As Prashanth drove towards Madurai, the gentle hum of the car mirrored the growing comfort between them. There was a quiet excitement within him—not just for the birthday celebration, but for the opportunity to bridge the gap that had quietly formed between them. Along the way, they reflected on their journey together, laughing at the misunderstandings that once seemed so significant, now just part of the past they'd left behind.

"I hated you for being so nonchalant when you bumped into me," Lathika said, the words light but carrying the weight of the memory. The road ahead was lined with the colours of the festival—small shops selling fancy hanging lights and garlands of flowers, the familiar sights of their hometown.

"Well, honestly, you were literally standing in the way, and I, of course, did not see you," Prashanth grinned, recalling their first meeting at the airport, where irritation had been their first connection.

"Yeah, right," Lathika rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. The road stretched out before them, smooth and straight, just like the time that had passed. "Remember how you dismissed all of my ideas for the event, simply because you wanted everything to be extravagant? What was it? Fireworks? A celebrity appearance?"

Prashanth chuckled, the memory a bittersweet reminder of how their first collaboration had nearly become a disaster. "Well, again, we needed to make an impression. Not just another Deepavali party. But hey, we found a common ground, didn't we?"

The playful banter between them felt easy now, comfortable. It was hard to believe how much had changed in just over a year. From strangers who had almost clashed in a crowded airport to partners now, standing together in the warmth of their families.

As Lathika's house came into view, the emotions from the day started to settle, replaced by the excitement of being with family. The house was already filled with laughter and chatter as they pulled into the driveway. Their grandmothers were delighted to see them, their faces lighting up as they embraced the couple, the love between them palpable. Prashanth's grandmother, father, and brother had already arrived to join the celebration.

The dinner was a lively affair, with both families and extended ones gathered around the large table, a medley of voices filling the air as stories from their childhoods and their early days together were shared.

Despite the underlying tension from the recent months—the distance, the absences, the miscommunications—the evening was filled with light-hearted moments. Lathika and Prashanth found themselves laughing together, surrounded by family, the weight of their worries momentarily lifted by the warmth and love surrounding them. The grandmothers fussed over them, offering plates of sweets and snacks, their gestures a reminder of how much had changed, yet how much remained the same.

❁ ❁ ❁

The night was alive with laughter and the sounds of celebration as the party vibe filled the house with warmth. Prashanth found himself sitting with his younger brother, Prasad, on the balcony, watching a distant colourful fireworks bloom in the sky. The air was thick with the scent of incense and sweets added to the lively atmosphere.

Prasad leaned back in his chair, holding a plate of sweets. "So, how's married life been, bro? Same old flying routine or have you come to a settlement with your love for sky?" he asked with a grin, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Prashanth smiled, adjusting his position. "Yeah, pretty much the same. Long haul flights, short layovers... But it's been a bit different lately, with everything that's been going on at home." He paused, feeling the weight of it all. "You know, it's been hard balancing everything. Between the flights, the house, and... well, Lathika."

"What's the issue?"

"It's just... I don't know how to really help her sometimes. She needs someone to talk to, but I just feel like I'm not offering enough." Prashanth's shoulder sagged.

Prasad glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. "What do you mean by 'not offering enough'?"

Prashanth let out a frustrated sigh. "She tells me everything that's bothering her, but she doesn't want me to fix it. She just wants me to listen. And I'm trying, but sometimes it feels like listening isn't enough. Like she needs a solution or some kind of direction, you know?"

Prasad tried to process the situation and leaned forward, looking at his brother seriously. "I get it. It's tough. But here's the thing—sometimes people just need someone who's there. Not for advice or solutions, but just to be a sounding board. You're trying to be the problem-solver, but maybe what she needs is just your presence, your attention. You don't have to fix everything. Just listen, and let her vent. You're already doing more than you think by showing up."

Prashanth looked at his brother, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "So, just listening... that's enough?"

"Yeah, man. It sounds simple, but it's huge. Sometimes, people just need to know they're heard. You don't always need to offer a solution. Just be there, and that makes a difference."

Prashanth leaned back in his chair, the fireworks lighting up the night sky in bursts of colour. His mind fought a little with Prasad's reasoning but, the doubts slowly unravelling as he processed what his brother had said.

Just then, a loud cheer erupted from the house as fireworks shot into the sky, crackling and lighting up the darkness. The whole family gathered outside to witness the spectacle, and soon, everyone was hooting and cheering. Music continued to blast in the house as the brothers headed downstairs to join the rest of the family.

Prashanth searched for Lathika amidst the crowded house, his heart beating a little faster with each room he checked. It wasn't like her to be missing for long, but tonight had been different, the weight of unspoken tension hanging in the air. He scurried down the stairs, checked the veranda, and the living room—but she was nowhere to be found. He made his way back up the stairs to the mezzanine floor, where a large window overlooked the wide paddy fields beyond, the soft moonlight casting a quiet glow over everything. There, perched on the windowsill, was Lathika, her back to him as she gazed into the distance and a half glass of orange juice sat next to her.

"You're here?" His voice broke the silence, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

She turned to face him, a smile slowly curling at the corners of her lips. It was soft, warm—just enough to pull at him. That smile, it was like a magnet. A smile that, somehow, told him she wasn't mad anymore. She hadn't forgiven him completely, but for that moment, it felt like a quiet truce.

Prashanth took a few steps forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, it is," Lathika replied, her voice calm but with a slight tremor beneath it, a remnant of the storm they'd just weathered. Her hand reached for the glass as she took a big gulp of it.

Before Prashanth could further converse, his father's voice called from below, echoing up the stairs. "Excuse me, dears. I'm going to the terrace," his father said with a sheepish smile, footsteps fading as he moved away.

"Yeah, have fun," Prashanth called back, turning his focus back to Lathika. She smiled warmly at him, her eyes reflecting the soft light from the room.

"I'm sorry... for all months of absences," he said, his voice gentle but full of meaning. It wasn't just about the words—it was the space between them, that unspoken bridge, the longing that had started to wane. It had been a long few weeks, and though the tension hadn't fully dissolved, it felt like they were close to something new.

Lathika's smile widened, the relief in her eyes making his heart swell. "I'll forgive you this time," she responded, stepping closer to him.

They embraced, the warmth of her body anchoring him in a way he didn't realize he needed. The distance of the past months had been hard on both of them, but for a few seconds, everything felt right. They held onto each other, the world around them fading to the background, as if they were the only two people in the universe.

"So, we good now?" His voice was soft, a quiet question that lingered in the air.

Lathika lifted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes shining with something he couldn't quite place. "For now, yes," she said, her voice holding a bit of that teasing edge she often used when she was feeling playful. "But if you start again once we're back, we'll be at square one."

Prashanth's heart raced at the closeness, the heat of her words mixing with the hunger he had kept at bay for far too long. He felt the ache, the deep longing to close the gap between them, to kiss her the way he had been wanting to for months. But he stayed still, locked in her gaze, feeling every second of their reunion.

They had been apart too often, too many times. Prashanth realized that the space between them had been more than physical distance—it was the space between their hearts. But tonight, something shifted. The air felt charged with the promise of something new, a step forward.

His mind was clouded and the house was crowded. He reached for her hand, gripping it gently, before guiding her towards the stairs. He had to do something—he had to close that distance. His mind hazy, heart thundering, but before he could reach their bedroom, a voice called from the hallway.

"Lathika, don't forget, we're going to the temple tomorrow," her cousin reminded her, standing just out of view.

"Yes, yes, I remember," Lathika called back, but before she could finish, Prashanth couldn't hold back anymore. He pulled her into the room, pinning her against the door.

The next moment, their lips collided in a heated, desperate kiss, the intensity growing with every second. A kiss that was everything he had been holding back for months. His hand cupped her face, tilting it to deepen the kiss as his other hand slid to her neck, gently pulling her closer. Lathika's soft whimpers filled the air, her breath hot against his lips as his mouth trailed down her jaw to her neck.

His hand gently wrapped around her neck, his thumb brushing her skin, sending shivers through her. But as the intensity of their kiss grew, Lathika's hands pushed at his chest.

"No more than this," she said, her voice barely a whisper, but enough to break through the haze of passion. Her eyes met his, dark and intense, full of warnings and desire.

"Stop me again, and I'll forget there's a limit for me," he growled, the challenge burning in his chest.

Lathika's eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and defiance. "As if I'll let you," she countered, breathing heavily.

"Should I take it as a challenge, then?" he asked, a playful yet hungry glint in his eyes.

Prashanth's pulse raced as his body ached with want. He could feel the heat rising again, his control slipping. But then she spoke again, her words a quiet command that he knew he had to follow.

"You should take my words as an order, even if you're tempted," she teased, her smirk daring him to defy her, pushing him off her playfully.

Her words were clear, and Prashanth knew he had to respect them, but the hunger in him, the craving for her touch, was undeniable. "You could be the death of me, Lathika," he murmured, pulling her back into his arms, wrapping her tightly within his embrace.

"I'll keep to my limits," he promised, his voice low, a tension running through his body as his desire fought against restraint. Her eyes, however, still seemed to beckon him, urging him closer. "But stop me again and I'll forget about the limit."

Lathika laughed and he took her mouth in his again, muffling the laughter than turned to moaning. It's a sound he liked to hear and it's a sound he seldom heard. And that drove him crazy.

Their lips moved in rhythm, this time with even more fervour, as they moved slowly across the room, lost in each other. The kiss continued, deep and slow, until finally, Prashanth pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers.

"When we get back home," he said softly, his breath warm against her skin, "I'll try to fix my schedule with proper breaks... But I'm not yet a senior pilot, so I hope you understand... I'll still have to take the long-haul flights, okay?" His words were tender, almost apologetic, as he made sure she understood. His job, just like hers, demanded his attention.

Lathika's eyes softened, and her hands moved up to touch his chest. "I understand although I don't want to," she said softly, her voice filled with vulnerability.

❁ ❁ ❁

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