The Ride

The rented van vibrated gently as it rolled out of the city, carrying fifteen passengers packed with excitement. Laughter and chatter filled the space, echoing off the metal roof. The seats were lined in rows, and everyone jostled for their spots like schoolchildren heading for a picnic.

Aaru slipped into the second row, by the window, with Ankita sliding in beside her. She always preferred the window quiet, slightly apart from the crowd, a way to watch the world pass by without having to fill the silence with words.

Across the aisle, in the front seat beside the driver, sat Roop. The one who had planned this whole trip outes, bookings, everything down to the snacks stuffed in bags. From where she sat, Aaru could see only the side of his face, sharp in the afternoon light. He spoke easily to the driver, sometimes turning back to answer a question from the team.

The road stretched ahead, wide and familiar at first. The van climbed slowly, the landscape flattening into golden fields dotted with lone trees swaying in the breeze.

Halfway through the ride, someone called out, “Break! Break! We need chai!”

The van pulled over at a roadside stall glowing under a rusted tin shade. The smell of boiling milk tea mixed with fried snacks hung in the cool air. Everyone piled out noisily, voices echoing, ordering steaming cups of tea and plates of pakoras.

Aaru, however, lingered behind. She wasn’t fond of tea the sharp bitterness never sat well with her. Instead, she let Ankita order snacks for them both. Together, they nibbled quietly while the rest cupped their hot glasses with satisfaction, steam fogging the cool evening.

Roop stood not far away, laughing at something one of his teammates said. For a fleeting moment, his eyes swept the group, pausing on Aaru just long enough for her to notice. It wasn’t direct, not intentional even, but it sent a small ripple through her chest.

When they climbed back into the van, the atmosphere shifted into something livelier. Someone hooked their phone to the speaker, and the music burst alive not their language, but a playlist from another state, full of rhythm and unfamiliar words.

At first, Aaru simply listened, amused at how loudly everyone sang along despite missing half the lyrics. But when Ankita elbowed her playfully, she joined in too. Hesitant at first, her voice low, until slowly she matched their rhythm, laughing at herself when she mispronounced a word.

And for the first time that day, she wasn’t just a listener. She was part of the chorus.

Roop, from the front seat, turned slightly at the sound. His gaze flicked toward her quick, unreadable but enough to make her cheeks warm.

As the van curved along a narrow road, a packet of chips slid off one of the bags near Roop’s seat. Without hesitation, he reached for it, tore it open, an without even glancing extended it backward toward the second row. Straight to Aaru.

She blinked, surprised. She hadn’t asked, hadn’t even looked hungry. Yet somehow, the gesture landed right in her lap.

“Thanks,” she said softly, her fingers brushing his as she took the packet. The contact lasted barely a second, but it was enough.

Her heart fluttered unexpectedly, and she turned quickly toward the window to hide the smile tugging at her lips. The trees outside blurred into streaks of green and gold, but all she could think of was the simple weight of a packet of chips and the warmth of a hand that had passed it.

For the rest of the ride, she sang a little louder.

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