Let's Meet After School

CHAPTER 21: GOODBYE?

Every good thing comes to an end... or it evolves into something different. A friendship can come to an end due to fights or it can evolve into something beautiful like being good friends or besties. On the other side, people claim that life is led by our fates... but does it mean that we can't do anything about it. I mean someone can become sick at the age of 70 and say that his/her time is up. But the same person has a choice of working hard to fight the disease... he/she can hope for a life where the said person has completed fighting the sickness and has been cured fully. So now the point comes up to the word hope... Hope is a good thing in life. But some look up to it as a bad thing... they think that hope can make one weak. I think hope can make one strong. The point I want to prove with these different statements is that it's on us to take over the steering wheel of life and drive to our desired destination. Of course, sometimes the path can mislead to a different direction, there will be road blockages, potholes, slippery ways, and you might even get lost in between the journey... but that shouldn't be the reason to quit, right? You can't be scared of the outcome being bad or different from what you thought it would be and never try doing anything with the fear of things going wrong. You have to face what's in front of you and keep moving forward in life. It isn't easy for anyone out here... everyone has their own sufferings and their fair share of obstacles.

5th December 2015

Ankita and Aarav are sitting together on a bench near the intersection where they usually part ways after school.

"I have made my decision—" says Aarav.

"Before you say anything, there is something that I need to get off my chest," says Ankita interrupting him.

"Go ahead... I'm all ears."

"Aarav... I thought about your words yesterday and I was replaying all those memories in my head when we were together. We had our fair share of fights and good moments as well... first hug, first cry, first date, first ice cream together... there were lots of firsts like when you told me about your life problems. Remember when I told you my feelings for the first time? Our firsts when we visited each other's house... first time studying together... first time holding hands... now it seems that there weren't many bad things to remember, as all the good things are going to be remembered for a long time. You are my person yaar... my home... my sukoon... I want you in my life... I need you in my life... I don't fear having fights between us, it will happen I know. I don't fear getting distracted sometimes because I'm worried about my boyfriend... I will be fine and okay until and unless he's with me... I get it long distance and all is not easy but we can't give up naa... we have come a long way now... fine few months but within those few months, I have been the happiest in my life yaar."

"Anku... I understand and I want to say—"

"Aarav... we can talk through social media or call each other at times. Video calls when I miss you a lot... we can meet as well... quite rarely but still we will meet yaar. Just understand this... I'm not afraid of long distance, I'm afraid of losing my bestie... I'm afraid of losing my first love... afraid of losing you."

"Ankita, let me talk yaar... I'm not leaving you."

"Means you're staying here in the same city?"

"Aree not like that... I'm not leaving this relationship. I want to stay in your life as well... I made this decision a few days back when I was not coming to school... I was just not sure how you would feel... I can't force my thoughts on you naa... I wanted to give you some time to make up your mind. I thought you would think about it and tell me in the end... but it looked like you were very clear about your life decisions... and I mean you are clear about us as well. So... I made a fool of myself—"

Ankita suddenly kisses Aarav on the cheeks and hugs him.

"Anku yaar... somebody will see—"

"Shut up... you kept me away for so long and now I want you to repay me back."

"What... do I have to do to repay you back?"

"Just bear with me now... I don't feel like leaving you... you are going to leave me for so long now... I just want to hug you and kiss you as much as I want now."

Aarav kisses her back multiple times on her cheeks. The reaction can be seen on Ankita's face clearly as she's blushing non-stop.

"Is this enough?" he says in a cocky way.

"Uhm... can I have some more?" she whispers in his ears.

"Hmm... Why not my queen." 

Ankita and Aarav decide to stay as a couple and their long-distance relationship journey has just begun... it looks like an end for their story... for now at least... I mean it wouldn't be fair if we don't get to see what happens ahead in their journey.

By the way... did I tell you about the Epilogue