Me: So, what's keeping you up tonight?

I read it twice, smirked at how awkward it sounded, then hit send before I could talk myself out. The 'typing...' bubble appeared.

Ritu: That dumb notification chime. It just hit me I hadn't saved your number yet.

Me: Not saved? I think my ego just fainted.

Ritu: Just relax, lol. Done. I saved it now.

Me: You better! What'd you name me?

Ritu: Jacket Boy for now. What's mine?

Me: That's funny! Yours is Not Ghost Girl.

Ritu: Bold move, texting first. I was starting to think you'd chicken out.

Me: Chicken out? Wow, low expectations.

Ritu: I'm just being realistic. You know, most people wait a day before texting.

Me: Yeah, but 'most people' are boring. I didn't want to risk you forgetting me.

Ritu: Forget you? After what happened that night at the beach? Not a chance!

Me: You still remember that thing?

Ritu: You literally pulled me out of something I can't even think about without shivering. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't shown up.

Me: Hey... Don't go there. It's over now.

Ritu: I know. Sometimes it still hits me out of nowhere. Then I remember you yelling at those guys. God, you were so angry! I'd never seen anyone look like that before.

Me: I'm terrified. My legs were shaking so much I'm surprised I didn't run in circles.

Ritu: You actually fought them and fell.

Me: You're technically correct. I fell right after someone's fist helped me.

Ritu: You should not joke about this, Jaikar. You could have been seriously hurt.

Me: But you weren't. That's all I care.

Ritu: True. Still, I owe you big time.

There's a pause. The screen glowed faintly, casting blue light across the dark room.

Me: How about a coffee? Or, better a picnic? I know a riverbank, just outside our town. Its really quiet this time of the year.

Ritu: A picnic? Okay. That sounds fun.

Me: Hmm... Tomorrow evening then?

Ritu: Sounds perfect! Where exactly?

Me: Near stone bridge, past the outskirts.

Ritu: Nice place. Alright, what time?

Me: Sunset? Around six, I guess. Gives us enough light, but not too much sun.

Ritu: I can't wait. Goodnight, Jaiku.

Me: We'll meet there. Goodnight, Ritu.

The morning sunlight crawled lazily through my window. The hospital smell was finally fading from my skin, but the memory wasn't. Then my phone buzzed.

Ritu: Morning! Are we still on for today?

Me: Morning! Yes. I will pack some snacks. Hope you're ready for a little adventure.

Ritu: (typing...) Of course, I'm always ready for a little adventure with you. Let's go!

I caught myself smiling at the screen.

By late afternoon, the books on my desk had been thoroughly scrutinized, pages marked with notes and scribbles, my pen lying exhausted beside me. The questions that had seemed so impossible that morning felt almost friendly. For once, I actually felt like I knew what I was doing and that was a surprisingly nice change.

With one last look at the books on my desk, I stepped outside. The evening air felt cool against my skin, easing away the heat of the day. I swung a leg over the bike and turned the key, the soft rumble of the engine settling into a steady rhythm.

The narrow streets of town stretched out ahead, dimming under the orange glow of the setting sun. A few shop lights flickered on, and the smell of fried snacks drifted from a nearby stall. The ride was smooth as the tar road curved towards the outskirts.

When I reached the bridge, the view opened wide. Below, the river moved slowly, the surface catching bits of sky and clouds in its reflection. I cut the engine and sat there, watching the water drift past.

My hands fidgeted with the keys, the anticipation thrumming in my veins. The soft crunch of pebbles underfoot made me glance up, and there she was. The late sun caught her hair just right, setting it aglow.

"Hey," I called, forcing my voice casual, though my chest felt like it might explode.

"Hey," she replied, a grin lighting up her face. "You're right! The river is beautiful."

The path we had chosen was a stretch of muddy water, swirling and shifting with the unseen currents beneath. Deep puddles scattered like traps, their murky depths cunningly concealing the hidden ruts. Every step forward felt like wading through uncertainty, a test to our resolve.

She misjudged a step, her foot sliding in the mud. I lunged instinctively, grabbing her by the waist just in time to steady her. Our bodies pressed together for a heartbeat, and the world seemed to shrink around.

"Whoa... careful there," I said, stepping back a little, trying to mask the situation.

She laughed nervously, brushing mud off her pants. "Thanks, Jaiku! I almost..."

"Almost what?" I asked, a little too casually, though my pulse hadn't slowed down a bit.

"Fell into the mud. Into... you," she admitted, cheeks tinged with pink.

I cleared my throat, looking anywhere but her eyes. "Right... I'm glad I was here then."

Her lips curved into a small, shy smile. "Me too... Though now my heart's still racing."

"Mine too," I said, and immediately regretted how honest that sounded. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to laugh it off. "Uh... not... that kind of racing."

She giggled. "Sure, Jaiku. Not that kind."

I set our picnic spot near a bend in the river where ducks floated lazily. We spread out the mat and unpacked sandwiches, chips, and some sweet treats she'd brought. She laughed as one bold duck waddled towards her, beady eyes on her sandwich.

We fed the ducks, tossing crumbs and giggling whenever they nudged too close. Then came the stones. Smooth, flat, ideal for skipping. We crouched near the water, laughing as our stones skittered across.

"Bet you can't skip that one three times," I challenged, picking up a small gray rock.

She smirked. "Watch and learn, Jaikar." Her stone bounced twice-three times.

"Wow, okay. That was impressive!"

We laughed tossing stones, walking along the riverbank, screaming like children. We continued like that, until the sky had draped itself in twilight. I suggested we pack up, walking side by side along the river's edge. My own laughter caught, brief and sharp, when one misthrown stone splashed water right onto my side.

"You okay?" she asked, concern in her eyes.

"Yeah... yeah," I said too quickly, waving it off. "It's just the cold water, that's all."

Her eyes narrowed, suspicious, but she didn't press. Instead, she reached out to steady me as I crouched to pick another stone. Her fingers brushed mine, and a quiet warmth shot through me. I tossed another stone, watching it skip twice before sinking into the river. She leaned closer.

"Jaikar! Your side," she said alarmingly.

I froze, caught between panic and the desire to stay calm. My stitches are bleeding! Oh, the doctor told me not to get wet for three days. I couldn't let her know.

The pain flared along my side, the fabric of my shirt clinging to the warm slickness of blood. Panic pressed against my ribs, sharp and choking but I drew in a slow breath.

"Ah... it's nothing," I said too quickly, forcing a laugh that came out more like a growl. "It's just... a scratch. Don't worry about it."

Her eyes narrowed, disbelief mingling with concern. "Just a scratch? That looks kind of serious. What... What happened to you?"

"I'm fine!" I barked, more than I intended. My stomach churned. I hated myself for the tone, but I had to get her out of here before she saw the bandage. "You don't worry."

"I'm not worried," she whispered, stepping closer, her voice trembling. "Let me help..."

I instinctively stepped back, the edge of my patience fraying. My hand brushed a wet stone, and suddenly all the careful control I'd been holding snapped. "I said I'm fine!" I shouted, my voice sharper than the wind.

Her face fell with hurt and confusion. "Jaikar... why are you behaving like this?"

I grit my teeth, glancing down at the stitches that had started bleeding even more with the movement. I felt my temper flare, not at her, but at the situation. I clenched my jaw. "You know what, this picnic wasn't such a good idea after all."

Her lips parted, surprise written all over her face. "Wait... what? Jaikar, don't..."

I threw another stone into the water, the splash echoing my frustration. "It's late, and this... all of this is getting out of hand."

Ritu blinked rapidly, fighting the tears gathering in her eyes. "Getting out of hand... Are you talking about me?"

I froze for a second, realizing how it sounded. I swallowed hard, hating myself for it. I clenched my fists at my sides. "It's not you, alright? It's this whole situation."

"Not me?" Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "Why does it feel like it's my fault? I just wanted to be with you."

"You think I don't want to be with you?"

She shook her head, refusing to meet my eyes. "You're the one pulling away, not me."

"Ritu, I'm sorry," I whispered. "Don't take this the wrong way. I need some space."

"Space? I thought we were having a good time." Her shoulders slumped as she turned towards the path leading back. "But if that's what you want, I'll gladly leave."

I swallowed hard, hating the distance between us. "Let me... drop you home."

She paused, not looking back. "Okay..."

I flinched as the words hit me, a knife twisting in my chest. We walked back to my bike in heavy silence. She climbed on behind me quietly. She sighed against my back, and for a moment the night felt impossibly heavy. The engine hummed beneath us, carrying us through the streets.

By the time we reached her alley, the moon had climbed higher, casting silver shadows across the narrow lane. She slipped off the bike, brushing sand from her shoes. She turned towards me, her eyes were still wet.

"Jaikar... I don't understand you," she whispered, her voice cracking just enough to pierce through the quiet. "Goodnight."

I gave her a small, tight-lipped smile, my heart aching already. "Goodnight, Ritu."

She started down the alley, pausing for a moment to glance back. "Be careful, okay?"

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "I will."

When she disappeared into the shadows, the silence didn't just settle, it tore through me. I wanted to call her name, to tell her I didn't mean half the things I said, that the other half came from the fear, not anger.

What power did words hold now? She was nothing but a shadow melting into the streetlight's glow, far beyond my reach.