EPILOGUE
"How much do I have to drive to reach Hospet, honey? My hands and legs are aching."
"Uhm...Like another 3 hours?"
"WHAT." Sharon slammed the brakes and looked to the backseat, shocked. "You said that like three hours ago, Swayam."
The person flat on the backseat shifted a bit so as to look at Sharon and gave her a helpless look. "Sharon, it's just 3 hours more."
"Easy for you to say, idiot. I am the one driving, not you." Sharon snapped.
Swayam got up and sat on the edge of the seat, his face stopping very close to Sharon's. Her lips were shaped into a pout and she looked into his eyes, tired. Swayam laughed and kissed the pout lightly, causing Sharon to blush and smile. They looked at each other's eyes, and Sharon caught a hint of malice in Swayam's eyes. Scrunching her eyebrows, she pushed him back and grumbled, taking the wheel again.
"This is the only thing you can do. Idiot."
Swayam chuckled and sprawled on the backseat. "Not my mistake Sharon. You are the one who volunteered to drive to Hampi, because I had sprained my leg. You can't blame me now."
Sharon glanced at the crepe bandage on Swayam's leg and sighed. The fool had hurt his leg on a date in a nearby forest. Sharon blushed as she remembered it. They had spent a memorable night amidst forest in a tent by a bonfire. And that was when Sharon had seen Swayam's wild side.
Swayam took a deep breath as he saw Sharon's luxuriant hair fly with the wind. Nomadism was not only his, but their life now. This had become their ideas of a date, a long trip to an archaeological site, spending the night in each other's arms in the shabby tents. Swayam had never thought his life would be spent with someone like Sharon. For once in his life, his father had agreed with him, with his choice. Infact, he was surprised that Swayam had managed to find a girl who loved him. And Sharon's family, they were so glad to see her back, that they accepted him quickly. Fortune was on his side that day.
Sharon glanced into the rear view mirror to see Swayam's zoned out face. She grinned looking at the joy on his face. He was surely thinking about them. As the Impala sped down the road to Hospet, Sharon couldn't help but thank her stars. Who would have thought a random hitchhiker would become her lover?
Sharon saw a tall man standing at a distance, his thumb protruded, waiting to hitch a ride. Sharon slowed the car and it skidded to a stop in front of him. The man appeared on the window, pleased that Sharon stopped.
"Excuse me, can I get a ride to Hospet? The thing is I am stranded here and I can't seem to find a ride. Please."
Before Sharon could reply, a voice snapped from behind her head.
"No sorry, we are not going to Hospet. Better luck for the next ride." Swayam replied sharply and gave Sharon a pressing stare asking her to keep going. Sharon shot him a nonplussed look and looked back at the man who stepped back, dejected. She heaved a huge sigh and took off.
"What the hell was that Swayam?"
"You may have forgotten Sharon, but I clearly remember what happened when you let a hitchhiker in your car. I simply cannot allow that to happen again."
Sharon looked into the rear view mirror and saw Swayam wink at her. The memories of that night flooded her brain. She chortled and looked at him with soft eyes.
"It's not like I can forget what happened."
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