BIG-J

29

As I got ready at night to head out to the beach, I sighed, hoping she would arrive. The beach was thankfully just opposite the hospital, so it didn't take me much time. I waited there; the breeze was chill and cool, making the ocean look beautiful. One hour passed with no sign of her. I got up from the sand, ready to leave, until I saw someone offering me their hand for support. I looked up, and it was Anushka.

I couldn't help it; the biggest smile came to my face, surprising her and making her blush. She sat beside me, and I told her, "I missed you," to which she hummed. I didn't waste any time and asked her about herself and everything. After that, I looked at her, held her hand, and told her, "Anushka, I like you."

She looked at the sea, but no reaction. I was quiet too, thinking, 'Oh... I messed up.' Then she turned towards me for a minute and looked back to the ocean. Confused by her behaviour, I slowly placed her hand in the sand and stared silently at the ocean.

Anushka's POV:

James held my hand and straight up looked at me; my heart stopped. I thought I was over him, but coming here after reading his text itself was the biggest sign. Then I heard the words I had been waiting to hear, "Anushka, I like you." My heart stopped; I couldn't feel or hear anything. I was shocked, and then I looked at him quickly before gazing back at the ocean. Oh, how this man makes me feel. He let go of my hand, and I still couldn't react. We sat there in silence for five minutes before it started drizzling, and he got up, prompting me to get up too.

We walked in silence, no words exchanged, in front of the hospital before he looked at me once we made eye contact. I don't know what took over me, but before he could leave and say goodbye, I grabbed him by his collar, my hand in his hair, and kissed him. He was startled but gave in eventually. It was filled with hopeless love and passion, not lust, but the feeling of being with another person you always wanted. I then pulled away, and we didn't notice it was raining heavily. He looked at me, and as he came closer, our heads touching, he laughed. I pushed him away, shook my wet hair, and we laughed, he started chasing me around with water.

Eventually, we went back to the hospital and as I sat by James's side in the hospital room, a whirlwind of emotions consumed me. The words escaped my lips before I could fully process them.

"James, but you were dating Priya. What about her?" I whispered, my voice shaky and uncertain.

He sighed, looking up at me with a soft smile. "I broke up with her the day you left. I was too late to catch up; you left just when I arrived."

His words struck a chord within me, and tears welled up in my eyes. James reached out, gently wiping away my tears and caressing my cheek. "What's wrong, love?" he asked, his concern evident.

I shook my head, managing a smile through my tears. Looking into his eyes, I couldn't contain the overwhelming surge of emotions within me. The words escaped my lips, baring my heart to him.

"I love you," I confessed.

A genuine smile spread across James's face as he responded, "I love you too." Closing his eyes, he held my hand, and at that moment, the hospital room faded away, leaving only the warmth of our connection. I stayed by his side, grateful for the reunion and the love that had found its way back into our lives.

As I left James's room in the hospital, holding back tears, I decided to head home. On my way, Priya texted me, and I hesitated before deciding to visit her place. As I rang her doorbell, she opened the door with a big smile, the first thing she said was, "Oh girl, you're so wet. Where is your umbrella?" I awkwardly giggled, not responding to her comment. I entered her house, hoping for a moment of relaxation.

However, the tranquil atmosphere quickly turned into a nightmare. Someone grabbed me from behind as soon as I entered Priya's house, holding me tightly. I struggled to see anything, my vision was obscured, and the only sound was Priya's unsettling laughter. Panic set in as I called out for her, but no one seemed to be listening. The situation took a dark turn, and fear gripped me.