my gesture with respect and gentleness.

His body tensed when Panditji pressed kumkum against his forehead but he didn't reject it. I moved my plans forward to take the prasad and he did it too. When I pressed the prasad against my forehead, he looked at me amused.

“You have to eat it” I say while eating the prasad, savouring the sweetness.

He simply nodded before eating the prasad in one go. His eyebrows shoot up “It's really good and sweet” He comments before following me out.

“I think you are warming up to sweets” I point out, remembering how he didn't like sweets but started to eat them here. He grins “More like you are warming up to me” his fingers brushes against mine, tugging my hand in his.

Gosh how can he come up with stuff so quickly.

“Aare! If you two are done then come fast! The boat is waiting!” Nikhil calls out. I snap my head in his direction to see everyone waiting for us downstairs. I slip my hand away from him, feeling embarrassed. “Yeah yeah, wait!” I reply, wearing my shoes quickly. Lucas follows me from behind, going to Sonia to take back his videocamera.

“We found a perfect boat for us. Let's go quickly!” Nikhil says excitedly as we make our way towards the lake.

The sun was properly up by the time we made it back to the ghat, it was a ten minutes walk from the temple. Lake Pichola stretched out in front of us like a mirror, rippling by the gentle breeze.

The boat was docked at the edge of the ghat, swaying gently on the water. It was a large motorboat which is perfect for all of us — with a semi circular seating at the edges of the boat.

“Wait for 5 minutes, they are still setting it” Veer stops us from getting on the boat, he approaches the boat owner and Kunal follows him to talk about the condition and payment.

I casually walk around the ghat enjoying the warm weather today. The wind is quite strong, almost making my dupatta run free. I run my hand down the cream coloured fabric, noticing how the golden embroidery catches the sunlight.

I thought Lucas would like this, a cream suit with red dupatta. I would’ve worn something completely red though I realised I didn't have many suits like that.

I should buy them soon

My ears notice the soft mewing, instantly my head turning over to the source of it — A little orange cat that just walked over to me. Her orange tail swaying with each step she takes. She stretched herself near me and took before just laying on the steps. My expression flatters to a gentler one watching the cute cat.

“Heyy, baby” I whisper, crouching down to her level while maintaining some distance. She didn't run away but tilted her head up to look at me.

And I was instantly drawn to her. I just love cats, doesn't matter where, who or which. They are cats? I love cats!

I reached out and softly scratched behind her ears, she closed her eyes and purred, enjoying the treatment.

I couldn't help but smile, remembering Charlie because of her. She stood up and moved closer, rubbing her head against my hand for more, my heart tugged at the moment “Aww, are you here alone? Are you hungry? I wish I could feel you somehow”

I run my hand on her back while her tail swings around my wrist. I chuckle softly “I love pretty little cute beings!”

Then, I felt fingers brushing through my hair. Slowly, deliberately and familiar enough. I freeze, my heart holding back its beat. “Me too” Lucas muttered from behind me.

I turn, a little stunned while watching him crouch beside me — not hiding the smile tugging on his lips. “What are you saying!” I question

He looks at me, while petting the cat “You said you love pretty cute beings” He says, shrugging casually “I wanted to give my opinion too. I love them too”

My eyes narrowed at his face, not ignoring the teasing words behind his tone “Oh you will never forget that will you? Always calling me cat!” I huff, pulling the cat towards me. He chuckles at my attempt but doesn't reach out to stop me “Well you said you will one day show me your cat tendencies. But you never did and i am still waiting”

My cheeks warmed up at his reminding words. I didn't pay attention to what I said that time and just blurted it out as a comeback, I forgot about it but he never did.

“Oh you are ridiculous” I mutter, quickly standing up and looking over at the lake to distract myself. From the corner of my eye, I could see him smirking at me.

“Dii! Can I pet it too?” Sonia asks carefully while approaching us — Maya following her. Her eyes remained on the cat with a mixture of excitement and fear. Sonia never had much interactions with animals, her mother — my aunt has always been quite strict about this.

“Sure! Come here” Lucas answers, gesturing to her to crouch down. Sonia hesitantly lowers herself in front of the cat, her shoulders hunched like she is ready to bounce away if the cat does something.

“Like this” Lucas explains to her gently, how to pet the cat without harming or scaring them away. Sonia follows attentively, determined to make the cat her friend.

Among everyone, Lucas has become comfortable with Sonia instead of my other cousins. It's not a surprise — he mentioned how Sonia reminds him of Mia.

“Guys! Let's get on!” Nikhil calls us when the boat is ready. We all walk back to the edge where the boat is waiting. I take a glance back, to see Sonia carrying the cat with her while asking Lucas a million things about cats..

One by one, everyone stepped onto the boat. I hold the hem of my dupatta up to make sure I don't trip. “Careful,” Lucas says, extending his hand towards me instinctively.

“Thank you” I placed my hand in his, feeling the subtle firmness of his grip as he helped me onto the boat. The wooden flooring creaked beneath my foot as I settled on the seat near front. Expecting Lucas to join me, I turn around.

“Lucas, Help me too” Nikhil requests, forwarding his hand to Lucas dramatically. Lucas cringes slightly, his eyes flickering to me and Nikhil who is waiting patiently.

“Be gentle” Nikhil says fluttering his eyelashes “I have never taken help from a white boy before”

“Bahi! Nahi!” Sonia groans in disbelief at Nikhil's acting. While others start laughing, I bite my inner cheek trying to hold myself back.

[Translation - Brother! Don't!]

Lucas sighs, extending his hand for Nikhil while he steps down. Nikhil leans closer, placing his hand on Lucas's shoulder “Don't let go~” He whispers in a husky tone.

Lucas's expressions flatter while we all burst into uncontrollable laughter. “Oh I am gonna let go and maybe push you into the lake too” Lucas replies with a deadpan face before shoving Nikhil away.

Nikhil plops himself on the opposite row of seats with a huff “Not so gentlemanly” He comments. Lucas scowls at him “Never for you” He says sitting beside me, randomly draping his arm over my shoulder.

“Jasmine, he is missing his girlfriend too much, call her quickly or he will continue to eye Lucas” Maya says while sitting beside me.

“Dur raho isse!” I warn Nikhil playfully while leaning against Lucas. Veer rolls his eyes while sitting beside Nikhil “Guys, if you all are done then shall we continue?” He asks. “Yeah, the boat driver is getting the wrong idea about this comedy” Kunal comments. He didn't need to voice out what he meant. I glance at the boat guy who was staring at us with judgemental expressions.

[Translation - Stay away from him]

Nikhil quickly clears his throat and says something to him in Rajasthani. In a second the guy's expressions brighten up and he nods. I don't know what conversation they have but at least the misunderstanding is cleared

Everyone starts settling in their seats. Kavya goes straight and sits beside Veer

I thought she would sit beside me, did she stop because maya already sat or because she is still angry from what happened yesterday?

Kabir and Sonia sit beside Lucas while Kunal finds himself a separate seat. The boat is large enough for twenty people so we don't have to sit conjugatedly.

The boat engine hummed beneath us, gently and slowly pushing us forward. The breeze picked up just as we pulled away from the ghat.

This was like magic

I have seen many beautiful views but this was something way more dreamy than I imagined. For the moment, no one spoke. They just enjoyed the moment in silence, all our worries vanishing behind us as we lived this moment together.

The sunlight scattered on the water surface. The boat moved deeper giving us a perfect view of the city around us.

I close my eyes, letting the breeze carry my mind away from here. Hearing the sound of water as the boat steer forward.

Than I suddenly feel it

That tingling sixth sense feeling.

I open my eyes and slowly turn, my eyes widens. The wind made my hair fly into my eyes, before I could push them aside — Lucas reached out, tugging my hair strands behind my ear.

He was holding his videocamera, recording me.

The awareness of his actions makes my heart flutter “You should be recording the view”

He chuckles, lowering the videocamera “I am recording my favourite view” he mutters softly, the air carrying his words only to me.

I couldn't help but smile, unable to hide how much his words caused an effect on me. I couldn't even breathe without being flustered by him at least once a day.

“Just don't make it too obvious” I mumble, turning back towards the lake. My smile widens — not at the view but the fact of him recording me.

I feel his hand slip into mine, I blink in surprise and glance down. Maya peeks at us from her shoulder, she silently gets up and changes her seat. I mouth her a ‘thank you’ at her understanding gesture. She winks at me before sitting beside Sonia while talking to her.

“Your beauty never ceases to amaze me” he admits, his voice low behind me. I slowly lean myself against him, feeling his warmth course through me. “And your words never ceases to amaze me”

He hums softly, his hand squeezing mine “Thank you for bringing me here”

My smile softens at his words, I can't see him but I could feel him smiling too “Thank you for coming with me here. Not just today but for helping me since starting” I reply.

If he hadn't agreed to come here as my fake date or if Sonia and my mother didn't see him would I be here like this? Would I be alone or would my uncle have arranged some guy for me?

“Hey, what are you thinking?” He asks, bringing me out of my thoughts. I straighten myself and turn to face him “Oh nothing” I mutter, trying to calm down the ‘what if’ thoughts brewing inside me.

“Dii! Woh dekho na!” Sonia calls us out, we all look back at the direction she is pointing at. My eyes widen, a soft gasp escapes my mouth.

[Translation - Sister! Look at that!]

Two swans

Side by side, gliding across the water together with effortless grace. The boat slowed down at Veer's words. Luckily we were far away from them, I wouldn't want to disturb such a beautiful pair. They just floated — perfectly in a sync, like they always belonged together.

“Oh wow” I whisper

“I heard they are like mates for life?” He asks

“Yeah” I reply, still in awe “They do”

“It's so rare to see them like this” Maya says

We watched them for a long moment, their white feathers glowing under the sunlight. Around us everyone was taking selfies and whispering like they would hear us and fly away.

Maya settles beside me again “It's like watching parallel sides. You both and them” She says softly, her eyes trailing back to the swans

Is this like fate?

A sign for it?

✄-------

“I am not sure” I say slowly, crossing her arms “It looks old and slightly haunted. What if we get stuck? What if there's no network?” I list out, usually I am not this paranoid but can't help it right now.

After boating, we all had lunch. Now as the evening was getting near, we stopped at an old stone maze. The part of a centuries old estate that's turned into a tourist attraction.

While everyone is quite excited, I can't help but feel hesitant.

“Chalo bhi, Jasmine! Maza aayega” Nikhil insists while he has already brought the tickets for all of us. “It's not like you will be trapped there forever!” Nikhil points out.

[Translation - Come on, Jasmine! It will be fun!]

Veer steps forward, “Look there's a map at the front, they even have CCTV for safety precautions. Even if you can't find your way, the staff will come to take you out. If you want then you can join us, if you aren't comfortable than it's alright” He assures

The thing was — mazes made me anxious. The first time I went into a mirror maze and couldn't find my way out as a child — the worst part was people didn't care to help me that time.

The feeling of not knowing where I was going, losing sense of direction, turning to one corner after another and still ending up nowhere — it stirred old memories inside me. Something I didn’t like to admit even to myself.

I look up at their hopeful faces. Maybe I should just let them go and stay back? It would be fine.

Kavya cuts in before I could speak “Come on Jasmine. Tujhe nahi jana hai okay but Lucas toh tehre bina nahi aayega. Ek hi baar ka hai, kyun uska experience ruin kar rahi hai?” Her tone is sharp and edgy. I could feel her annoyance because I was holding everyone back.

[Translation - Come on, Jasmine. You don't wanna come then it's okay but Lucas will not come without you. It's only for once, why are you ruining his experience?]

Her words had stirred a feeling of guilt inside me. I glance back at Lucas who is standing right behind me, waiting for my decision patiently. I shouldn't ruin his experience because of my own fear.

“Okay fine, let's go” I say, forcing out a smile. Everyone cheered, gushing eachother towards the entrance. We all had to submit the phones before entering one by one — the weak point was we can't go together and had to wait until one person was long gone.

They seriously had to make this like a real horror movie

“You okay?” Lucas whispers gently

I quickly nod, not trying to give off my nervousness “Yeah. Just the determination to win!”

He chuckles softly “I wish you all the best”

And just like that it was my turn. I slowly step inside, already feeling the walls closing off and squeezing me. The walls were cool and ancient, the sound of footsteps and distance mutter of my cousins could be heard.

My heart started thumping a little harder as I walked deeper into the maze. I clench the dupatta tightly around my hand like an emotional support system. The walls are getting thicker and confusing.

Left? Or right?

I should go with right because you know, right is always right?

But what if left? My heart says left because my heart is at my left side then

I wish I could just drill a hole and walk straight outside!

I take a deep breath, taking a left. My footsteps started to echo now — maybe I am in the middle right now because even a small rolling of stone is echoing through these walls.

Did everyone find their way out yet? Why didn't I collide with anyone yet?

I pause, my eyes narrowing at the familiar pillar I passed a few minutes ago. My heart sinks at the realisation — I have been walking in a circle and reached the same spot

“Seriously?” I whisper, voice shaky.

I turned around quickly, trying another path, only to find myself at yet another wrong turn. My heart picked up its pace. My throat is feeling dry suddenly.

This is why I didn't wanna come here

It's not just a harmless game!

I increase my pace, trying to walk faster and then jogging. The walls blurred around me, they all looked the same! How can I find my way out? I can't even remember the map and even if I did, I don't even know where i am!

I can't even find any cameras here to signal the staff

“Hello?” I call out, my voice cracking as it echoed around me. “Anyone?” I pant, hoping someone would hear me

No response

The silence haunting me.

A hand catches my wrist

I gasp, yanking my hand back instinctively but the grip was firm and familiar

“Hey, calm down. It's me”

Lucas

I turn back, my breath catches in my throat but the relief washes over me. He was standing in front of me, his breathing slightly uneven like he has been running too. His hair is now completely undone and falling over his forehead. The worry all over his face.

The second I locked eyes with him, everything inside me just dropped. All fear, the shaken thoughts, the walls closing, everything was gone

“Lucas?” I breathe out. His gaze softened, the corners of his lips tugging upwards into a smile “Yes, milaya” He whispers calmly, his arms wrapping around me — pulling my trembling body against his steady one.

“I am right here” He assures, his fingers carding through my hair gently. I take a deep breath, trying to calm down my racing heart that feels like it would burst out any moment.

“How did you find me?”

I feel his chest huff with a rumbling chuckle, his hand cradling my head like something previously “I followed the noise of your anklets” His smile grows slightly “It was subtle at fir

st but when you started running I knew it. They guided me here”

I let out a shaky laugh which is a mixture of a sigh and a sob. I didn't even notice or moreover remember that I have worn these anklets and here he found me just by the noise of these.

How could he

“I was freaking out” I mutter against his shirt “I just went in circles, I couldn't find anyone or heard anyone”

He rubbed my arms, warming me up “I know, everyone found their way out that's why no one answered”

“You were looking for me?”

I feel him nod. I pull back to look at him, he looked at me with a gaze full of understanding, care, tenderness and moreover love.

“I am okay now” I say, trying to convince myself more than him.

“I know you are,” He replies, his thumb caressing my cheek. I close my eyes for a moment, letting his touch smoothen the internal panic I faced earlier. “Let’s find our way out of here, okay?”

I nod, opening my eyes. Lucas takes my hand, guiding me through the maze with practiced steps — he has memorized the way out of this place. This time, I felt safe and comfortable — I wasn't scared of getting lost.

Because he has already found me