𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐞

|60| Chapter

"Aaannn," I whined as he still kept his hands on my eyes. Today morning we landed in Paris, and I didn't waste any time resting. I pulled Aan out to the streets and went shopping, roaming around the city of love.

It felt nice to be back at the place where it all started. Now Aan is taking me to some place as he said it's a surprise dinner spot. I already know that he's taking me to the Eiffel Tower; like dude, I have known him for eternity.

He said, "Just a few steps, vie." After a few seconds, he stopped at a place and said, "Okay, here we are." He removed his hand and said, "Okay, you can open your eyes." I slowly opened my eyes, and damn, this place was decorated just the same as our first date.

I looked back, smiling wide, "Aaannn, this is...!" He smiled, nodding at me, and pulled a chair for me to sit. I gladly sat, and this time he said, "Come on, clap." I gave him a look, "Seriously?" but clapped anyway.

Soon, a waiter came and bowed to me, making me feel like I'm in some movie. Aan said, "Just get us everything I told you to prepare." The waiter nodded and went back.

Aan asked, "Happy?" I nodded like a madwoman. Soon, all the dishes were served, and biryani?? Is that biryani? He remembered?

He said, "I remember everything about you, baby. Now come on, eat." How did he know what I was thinking? I shrugged because then again it is a lifetime's relationship of ours, I digged into my favorite.

Soon, dinner finished, and the table was taken away. Aan spread a blanket, and we both sat on that, enjoying the view. I can never get enough of the Eiffel Tower. I looked at Aan as he was looking at me, adoring and love clear in his eyes.

I asked, "What?" He said, "I lobe you, Vie." I smiled, warmth spreading in my stomach.

I said, "Aan, you know something? I've never been fond of clichés. One of the most repeated of those has been the lore of the journey being more beautiful than the destination. Bullshit. My life's journey has never been beautiful, and you know it."

"We met when I was a bitter, battered, bewildered soul. Angry at the world, angry at myself. But you saw past all that, didn't you? You figured I was not just angry. I was scared. Scared of the world, frightened at how I had been abandoned."

"And you sheltered me. With your jokes, your laughs, your kindness. When I shied away from everyone else, imagining myself to be a misfit, you broke the ice. Of conversations and of my heart."

"You didn't make me feel crazy for writing letters, you wrote back. Your little hearts made my heart flutter. I had always been scared of opening up. The scars on my spirit are witness to what usually happened when I opened up. Friends left. Family abused. Fate faltered."

"So it was a very weird feeling when I felt myself being drawn to you. I ran from a lot of texts and calls, but waited for my phone to ring because you said you'd wake me up. I detested being emotional around people, but you made me babble till I couldn't stop."

"In my journey, I've met a lot of people, Aan. And I've met a lot of disappointments. But then I met you, on one of the coldest, darkest nights, and you hugged me under that red blanket, and I knew. That warmth felt different. It felt safe. It felt nice. It felt like home."

"I have always loved music, but your laugh feels like a melody I've never heard. I've always loved reading, but your letters and messages were a language I had never experienced. I've always enjoyed proximity, but being in your presence is a love language I can't translate. I'm glad I found you, Aan. It feels like I have returned to my true home."

He didn't say anything but kept staring at me. I shook him a little, and he bent forward and gave me a kiss on my shoulder and hugged me, saying, "I am happy that you found me again, love."