One Shift Too Far - Chapter Seven

If you haven't read the sixth chapter, check it out here.

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The soft hum of the forest lingered as the sky slowly lightened. The dying embers of the bonfire had finally given up, leaving nothing but a faint glow in the ash. A slight chill clung to the air, but it wasn’t unpleasant. It was... oddly peaceful.

Somewhere in the stillness, a breeze rustled through the trees. The world stirred, but Anirudh wasn’t quite ready to face it. His eyes remained closed, savoring the warmth pressed against his side. The faintest smile tugged at his lips. Sanvi.

Her head rested on his shoulder, strands of hair tangled delicately with his neck. Her breathing was soft and rhythmic, as if the night had wrapped her in a cocoon of peace. The warmth of her presence lingered, innocent, yet dangerously comfortable. Anirudh’s arm, which he vaguely remembered placing around her, still cradled her.

And just as the memory of their kiss crept back into his mind, stirring the pleasant embers in his chest —

“OI! RISE AND SHINE, LOVE BIRDS!”

The voice shattered the tranquility like a rock through glass. Anirudh jolted awake, his neck protesting in agony from the awkward slouch against the log. He blinked, disoriented, and for a moment, the hazy fragments of the night before clashed with the intrusive present.

Sanvi stirred beside him. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked confused. The morning sunlight danced along her tousled hair, and the realisation of their position struck them both at once. A bolt of pink spread across her cheeks.

“LOOK AT THIS! ROMANCE BLOOMS UNDER THE CORPORATE SKY!”

There stood Ajay, arms triumphantly raised like he’d just witnessed a cinematic proposal. His face twisted into a devilish grin. Behind him, a few others emerged from their tents, laughter bubbling through the crisp morning air.

“What a picture-perfect moment,” Ajay teased, clutching his chest dramatically. “Two souls, one bonfire, a night under the stars… I might shed a tear.”

“Shut up,” Anirudh groaned, attempting to sit up without completely dislodging Sanvi. She quickly tucked her hair behind her ear, refusing to meet anyone’s gaze.

“No, no, don’t be shy!” Ajay pressed on, gesturing wildly. “Tell us, was it the stars that aligned, or the embers of true love?”

“I swear, Ajay…” Anirudh shot him a glare. Sanvi quickly muttered something about needing coffee.

“Oh no, no explanations necessary! I always knew you two were endgame! And look at you! Sleeping under the stars!” He wagged his finger, practically vibrating with joy.

Sanvi stood up and bolted upright.

“Oh, this is going to be the talk of the day,” Ajay declared, still beaming.

Anirudh let out a sigh and turned, only to be met with the sight of Sanvi walking towards the sun. She turned back, met his eye, andwent beet-red before turning back.

As everybody sat for breakfast (they were to depart after breakfast), Anirudh found himself a seat with Pranaya, just to escape the hushed whispers about him and Sanvi. Pranaya gave him a sympathetic look and began eating gracefully. Just then.

“Hey, Pranaya!”

It was Mr. Verma. He looked unnaturally enthusiastic, “The photos are coming so well! Why don’t we try a new pose?”

He stood right behind Anirudh, “Oh, Anirudh. Why don’t we swap seats? You sit there, okay?”

Anirudh had no choice but to get up and walk over to the seat his manager had gestured to. It was the second seat from the furthest corner, and Sanvi occupied the first.

“Great, even Mr. Verma is on it now!” Anirudh muttered, as he looked at the only vacant seat left.

Taking his seat, Anirudh reached across and gently brushed a strand of hair from Sanvi's face, his touch lingering a moment longer than necessary.

"Thanks," Sanvi said, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Anirudh smiled. "No problem. You had something on your face."

They stared at their plates. Sanvi couldn't shake the feeling of Anirudh's touch. She glanced at him, noticing the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the way he leaned in just a little closer when he spoke to her.

Anirudh took a Dosa and began twisting it around the tomato chutney without bringing it to his mouth. His stomach groaned. He stole a glance at Sanvi to his right. She tucked her hair nervously behind her ear.

“Last night…!” They both began at the same time, and fell silent.

Anirudh cleared his throat, “C - Coconut chutney, I mean!”

He quickly took some green chutney and accidentally spilt it over his Dosa. Sanvi chuckled.

“Here,” Sanvi said, gently adding the chutney. Her finger brushed against Anirudh’s hand, and he felt a jolt of electricity pass through him. He hadn’t even noticed the other seats getting vacant. All that mattered in the world was Sanvi.

Anirudh leaned in and kissed her, a kiss filled with all the emotions they had been pretending to have. When they finally pulled apart, Sanvi's eyes were filled with tears.

Sanvi's breath caught in her throat. "Anirudh, I—"

Anirudh shook his head, “I don’t care what they will say.”

“But you should, or else we will have to catch the state-run bus to go home!” Sanvi insisted.

“What??!” Anirudh turned around and sure enough, everybody was now emerging from their tents with their bags.

“Run!” Sanvi grabbed Anirudh’s hand, both of them sprinting towards their tents and hurriedly stuffing their bags as if their lives depended on it.

But just as they reached the door, the bus jolted forward.

“Wait! We’re here!” Sanvi shouted.

“Eh, get a room, not a seat!” the driver quipped, as he slowed down just enough for them to clamber aboard.

Collapsing into their seats, Anirudh gave a sheepish grin. “Well, at least we made it.”

Sanvi rolled her eyes. “Barely.”

They both burst into laughter as the bus rumbled away. Sanvi leaned into him, pulling out the photo of her and her friends with a chuckle, "If Anvi and Tanvi knew... I'd never see the end of it!"

"Is it?" Anirudh asked.

"Oh, absolutely! Anvi had once sat Tanvi and me down and declared that her daughter would be named Shravani! She was sure she would have a girl! And Tanvi? Apparently, she’s destined to have five children - four of them twins!" Sanvi laughed.

Anirudh chuckled, shaking his head. "And what did she predict for you?"

Sanvi lifted her head as Anirudh's eyes widened with the realization of what he had said. His grin vanished.

"I - uh, didn't mean...!" Anirudh said apologetically. But Sanvi leaned closer, savoring the moment, "Anvi and I both agreed I'd have a son! I want our son to be like you, Ani!"

Anirudh blinked, his mind short-circuiting. "L-Like me?"

"Yes," Sanvi teased, her eyes sparkling. "Kind, chivalrous, a little awkward, and hopeless when it comes to green chutney."

Anirudh groaned. "Oh great. So the kid's going to spill chutney at every meal."

"And insist on changing entire office shifts for his crush," Sanvi added with a smirk, throwing her head back against the seat.

"Hey! That was strategic!" Anirudh defended, though his laughter betrayed him.

"Never mind. Care for some crisps?" Sanvi asked, pulling out the last of the snacks they'd packed for the trip. They sat munching and pointing randomly at passing buildings and cars.

Anirudh leaned back in his seat as the highways rushed by. He would go to work tomorrow as usual, fully prepared for a regular APAC shift, having finally settled into a routine. Coffee in hand, laptop on. And by evening, Sanvi and he would have their photos of the trip!

Easy and exciting!

That was the plan, at least.

The bus made a pit stop at a roadside restaurant. Plates clattered, glasses of lassi lined the tables, and people swarmed in like they'd been starved for days.

Anirudh lent his hand for Sanvi, "May I, M'Lady?"

Sanvi chuckled and took his hand.

As she got down and beamed at him, a sudden commotion shook them out of their reverie. Someone yelped, somebody screamed, many gasped.

Anirudh quickly squinted ahead to see the source of the commotion.

"AJAY!!!" He bellowed and bolted forward, Sanvi calling his name behind him. Ajay lay unconscious, his forehead bleeding already. Anirudh tore his handkerchief and cleaned his wound, all the while screaming for help.

Space was cleared urgently for Ajay, and an ambulance was called.

"Ajay, come on, man! This isn't funny!" Anirudh pleaded, his eyes glistening. A soft hand grasped his shoulder, and he instinctively leaned into it.

"He is breathing, Ani." Sanvi whispered.

But Anirudh shook his head, "He is bleeding, Sanvi. Look!"

Sanvi cupped his face gently, forcing him to meet her eyes. "The ambulance is on the way. He’s going to be okay."

Anirudh swallowed hard, praying fervently.

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Footnotes:

Chapter Six.

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To Be Continued in Chapter Eight.

Written By Tharun Kumar S