"Where are we going, Nikhil?" I asked, watching him as he drove with that smug little smile.
"Nikhil, huh?" he teased, glancing at me. "I thought I was *Mr. Jerk*."
I felt my face heat up and turned away, but his laugh was soft, almost comforting. "Don't worry, kitten," he said "You're going to love this place."
It's been four days since we got to Munnar, and honestly, it's been magical. He's taken me to places I couldn't even dream of—hidden waterfalls, hills that touch the clouds, spots so beautiful they don't feel real. And the best part? Every single one was a surprise.
I glanced over at him, a smile creeping onto my face. I don't know what this is between us. But whatever it is, it feels good. He's done things for me I never thought anyone would. I stopped expecting much from people a long time ago, and the ones I did... well, let's just say I learned my lesson. But with him, it's different. It feels like maybe, just maybe, I can start expecting a little more. From his atleast..
I look at the time and it's 10 PM. The weather outside is 7 degrees and it's freezing me to death. Okay not exactly but still.
Soon the car came to a halt. It was all dark and the only source of light was our headlight.
We stepped down from the car. I looked around cause damnit looks scary as fuck. My nyctophobia kicking in.
I took quick steps and held his arm in fear. "I know you hate me a lot but you won't abandon me here in the dark right?" I asked nervously as we walked further.
"You're really smart to understand my intentions huh" he left my hand and suddenly the lights turned off making it all dark.
I screamed with fear. "Nikhil please turn on the lights. It's not funny okay. I know you're here"
The rustling of the trees and howl of the animals at a far distance are enough to give me goosebumps and scare me to the care.
I felt as if someone is behind me and is trying to touch me. I panic and cry and scream as hard as I could. "NIKHILLLL pleasee turn on the lights please Nikhil"
I close my ears and crouch down closing my eyes. My body starts shivering badly.
Suddenly the lights turn on and I feel warmth beside me. Without thinking I hug him and breathe heavily
He caress my hairs lightly and hold me firmly in his arms. "Shh I'm right here"
"Please don't pull this kind of prank ever please" I cry out
When I call down I start hitting his chest. He falls down and chuckles. "It's not at all funny Nikhil Verma. Aisi harkatein karenge na to narak mein bhi jagah nhi milegi aapko" I shout at him.
"Just like this" he says with a smile.
I frown at him and he continues "Saanvi I want you to scream. Let it all out—every bit of pain, anger, frustration. Scream as loud as you can"
He hold my hand and takes me near the cliff. I hesitated, but his eyes told me he was serious. So I closed mine, and the memories hit like a flood.
"Think about all the moments when you were in pain and felt alone. I want you to let it all out"
When I got the scar.
When I was sick.
When I was neglected.
When I got a fracture.
When I was depressed.
When I was heartbroken.
When I felt unwanted.
When I understood that I won't get love anywhere.
I open my eyes and scream "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
I scream as hard as I can "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
I screamed, loud and raw, letting everything out. I kept going until my throat hurt and I had nothing left.
I fell to my knees, breathing hard, my body shaking. But I felt lighter, like a huge weight had been lifted off me. For the first time in years, I could breathe.
I sat there on the edge of the cliff, the night air cool against my flushed skin. The silence around was different now—calm, soothing, like the world had been holding its breath and finally let it out. Nikhil sat beside me, his presence steady and grounding.
“You feel better?” he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.
I nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t know I needed that.”
He smiled, caressing my hand “Sometimes you don’t realize how much you’re carrying until you finally let it go.”
I glanced at him, the moonlight casting soft shadows on his face. There was something about him that made me feel safe, understood in a way I hadn’t felt in years.
“Thank you,” it came out as a whisper
He looked at me, eyebrows raised. “For what?”
“For bringing me here. For... everything,” I said with a sigh.
He shrugged, but his smile softened. “I told you, kitten. You’re going to love this.”
We sat in silence for a while, the only sounds the rustling of leaves.
I looked at him and hd his hand. "Nikhil!" It startled him.
"What happened?" He asked with confusion and worry.
"I want you to scream your heart out" he gave me a duh look and shook his head.
"I'm serious"
"Yeah sure. Anyways let's go"
He stood up and I held his hand and pulled him back to me. "You're hiding so much in here" pointed at his heart "I feel so better now after letting it all out, you should also try your own idea"
"Saanvi I..." I kept my finger on his lips silencing him.
"Please just let it out. I swear it feels better. Though my throat burns but still" he chuckled.
He sighed and joined our foreheads. My eyes close automatically. I caress his cheek and hear him taking a shaky breath.
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