The holidays had finally begun, and I couldn't have been happier. No school, no assignment ,just relaxation. More than anything, I was excited to visit my nani's house in her village. A break from everything, from the city, from Rei, from all the things that had been stressed me out lately.
When i was packing my bags, I dialed Suhina's number. The call rang and she picked up.
"Hey, I'm leaving tomorrow! Are you coming with me?" I asked eagerly, hoping she'd say yes.
She let out a sigh. "No, I have a lot to do."
I pouted even though she couldn't see me. "Fine, but you'll at least buy the books I wanted, right?"
she replied, "I can't promise… Tenzin or Rian is getting my books, so let's see." I could hear some shuffling in the background she was probably busy with something.
A smile spread across my lips. "Oh? And you still say there's nothing going on between you and Tenzin, huh?" My voice come with playful teasing.
"Ugh, stop it! There's nothing like that!" she was clearly flustered I can sense
I smiled. "Yeah, yeah. At least be honest with me." I was enjoying her reaction.
But before I could tease her any further, she quickly cut me off. "I have work to do. Bye!"
And just like that, the call ended.
shake my head with a small laugh.
"What's there to hide?"
I said to myself. But I didn't ponder on it for too long. Instead, I zipped up my bag, and stepped out.
It was time to leave for nani's house. A new place, a fresh change. I could already feel the excitement in my heart as I set off for my vacation.
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That night it feel luke sleep have some kind Of war with me , I rolled and turned in bed, but no matter how hard I tried, my eyes refused to close. Frustrated, I quietly slipped out of my room and climbed up to the terrace, where the cool night wind welcome me.
The terrace was bathed in the light of the moonlight, casting silver shadows across the floor. the quiet rustling of leaves, I spotted Nani sitting on the old wooden swing,
"You're still awake, Nani?" I asked softly, stepping closer.
She turned to look at me, her warm, wrinkled face spark seeing me . "No, my dear, I was just lost in thought. But what about you? Can't sleep?" she asked, her voice filled with affection.
I stretched my arms with a yawn. "Nope, sleep is playing hide and seek with me tonight."
Nani chuckled, patting the empty space beside her. "Come here, let me tell you a story. Maybe it will take you to sleep."
Laughing heartily, I lay down on the swing without any delay, with my head on Grandma's lap.She was caressing my hair slowly and then she started her fairy tale or love story -
"Once upon a time..."
She started the story from here and with that I started getting lost in the world of her story
"There was a small village, which was situated between the mountains.a girl named Saira lived there, She and her childhood friend, Veer, had loved each other since they were young."
I listened while staring at the countless stars twinkling above, imagining a boy and girl running through the fields, laughing in the golden sunlight.
"But Veer was restless ,he wanted to see the world, to make a name for himself before returning to marry Saira."
I closed my eyes, and with closed eyes I started imagining how Veer would be stuck between his love and his dreams.
On one side was his heart, which was beating for Saira... and on the other side was his dream, which wanted to take him away from that hilly village
"Before leaving Veer gave a lantern to Saira and said,"
— Nani took a deep breath and then said -
"You always keep this lantern lit near the window... It will remind me that my heart is with you.
And then, one day I will return with the help of this light..."
I smiled to myself. 'Veer really loved Saira, didn't he?'
The thought made my heart feel warm.
Nani paused for a moment, probably thinking I had fallen asleep.
"Then what happened, Nani? Did Veer ever come back?" I mumbled, my eyes still closed.
She laughed softly. "You're still awake? I thought you had drifted off." She took a sip of water from glass before continuing the story further