Saisha's pov:

I woke up way before sunrise today. My alarm hadn't even buzzed yet, but I was already wide awake with excitement . I took a long breath, looked around our room, and smiled softly - I was going to miss it. I was going to miss him.

When we reached the pickup point, the tour bus was already filling up with the buzz of chattering students and teachers guiding everyone in. I looked back one last time and there he was, leaning against the car, arms folded, eyes on me like I was the most precious thing on earth.

I ran into his arms.

He wrapped me in a long, tight hug, and then gently pressed a kiss on my forehead. "Miss me, okay? But enjoy your trip."

"I will. But you—you better eat on time, sleep on time, and don't you dare overwork yourself!" I warned, tapping his chest.

He chuckled. "Bossy even when you're leaving me."

I gave him a playful glare and walked toward the bus, heart aching but excited.

______________________________________

The bus had barely left the college gates, and already the craziness had begun.

"Who brought the snacks?" Neha yelled from behind, half her body inside her bag like she was on a treasure hunt.

I turned and narrowed my eyes at Ankit. "You said you packed chips, right?"

He gave me a sheepish grin. "Umm... I did. But someone," he pointed to himself dramatically, "got hungry at 1 a.m."

Everyone groaned. Typical.

Soon the Bluetooth speaker was out, and our Bollywood playlist was on fire. The minute "Dil Chahta Hai" started playing, the whole bus was swaying like we were in some coming-of-age road trip film.

I smiled, leaning back into my seat, whispering to myself, "Miss you, Pranu..."

"Saiiiiii" Priya poked my arm. "You literally just left him. Don't start now."

I laughed. "What? A wife's heart is soft."

Neha chimed in, "Says the same girl who said 'Let's be wild and free this week!' before boarding the bus."

"Wild, yes," I said, holding up my phone. "But with good network so I can call my man three times a day."

Everyone laughed again, and I couldn't help but join them, my cheeks already aching from smiling so much.

Day 1,2: 

Delhi & Agra

Red Fort's massive sandstone walls loomed before us like history frozen in time. Qutub Minar's carvings were stunning. I clicked at least fifty photos. And India Gate? Standing there during sunset felt surreal.

And then... the Taj Mahal. I stared at it for minutes, forgetting the world. I clicked pictures, yes, but more than that—I took it in.

At the souvenir shop, I bought a tiny marble replica of the Taj. "For Pranu," I whispered. "So he knows I thought of him every step."

Day 3,4 

 Shimla

The train ride up the hills was magical-green valleys, tunnels, tiny stations. In Shimla, we walked down Mall Road, had momos, laughed until our sides hurt.

At a quaint little store, I found a hand-knit woolen muffler. I imagined pranu wearing it while editing photos in our cold studio room.

"Perfect for my man," I whispered and bought it.

And now we are all assembled for the bonfire night.

Wrapped in my shawl, legs tucked under me, I stared into the bonfire. The warmth of the flames, the distant chill in the air, and the constant giggles around me made everything feel... surreal.

Rohit started another ghost story. "So, the Ridge of Shimla is haunted by a spirit who searches for a lost DSLR..."

"Oh for heaven's sake, not the Ridge story again!" I burst out laughing, holding my hot chocolate tightly.

Everyone cracked up.

Then Priya turned to me with a mischievous smile. "Come on, tell us something sweet about your husband. Something we don't know."

I bit my lip. "Well... One time, I had a fever. Nothing major. But he canceled his entire shoot just to stay home with me. Made soup - it tasted horrible," I giggled, "but I still drank it because he tried."

"AWWWW," everyone chorused, making  noises. I threw a marshmallow at them.

Priya leaned against me. "You guys are actually perfect. Like couple-goals perfect."

I just smiled, my cheeks warm , and not just from the fire.

Mall Road Shopping – Day 4

"Saishaaa!" Neha groaned as I picked up a third keychain. "You've already bought a scarf and a wooden pen for your dear hubby. Buy something for yourself now!"

I turned the tiny snow globe in my hand. Inside, there was a miniature couple sitting on a bench with a snow-capped mountain in the background.

"I am buying this one for me," I said softly. "So I can remember this trip... and how much I missed him, even while having fun."

They all paused, surprised. Then Neha gave me a side hug. "That was so sweet, I think I'm going to take you as an inspiration for my non existent romantic life ."

We all giggled and headed to the next shop.

Day 5

 Rishikesh

The Ganga was cold. Like, freezing-your-soul cold. All of us girls stood at the edge of the river, holding hands like we were going to jump into snow.

"One... two... THREE!"

Splash.

Screams. Laughs. Water in my nose.

But oh, it felt alive.

We dunked, we danced, we prayed. And when I sat on the steps later, wrapped in a towel, hair wet and heart full — I just watched the river flow and the priests preparing for aarti.

Priya plopped down beside me. "You know you've been glowing lately?"

I smiled. "Ganga water does that."

She rolled her eyes. "No. Love does that."

And maybe... just maybe... she was right.

We dipped our feet into the cold Ganges and watched the evening aarti. Diyas floating down the river... it felt like peaceful.

I bought him a handcrafted small shiva idol.

Day 6,7:

Haridwar
The boat ride on the Ganga was calm. We sat in silence, letting the moment seep in. The ancient temples had a sacred stillness about them.

I found a textile shop and brought embroided kurta for him,it would be perfect for him I thought.

Throughout the trip, we had calls every day.

"Did you eat?"
"Yes, and I scolded the waiter for serving me cold rice. Happy?"
"Very."

"Look at this video of my friends dancing at the temple steps!"
"Why are you not dancing?"
"I'm the photographer, duh!"

He chuckled. "Come home soon, madam . I miss my sukoon."

"Aww,you are being cheesy you know",i replied trying to hide the butterflies in my belly and blush on my cheek.

Pranu's pov:

Five days.
Five. Freaking. Days.

It's torture.
I mean... yeah, she's just away for a week. But when you've built your world around someone, a week feels like being in an unknown place.

She calls me three times a day, and every time she hangs up, I'm left staring at the silent phone, wanting more.

She tells me about the places, her friends, the food, the silly jokes. I laugh with her. I act fine.

But inside?

I'm empty.

Nights are the worst. I lie in bed, hugging her pillow like a lifeline, trying to find a trace of her warmth, her scent, her presence.

And tonight... I couldn't sleep. Again.

So I pulled out our shared album project. I've been adding photos, writing little notes, captioning moments.

As I did, I kept wondering ,how did I live without her before marriage?

Was I really living?
Or just surviving?

She used to be this bubbly tornado who barged into my quiet life, annoying me, arguing with me, showing up late, misplacing things...

And now?

She's the woman I wait for. The one whose absence feels like someone pressed a pause button in my life.

I think...

No , I know.

I'm in love with her.

Not the poetic kind. Not the filmy kind. The real kind. The kind that feels like home. The kind that makes me want to be better, softer, more.

Two more days.
Just two more.

I whispered that to myself and closed my eyes, still curled around her pillow.

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