The evening air in the forest was cool and crisp, with a faint breeze rustling through the trees. The calm atmosphere was a stark contrast to the storm of emotions Rohan had felt earlier, and for a moment, it felt as though the weight of the world had lifted. Life in the campsite had resumed its usual rhythm, with the campfire crackling softly in the distance and the smell of wood smoke hanging in the air.
Rohan had just finished gathering firewood, his arms full of logs, when he spotted Aisha. She was perched high up in a tree, her mischievous grin gleaming through the branches as she looked down at him.
"Aisha?" Rohan called out, raising his voice slightly to be heard. "What are you doing up there? Are your wounds healing okay?"
Without responding directly, Aisha suddenly leapt from the tree, her body twisting mid-air before landing effortlessly in Rohan's arms. She giggled, her infectious laughter ringing through the stillness of the forest.
Rohan stumbled slightly at the impact but managed to catch her securely. His face flushed with surprise. "What on earth are you doing? Have you lost your marbles? You're utterly hopeless!"
Aisha only grinned wider, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Why should I be scared when I've got you?" she teased, her voice lighthearted and playful.
Rohan couldn't help but feel a bit flustered. He gently set her down, trying to regain his composure, but Aisha wasn't done having fun just yet. She pulled out her phone and held it up with a triumphant smirk. "By the way, I took a photo of you and your sister hugging earlier."
Rohan's eyes widened in shock. "What the heck? Why would you do that?" he protested, his face turning bright red.
Aisha giggled again, clearly enjoying Rohan's embarrassment. "It was just such an emotional and heartwarming moment, seeing you care so much about her," she explained, still holding the photo up to tease him.
Rohan let out a flustered sigh, trying to look serious despite the heat rising in his cheeks. "Still, you can't just do that," he grumbled, shaking his head in mock exasperation.
Aisha, noticing how much Rohan was blushing, decided to add a little more mischief to the moment. Without warning, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Rohan froze, completely caught off guard. His face turned an even deeper shade of crimson.
"Aisha!" he exclaimed, holding his cheek and looking at her with a mix of frustration and flustered amusement. "Hey... that wasn't necessary!"
Aisha grinned, clearly amused by his reaction. "You're welcome," she teased, sticking her tongue out playfully before hopping away and disappearing into the forest once more, leaving Rohan standing there, utterly bewildered.
Rohan shook his head, trying to process the strange encounter. He couldn't help but smile, even as his heart raced a little from the unexpected kiss. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and then turned back to his task of collecting firewood.
The evening wore on, and the forest seemed to grow quieter as the moon rose higher in the sky. By 10:00 p.m., Rohan had finally gathered enough wood for the night. He headed back to the campsite, his mind still on Aisha's playful antics, but he was looking forward to a peaceful night under the stars.
As he reached the campsite, he found his sister Ria curled up by the fire, the warmth of the flames casting a soft glow on her face. She had always been a calming presence in his life, and tonight, as the fire crackled gently beside them, Rohan felt a deep sense of peace wash over him.
Ria stirred slightly when she saw him. "Rohan," she murmured sleepily, rubbing her eyes. "Can I sleep with you again tonight?"
Rohan chuckled softly, always so protective of his little sister. "Of course, Ria. You know I'll always keep you safe."
Ria snuggled closer to him as they settled down for the night. Her small form pressed against his side, and he wrapped an arm around her instinctively, feeling the warmth of her presence. The forest around them seemed to fade away as they drifted into a quiet sleep, the tranquil sounds of nature filling the air.
For a moment, everything felt right. Despite the chaos and uncertainty of the days that had passed, Rohan was content. He had his sister, his friends, and perhaps even the beginning of something new and unexpected with Nina. As he closed his eyes, he knew that tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for tonight, he could rest easy, surrounded by the calm of the forest and the warmth of those he cared about.
End Of Volume 2