Karthik smiled, his eyes growing warm and tender. “I think I remember it now,” he said softly. He wrapped his arms around her, and they lay back down. Her head returned to his chest, and they listened silently as the song continued.
Meghna could picture the scene from the musical in her head. The man in the song was absolutely besotted, strolling down the street where his love lived, singing about how being on that street made him feel like he was floating. How he didn’t care if people thought him strange, but there was nowhere he’d rather be than on that street. Because she lived there.
The song ended, and Karthik pressed a kiss on the top of her head.
“That’s how I feel,” he said. “Every time I’m here.”
“I didn’t know you liked my apartment that much,” she joked.
He laughed, and she enjoyed the way it sounded. With her head pressed to his chest, she could feel his laugh move through his entire body. Could feel the joy radiating from within him.
“I like your apartment just fine. But that’s howyoumake me feel. I don’t care where I am. As long as you’re with me.”
“Me too,” she said. And she meant it. Whether they ended up in Dallas or New York or somewhere else entirely, it didn’t matter. Somehow, they’d make it work.
She closed her eyes, sleep approaching faster and faster.
“Hey.”
“Hmm,” she responded, her voice sounding as drowsy as she felt.
“We never really set any terms, did we? For the fake engagement, I mean.”
She thought it over for a second. “Well, we said we couldn’t date other people.”
“Right. We did say that.” He ran his hand down her back and pulled her closer against his body. “Well, that’s a pretty good term. We should keep that one.”
She laughed. “I think so too.”
“Okay,” he said. “Anything else we should keep? Or start?”
She lifted her head and kissed him.
“How about we talk about it tomorrow? Or the next day. Or the next.” She smiled as she lay back down. “We’ve got all the time in the world.”
He hummed his agreement, and Meghna drifted off to sleep, dreaming about a future filled with punny T-shirts and musicals and laughter and love. And Karthik, standing by her side, as they experienced it all. Together.
TWO YEARS LATER
“You’re going to be late,” a deep voice murmured in her ear.
Meghna scowled. “I’m not going to miss my flight. I’ve got plenty of time.” She looked back at the stage and pursed her lips. “Shruti, could you try that again? Maybe a little angrier?”
The college student nodded, repeating her line a couple times until Meghna stopped her. “That’s it. That’s perfect.” She checked the time on her phone and cursed. “Okay,nowI’ve got to get going.”
Karthik chuckled, and she shoved him playfully. “That’s a wrap on our last rehearsal!” she called out. “See you all next week.” She rushed out of the auditorium, pulling her suitcase behind her. She still couldn’t believe that these students had volunteered to help with her first ever stage reading. She’d spent the last few years of her MFA program refining and revising her musical, and soon she’d get to sit in the audience and listen to these actors readherwords. And maybe, one day, if everything kept going according to plan, she’d get to see her entire musical performed.
Karthik caught up with her, swiping her suitcase out of her hands. “I already called you a car,” he said as they exited the building. He greeted the driver, then put her bag in the trunk.
He gave her a quick hug goodbye, but she held on a little longer. “Are you sure you can’t come with me?” she asked, even though she already knew the answer.
He smiled, leaning down to kiss her. “As much as I’d love to celebrate your dad’s birthday, I’ve got that meeting this afternoon. You’ll have to go to Dallas by yourself.”
“But it’s a Saturday,” Meghna whined, but Karthik just shook his head.
“Didn’t you just leave rehearsal? Isn’t thatyourwork?”
“Yeah, but that’s different.”
