The next afternoon, Rahul reached outside the girls' PG much earlier than usual.
It was almost 2 PM.
The streets were filled with students returning from coaching classes. Some walked in groups, laughing loudly, while others hurried toward tea stalls or their PGs.
Rahul, however, noticed none of it.
His eyes remained fixed on the entrance of the girls' PG.
Every few seconds, he looked at the road.
Then back at the gate.
Then at the time.
A smile kept appearing on his face without any reason.
He quietly mumbled to himself,
Rahul: "Kahan reh gayi..."
He stretched his neck once more, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
Nothing.
Just as he was about to check again—
A voice came from behind him.
Miss Khan: "Boom!"
Rahul almost jumped.
He turned around immediately.
Miss Khan stood there laughing uncontrollably.
Rahul: "Main mar jaata abhi!"
Still laughing, she folded her arms.
Miss Khan: "Achha sorry, bachcha."
Rahul couldn't help smiling.
For a few seconds, he simply looked at her.
Then he said,
Rahul: "Chalo."
She tilted her head.
Miss Khan: "Kahan?"
Rahul: "Tumhe bhook lagi hogi."
He smiled.
Rahul: "Kuch khane chalte hain."
She nodded without thinking much.
Miss Khan: "Bhook toh lagi hai."
Then she remembered something.
Miss Khan: "Ruko."
Miss Khan: "Main bag rakh ke aati hoon."
Rahul: "Theek hai."
She disappeared inside the PG.
Rahul remained standing outside with the same smile on his face.
He watched the entrance as if she might vanish if he looked away.
Only a few minutes later...
She came back.
This time without her bag.
She looked at Rahul and smiled.
Miss Khan: "Ab chale?"
Rahul nodded.
Rahul: "Chalo."
The two started walking side by side through the busy student streets.
The afternoon crowd continued moving around them.
Some students discussed classes.
Some bargained with street vendors.
Some rushed toward coaching institutes.
But for Rahul, it felt as if the rest of the world had disappeared.
After walking for a while, Miss Khan looked at him curiously.
Miss Khan: "Waise tum yahan kitni der se khade ho?"
Rahul smiled.
Rahul: "Thodi der se."
She looked at him for a moment before asking,
Miss Khan: "Kya khayenge hum aaj?"
Rahul smiled, already thinking of an answer.
The two continued walking together through the crowded streets, their conversation slowly blending into the sounds of the bustling afternoon.
Burger Shop
The two continued walking through the crowded streets until they stopped in front of a small roadside burger shop near CLC Chowk.
The aroma of freshly cooked burgers and chowmein filled the air.
Almost every table was occupied by students enjoying their afternoon break.
Rahul walked up to the counter.
Rahul: "Bhaiya, do chowmein burger."
The shop owner looked at Rahul for a brief moment.
There was something unusual in his expression.
Then he simply smiled.
Shop Owner: "Baitho bhaiya."
Rahul and Miss Khan found an empty table nearby and sat down.
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
It was comfortable.
Miss Khan rested her elbows on the table and looked at Rahul.
Miss Khan: "Tum coaching nahi gaye aaj?"
Rahul smiled.
Rahul: "Jaldi aa gaya... aapke liye."
A small smile appeared on her face.
She looked away for a second.
Miss Khan: "Main toh bahut bore ho gayi hoon yahan."
Rahul leaned forward.
Rahul: "Toh kahin ghoomne chale?"
She laughed softly.
Miss Khan: "Yahan koi jagah hi nahi hai ghoomne ke liye."
Rahul smiled confidently.
Rahul: "Mujhe ek bahut sundar jagah pata hai yahan."
Just then, the waiter arrived carrying two chowmein burgers.
He placed them on the table.
Before leaving, he quietly looked at Rahul's face for a moment.
Then walked away without saying anything.
Miss Khan looked at Rahul curiously.
Miss Khan: "Kahan?"
Rahul smiled.
Rahul: "Tumhe chalna hai?"
She grinned.
Miss Khan: "Chalo chalte hain, Rahul ji."
Rahul looked at her playfully.
Rahul: "Tumhe darr nahi lagta... kisi strange ladke ke saath akele jaate hue?"
For a brief second...
Her playful smile disappeared.
She looked directly into Rahul's eyes.
Miss Khan: "Darr toh tumhe lagna chahiye... mujhse."
A moment of silence.
Then she burst into laughter.
Rahul laughed with her.
Rahul: "Chalo... ye kha ke chalte hain."
They finished their burgers while talking about random things, laughing every few minutes as the noisy student crowd continued moving around them.
Rahul's Secret Place
The afternoon slowly melted into evening as they walked together through the student streets.
A cool winter breeze brushed past them.
The orange glow of the setting sun covered the city.
After walking for several minutes, Miss Khan looked around.
Miss Khan: "Aur kitni door hai?"
Rahul smiled.
Rahul: "Bas... aa gaye."
A few more steps later, they stopped beside a boundary wall.
Without saying anything, Rahul placed one foot on a stone lying nearby.
He climbed onto the wall and sat on top of it.
Then he stretched his hand toward her.
Rahul: "Aajao."
Miss Khan looked at the wall.
Then at Rahul's hand.
She shook her head with a playful smile.
Miss Khan: "Tum kisi ki private property mein bina permission ke jaa rahe ho."
Rahul laughed.
Rahul: "Arey... kuch nahi hoga."
He kept his hand extended.
Rahul: "Trust me."
Rahul: "Aajao."
Instead of taking his hand...
Miss Khan placed her foot on the stone.
Climbed onto the wall herself.
Then proudly dusted her hands.
Miss Khan: "I am an independent girl."
She smiled mischievously.
Miss Khan: "I don't need your help."
Rahul laughed.
Rahul: "Achha..."
Before he could say anything else...
Miss Khan looked beyond the wall.
Her eyes widened.
Miss Khan: "Wow..."
On the other side was an open field hidden in the middle of the city.
Soft green grass stretched across the ground.
A giant tree stood proudly in the center.
In one corner was a beautiful little garden filled with colorful flowers.
A wooden bench rested beneath the tree.
Beside it hung a swing that gently moved with the evening breeze.
The setting sun painted everything in shades of gold, orange and crimson.
The place felt peaceful.
Almost magical.
Rahul jumped down into the field and looked back at her.
Rahul: "Aajao."
Still staring at the breathtaking view...
Miss Khan jumped down beside him.
She brushed the dust from her hands.
Miss Khan: "Aapko ye jagah kaise mili?"
Rahul smiled.
Rahul: "Mere dost ki hai."
Then he pointed ahead.
Rahul: "Aajao..."
Rahul: "Tumhe kuch aur bhi dikhana hai."
He started walking.
Miss Khan followed.
A few steps later, she noticed the garden.
Her face lit up instantly.
Miss Khan: "Wowww...!"
Without waiting for Rahul, she ran toward the flowers like an excited child.
Rahul remained where he was.
Watching her.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
The Secret Garden
The garden looked even more beautiful up close.
Colorful flowers bloomed all around.
A wooden bench rested beneath the huge tree.
Nearby, the swing moved gently with the cool evening breeze.
Golden sunlight bathed everything in a warm glow.
Miss Khan wandered happily among the flowers, stopping every few moments to admire another bloom.
Rahul quietly sat on the bench, unable to take his eyes off her.
She finally stopped beneath the giant tree.
Stretching both arms wide, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
The soft wind played with her hair.
Golden rays of sunlight touched her face.
For Rahul...
The sunset no longer mattered.
She looked even more beautiful than the sky itself.
Without realizing it, he placed a hand over his chest.
His heartbeat had become strangely loud.
Just then...
Miss Khan opened her eyes.
She turned around.
Rahul quickly looked away as if he hadn't been staring at her.
A smile appeared on her face.
She slowly walked toward him.
Rahul secretly noticed from the corner of his eye and looked away again.
She stopped in front of the bench.
Miss Khan: "O... excuse me, Mister."
Rahul looked up innocently.
Rahul: "Mujhse?"
She folded her arms.
Miss Khan: "Tum mujhe kitni der se dekh rahe ho?"
Rahul acted confused.
Rahul: "Maine kab dekha?"
She laughed.
Miss Khan: "Achha..."
She leaned slightly closer.
Miss Khan: "Jhooth mat bolo."
Then she smiled.
Miss Khan: "Tumne mujhe dekha toh koi baat nahi..."
Miss Khan: "Kam se kam meri tareef toh kar do."
Rahul scratched his head.
Rahul: "Ab main kya tareef karun?"
She pouted dramatically.
Miss Khan: "Kuch toh bolo na yaar."
Rahul only smiled.
She laughed again.
Miss Khan: "Bol na be..."
Rahul pretended to be shocked.
Rahul: "Beee...?"
She laughed even harder.
Miss Khan: "Bol na beee..."
Then she made a funny ghost sound.
Miss Khan: "Bhoo..."
Rahul quickly raised a finger.
Rahul: "Ruko, ruko..."
Rahul: "Gaali dena ladkiyon ko shobha nahi deta."
She giggled.
Miss Khan: "Okay..."
She smiled sweetly.
Miss Khan: "Babu..."
Miss Khan: "Meri tareef karo na."
Then she teased him.
Miss Khan: "Doston ke saath toh karte ho..."
"Woh ladki achhi hai..."
"Uska figure dekh..."
"Kya maal hai..."
"Huh!"
Rahul couldn't stop smiling anymore.
He finally looked directly into her eyes.
Rahul: "Babu..."
He paused for a moment.
Rahul: "Tumhari aankhen aisi hain..."
Rahul: "Jaise jheel."
Rahul: "Inmein doobne ka dil karta hai."
She listened quietly.
Rahul: "Tumhare hoth..."
Rahul: "Bilkul shahad jaise..."
Rahul: "Raseele."
A smile slowly spread across her face.
Rahul: "Tumhari gardan..."
Rahul: "Ekdum hiran jaisi."
He grinned.
Rahul: "Aur figure ka toh kya hi kehna..."
Before he could continue—
She immediately raised both hands.
Miss Khan: "Ruko, ruko..."
She laughed loudly.
Miss Khan: "Bas!"
Still laughing, she looked at him.
Miss Khan: "Wah..."
Miss Khan: "Kya flirting skills hain tumhari."
She smiled teasingly.
Miss Khan: "Kisi bhi ladki ko impress kar loge."
Rahul looked straight at her.
Rahul: "Tum hui kya?"
She smiled mischievously.
Miss Khan: "Maybe."
Both burst into laughter.
Rahul lifted his hand for a high-five.
Miss Khan immediately stepped back.
Miss Khan: "Don't touch me."
Then she smiled.
Miss Khan: "Chalo..."
Miss Khan: "Ab yahan se chalte hain."
Rahul nodded.
Rahul: "Chalo."
Evening Goodbye
By the time they reached the girls' PG, the sun had disappeared completely.
Streetlights had begun to glow across the roads.
They stopped outside the entrance.
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Rahul finally broke the silence.
Rahul: "Ab toh tumhara contact de do."
Miss Khan made an innocent face.
Miss Khan: "Main ye sab use nahi karti."
Rahul looked disappointed.
Rahul: "Phir hum baat kaise karenge?"
She smiled.
Miss Khan: "Kal..."
She pointed toward him.
Miss Khan: "Wahi milte hain."
Miss Khan: "Tumhari secret place pe."
Miss Khan: "2 baje."
Rahul's face brightened immediately.
Rahul: "Okay."
Miss Khan took a few steps toward the entrance.
Then she turned back one last time.
A playful smile appeared on her face.
Miss Khan: "Bye..."
She paused for effect.
Miss Khan: "Babu."
Rahul laughed.
Rahul: "Bye, Miss Khan."
She walked inside the PG.
Rahul stood there for a few moments, watching until she disappeared.
A quiet smile spread across his face.
Then he turned around and slowly walked back through the peaceful winter evening, already waiting for tomorrow.