The highway stretched out before them like a dusty ribbon, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and gold.

Vansh gripped the steering wheel, a determined set to his jaw.

He stole a glance at Ridhima, nestled beside him in the passenger seat.

The familiar scent of jasmine that clung to her hair brought a wave of comfort, but the shadows lurking in her eyes remained.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked gently, his voice barely a whisper above the hum of the engine. "We could have flown, you know. It would have been much faster."

Ridhima offered him a wan smile. "Sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination, Vansh," she said, her voice soft. "Besides, I haven't been back to these roads in years. Maybe a trip down memory lane will help clear my head."

Vansh knew she was referring to her unspoken secret, the burden that weighed heavily on her.

He longed to know, to be her confidante, but he understood her hesitation. He squeezed her hand gently, offering silent support.

As they drove on, the familiar landscape unfolded before them.

Lush green fields gave way to arid plains dotted with acacia trees, their silhouettes stark against the fiery sky.

Vansh pointed out landmarks from his childhood - the sprawling banyan tree where he used to play cricket, the rickety bridge he dared to cross as a teenager. Ridhima listened intently, a small smile gracing her lips as he reminisced.

The air crackled with a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the occasional honk of a passing truck or the rustle of wind through the dry grass. Vansh could feel the tension slowly easing from Ridhima's shoulders.

Perhaps, he thought, the open road, the vastness of the countryside, offered a sense of freedom, a space to breathe and maybe even confide.

As dusk settled, casting long shadows across the land, they decided to stop for the night at a small roadside dhaba. The flickering lights and the aroma of freshly cooked food offered a warm welcome. They settled at a rickety table, the worn wooden surface etched with countless stories of travelers who had passed this way.

Over steaming cups of chai and a simple meal of dal and roti, Vansh regaled Ridhima with tales of his childhood adventures. He spoke of mischievous escapades with friends, stern reprimands from his father, and the quiet joy of stargazing under the vast, unpolluted sky.

Ridhima listened, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

For a while, the weight of her secret seemed to fade into the background. The warmth of the dhaba, the gentle clinking of their cups, the shared laughter - it was a small slice of normalcy, a reminder of the life they had built together.

But as the night deepened, and the only sound was the chirping of crickets, Vansh sensed a shift in Ridhima. Her smile faltered, replaced by a distant look. He knew the secret was still there, a heavy weight on her heart.

Taking a deep breath, Vansh reached across the table and grasped her hand. "Ridhima," he said, his voice steady, "whatever it is, you don't have to carry it alone. When you're ready, I'm here to listen, no judgment, just love and support."

Ridhima met his gaze, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and a flicker of hope.

Perhaps, just perhaps, the time to share her secret was drawing near.

The vastness of the open road, the shared journey, and Vansh's unwavering love were creating a space for vulnerability, a promise of a future they would face together, no matter the secret she held.

The warmth of Vansh's hand sent a comforting tingle through Ridhima. His words, spoken with such sincerity, ignited a flicker of courage within her. She knew she couldn't keep this secret bottled up any longer, not with Vansh by her side.

Taking a deep breath, she squeezed his hand back. "There's something you need to know, Vansh," she began, her voice barely a whisper. "Something I've been hiding for a long time."

Vansh leaned closer, his eyes searching hers. "Tell me everything, Ridhima. Whatever it is, we can face it together."
Taking another deep breath, Ridhima began to speak.

She spoke of the events that transpired before she met Vansh, a truth that had haunted her ever since. Her voice trembled as she revealed the details, the pain and fear she had carried for so long.

Vansh listened intently, his expression unreadable. As Ridhima finished, a heavy silence settled over the table.

The clinking of their earlier laughter seemed like a distant memory replaced by the weight of her confession.

Ridhima braced herself for his reaction, fearing judgment or rejection. But when Vansh finally spoke, his voice was laced with understanding and tenderness.

"Ridhima," he said, his gaze unwavering, "that must have been incredibly difficult for you. I can't even begin to imagine the pain you've carried all this time."

A single tear escaped her eye, tracing a path down her cheek.

Relief and gratitude washed over her, a stark contrast to the fear she had anticipated.

Vansh reached out and gently wiped away the tear with his thumb. "Thank you for trusting me, Ridhima," he continued, his voice low and sincere. "Sharing your secret shows me the incredible strength you possess."

Ridhima felt a wave of warmth bloom in her chest. The burden of the secret, which had felt like a crushing weight, began to lift.

Vansh's acceptance, his unwavering love, was a balm to her soul.

"I was so scared, Vansh," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of losing you, of what you might think."

Vansh pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms a haven of comfort. "You could never lose me, Ridhima," he murmured against her hair. "My love for you is stronger than anything. We'll face this together, just like we face everything else."

As they held each other close, a silent vow passed between them.

No matter the challenges that lay ahead, their love and trust would be their guiding light. The secret, once a source of isolation, had become a catalyst for a deeper connection, a testament to the strength of their bond.

The journey continued the next day, the road stretching out before them like a ribbon of hope.

The landscape remained the same, but something had shifted within them.

They were no longer just two people traveling home; they were a united force, ready to face whatever awaited them.

Ridhima, with the weight of her secret lifted, could finally see a future filled with love, trust, and the unwavering support of the man she loved.

They were heading home, not just to a physical location, but to a future they would build together, brick by brick, their love the mortar that held it all together.

So that's it for today.

Also, I have seen that votes are really less in comparison to the reads.

Please don't do this.

Vote kro , te read kro , te dostan nu share kro .