🎵 Song: Safarnama – Instrumental Version

"Some journeys take you to beautiful places...

Some journeys take you closer to a beautiful person."

The long-awaited morning had finally arrived.

Trip day.

Both the Sharma and Malhotra houses had been awake since dawn.

Suitcases stood neatly by the doors.

Parents checked tickets, medicines, and luggage one last time.

Meanwhile...

The younger siblings were too excited to sit still.

Sharma House

Anaya ran downstairs with her backpack.

"Didi!"

"Hurry!"

"We're going to be late!"

Aarohi smiled while adjusting the strap of her small handbag.

"We still have plenty of time."

"That's what slow people say."

"I'm not slow."

"You are."

Rajeev laughed.

"My daughters have already started arguing before the trip."

Nandini smiled.

"They'll be best friends again in five minutes."

Just then...

The familiar sound of a luxury SUV stopped outside.

Vikram had arrived with his family.

Rajeev walked outside with a bright smile.

"My old friend!"

The two men hugged warmly.

"Ready?"

Vikram grinned.

"More than ready."

Meera hugged Nandini warmly.

"It's finally vacation time."

"It certainly is."

Kabir immediately ran toward Anaya.

"Come!"

"I have so much to tell you."

The two disappeared into the garden, talking excitedly.

Reyansh stepped out of the car.

He wore a simple black hoodie, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

His messy hair moved slightly with the morning breeze.

The first thing he did...

Was look toward Aarohi.

She wore a light blue sweatshirt with white trousers.

Her hair was tied into a loose ponytail.

She looked fresh.

Comfortable.

Beautiful.

"Blue..."

He smiled.

"Of course."

"My Ocean."

Aarohi looked up at the same moment.

Their eyes met.

She smiled shyly.

"Good morning."

Reyansh smiled back.

"Good morning..."

He paused deliberately.

"...Ocean."

Her cheeks instantly turned pink.

Kabir noticed.

Anaya noticed too.

The two younger siblings exchanged a secret high-five.

Operation Cupid was progressing beautifully.

Private Airfield

Soon...

Everyone reached the private airfield.

A sleek white private jet stood waiting under the bright morning sky.

Aarohi looked at it in amazement.

She had never been inside a private jet before.

"It's so beautiful..."

Meera smiled.

"Come, beta."

"You'll love the inside too."

The group walked aboard.

The cabin was spacious and luxurious.

Soft cream leather seats.

Large windows.

Comfortable sofas.

A small dining area.

Everything looked elegant.

Aarohi quietly admired everything.

"It's like a flying house..."

She whispered to herself.

Before anyone could choose seats...

A certain red-flag boy had already made a plan.

Reyansh casually picked the two-seat sofa beside the large window.

Then looked directly at Aarohi.

"Ocean."

She looked at him.

"Hmm?"

"You like window seats, right?"

She blinked.

"Yes..."

"Then sit here."

She looked around.

"There are other seats."

"I know."

"But this one's the best."

Before Aarohi could refuse...

Meera smiled.

"Go ahead, beta."

"The view is wonderful from there."

Nandini nodded.

"Sit."

Aarohi had no choice.

She quietly walked over and sat beside Reyansh.

He tried very hard...

Not to smile too obviously.

Across the aisle...

Kabir and Anaya silently celebrated.

Kabir whispered,

"Phase one..."

"Successful."

Anaya grinned.

"Obviously."

The Flight

Soon...

The engines roared to life.

The jet slowly moved along the runway.

Within moments...

It soared into the clear blue sky.

The city disappeared beneath the clouds.

The mountains slowly began appearing in the distance.

Everything looked breathtaking.

Aarohi couldn't stop looking outside.

"It's so pretty..."

Reyansh looked at her instead of the view.

"Yeah..."

"It is."

She turned toward him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

He smiled.

"Enjoy the view."

For almost an hour...

They chatted about random things.

School.

Favorite subjects.

Music.

Movies.

Even childhood memories.

For the first time...

Their conversation flowed effortlessly.

As the journey continued...

The gentle hum of the engines...

The cool air...

And the peaceful atmosphere...

Slowly made Aarohi sleepy.

She tried to stay awake.

"I shouldn't sleep..."

Reyansh noticed.

"Tired?"

She nodded.

"A little."

"You still haven't completely recovered."

"I'm okay."

"Sleep."

"What?"

"You need rest."

She hesitated.

"What if I miss the mountains?"

"I'll wake you."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

She smiled softly.

"Okay."

Within minutes...

Her eyes closed.

She slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Reyansh quietly looked out of the window.

Then...

He felt something warm against his shoulder.

He looked down.

Aarohi's head had slowly leaned sideways...

And now rested gently on his shoulder.

Her breathing was calm.

Peaceful.

Completely unaware.

For a second...

Reyansh froze.

Then...

A soft laugh escaped him.

"So..."

"My Ocean trusts me this much."

He looked at her sleeping face.

A few loose strands of hair had fallen across her forehead.

She looked unbelievably innocent.

Almost like a little child sleeping after a long day.

Without disturbing her...

He carefully adjusted his posture so she could sleep more comfortably.

He didn't move his shoulder even once.

He didn't want her sleep to be disturbed.

He smiled to himself.

"You always look peaceful when you sleep."

Everyone else in the cabin was busy.

Rajeev and Vikram were discussing business.

Meera and Nandini were talking about sightseeing plans.

Kabir and Anaya were playing a game together.

No one was paying attention.

Reyansh looked at Aarohi once more.

His expression softened completely.

Very gently...

He brushed a tiny strand of hair away from her forehead.

Then...

Unable to stop himself...

He leaned down just a little.

And placed the lightest kiss on her forehead.

Barely a second.

A quiet gesture filled with affection.

"Sleep well..."

"...Ocean."

She stirred slightly in her sleep...

But didn't wake up.

Instead...

She unconsciously moved a little closer to him.

Still sleeping peacefully.

Reyansh laughed quietly.

"You really have no idea what you're doing to me."

Across the cabin...

Kabir accidentally looked up.

His eyes widened for a second.

He nudged Anaya.

Without speaking...

He pointed toward the window seats.

Anaya followed his gaze.

She saw Aarohi sleeping peacefully on Reyansh's shoulder.

She saw the tenderness in Reyansh's eyes.

The two younger siblings smiled.

Neither interrupted.

Neither teased.

Some moments...

Were simply too beautiful to disturb.

Outside the window...

Snow-covered peaks slowly came into view.

The first glimpse of Shimla appeared beneath the clouds.

A new destination.

A new chapter.

And countless memories waiting to be created.

Unaware of everything around her...

Aarohi continued sleeping peacefully.

Completely trusting the shoulder she had unknowingly chosen.

And Reyansh...

Didn't move even an inch.

Because for him...

There was no place he'd rather have his Ocean.

End of Chapter 43 🏔️✈️🌊