Chapter 46

The city slowly disappeared behind them.

Tall buildings faded into smaller roads.

Smaller roads faded into open land.

And eventually,
everything around them turned green.

Endless fields stretched beside the road like soft waves moving under sunlight.

Wildflowers bloomed near fences in little bursts of yellow, white, and purple.

Trees lined parts of the road, their leaves swaying lazily in the breeze coming through the slightly opened car windows.

Soft music played quietly in the background.

But honestly,
Zivah barely paid attention to it.

Because every few seconds she kept glancing toward Eraya.

And every single time,
Eraya looked more mesmerized.

Her eyes were fixed outside the window with such pure wonder that Zivah almost forgot she was driving.

Eraya leaned slightly toward the window, watching the passing scenery carefully.

The sunlight rested softly over her face.

And Zivah genuinely thought no mountain view could compete with her.

“You are staring again,” Eraya murmured without looking away from the window.

Zivah smirked.

“You are prettier than nature.”

“That is impossible.”

“I disagree.”

Eraya finally looked at her with a small amused smile.

“You say dramatic things so casually.”

“I am in love. It is medically expected.”

That earned her a laugh.

A real one.

Light.

Warm.

The kind that made Zivah’s chest feel painfully full.

For a while, they simply drove like that.

Hands intertwined over the gear console.

The breeze carrying the smell of earth and grass through the car.

Peaceful.

Then suddenly,

Eraya straightened slightly.

“Zivi stop the car.”

Zivah blinked in confusion.

“What happened?”

“Stop the car.”

Something in Eraya’s tone made Zivah immediately pull the car aside near the edge of the road.

Before she could even ask again, Eraya had already unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Eraya?”

But Eraya was already stepping out.

Concern instantly replaced Zivah’s confusion as she got out too and followed quickly.

“Eraya, what happened?”

Then she saw it.

Near the grassy edge beside the road,
a small calf lay trembling slightly.

One of its legs was scraped badly, probably from getting too close to the road.

There were faint tire marks near the mud.

The calf looked terrified.

And hurt.

Zivah immediately looked toward Eraya.

The expression on her face made her chest ache instantly.

Concern.

Softness.

Pain.

Like seeing something injured physically hurt her too.

Eraya slowly bent down near the calf carefully.

“Hey… hey…”

Her voice changed completely.

Gentle.

Almost motherly.

“It is okay…”

The calf tried moving but whimpered softly.

Eraya’s eyes instantly filled with worry.

“Zivi,” she looked back quickly,

“can you bring the first aid kit?”

Zivah stared at her for half a second.

Then smiled softly despite herself.

“Yeah.”

Of course this was what their date drive turned into.

Of course Eraya would stop an entire road trip for an injured animal.

And somehow,
that made Zivah love her even more.

She quickly brought the first aid kit from the car while Eraya remained beside the calf the entire time.

Not forcing it.

Not touching too suddenly.

Just sitting close enough for it to feel safe.

When Zivah returned, she crouched beside her.

“The leg?”

Eraya nodded softly.

“I think it got scraped badly.”

Zivah carefully opened the kit.

Meanwhile Eraya gently stroked the calf’s neck, calming it slowly.

“It is okay… we are helping you…”

Zivah looked at her again.

And something about the scene hit her deeply.

The woman who had spent most of her life hurt by people,

still chose gentleness.

Still chose kindness.

Still chose softness.

That kind of softness was not weakness.

Zivah realized that now.

It was strength.

The strongest kind.

“Hold this?” Zivah asked softly.

Eraya immediately helped.

Together they carefully cleaned the wound.

The calf jerked slightly from pain.

Eraya instantly whispered soothingly,

“I know… I know… just a little more…”

Zivah wrapped the bandage carefully around the injured leg while Eraya kept calming the animal.

Then suddenly,

Eraya looked up.

” Zivi we need Water.”

Zivah nodded and immediately brought a bottle from the car.

But before she could kneel again, Eraya quietly took the bottle from her hands and instead held it toward Zivah.

“For your hands first.”

Zivah blinked.

“You are worried about me right now?”

“You touched blood.”

The seriousness in her voice made Zivah laugh softly.

“Thank you, doctor.”

Eraya ignored the teasing completely.

Only after cleaning Zivah’s hands did she gently pour some water near the calf.

The little animal slowly drank.

And Eraya smiled so softly at that sight that Zivah forgot how breathing worked for a second.

Then carefully,

Eraya stroked the calf’s forehead.

“You will heal soon.”

The calf leaned weakly into her touch.

And Zivah simply stared.

Completely gone.

Completely helplessly in love.

Eraya finally looked back at her.

“What?”

Zivah shook her head slowly.

“You are unreal.”

Eraya frowned slightly.

“Why?”

“You stop in the middle of nowhere to save an injured calf.”

“It was hurt.”

“And?”

“And it needed help.”

Like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Zivah smiled helplessly.

Then before she could stop herself,

she leaned forward and kissed Eraya’s forehead softly.

Right there near the roadside.

Wind moving around them.

Fields stretching endlessly nearby.

“You are too kind,” Zivah whispered.

Eraya’s eyes softened immediately.

“No, Zivi.”

“What?”

“You are.”

That hit straight into Zivah’s heart.

Dangerously straight.

She looked away dramatically.

“I refuse emotional conversations beside cows.”

Eraya burst into laughter.

And the calf startled slightly.

“Sorry,” Eraya whispered immediately to it.

Zivah laughed harder now.

“You apologized to the cow.”

“It got scared.”

“You are unbelievable.”

Eventually they carefully helped the calf settle into the shaded grassy side away from the road.

Zivah even called a nearby farm contact to inform them.

Only after making sure someone would come take care of it did Eraya finally relax.

When they returned to the car,

Zivah opened the passenger door for her dramatically.

Eraya smiled while sitting down.

The moment Zivah settled back in the driver’s seat,

she reached for Eraya’s hand immediately.

Intertwining their fingers.

Then slowly lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles softly.

“You really love animals, huh?”

Eraya smiled faintly.

“A lot.”

“Why?”

The question made Eraya quiet for a moment.

Outside, fields continued passing by slowly as the car resumed moving.

Then softly,

“Back in the village… I never really had friends.”

Zivah’s expression softened immediately.

So Eraya continued quietly.

“There was a jungle near our fields I usedto go there frequently.”

“You used to go there alone?”

“Mhm.”

“You were not scared?”

Eraya looked outside the window again.

And smiled slightly.

“You are afraid of death when there is something worth living for.”

The sentence settled heavily inside the car.

Zivah tightened her hold on her hand unconsciously.

Eraya continued softly.

“At that time… I did not really care.”

Something inside Zivah ached painfully hearing that.

But Eraya’s expression remained calm now.

Not numb.

Just honest.

“So I used to sit near the edge of the forest for hours.”

“You were a tiny village girl wandering into forests alone,” Zivah muttered in disbelief.

“I did not go deep inside.”

“That somehow does not help.”

Eraya laughed quietly.

“The animals there slowly started recognizing me.”

Zivah glanced at her again.

“You are serious?”

“Mhm.”

“How?”

“I used to carry food sometimes.”

“For wild animals?”

“For injured ones mostly.”

Zivah genuinely looked fascinated now.

Eraya rarely spoke this much about her past voluntarily.

And every story felt like discovering another hidden piece of her.

“There was this one rabbit,” Eraya continued softly.

“It had hurt its paw in a trap.”

Zivah instantly frowned.

“Hunters?”

Eraya nodded.

“I found it crying near the bushes.”

Her voice became gentler remembering it.

“I brought water from the river and broke the trap with a stone.”

“You did all that alone?”

“Mhm.”

“How old were you?”

“Maybe thirteen.”

Zivah looked horrified.

“You were basically a forest fairy.”

Eraya laughed.

“That sounds ridiculous.”

“No, it sounds accurate.”

Eraya smiled softly again before continuing.

“I used to save birds too sometimes.”

“Birds?”

“One had fallen from the nest during rain.”

“And?”

“I climbed the tree.”

Zivah nearly swerved the car.

“You WHAT?”

Eraya blinked innocently.

“It was not very high.”

“You climbed trees for birds?”

“You would have done the same.”

Zivah opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

Because unfortunately,

Eraya was right.

Still,
she looked deeply offended.

“You cannot casually say things like that.”

Eraya laughed again.

And the sound filled the car beautifully.

Then softer now,

“I think animals understood me better than people.”

The words were simple.

But Zivah understood the ache beneath them immediately.

Animals never judged.

Never mocked.

Never hurt intentionally.

They either trusted you,

or they did not.

Simple.

Honest.

And for someone like Eraya, honesty probably felt safer than people ever did.

Zivah slowly rubbed her thumb against Eraya’s hand.

“You deserved better people.”

Eraya looked at her quietly.

Then smiled softly.

“I found them eventually.”

That nearly emotionally destroyed Zivah again.

She reached over immediately and kissed Eraya’s hand once more.

“Do you know you say dangerous things casually?”

“You say that often.”

“Because it is true.”

Eraya chuckled softly.

Then for the next part of the drive,

she kept telling stories.

Small ones.

Tiny memories.

About feeding stray dogs leftover rotis secretly.

About sitting beside cows during storms because they calmed her.

About a baby deer she once saw near the forest edge.

About collecting injured butterflies carefully in leaves when she was little.

And Zivah listened to every single word like they were treasures.

Because they were.

Every story revealed another piece of Eraya.

Another reason to love her.

Another reason to ache for the younger version of her who had survived life mostly alone.

At one point,

Eraya became so immersed in telling a story that she did not notice Zivah staring again.

“She used to follow me all the way till the farms,”

Eraya explained animatedly.

“And once she even ate uncle’s vegetables and..”

She paused suddenly.

“…why are you looking at me like that?”

Zivah smiled helplessly.

“I think I am falling in love with you again.”

Eraya immediately looked away, cheeks warming.

“Zivi.”

“I am serious.”

“You are driving.”

“And loving.”

“That is not multitasking.”

“It absolutely is.”

Eraya laughed softly again.

And as the mountains slowly began appearing in the distance,
with sunlight turning warmer around them,

Zivah realized something quietly.

She had planned this date thinking she would show Eraya beautiful places.

But somehow,

throughout the drive,

Eraya had become the most beautiful part of it already.

The roads slowly became narrower as they climbed higher into the mountains.

The air changed first.

Cooler.

Cleaner.

Filled with the scent of pine trees and wet earth.

Then the scenery changed too.

Large hills stretched endlessly around them while clouds floated low enough to almost touch.

Tiny wildflowers grew along the edges of the road, and somewhere in the distance the faint sound of flowing water echoed through the mountains.

Eraya had gone completely silent.

Not because she was uncomfortable.

But because she was overwhelmed.

Her eyes stayed fixed outside the window as if she was afraid she would miss even a second of the view.

And honestly,

Zivah kept watching her more than the road.

Every tiny reaction on Eraya’s face felt rewarding.

The soft widening of her eyes.

The way her lips parted slightly in wonder.

The way she leaned toward the window unconsciously whenever something beautiful passed by.

Zivah smiled to herself.

Worth it.

Completely worth waking up early.

Worth the planning.

Worth the teasing from Omkar uncle.

Worth everything.

Finally, after another turn through the mountain road,
the café appeared.

Hidden between trees and vines like something out of a dream.

Eraya visibly stilled.

And Zivah’s heart immediately swelled.

The rooftop café sat near the edge of the mountain slope, small and warm beneath hanging lanterns.

Green vines draped around wooden railings and little flowers bloomed from pots placed near every corner.

Soft fountain sounds echoed faintly nearby, mixing with the wind moving through the mountains.

The café almost looked enchanted.

Like one of those peaceful places people only wrote about in stories.

“Oh…”

The sound escaped Eraya before she could stop herself.

Zivah tried not to grin too proudly.

“Good reaction?”

Eraya slowly looked toward her.

“It is beautiful.”

That alone made Zivah feel absurdly accomplished.

She parked the car nearby before quickly stepping out first.

Then dramatically opened Eraya’s door.

“Your date has arrived safely, ma’am.”

Eraya laughed softly while stepping out.

But the moment her feet touched the ground, she completely froze again.

The breeze moved gently around her hair.

Lanterns swayed softly overhead.

The faint fountain sounds echoed nearby.

Mountains stretched endlessly behind the café.

And for a moment,

Eraya simply stood there taking it all in.

Zivah watched her carefully.

There was something deeply emotional about seeing someone who had spent most of their life surviving finally experience peace.

Real peace.

Not fear.

Not tension.

Not waiting for something bad to happen.

Just,

peace.

“You like it?” Zivah asked quietly.

Eraya turned toward her slowly.

There was genuine wonder in her eyes.

“You brought me here?”

The question hit Zivah unexpectedly hard.

Like Eraya still could not believe someone would do something beautiful just for her.

So Zivah stepped closer and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Of course I did.”

Something softened visibly in Eraya’s expression.

And then,

very quietly,

“Thank you, Zivi.”

That name in this setting nearly destroyed Zivah emotionally.

She recovered by dramatically clearing her
throat.

“Come before I become emotional in mountains.”

Eraya laughed softly again.

And together they walked toward the café entrance.

The wooden floor creaked softly beneath their steps.

Little warm lights hung from above.

Plants surrounded almost every corner.

And somehow,

everything about the place felt comforting.

Before they could walk further,
a familiar voice echoed from inside.

“So this is the famous wife?”

Eraya blinked in surprise.

And immediately an older man stepped out from behind the counter.

Grey-haired.

Warm-eyed.

Smiling widely already.

“Uncle Omkar,” Zivah laughed instantly.

Then without hesitation,
she walked forward and hugged him tightly.

Eraya paused slightly seeing that.

Something about it surprised her.

Zivah rarely hugged people first.

But here,

she looked comfortable.

Safe.

Almost younger somehow.

Omkar uncle patted Zivah’s shoulder dramatically.

“You vanished for months and suddenly return married.”

“I was busy.”

“You were hiding.”

“I was surviving.”

“You were romancing.”

Zivah groaned loudly.

“Please stop.”

Omkar uncle laughed before finally looking toward Eraya properly.

And immediately froze for two whole seconds.

Then slowly,

his eyes widened.

“Oh.”

Zivah immediately smirked.

“See? I told you.”

Omkar uncle pointed accusingly at her.

“You did not tell me she looks like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like an actual fairy.”

Eraya instantly looked embarrassed.

While Zivah looked ridiculously smug.

“Exactly.”

Omkar uncle turned toward Eraya warmly.

“So you are the brave woman who married this menace.”

“Uncle!”

Eraya laughed softly.

Then without hesitation,

she bent slightly and touched his feet respectfully.

Omkar uncle froze entirely.

The poor man looked emotionally attacked.

“Oh no,” he said immediately.

“That is it. I love her already.”

Zivah crossed her arms proudly.

“She loves me more.”

“That is concerning for her mental health.”

“Uncle.”

Omkar uncle laughed loudly before blessing Eraya softly with a hand on her head.

“Stay happy, child.”

Something about the gentleness in his voice made Eraya smile instinctively.

And Omkar uncle visibly melted further.

“How did you pull someone this sweet?” he asked Zivah suspiciously.

Zivah immediately answered proudly,

“Charm.”

“Lies.”

“Basketball.”

“Still lies.”

“Good hair?”

Eraya burst into laughter.

And Omkar uncle pointed dramatically.

“See? Even she knows.”

Zivah looked personally betrayed.

“You both are bullying me already.”

“Welcome to marriage,” Omkar uncle replied calmly.

Eventually after more teasing, Omkar uncle left them alone while muttering dramatically about how unbelievable it was that Zivah Varma became romantic.

The moment he disappeared inside,

Eraya looked around the café again carefully.

Then finally asked softly,

“How is it empty?”

Zivah leaned casually against the railing near her.

“I asked uncle to reserve it.”

Eraya blinked.

“For us?”

“Mhm.”

“But why the entire café?”

Zivah looked at her like the answer was obvious.

“Because you do not like crowds.”

The sentence landed softly between them.

Simple.

Casual.

But deeply thoughtful.

Eraya stared at her quietly for a moment.

Because even she herself had not realized how much she disliked crowded places until Zivah started noticing every little thing about her.

The way she tensed around too many people.

The way loud places overwhelmed her.

The way she relaxed only in quiet spaces.

Zivah noticed all of it.

Always.

And somehow,

she remembered all of it too.

A soft smile slowly appeared on Eraya’s face.

“You remembered.”

Zivah walked closer slowly.

“I remember everything about you.”

That sentence alone almost made Eraya’s heart ache.

Before she could respond,

Zivah gently took her hand.

“Come.”

She guided her toward a table near the edge railing.

And the moment Eraya sat down,
she forgot breathing for a second.

The view from there was unreal.

Mountains stretched endlessly ahead.

Clouds floated below parts of the hills.

The wind moved gently through the hanging vines.

And somewhere nearby, water from a small fountain trickled softly.

It felt peaceful in a way Eraya had never experienced before.

She looked completely mesmerized.

And Zivah,

She was completely mesmerized by her.

“So,” Eraya asked softly while still staring at the mountains,

“how do you know Omkar uncle?”

Zivah’s expression softened slightly.

For a moment she simply looked out toward the mountains too.

Then quietly,

“After dadi passed away… things became strange.”

Eraya looked toward her instantly.

Zivah rarely spoke openly about grief.

“I used to come here a lot.”

“Alone?”

“Mhm. At night mostly.”

Her voice had grown softer now.

“Back then I did not really want people around me.”

Eraya listened quietly.

“But uncle never asked questions,” Zivah continued.

“He would just give me coffee and let me sit for hours.”

A small smile appeared on her face.

“Eventually he started talking to me anyway because apparently I looked too depressed for customer aesthetics.”

Eraya laughed softly.

“That sounds like him.”

“It absolutely does.”

Then Zivah looked at her again.

“And now I brought you here.”

The sentence settled warmly inside Eraya’s chest.

Because this place clearly mattered to Zivah.

And yet,
she wanted to share it with her.

That trust meant everything.

Before emotions could completely consume them,

Omkar uncle returned dramatically with menus.

“Order before she starts emotionally staring at you again,” he informed Eraya seriously.

Zivah groaned.

“Why are you exposing me?”

“Because it is funny.”

Eventually after playful arguing,

they ordered.

Crepes.

Waffles.

Mountain tea.

And coconut tart.

Though honestly,

Eraya barely even looked at the menu.

She was too distracted by the scenery around them.

The breeze.

The mountains.

The flowers hanging nearby.

Everything felt unreal.

When the food finally arrived,

Eraya still seemed distracted staring outside.

So naturally,
Zivah took responsibility.

She immediately arranged portions onto Eraya’s plate.

Cut pieces properly.

Moved fruits aside she knew Eraya would eat later.

And placed the waffle closer.

Eraya finally noticed.

“What are you doing?”

“Feeding my distracted wife.”

“I can eat myself.”

“You are currently dating the mountains.”

Eraya laughed softly.

“I am looking.”

“You are emotionally cheating on me with nature.”

“That is dramatic.”

“You looked at the mountains more lovingly than me.”

“That is impossible.”

“Correct answer.”

Eraya shook her head fondly.

Then finally took a bite.

And instantly blinked in surprise.

“This is good.”

Zivah looked deeply satisfied.

“Obviously.”

“You sound proud like you cooked it.”

“I spiritually contributed.”

Eraya laughed again.

And Zivah felt absurdly accomplished from just making her eat properly.

At one point,

Eraya absentmindedly reached for the tea.

But the cup was too hot.

Before she could even react,
Zivah had already held the cup first.

“Careful.”

Eraya stared at her quietly.

“You notice everything.”

“Mhm.”

“How?”

Zivah shrugged casually.

“You are my favorite thing to notice.”

That completely flustered Eraya immediately.

And Zivah grinned victoriously.

“Yes. Excellent reaction.”

“You are impossible.”

“And loved.”

Eraya tried hiding her smile behind the tea cup.

Meanwhile the mountains glowed softly under the afternoon sunlight.

The café remained peaceful around them.

And somewhere between laughter, teasing, warm tea, and quiet glances,

the date slowly became one of those memories neither of them would ever forget.

The sunset arrived slowly.

Like it knew it deserved attention.

Golden light poured across the mountains first, soft and warm, before slowly melting into deeper shades of orange and pink.

Clouds drifted lazily across the sky, carrying colors Eraya had never even seen before.

The entire café glowed beneath it.

Lanterns swayed gently in the mountain breeze.

The vines around the railings danced softly.

And somewhere nearby,
the fountain continued its quiet melody.

Everything felt still.

Peaceful.

Almost sacred.

After they finished eating, Zivah naturally reached for Eraya’s hand again.

Their fingers intertwined so easily now.

Like they had belonged there forever.

“Come,” Zivah murmured softly.

Eraya followed her toward the railing near the edge of the rooftop.

The mountains stretched endlessly before them now, layered beneath the setting sun like painted waves.

For a few moments,
neither of them spoke.

Eraya simply stood there quietly, both hands resting lightly over the wooden railing as the wind moved softly through her hair.

Zivah stood behind her.

Close enough to feel her warmth.

Close enough to smell the faint scent of jasmine in her hair.

And slowly,
almost instinctively,

Zivah wrapped her arms around her from behind.

Gentle.

Careful.

Like she always held Eraya.

Not possessive.

Protective.

Eraya melted into her hold immediately.

Like she belonged there.

Her back rested against Zivah’s chest while Zivah’s chin settled lightly near her shoulder.

The silence between them was soft.

Comfortable.

Filled with things neither of them needed words for.

The sky deepened into warmer shades.

Orange.
Pink.
Gold.

And quietly,

Eraya spoke.

“When I used to watch sunsets…”

Zivah immediately paid attention.

Eraya’s voice had become softer somehow.

More thoughtful.

“I used to hate them.”

That made Zivah blink slightly.

“Hate sunsets?”

“Mhm.”

“Why?”

Eraya’s gaze remained fixed ahead.

Watching the sun slowly lower behind the mountains.

“Because they reminded me that beautiful things never stay.”

The sentence settled heavily between them.

Zivah’s hold around her tightened slightly.

Eraya continued softly.

“When I was little… I used to sit outside near the fields and watch the sky every evening.”

Her voice almost sounded distant now.

Like she was standing in those memories again.

“And every time the sunset happened… I used to feel this strange ache.”

“Ache?”

Eraya nodded faintly.

“Because it was beautiful.”

Zivah listened silently.

“And then it would disappear.”

The wind moved softly around them.

“I think… somewhere I started believing that was how life worked.”

Her fingers curled lightly against the railing.

“That beautiful things always leave eventually.”

Something inside Zivah hurt hearing that.

Because of course Eraya believed that.

Life had taught her exactly that.

People left.

Safety disappeared.

Happiness never stayed long enough.

So naturally,

she learned to fear beautiful things.

Even sunsets.

For a few moments Zivah stayed quiet behind her.

Then slowly,
she rested her cheek lightly against Eraya’s hair.

“I do not think sunsets exist to teach us endings.”

Eraya turned her head slightly, listening.

Zivah looked ahead at the sky too.

Her voice softened.

“I think sunsets exist so we remember how beautiful it is to feel something.”

Eraya’s breathing slowed slightly.

Zivah continued quietly.

“They leave, yes.”

Her arms tightened around her waist gently.

“But they always return too.”

The wind carried her words softly between them.

“Every sunset is proof that endings are not permanent.”

Eraya stilled completely.

“So maybe,” Zivah whispered near her ear,

“they are not meant to make us fear losing beautiful things.”

Her voice lowered softer.

“Maybe they are hope.”

The mountains glowed beneath the fading sunlight.

“Hope that no matter how dark the night gets…”

Zivah smiled faintly.

“…the sky still knows how to become beautiful again tomorrow.”

Silence followed.

But not an empty one.

The kind filled with emotion too big for immediate words.

Eraya slowly turned within Zivah’s hold then.

Carefully.

Until she faced her fully.

Zivah’s hands naturally shifted to her waist.

And for a moment,

neither of them moved.

The sunset painted Eraya’s face gold and pink.

Her eyes looked impossibly soft.

And Zivah suddenly forgot how breathing worked entirely.

Because Eraya was looking at her differently.

Not shy.

Not uncertain.

Not hesitant.

Just,

full.

Full of feeling.

Full of affection.

Full of something so deep it made Zivah’s chest ache.

The breeze moved gently around them.

Lanterns swayed overhead.

And somewhere between the fading sunlight and quiet mountains,

Eraya lifted one hand slowly.

Her fingers touched Zivah’s cheek softly.

Carefully.

Almost like she was still learning she was allowed to love someone this openly.

Zivah immediately leaned into her touch.

Instinctively.

And something in Eraya’s expression softened even more at that.

“You say beautiful things sometimes,” Eraya whispered.

Zivah smiled faintly.

“Only when I am looking at beautiful people.”

That made Eraya laugh softly.

Quietly.

Fondly.

And Zivah thought,

there.

That sound again.

Her favorite thing in the world.

The sunset deepened around them slowly.

And suddenly,

Eraya did something unexpected.

She stepped slightly closer.

Close enough that Zivah could feel her heartbeat between them.

Close enough that their breaths mixed softly in the mountain air.

Zivah’s smile slowly faded into something quieter.

More vulnerable.

Because she realized,

Eraya was nervous.

Very nervous.

But she was trying.

Trying despite it.

Trying because she wanted to.

And somehow that realization alone nearly
destroyed Zivah emotionally.

“Eraya…”

Her voice came out softer than intended.

Eraya looked into her eyes for one long second.
Then another.

Like she was gathering courage.

Like she was memorizing the moment before it changed forever.

And then,
very softly,

Eraya leaned forward.

The first touch of her lips against Zivah’s lips was almost impossibly gentle.

Small.

Soft.

Tentative.

Like a whispered feeling instead of a kiss.

And for one entire second,

Zivah completely stopped functioning.

Her brain genuinely forgot how to process reality.

Because this was Eraya.

Kissing her.

Their first kiss.

The first person either of them had ever kissed.

And somehow,

it felt nothing like the dramatic overwhelming things people described.

It felt soft.

Warm.

Sacred.

Like trust.

Like home.

Like something fragile and precious being placed carefully into her hands.

The kiss lasted barely a moment.

Then Eraya pulled away slowly.

And immediately looked slightly nervous.

But before she could say anything,
she noticed Zivah’s expression.

Completely stunned.

Utterly frozen.

Eyes wide.

Like her soul had left her body.

And suddenly,

Eraya laughed.

A real soft laugh.

“Zivi?”

No response.

“Zivi.”

Still nothing.

Then finally,

very slowly,

Zivah blinked.

“…you kissed me.”

Eraya immediately became shy again.

“A little.”

“A little?”

Zivah looked deeply betrayed.

“That was life changing.”

Eraya laughed harder now.

And Zivah genuinely looked emotionally devastated.

“I cannot believe you just casually did that.”

“You looked shocked.”

“I WAS shocked.”

Eraya smiled helplessly.

Something about seeing Zivah-usually so confident-completely malfunctioning because of her kiss made warmth bloom inside her chest.

Then suddenly,

Zivah narrowed her eyes dramatically.

“I would like another one.”

Eraya immediately looked away.

“No.”

“What do you mean no?”

“You already got one.”

“That was a sample.”

Eraya burst into laughter again.

Zivah stepped closer instantly.

“Eraya.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“You are behaving like a child.”

“I am behaving like someone who was kissed and then abandoned emotionally.”

“That is dramatic.”

“You kissed me in front of mountains and sunsets and now you expect me to survive with only one?”

Eraya shook her head while smiling helplessly.

Zivah lowered her voice softly then.

“Please.”

The softness in her tone made Eraya’s heart flutter painfully.

Because beneath the teasing,

Zivah looked vulnerable.

Like this mattered deeply to her.

And it did.

This was their first kiss.

Not rushed.

Not impulsive.

Not born from physical desire alone.

But from trust.

Love.

Safety.

Everything they had slowly built together.

Eraya looked at her quietly for a long moment.

Then finally sighed softly.

“You are impossible.”

“But loved.”

Eraya smiled faintly.

Then slowly,
very slowly,

she reached up and held Zivah’s face gently with both hands.

And this time,
when she leaned in,
the kiss lasted longer.

Still soft.

Still careful.

But deeper now.

Less hesitant.

More certain.

Zivah immediately melted into it.

One of her hands tightened carefully against Eraya’s waist while the other moved softly up her back.

Like she was afraid Eraya might disappear if she did not hold her close enough.

Their lips moved slowly against each other.

Awkwardly at first.

Because both of them were learning.

Learning each other.

Learning this.

But somehow that made it even more beautiful.

There was no perfection.

Only sincerity.

Only love.

The mountain breeze moved around them gently.

The sunset painted everything gold.

And Zivah thought,

this.

This was what people wrote poetry about.

Eraya’s lips were warm and impossibly soft.

And every time she kissed back slightly more confidently, Zivah felt her heart stumble harder.

When the kiss finally broke,
neither of them moved away immediately.

Their foreheads rested together softly.

Breathing uneven.

Eyes still closed for a second longer.

And then,

Eraya opened her eyes first.

Only to find Zivah already staring at her like she had personally invented happiness.

That made her cheeks warm instantly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Zivah looked genuinely emotional.

“I think I died.”

Eraya laughed softly.

“I am serious,” Zivah whispered.

“That was…”

She genuinely struggled finding words.

And for once,

Zivah Varma had no teasing ready.

No dramatic response.

Only honesty.

“That was the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me.”

Something inside Eraya melted completely hearing that.

Her fingers softly brushed against Zivah’s cheek again.

And this time,

when Zivah leaned down and kissed her forehead gently,

it felt different.

More intimate somehow.

More theirs.

The sky slowly darkened around them.

Lanterns glowed warmly overhead.

And somewhere between mountains, sunsets, soft laughter, and trembling first kisses,
they fell even more hopelessly in love.
__________

Heyy guyss sorry for the delay, here with the long chapters (^_^)