Ayushman Singh was an alien to female attention. When he was twenty, his only girlfriend left him for the college captain. Five years later, as the last bachelor in his friends circle, he believed he would never find love.

Today, something changed within him. He sensed the kind girl's gaze lingering on him. Feeling self-conscious, he straightened his shoulders.

Though he moved ahead, his legs begged him to go back. He wished to stay a little longer and talk to her. Fighting the strong urge, he shielded Chirag through the swarms of people.

Far ahead, they reached an accessory stall with the board 'Gauranya Fancy Store'. Wooden handwork and vibrant jewellery were arranged on the table. An oily man in his late twenties waved at them.

“Papa!” Chirag waddled to his father like a duckling. With a fond smile, Gaurav took his son in his arms and settled him on the table.

He patted Ayush's shoulder. “Hope he didn’t trouble you.”

“Not at all, Bhai. How is Maanya Bhabhi?” he enquired about Gaurav's wife.

“She's down with fever. That's why I had to call you. Thanks for the help."

“What are friends for?”

"How is Uncle now?"

"Papa is improving. He has another checkup this week. Fifth time this month," Ayush said, fazed at the thought of his father's health.

"Worry not! He'll be alright."

"I hope so."

Ayush glanced at his wristwatch. He needed to purchase groceries for his father, then rush to work. His boss would crush him like a biscuit if he didn't submit the project. Still, his heart urged him to revisit the spice stall.

“Do you want some spices?" He asked baldly.

Gaurav raised an eyebrow. “Quite a weird offer. Where did that come from?"

Ayush bit his tongue in instant regret. “I . . . just asked."

“We saw a cute Didi at the masala shop!” Chirag shouted.

Gaurav grinned. “Now that’s the matter."

Ayush sighed and looked away.

“No need to hide it. Who's the girl?" Gaurav asked him.

His mind danced to the cosy spice shop. When he and Chirag were trapped in the rain, not one person bothered to help. Whereas Sakshi sheltered them, spoke kindly, and even offered him a towel.

She was beautiful by heart. Her deep eyes could inspire thousands of his songs. All her actions were sprinkled with grace and determination . . .

“Are you telling me or not?” Gaurav snapped his trance.

Weighing the pros and cons in his mind, Ayush decided to admit his instant crush. Filling his lungs with air, he spoke softly.

"Sakshi offered us shelter from the rain."

“Her name is already in your mind!"

He scratched his neck with a grin. "I want to thank her for the help."

"Didn't you thank her?"

"I feel like doing it again."

"Am I dreaming? Or is the shy and quiet Ayushman Singh interested in a girl?"

Heat tingled in his face. "You're making things awkward. Should I meet her or not?"

“As if you will listen to me in this matter," Gaurav said, smirking.

His body twitched with excitement. "I must be straightforward. I'll walk up to her and ask if we can be friends."

“Girls don't fall for creeps. At least most of them. Find a decent excuse to meet her.”

Ayush let out a wistful sigh. What decent excuse did he have? None. It would best to drop the idea, go home, and change into warm clothes . . .

"Clothes!" His eyes lit up as he jumped to his feet. “I left my jacket at the stall!”

“Now you're talking, my brother. All the best!” Gaurav said.

"I'm not writing an exam."

"This is more important," Gaurav said with a wink.

His chest twirled with excitement and fear. He jostled past the visitors and hawkers. His feet hurried to her like iron dragged by a magnet. Nearing his stall, his muscles stiffened. A stern man with a bushy white moustache sat in Sakshi's place.

Ayush peeked inside and around the stall. No sign of her. Not even her handbag.

“Namaste! Want to try our hundred percent pure and organic spices?" the man asked.

“Well . . . I left my jacket here."

"Right, my daughter's friend told me. Is this the one?” The man placed the jacket on the counter, neatly folded.

"Thanks very much," Ayush said.

All his hopes of meeting Sakshi crashed like a sandcastle in a storm. His heart turned heavy.

Tossing the jacket over his shoulders, he walked across the games section. Camels and horses draped in colourful blankets, balloon shooting boards, a toy train, and other joy rides. None of them brought him joy.

As he moved past the giant wheel, a sweet voice rang in the air.

"Chirag's guardian!"

It was her.

Standing by the long queue at the ticket counter, she waved at him to join her. Warmth spread through his body. With feather-light steps and lips curling in excitement, he sprinted to her.

Earlier in the shadowy stall, he didn't see her clearly. Now, in the soft morning light, she was ethereal. Like an accountant observing a balance sheet, he observed her features— dark kajal lining her eyes, a bright with pearly teeth, fading acne scars, loose tendrils of hair dangling out of her braid. Donning a silver-grey salwar, she appeared ethereal, like a cloud that strayed down to earth.

Standing in close proximity to her, his tongue refused to move. He managed a breathy whisper, "Sakshi."

“I saw your jacket only after you left. Good thing you came back," she said. A soothing rose fragrance permeated around her, refreshing his senses.

"Thanks for keeping it safe," he said.

"My pleasure. I guess Chirag is with his father."

"Yeah, finally."

"He seems to like you a lot," she said out of the blue.

"Not sure about that, but likes to trouble me," he said with a subtle laugh.

"If children feel comfortable around someone, they trust them to be a good person. It's a beautiful thing to gain a child's trust."

His features lightened with astonishment. "Never thought of it that way. So, what are you doing here?"

"My friend is buying tickets for the giant wheel ride. We will be going in the next round," she said, glancing at the giant wheel with a hunch.

"Sounds fun," he said.

"Would you like to join us?"

Despite the tempting offer, an alarm rang in his mind. If his boss or colleagues spotted him, a twenty-five-year-old grown man, riding on a tiny Ferris wheel, they would tease him for life. In the worst scenario, they might record a video and circulate it on the office team's WhatsApp group.

"No, thanks."

"Why not? It will be fun as you said. Please join us," she said, her words lassoing him closer.

All his worries siphoned out seeing her hopeful eyes. How could he refuse the girl who helped him?

Feeling obligated, he shook his head. "Alright, I'd like to join you."

Her hands clasped in delight. "I will tell Vini to get another ticket."

"How much for it?" He said, fetching his wallet.

"Don't worry about that."

"Think of it as a return for your timely help."

She smiled and clicked her tongue. "It was the least I could do. I don't want anything in return."

This human was full of surprises, he thought.

Racing to the ticket counter, she tilted her head toward a curly-haired girl. The girl swivelled her head, eyeballing Ayush. Breaking into a grin, she nodded. At Sakshi's beckoning, Ayush walked to the queue.

A lanky teen with harsh eyes lunged his arm in Ayush's path.

"Are you blind? Stand in line."

Ayush glared at him. "My friend is waiting ahead."

"Don't lie! I've seen many idiots like you using this lame excuse to. . ."

Sakshi cut through. "Mind your words! I am his friend and I'm way ahead of you in line."

The youth stepped back, crossing his arms. "How do I know?"

"Then don't spit words!"

"Ayy, don't lecture me."

"You're right. Nothing will go to your head anyway!"

"Get lost!"

"Same to you!"

Ayush's jaw dropped open. He didn't expect her to stand up on his behalf as a friend. They walked to the front of the line in silence. Biting her tongue sheepishly, she whirled around.

"I didn't ask your name," she said.

"I'm Ayushman Singh. You can call me Ayush."

"Nice name." She whispered underneath her breath.

The curly-haired girl joined them, brandishing three tickets.

"This is my friend Vinnati," Sakshi said.

"Hello, I'm Ayushman."

"Nice to meet you, Ayushman. So you're that handso—Ow!" Vinnati grimaced as Sakshi elbowed her ribs.

"What Vini is saying is that the ride will begin now," Sakshi said, scowling at her friend.

Ayush's heart pounded in his chest. He wished Sakshi hadn't silenced Vinanti. Had she told something about him the way he told Gaurav? Did she also feet a connect, an undeniable attraction toward him? He brushed off the thoughts and got into one of the Ferris wheel cabins. Sakshi and Vinnati settled in the seat opposite to him.

"Don't forget your seat guard," Sakshi told him, her animate expressions piercing his soul. He pulled the metal harness over his lap with a smile.

"You never cared to tell me this, Sakshi," Vinnati said.

"Because we're already wearing it."

Vinnati clicked her tongue and shrugged. "Whatever."

Just when the wheel was taking off, the ride manager approached them with three teenagers. He looked at Ayush and said, "Sir, can you shift to the other side. These kids have no place."

"Sure," Ayush said, his eyes shifting to the space beside Sakshi. The events of the day seemed to be conspiring to get him closer to her. Vinnati smirked at Sakshi while sliding to the corner. The latter conveniently ignored her and moved to the centre, nodding at Ayush to join her.

He swallowed hard and sat beside her gingerly. Their arms brushed together in the packed cabin, sending sparks throughout his body. She tucked loose wisps of hair behind her ear and gave a gentle smile.

"Do you have enough place?" she asked.

"More than enough." He lied.

As the ride started and the wheel moved, Sakshi knitted her brows and pursed her lips. The crinkles on her eyelids and nose reminded him of a frightened kitten.

"Are you okay, Sakshi?" he asked.

"I'm scared of heights, Ayush," she said out of the blue. It was the first time she uttered his name on her soft lips.

"Scared is an understatement- she's terrified of heights but I insisted that she try it once," Vinnati said.

Sakshi gave a slight nod. "Don't mind if I scream in mid-air, okay?"

Ayush chuckled. "Of course not."

"Thanks," she said and closed her eyes again.

Her face turned ashen as the wheel took off higher into the sky. When it neared the peak, she shut her eyes with her lips trembling.

"Look around, Sakshi. You can't miss this view!" Vinnati said, "Tell her, Ayushman."

"Sakshi," he said, trying to sound as calm as possible. "Open your eyes slowly. Nothing will happen . . . I promise."

She fluttered her eyes open, drawing deep breaths.

"You're safe between Vinnati and me. Enjoy the view."

Flinching for a moment, she looked around. Her worried frown melted into the most adorable smile he'd seen. A flock of birds swooped past them in the gentle breeze. They gazed at the entire fair drenched with vivid hues. Teeny tiny humans. Cars and bikes the size of toys. The golden skies crusted with clouds.

"Vini, there's your stall! See you dad busily arranging things," she said.

She was like a toddler filled with curiosity. "This is amazing, Ayush! We're so close to the clouds."

"See how much you've been missing," Vinnati said.

The sudden jerk of the wheel made her scream. She grabbed Ayush with one hand and Vinnati with the other. Her shaking fingers clenched his upper arm. Every nerve in his body tensed under her soft, cold touch. Tense lines formed on his forehead and slowly relaxed into a blissful smile. He didn't want this to end. Ever.

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