Heartstrings and Forever Bonds

Hidden Embers

Nikolai's Perspective:
As she emerged from the bench and headed towards the washroom, I caught a glimpse of her adorable face. She was dressed in a hoodie and t-shirt, her hair flowing freely. She looked simply perfect, more mature now. But, as I mentioned, she didn't utter a word to me. The way she kept her eyes fixed on the ground, it seemed like she didn't even want to acknowledge my presence, as if I were invisible. Why? Natalia, it has been years. Do you still need to avoid me? Isn't five years enough, Natalia? Those thoughts consumed me in that moment.

Two weeks passed...

During these weeks, Natalia and I didn't exchange a single word. We sat together with our respective friends, played games, hung out, yet neither of us mustered the courage to speak. Deep down, we both longed to communicate, but our egos took precedence. We never prioritized our love above our pride.

Natalia's Perspective:
I was talking with my friends in the schoolyard bench and Nikolai was present as well. Now my close friend is Max. I sat beside him and we all were talking about something that's when Nikolai said something and I don't know why but out of blue I just replied to him. Shit! What the helll just I have done? Others were still talking but I looked at Nikolai he was shocked and was looking at me. After a while, he replied to me as well. But I wasn't confused. I was looking at his eyes and smiled and he smiled me back. Those butterflies in stomach that dies years back there it felt like they again become alive and playing in my stomach. My heart beating louder that I can hear my own beats. I just looked back to the ground before my heart came out from my chest.
Natalia's Perspective: I was chatting with my friends on the schoolyard bench, and Nikolai was also there. My close friend is Max, and I sat next to him while we all engaged in conversation. That's when Nikolai said something, and inexplicably, I found myself responding to him out of the blue. Damn! What have I just done? The others kept talking, but my gaze shifted to Nikolai. He seemed stunned, looking straight at me. After a moment, he replied, but my confusion was gone. I locked eyes with him and smiled, and he smiled back at me. Those butterflies in my stomach, long dormant, suddenly came alive, fluttering and dancing inside me. My heart pounded so loudly that I could hear my own heartbeat. I quickly looked down at the ground before my heart leaped out of my chest.

Nikolai's Perspective:
Ahhhh...! That smile of hers... uffff...! It made my day. It had been a thousand years since I last saw it. Her eyes... Her smile... I missed them so much, Natalia, so much Bellissimo .

~She drew memories in my mind
I could never erase.
She painted colours in my heart
I could never replace .

She still brought happiness into my life, but why? I moved on, I had my girlfriend, but still... Why? No... No... No, Nikolai, you can't betray your girlfriend. She loves you, and you love her too. Natalia is just a friend, nothing more.

Natalia's Perspective:
In the depths of my heart, I had always believed that Nikolai and I were destined to be just friends, nothing more, nothing less. His presence was a comforting constant in my life, a friendship I cherished dearly. I never allowed my thoughts to wander into the realm of romance; after all, he had his own life, his own path to follow. Even as his smile ignited a warmth in me, I suppressed any romantic notions that dared to surface. I had convinced myself that our connection was bound within the boundaries of friendship, and I treasured it for what it was. Little did I know, beneath the surface, the echoes of our laughter and the spark in his eyes were weaving a different story, a tale I had yet to grasp.

"Throughout these years, I tried not to miss you. I attempted to let go, but in the end, you're still on my mind."