Page 9 of Since You Came Along (Ever Since #1)

A n hour later, Meera and Raghav were on their way to see the apartment.

Raghav drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear.

His crisp white shirt had the sleeves rolled up, revealing muscular forearms that Meera couldn’t help but notice.

He’d grown a beard, and the rugged look suited him.

When they reached the building, Raghav hesitated for a moment. He parked the car and glanced at Meera, his nerves betraying him in the way he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. This place felt perfect to him, the home he wanted them to share. But what if she didn’t feel the same?

‘Ready?’ he asked, trying to keep a lid on his worry.

Meera nodded and followed him inside. The lift whirred as they ascended to the fifteenth floor, the hum punctuated only by their quiet breathing. When they stepped out, Raghav unlocked the door and pushed it open.

As soon as Meera stepped inside, she froze. The space felt warm and inviting, as though it were waiting for her. The walls, painted in soft shades of mica blue and white, reflected the golden evening light streaming through the large windows.

She could already imagine her belongings filling the empty rooms. A plush velvet sofa in the living room, fairy lights and photo frames lining the walls, and a cosy dining table perfect for dinners with friends.

Her gaze drifted to the kitchen—a spacious, L-shaped setup with sleek counters and plenty of sunlight filtering through a small window.

The master bedroom tugged at her heart. The attached balcony opened to a breathtaking view of the city below, where the sea met the horizon in a blur of silver and blue.

She turned back to call Raghav and found him leaning against the doorframe, watching her. There was something tender in his expression, a quiet hope that made her chest tighten.

She walked over and hugged him, pressing her face into his chest. The steady beat of his heart was a comfort she hadn’t realised she needed. Raghav, surprised at first, wrapped his arms around her and gripped her.

‘It feels like our home,’ she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

His relief was immediate, his smile so wide it almost hurt. ‘There’s just one thing missing to make it the perfect home,’ he said, pulling back.

Meera frowned. ‘What’s that?’

From his bag, Raghav pulled out a box of tissues. She stared at it for a second before bursting into laughter, her voice ringing out and echoing through the empty apartment. For the first time in ages, Raghav felt a genuine spark of joy watching her delight.

Later that evening, the group gathered at Swayam’s dinner table. The room was alive with chatter and laughter. For the past half hour, Luv had been declaring his undying love for her with every bite of the chole bhature she had cooked.

‘I’m serious, Meera,’ Luv declared, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ‘Just dump Raghav and marry me. I’ll convince his parents to call off the wedding.’

Raghav looked up from his plate, caught between glaring at Luv and pulling Meera closer to him. After their earlier hug, he felt an unspoken connection with her, as if something had shifted between them.

Meera, unfazed by Luv’s theatrics, grinned. ‘Oh, Luv, you’re too kind. But are you sure you’re ready for a lifetime of boring, healthy food? I’ve already decided on Raghav’s diet, so he’ll be having less oil, less spice, and more salads.’

Raghav opened his mouth to protest, but Meera silenced him with a pointed look. ‘See? Even he knows it’s true. You don’t want to put yourself through that.’

Luv clutched his chest in mock horror. ‘What? No butter chicken? No fried food? That’s no life for me!’

‘Exactly,’ Meera said with a wink. She added, ‘So, here’s the deal. I marry Raghav, and you can come over anytime for all the fried food you want. Plus, you’ll get the pleasure of watching him suffer through his salads.’

Abhay and Luv burst out laughing, high-fiving Meera, while Raghav shook his head, a grudging smile on his face.

An hour later, as everyone lounged around the table, Siya and Luv exchanged knowing glances before turning to the group.

‘We’re throwing you both a bachelor/bachelorette party tonight,’ Siya announced.

Meera blinked, confused. ‘A party? Why?’

Siya interjected, grinning, ‘Because you’re going back to Delhi tomorrow, and in two weeks, you’re getting married.’

‘All of us are going,’ Luv declared, pointing at Raghav as if daring him to argue.

‘Why are we doing this?’ Abhay grumbled, his eyes narrowing as they flicked to Siya and Luv standing far too close for his liking.

Luv shot back at him, ‘Because they didn’t even throw an engagement bash. The least they can do is let us have this!’

Raghav and Meera exchanged a glance. There was no arguing with their friends when they were this determined. Finally, they shrugged in agreement, and the group erupted in cheers.

As the chatter resumed, Raghav leaned over to whisper, ‘Only if you owe me a dance.’

A soft blush spread across her cheeks as Meera nodded.

When they were about to leave, Meera began putting the finishing touches on her look. She wore a shimmery black dress; its sleek fabric caught the soft light as she applied a bold swipe of red lipstick. The quiet hum of the room seemed to echo her anticipation.

Siya breezed in, wearing a pale pink off-shoulder top paired with shorts. Her hair cascaded in soft curls around her shoulders.

Without warning, Meera glanced up and asked, ‘What’s going on between you and Abhay?’

Siya stiffened, her back straightening, and a flicker of tension passed across her face. ‘What do you mean? Nothing’s going on between us,’ she replied defensively.

Meera raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. ‘Well, something is definitely going on. Did you know each other before Raghav and I met?’

‘Is it that obvious?’ Siya sighed, giving in.

Meera smiled and nodded as she sat down at the dressing table, a playful glint in her eye. ‘It is. So, tell me, what’s the story?’

Her face flushed. ‘We met once, ages ago. I don’t like him, so I avoid him. Simple as that.’ Siya huffed, tossed the comb on the bed and strode out of the room.

Meera rolled her eyes, but made a mental note to ask her again later.

The evening continued with an air of excitement as they made their way to the club. It was a bustling Saturday night, and the music thrummed through the walls.

As the night wore on, laughter and jokes flowed, fuelled by the drinks. But despite the fun, Raghav only had one drink. He knew he’d be the one driving them all home.

He had always thought Meera to be beautiful, but seeing her dance was like seeing her in her element. The grace in her every move was captivating, the fluidity of her body speaking of years of training. She laughed along with Siya, tipsy, her joy evident in every step she took.

Abhay joined Raghav at the counter, and they clinked their glasses. After a few moments of quiet appreciation, Raghav turned to Abhay and asked with a fond smile, ‘Meera is something, isn’t she?’

Abhay nodded, his expression softening. Then, he hesitated, as if weighing his words. ‘Raag…’

Raghav turned to him, sensing the shift in Abhay’s mood. ‘Yeah?’

With a slight smile, Abhay met his eyes. ‘We like her.’ He took a deep breath, then added, ‘And Nica would’ve liked her too.’

That simple statement struck Raghav harder than he’d expected. He looked across the room at Meera, who was helping Siya keep steady despite her drunken state. Even in her tipsy state, she was looking out for her friend.

He turned back to Abhay, and the words came out as a quiet admission. ‘I like her too.’

Without another word, the two friends hugged. Abhay felt a rush of happiness, and both of them recognised the significance of that moment.

As Abhay walked away to grab a refill, Raghav caught sight of Meera wobbling toward him. He moved to meet her halfway, and reached out to steady her.

She looked up at him with a lopsided grin and slurred, ‘You never told me you have two heads. Why do you have two heads? I don’t want to get married to a two-headed guy.’

Raghav couldn’t help but laugh at her drunken antics. ‘Who do you want to marry, then?’ he teased.

Meera placed her finger on his lips, shushing him. ‘It’s a secret.’

Her touch sent a jolt of warmth through him, and as she swayed, he tightened his grip around her waist. ‘Tell me,’ he urged.

‘I want to marry Ironman,’ she whispered. Before he could respond, she added, ‘And Raghav Saleen!’ In her drunken state, she slurred his last name and Raghav found that adorable.

Raghav smiled at her. ‘Ironman’s taken, but you can marry Raghav Saleen if you want.’

Her gaze turned serious, her eyes locking with his. ‘But does Raghav want to marry me?’

Raghav felt something inside him soften, and he leaned in, pulling her close. He kissed her forehead, and as he pulled away, he whispered, ‘Yes, he does.’

Meera beamed at him, her smile pure and unguarded. ‘Is he sure?’ she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raghav’s heart swelled. He caressed her cheek, his voice steady and resolute. ‘I’m sure.’

Without warning, Meera threw her arms around him, laughing with glee, and shouted, ‘You will be Mr Meera!’

Raghav laughed along and said, ‘And you’ll be Mrs Raghav!’

Joy and traditions filled the days leading up to the wedding.

At the Mehndi ceremony, Siya coerced the guys into getting henna designs on their hands.

The Sangeet night was a whirlwind of music and dancing, with laughter echoing late into the night.

During the Haldi ceremony, emotions ran high, and the girls couldn’t hold back their tears.

And on the wedding day, surrounded by friends who had become family, Meera and Raghav got married.