Page 23 of Since You Came Along (Ever Since #1)

M eera tiptoed into the dark kitchen, her bare feet padding on the cool tiled floor. The quiet hum of the refrigerator filled the silence as she opened its door, bathing the room in a faint yellow light.

She didn’t turn on the overhead lights, worried the brightness might wake Raghav. She hadn’t wanted to leave the warm bed, but she couldn’t sleep.

Meera wrapped her arms around herself as she placed a pan of milk on the stove and opened the coffee box. The house, now silent and dimly lit, had been alive with laughter and company when their families had come over for Diwali.

As the milk simmered, she reached for a mug from the cabinet, only to jolt at the sound of a voice behind her.

‘What are you doing?’

Startled, she yelped and bumped her head against the cabinet door. She turned to see Raghav walking into the kitchen. She would have kept staring at his bare, sculpted chest if her head wasn’t throbbing in pain.

‘You scared me!’ she scolded, rubbing the back of her head.

Raghav flicked on the light and teased, ‘You’re the one sneaking around in the dark in your own home. What are you hiding from?’

She huffed, turning back to pour the steaming coffee into the mug. ‘I wasn’t hiding. I just didn’t want to wake you.’

Raghav moved closer and placed a warm hand on her waist. ‘Are you okay?’

Meera nodded and took her coffee to the living room. As she stirred the drink, Raghav took a seat beside her.

‘What’s bothering you?’ he asked.

‘Nothing,’ she replied tersely, sipping her coffee. She hated how easy it was for him to read her now.

‘You only drink coffee when you’re stressed or grading papers. Since you’re off work and I know you’re not one to procrastinate, it has to be stress. So, what is it?’

Meera rolled her eyes and muttered, ‘Freaking Sherlock Holmes.’

‘I didn’t have to deduce it, smartass. You told me.’

‘When?’

‘The first time we met for coffee.’

Surprised, she raised an eyebrow. ‘You remember that?’

‘Of course. We talked about a lot of things, but that was one of the first things I learned about you.’

‘One of the first?’ she asked, curiosity creeping into her voice.

‘Yeah,’ Raghav said, crossing his arms. ‘By then, I already knew you were an amazing painter and a thoughtful person.’

‘What made you think I was thoughtful?’

‘You bought gajra for my mom even though you didn’t have to. You brought a basket of cookies for Dad and stood up for a kid being bullied. It was obvious from the start.’

Meera stared at him, her heart swelling with warmth. ‘Huh, so you do pay attention.’

His lips curled into a smile. ‘You think I’d marry someone without paying attention?’

She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. ‘Guess you’re not as daft as I thought.’

‘That was weak. Try harder next time,’ he teased, putting his arm around her. ‘Now stop stalling and tell me what’s bothering you.’

Meera sighed, placing the mug down. ‘It’s just one of those nights when everything feels heavy,’ she admitted. ‘I’m restless and I don’t know why.’

Raghav nodded, urging her to go on.

‘You have an early meeting tomorrow,’ she said, her voice tinged with guilt. ‘You should go back to sleep.’

‘And leave you here by yourself? Not happening,’ he said. ‘Talk to me.’

She looked into his eyes, the sincerity in his words wrapping around her like a warm blanket. For the first time that night, the house didn’t feel so lonely.

Finally, she sighed, running a hand through her hair. ‘I don’t know where to start.’

He leaned forward. ‘Why don’t we begin with the smallest thing that’s bothering you and figure out how to solve it?’

Meera blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. ‘Ever since Luv dropped my phone a few days ago, it’s been acting up.’

His lips twitched into a half-smile. ‘We’ll get you a new one. Next?’

She bit her lip, fiddling with the edge of her coffee mug. ‘I’ve been asked to help organise two literary events in January, and it’s already November. I don’t even know where to start.’

Raghav tilted his head. ‘You’ve got two months to plan. You’re smart, and you’re great at organising things. If you need extra help, ask some of your students to pitch in. It’ll bring out their creative side and give them some experience in managing events.’

‘That’s actually a good idea,’ she muttered, impressed.

‘Of course it is,’ he said with a teasing grin. ‘What’s next?’

‘It’s my mood swings. I’m restless and irritated because of my period.’

Raghav didn’t miss a beat. He leaned to the side and took out a bar of chocolate from the drawer. Meera stared at him in surprise as he handed it to her.

She gave him a grateful smile and popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth.

Raghav chuckled. ‘Feel better now?’

‘Maybe,’ she gave a muffled reply.

‘Good. Now tell me what’s really bothering you, Meera,’ he said.

Her smile faltered as the actual issue came to mind. ‘You know The Charity Ball is this evening, right? Yesterday, during the final meeting, they told us it’s mandatory to stay for the entire event.’

Raghav frowned. ‘And?’

‘And they expect the faculties to mingle and dance as well.’

He reassured her. ‘You’re a brilliant dancer, Meera. There’s no need to stress.’

She shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper. ‘But who do I dance with?’

His confidence wavered for a moment. Raghav knew he wasn’t the best dancer. He could suggest Abhay, but the thought of anyone else holding Meera in their arms didn’t sit right with him.

‘Why didn’t you tell me earlier?’ he asked. If she had, perhaps he could have taken a few lessons from her to avoid embarrassing her in front of her colleagues.

A tinge of sadness coloured her smile as she replied, ‘I wanted to ask you, but when you came home today and mentioned you have to leave for Delhi the day after tomorrow, I didn’t.’

Of course, she hadn’t asked. She always put up with his hectic work schedule. But Raghav had learned how to prioritise since Meera entered his life.

‘I’ll move things around,’ he said. ‘Luv’s already in Delhi, so I’ll ask him to attend the morning meeting, and I can take a late flight out.’

Meera blinked, her throat tightening with gratitude. ‘I have two passes,’ she murmured, hesitant. ‘Maybe Abhay can take the other one?’

‘I’m sure he’d love it.’ Raghav continued, ‘You’re not alone, Meera. We’ll always solve everything. Together.’

She squeezed his hand. ‘Thank you, Raghav.’

‘Always.’

‘When do you have to leave today?’ he asked.

‘Around five,’ she replied, glancing at her phone as she continued. ‘The event management company will set everything up by three. The faculty needs to be there an hour early to make sure everything is in place.’

Raghav wanted to ask if Rutvik would be there, but stopped himself when he noticed she was resting.

He shifted gears in the conversation instead. ‘Alright. Where will you get ready? Do you need us to come early with anything you might need?’

‘No, Kashvi will help me get ready at their place. I’ll meet you at the gate. Don’t forget the passes, Raghav!’ she warned with a mock sternness.

‘Yes, boss!’ he replied, saluting her.

That evening, as the doorbell buzzed relentlessly, Raghav groaned. He already knew it was Abhay and could imagine his impatient face on the other side of the door.

‘If he rings that bell one more time…’ Raghav muttered under his breath, stalking toward the door.

As expected, the moment he opened it, Abhay launched into a tirade. ‘How long does it take to get ready, man? We’re going to be late!’

Dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit with black loafers, Abhay looked every bit the suave friend Raghav wished he could ignore right now.

Raghav, on the other hand, had spent the past thirty minutes agonising over what to wear. He had settled on a black blazer over a white shirt and dark jeans.

‘Calm down, Abhay,’ Raghav said, locking the door and handing him the event passes as they stepped into the lift.

On the way, Raghav’s phone rang, and the car’s speakers picked up the call. It was Siya.

‘Hey, Siya,’ Raghav answered.

‘Listen, I only have a minute before my next meeting. I’m sure Meera has told you that Rutvik’s event management company is handling the event tonight. You might meet him there for the first time.’ She paused, then added, ‘Just stick close to Meera, okay?’

Of course, he’d be there for Meera. The memory of her after the last time she met Rutvik last time was still fresh in his mind. Even now, Raghav knew he’d only scratched the surface of the walls she’d built around her heart because of him.

‘Do you think he’ll show up?’ Raghav asked. The thought of Rutvik being anywhere near Meera made his gut twist with anger.

‘Of course he will,’ Siya replied. ‘They took salsa lessons together in college, and as far as I know, Rutvik was the one who insisted. The event is also a chance to network with influential people, so I'm sure he won’t miss it.’

The image of Meera dancing with Rutvik, her face lit with a smile, made his heart ache. The very idea left a bitter taste in his mouth.

‘What? Meera’s ex is going to be there?’ Abhay exclaimed, outraged. ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me? I would’ve brought a cricket bat or something to deal with that guy!’

Siya sighed. ‘What I would give to punch him again! But this is an official event. Meera’s colleagues, trustees, and students will be there. Let’s keep it civil.’

‘Wait, you punched him once?’ Abhay asked, pride clear in his tone.

Siya chuckled. ‘I broke his nose.’

‘That’s my girl,’ Abhay muttered under his breath, but Raghav heard it. Meera had hinted at something brewing between Siya and Abhay, and now it seemed she was right.

After circling the college for what felt like an eternity, they found a parking spot. As Raghav stepped out, still looking down at his phone to call Meera, a pair of black heels came into view.

He froze, his eyes trailing up to see Meera smiling at him. Her emerald gown shimmered in the dim evening light. The black beading at the waist and neckline highlighted her curves.

Her dark, smoky eyes carried a sultry allure, while her crimson lips were bold and inviting. Her hair, styled in soft, wavy curls, framed her face.

Raghav’s heart stopped for a moment, then pounded in his chest. She smiled at him, saying something he didn’t quite catch.

Closing the distance between them, he took her hand, raised it to his lips, and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. He held her gaze and whispered, ‘You look beautiful, my lady.’

Raghav saw a faint blush creep into her cheeks as she smiled, biting her lip. She didn’t blush often, but when she did, Raghav thought it added to her beauty.

Meera smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘And you look handsome, kind sir,’ she said with a sweetness that made his heart stumble. If they weren’t standing on the college premises, he would have kissed her right then and there.

As they walked into the venue, a student called out to Meera. With a quick wave and a hurried, ‘I’ll be right back,’ she disappeared into the crowd.

Raghav glanced around. The vibrant floral decorations framing the entrance barely registered in his mind. The warm glow of fairy lights hanging overhead created a dreamy, celebratory atmosphere, but none of it mattered to him. His mission tonight was singular, to be there for Meera.

Abhay, walking beside him, broke the silence. ‘From what Siya told me, Rutvik is a real jackass.’

Raghav arched a brow. ‘When did Siya say that to you?’

‘Does it matter?’ Abhay waved dismissively. ‘She said that he didn’t just cheat on her, he broke her down, piece by piece. He shattered her self-confidence so completely that at one point, Meera hated even looking at herself.’

The words hit Raghav like a punch to the gut. He remembered the lack of her pictures in her room, her choice to skip a pre-wedding shoot, and how she’d seemed uneasy in front of the camera on their wedding day. It all fit together now.

He spotted Meera a few steps away, chatting with two women. Every so often, her gaze darted to him, her eyes sparkling with a joy that made his chest tighten. The thought of Rutvik, the man responsible for her pain, being in the same room as her sent a storm of anger surging through him.

Abhay sensed his tension and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ‘We’re here for her. Don’t worry.’