Sakshi withdrew her hand with a flushed face. Her eyes didn't his when she said, "Sorry, it happened so fast."

Ayush pressed a smile and tried to sound normal despite his own raging pulse. "It's alright."

With a half-smile, she nodded and focused her eyes in the other direction for the rest of the ride. Vinnati peeked from behind and raised an eyebrow at Ayush mouthing 'what happened?'. He pushed the corner of his lips down and shrugged. She frowned and leaned back, shuffling her gaze between Ayush and Sakshi. When the ride came to an end, they hobbled out to the main gate, panting and reeling in excitement and embarrassment.

"Man, that was one thrilling ride!" Vinnati said.

"Yeah, for sure," Ayush said, facing Sakshi.

She crossed her arms and lowered her gaze. After a while, looked at him with weary eyes. "I'm sorry I ruined everything."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am such a scaredy-cat."

"Please don't say that. All of us get scared at some point, especially when trying something new."

"I went overboard."

"You didn't. I admire you . . ."

She gasped. "What?"

"I- I admire your courage. You're scared of heights, but you were bold enough to face your fears."

"You're saying this to make me feel better."

He stopped in his tracks and stared into her eyes. "It's the truth, Sakshi."

They walked to Vinnati's stall without another word. The realisation hit Ayush that they were about to part ways. He wished to linger a little longer and bask in her mellifluous voice. Jamming his restless fingers into his pocket, he scoured his mind for an idea to stop her.

"Sakshi, would you like to see Chirag again? Also, maybe purchase something from his father's stall?" He asked, crossing his fingers inside his pocket hoping she would agree.

A faint light twinkles in her brown irises. She shot a glance at Vinnati, and the latter gave a subtle, approving nod. With a pleased grin, she moved closer to him.

"I'd love to."

He exhaled a long sigh of relief.

"You two carry on. I have some work at the stall," Vinnati said and nudged Sakshi with a grin before she left. For the first time, he was alone with her in the hundreds of unknown faces. Though they were still virtually strangers, he found a glow of warmth by her side.

"Let's go, Ayush," she said.

"Sure."

He escorted her through the jostling multitudes, keeping a protective watch every now and then. On the way, a giant muddy puddle brimming with rainwater hindered their path. He hopped ahead first and he reached out to her, beckoning her to hold his hand. She stared for a second and slowly grasped it. His rough fingertips brushed against her warm palm. Her velvety fingers intertwined with his firm ones. Steadying his mad heart, he gently pulled her to the other side.

"Thank you," she whispered in an airy voice that knocked the breath out of his lungs. How could she be so tender yet affect him so much?

"My pleasure," he said, reluctantly letting go of her hand.

When they neared the stall, Gaurav waved to a customer while slipping a bunch of Rupee notes into his pocket. "Thank you, Sir. Visit again!"

"Made your first sale, Bhai?" Ayush asked.

"Third, actually." Gaurav turned, and his lips shaped into a beaming smile seeing Sakshi.

"Meet Sakshi. She was the person who helped Chirag and me."

"Namaste, Sakshiji. I'm Gaurav. Thank you very much for your help."

"Most welcome, Bhaisaab," she said and fondly stroked Chirag's hair.

"Do you like wooden jewellery, Sakshi?" Ayush asked.

"I haven't tried it before, but I'd love to!"

Ayush nodded and leaned on the table. "Bhai, can you show Sakshi your best jewellery collection?"

"Sure, sure. Sit down, Sakshiji." He put a plastic chair outside.

"Ayush, why don't you sit?" she asked.

"I'm alright, you have a seat."

She smoothed her salwar and sat down, kicking off her footwear. "Thank you. My feet were killing me! I shouldn't have worn these tight sandals."

"Where will I sit?!" Chirag shouted.

"Stand for a while, nothing will happen," Gaurav said as he placed trays with bangles and earrings on the front table.

"Poor child! Let him sit, Bhaisaab," Sakshi said.

"Don't worry about him, Sakshiji. This lazy lump has been sitting all morning."

Despite his words, Sakshi perched Chirag on her lap and squeezed his cheeks. "He's so cute."

"Not cute! Mumma said I'm handmade," Chirag said.

"You mean handsome?!" She burst out laughing. It sounded like glass leaves clinking in the wind, more breathtaking than all the melodies Ayush had composed. Her face was pure and welcoming like the full moon. For a moment, he felt like two innocent children were occupying the chair.

"These are our best-selling Kalamkari bangles." Gaurav hung an olive green pair on his index finger and placed it in front of Sakshi.

"Amazing! I heard they are made with natural colours," Sakshi said.

"You're absolutely right. We use pure plant dyes and every single piece is hand-painted. There are various designs as well."

He opened a three shelved maroon box lined with bangles of unique shades and exquisite designs. Her pupils widened and she traced her finger over them. Inclining her brows, she pressed her lower lip between her teeth.

"All of these are so pretty. Which one do I choose?"

A dozen of cherry red bangles captivated Ayush. It was painted with gold leaves and flowers, and the corners were rimmed with glittering white stones. It would look amazing on her hand, he thought. Just as he reached out to it, Sakshi did so at the same time, making their fingers brush again. She smiled with her pearly teeth and raised her shoulders.

"You too like this one?" she asked.

"I think it will look beautiful on you."

Slipping the bangles on her slender wrist, she shook her fist in the air. "How is it?"

He glimpsed at the bangles and then at her eyes. "Very beautiful."

A shade of scarlet stained her cheeks and turned to Gaurav. "Bhaisaab, please pack this one. How much is it?"

"It's usually two hundred rupees, but since you're our friend now, you can have it for one hundred," Gaurav said, passing a grin at Ayush.

"Arrey, nahi, I'll pay two hundred. I know a lot of work goes into handmade pieces."

"Like Chirag?" Ayush said.

"Haha, good one, Ayush!" She said and placed a two thousand Rupees note on the table. "Do you have change, Bhaisaab?"

"I'm afraid no. Ayush, get us some snacks from that man over there. He has change all the time."

"Alright, Bhai."

Gaurav gave him two thousand from his wallet. "Onion samosas for me, and jalebis for Chirag."

"What will you have, Sakshi?" Ayush asked. It was his style of inviting her to join them.

"I'll have samosas," she said.

"Done."

Sprinting to the stall, he waited in line with his hands folded over his chest. He craned his neck and gazed at her playing rock paper scissors with Chirag and covering her mouth in laughter. He was not the only one stealing glances. Moments later, she glimpsed at him and quickly stared away when their eyes met. When his turn arrived, he purchased steaming hot snacks and the man packed them in a polythene cover, providing ample change as well.

He returned to the stall. "You were right, Bhai. Here's your change."

"Thank you, Ayush. Here's your chutta, Sakshiji."

She slipped the bangles and money into her handbag. "Thanks, Bhaisaab."

"Now, let's have some snacks," Gaurav said, rubbing his palms and licking his lips.

Sakshi bit her cheeks trying not to laugh at his gesture. They opened the cover and dug into the crispy hot samosas and juicy jalebis. Sakshi passed a jalebi to Chirag.

"Careful, it's hot," she said.

Ayush bit into a samosa and relished crunchy onion-and-pea stuffing doused in tangy tamarind sauce. Sakshi's carefree way of nibbling the food swept him off his feet. He recalled his father's words that when you're attracted to someone, every little thing they do seems beautiful. It sounded cliche but true in his case. Her eyes twinkled in mischief when she diverted Chirag to a balloon vendor and sneaked a bite from his jalebi. She covered her face when she found Ayush smirking at what she had done. He had known her for a couple of hours, but she put him at ease like a long lost friend.

"Did you tell Sakshiji about your music?" Gaurav asked out of the blue, making Ayush nearly choke on his samosa.

His mouth dropped in agony. He was an amateur musician with dreams that didn't work in the real world. Sakshi would crack up hearing his half-baked melodies. Why did have to Gaurav bring that up?

"You're a musician?" Sakshi asked, cementing his fears.

"Not really—"

"He's being modest. He's a seasoned musician and singer," Gaurav said.

"Ayush Bhaiyya sings more nicely than the radio," Chirag said.

Sakshi's face brightened. "Wow, then I must hear it!"

"It's not very good."

"Please . . ."

He couldn't break her hopes. "Alright, I have a few recorded on my phone, but I don't have headphones."

"I brought mine." Gaurav rummaged through his duffel bag and fetched a pair of tangled earphones. She plugged in the earphones and connected them to Ayush's phone.

"It's an old song of Kumar Sanu called Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye."

"It's one of my favourites!" she said.

His worry doubled as his thumb hit the play button. Sakshi closed her eyes and sat without a movement. After a minute, she rhythmically strummed her fingers on the table, swaying her head like a flower with a serene expression. The tension in Ayush's muscles and joints slowly drained. He looked at Gaurav winked at him with a thumbs up, and he bit his tongue in response.

"This is so . . . precious," she said. His eyes brimmed with excitement at her words, but it was too good to be true.

"It's not that nice."

"It is absolutely beautiful. You have a soulful voice. If you hold concerts, they'll be a massive hit," she said.

He felt giddy. Was his brain conjuring up words?

"What you said is very true, Sakshiji. But Ayush is scared of singing live in front of others," Gaurav said.

Ayush glared in disbelief at his friend. He had no idea why Gaurav was bent on embarrassing him in front of his crush.

"You should practice singing in front of someone like me . . . or maybe even Sakshiji."

"Bhaisaab is right. If you sing to of us, you'll feel confident about singing ahead of a larger audience," she said.

From the corner of his eye, looked at Gaurav smirking. He was trying to get him and Sakshi together again and Sakshi was smartly playing along well. Suppressing the eagerness soaring in his blood, Ayush curtly nodded.

"That's a great idea," he said.

"When can you sing for us?" Gaurav asked.

"Sakshi, when will you be free?"

"I'm free on Saturday evening."

"Perfect! I work half a day on Saturdays, so I can make it. And the place?"

"Where do you live?" she asked.

"Near Pravisht street, South Sonambar. Gaurav Bhai also lives nearby," he said.

"Then why don't we meet at the park near Lehak river?"

"Great choice!" Ayush said.

"That'll be good," Gaurav said.

"Then it's done. We'll meet at 5 PM at the Lehak river park," Ayush said. His body was overflowing with adrenaline. A musical evening with his crush by the majestic Lehak river. What more could he ask for?

Sakshi's phone buzzed with a message. A loud gasp escaped her lips. She leaped to her feet, wore her sandals, and grabbed her handbag. "It's time for me to go."

"So soon?" Ayush blurted though he didn't want to.

With a regretful smile, she nodded at him.

"Ayush, give Sakshiji your number. How will she inform you if there's any change of plans on Saturday?" Gaurav said.

Ayush had a sudden urge to give him a bone-crushing hug. How was his head filled with such amazing tricks? No wonder Gaurav had effortlessly impressed and married his childhood sweetheart, Maanya.

"Ayush? Ayush?" Sakshi waved her hand.

"Huh?"

"I was asking you to share the number."

"Oh, sorry. The number is 98971xxxxx."

"Done! Thank you, Bhaisaab, Chirag . .

. and Ayush. I'm looking forward to Saturday."

"So are we. Especially Ayush. Bye!" Gaurav said.

"Take care, Sakshi," Ayush said, his face clouded with longing.

"You too," she said and disappeared from his sight, merging into the sea of people.

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