When Love Lasts✔️

Chapter 3

Sukhpreet Kaur

The journey in the car with Manny was painfully silent. I couldn't help but feel suffocated by the lack of conversation. He was always so quiet, and it made me wonder what was going on in his head. I tried to break the ice a few times, but my attempts were met with short, one-word answers. It was like pulling teeth.

Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, Manny finally spoke up. "How was your family?" he asked, his voice breaking the silence like a ray of sunshine. I was surprised, to say the least. I didn't think he was interested in small talk.

"Annoying, as usual," I replied with a sigh. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the thought of my family. They were always getting on my nerves. Manny let out a soft chuckle, and I couldn't help but smile. It was a cute sound, and it made me feel a little more at ease.

As we continued to chat, I learned that Manny's family was just as annoying as mine. He was the oldest and only brother, which meant he had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. But at the same time, I was glad we had something in common. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one dealing with a crazy family.

"What are you thinking about?" He broke my chain of thoughts. I shook my head and smiled. The amount of times I've freaked myself out this weekend is crazy.

~~~

"Are you good?" Tavni whispered softly into my ear, her voice filled with concern. I couldn't help but shake my head, my honesty shining through. Tavni was more than just a friend to me, she was my confidante, the one person I could trust with my deepest secrets. Alongside Jassu, she was the only one who truly understood me. Sensing my distress, Tavni gently took hold of my hand and led me towards the bathroom, her grip firm yet comforting.

Once inside the bathroom, Tavni released my hand and let out an exasperated sigh. "Will you shut up and let me speak?!" she exclaimed, rolling her eyes in frustration. I nodded, eager to hear what she had to say. "We met yesterday when I was walking to class," I began, recounting the story of how I had stumbled upon Manny, the person who had turned my world upside down. But before I could finish my narration, Tavni interrupted me, her words pouring out like a waterfall.

"You guys are so cute together! Literally made for each other!" Tavni's excitement was palpable, her eyes sparkling with joy. In that moment, I regretted confiding in her. Maybe I shouldn't have told her about Manny, about the way he made my heart skip a beat. "Sukhi, it's a sign from Waheguru ji!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with conviction. I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration rise within me. What sign was she talking about? Why did she think Manny and I were destined to be together? I was so close to slapping her, to make her understand the turmoil I was going through

As soon as my best friend and I emerged from the bathroom, my gaze was drawn to Mankirat. There was just something about him that made my heart skip a beat. Maybe it was the way his dark hair fell across his forehead, or the way his eyes sparkled in the light. Whatever it was, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

I felt a rush of excitement as Mankirat approached us, his smile lighting up his face. I couldn't help but feel a little nervous as he greeted us, his voice smooth and confident. I tried to play it cool, but I could feel my cheeks flushing as he spoke to us.

As Mankirat and I conversed, I was captivated by his effortless charisma and sharp humor. He had a way of making me laugh and feel at ease, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest. It was as if a spark had been ignited between us, and I was eager to explore where it would lead.

I found myself yearning to delve deeper into Mankirat's world, to uncover the layers of his personality and learn more about his passions and dreams. Every moment spent in his presence was a thrill, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were meant to cross paths.

As the night wore on, I couldn't resist stealing glances at Mankirat, admiring the way his eyes sparkled and his smile lit up the room. I knew that I had fallen under his spell, and I was excited to see where this enchanting connection would take us.

Our roommates had all succumbed to the sweet embrace of slumber, their bodies sprawled across the floor of our cozy dorm room. Only Mankirat and I remained awake, the flickering glow of the television casting a soft illumination upon us. Nestled upon the couch, I could sense his gaze upon me, a gentle warmth that sent shivers down my spine.

As the moon rose higher in the sky, casting a soft glow through the window, exhaustion started to creep into my bones. The weariness settled upon me like a heavy blanket, pulling at my eyelids and coaxing me towards the embrace of sleep. I couldn't resist its gentle call any longer.

In the dimly lit room, I could hear the steady rhythm of Mankirat's breaths, a soothing melody that wrapped around me like a warm embrace. His presence beside me was a comforting anchor, grounding me in the moment. As the night wore on, our bodies seemed to gravitate towards each other, as if an invisible thread connected us, drawing us closer with each passing second.

The weight of the day's events melted away as I surrendered to the lullaby of sleep. The worries and stresses that had plagued my mind were replaced by dreams and tranquility. In that peaceful slumber, I found solace in the knowledge that I was not alone. Mankirat's presence, even in sleep, was a reminder that we were in this together, facing the world side by side.

As the night wore on, the weariness began to weigh upon my eyelids, and I found myself succumbing to the lullaby of sleep. The rhythmic sound of Mankirat's steady breathing filled the room, lulling me into a peaceful slumber. Our bodies, mere inches apart, seemed to gravitate towards each other, as if drawn by an invisible force.In the hazy realm between consciousness and dreams, I could still feel his presence beside me. The soft touch of his hand brushed against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my veins. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring us together in this moment of solitude, where the world outside ceased to exist, and it was just him and I, entwined in the realm of dreams.