At the dining table,
Radika kept playing with her food quietly. She wanted to ask about the trip… but the words were not coming out properly. Every time she tried to speak, she stopped herself again.
After finishing dinner, she finally looked at aunty.
"Aunty… I need your permission?" she asked hesitantly, almost like a question.
Aunty smiled immediately. "Radika, you don't need permission for anything here. Just tell me what it is."
Radika looked relieved. "My friends asked me to go on a trip with them… can I go?"
Aunty's face softened. "Of course you may go, dear. And remember one thing… you don't have to ask permission for everything. Just inform me, that's enough, okay?"
Radika's face brightened instantly. "Thank you, aunty!"
She hugged her happily.
But beside them, "Rudra's expression slightly faded. He quietly got up and walked to the room, feeling strangely left out."
Later that night,
After finishing her kitchen work, Radika entered the room.
Rudra was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone with a straight face.
She looked at him carefully and asked, "Sir… who offended you?"
In a low voice, he replied, "It's you."
"What did you say, sir?" she asked, moving closer.
"Nothing."
Radika sat on the corner of the bed. "Sir, why didn't you say anything at the dinning table about my trip?"
Rudra finally looked at her and said in a husky voice, "You didn't ask me."
Radika blinked for a second, then a small grin appeared on her face.
"I asked both of you. I thought you didn't have any problem. So… you do have a problem? Should I not go?"
Rudra quickly straightened himself. "No, no, I didn't mean that. I just…"
Before he could finish, Radika burst into laughter.
"Sir! I know you didn't mean that. I'm just kidding. But you should see your face right now!" she laughed loudly.
Rudra let out a breath and shook his head. "You girl… you nearly killed me."
Radika continued laughing while he looked at her helplessly.
After a moment, he asked, "So where are you all going?"
Radika suddenly stopped laughing. "I… don't know."
Rudra stared at her in disbelief. "How do you not know?"
She quickly explained everything about how they only planned the trip but still hadn't decided the place.
Then she grabbed her phone excitedly.
"Now I'll message them that I'm coming. Then we'll decide where to go."
IN THE CHAT....
Radika quickly took her phone and messaged in the group.
Radika:Guys… I'm coming to the trip.
Within seconds—
Sara:Oh my God! I was so scared you would say no . Now I'm happy!
Hima:Stop it, Sara. She said yes now . So tell me… where are we going?
Rohan:Girls, first tell me one thing. How many days are we going for this trip?
Sara:How about 6 days?
Radhika:Sara… that's literally a week.
Hima:Yeah, it's too long.
Sara:Pleaseeee… we can explore more places and enjoy ourselves properly. Don't say no...
Radika sighed.
Radika:Okay… fine.
Slowly, she lifted her head and glanced at Rudra, wondering how he would react after knowing the trip duration.
Meanwhile—
Rohan:How about Goa? Kerala? Ooty?
Hima:Wait… first decide what type of place we want.
Radika:Beach and hills are good. You guys decide.
After a few minutes—
Sara:Guys! I searched. What about Pondicherry + Auroville? We can enjoy beach vibes and nature both.
Rohan:Sounds good.
Hima:I'm in!
Radika:Okay then.
Everyone agreed and booked their tickets for Pondicherry.
Radika put her phone aside and looked at Rudra.
"Sir… we decided. We're going to Pondicherry."
Rudra nodded slightly. "That's a nice place."
After a small pause, he asked, "How many days is this trip?"
Radika hesitated for a second.
"One week, sir…"
Rudra looked at her in disbelief. "One week? That's too long."
Radika pressed her lips together. "I know, sir… but I really want to go."
Rudra stayed quiet for a moment.
Then he said calmly, "Okay. I'll drop you at the railway station and don't forget to call us every day, okay?"
Radika smiled a little and nodded.
"Okay, sir."
Soon, they both went to sleep.
The next morning,
Radika started packing her bags for the trip.
Rudra looked at her and asked, "So… you're not coming to college today?"
Radika quickly replied, "I'm coming, sir! Our train is tomorrow evening. I'm just packing early… otherwise I may forget things."
They left for college together.
In the classroom—
Sara asked excitedly, "All set for the trip?"
Hima sighed. "I didn't even start packing…"
Radika smiled. "I can't wait for this trip. I'm actually excited."
Sara immediately teased her. "First, you said you won't come. Now look at you… you're the most excited one."
Radika looked away for a second.
I can't be too normal… I'm married, she murmured to herself.
"Radika? Where did you get lost?" Sara asked.
Radika quickly smiled and held Sara's hand.
"Sara, please stop teasing. I'm coming now, right?"
Everyone laughed.
After college, Radika finished the remaining packing at home.
The next day—
As usual, Rudra and Radika left together.
Before heading home, Rudra suddenly stopped the car near a mall.
Radika looked confused. "Sir?"
"Come," Rudra said simply.
After entering the mall, he said, "Buy whatever you need."
"Sir, no need. I already have everything."
Rudra looked at her. "Don't argue. We don't have much time."
Radika quietly followed him.
She bought a few tops, earrings, and some small things for the trip.
After shopping, they returned home.
Aunty had already prepared dinner and packed some snacks for Radika.
"Go fresh up and come to eat radika," she said warmly.
Radika smiled softly. Their care for her made her heart feel warm.
After freshening up, she checked her luggage again.
"Everything is perfect," she whispered to herself.
"Done?" Rudra asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Mom is calling you. Go eat. I'll put the luggage in the car. We'll leave at 6."
Radika nodded and went downstairs.
At the dining table, aunty served food to her and said,
"Enjoy properly there, eat well, and take care of yourself. And call us every day, okay?"
Radika smiled.
"Don't worry, aunty. I'll take care of myself… and I'll call every day."
After dinner, she hugged aunty and got ready to leave for the station.
In the car...
Rudra said once again,
"Take care… and don't forget to call us every day."
Radika nodded softly.
"I understand, sir. Don't worry."
Soon, they reached the railway station.
Rudra helped her take the luggage out of the car.
"Call after reaching," he said.
"Okay, sir."
Radika looked around and quickly spotted Sara, Hima, and Rohan standing near the platform entrance.
"They are here, sir," she said.
Rudra simply nodded.
"Go carefully."
Radika gave him a small smile.
"Bye, sir."
Then she picked up her luggage and walked towards her friends.
"There she is!" Sara waved excitedly.
Radika joined them, and after some time, the train arrived.
Everyone got inside with their luggage.
From a distance, Rudra quietly watched until the train slowly disappeared from sight.
Only then did he leave.
TO BE CONTINUED...