I Fell First

THE WAITING

Vishika stood beneath the sprawling branches of the ancient banyan tree, its gnarled roots like twisted fingers clutching at the earth. The sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the ground below. She leaned against the rough bark, her heart heavy with the weight of recent events.

Only moments ago, she had poured her heart out to Advait, confessing feelings she had kept hidden for so long. Their laughter had danced in the air, mingling with the rustle of leaves, creating an ethereal symphony of joy. But then, like a sudden storm, his words had shattered the fragile harmony.

"I'm sorry, Vishika," he had said, his voice gentle but firm. "I can't stay friends, my girlfriend will be insecure."

Those words echoed in her mind, each syllable a cruel reminder of her vulnerability. She had tried to mask her pain, to smile through the tears threatening to spill, but inside, she was crumbling.

Now, as she stood beneath the ancient tree, Vishika felt the weight of rejection like a physical blow.

It was the next morning. The warmth of the sun seemed to mock her, its rays too bright, too harsh against her wounded spirit. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to ease the ache that radiated from within.

How could she have been so foolish, to believe that her feelings would be reciprocated? She had built castles in the air, weaving dreams of a future where she and Advait stood side by side, facing the world together. But now those dreams lay shattered at her feet, broken fragments of hope scattered in the wind.

Embarrassment burned like a hot coal in the pit of her stomach. She could still hear the echo of her own words, the way they had hung in the air, heavy with expectation. What must Advait think of her now, she wondered? A silly girl, deluded by her own fantasies, daring to hope for something beyond her reach.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over. She blinked them back fiercely, refusing to let Advait see her weakness. But deep down, she knew that the pain of rejection would linger long after he had walked away.

With a heavy sigh, Vishika pushed herself away from the tree, her steps faltering as she made her way back to the world beyond. The banyan tree stood silent witness to her heartache, its branches whispering secrets to the wind, as if offering solace to a soul in need.

And though the sadness that filled Vishika's heart may never truly fade, she knew that with time, she would find the strength to pick up the pieces and move forward, leaving behind the echoes of rejection to fade into the past.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, Vishika sat curled up on her bed, her phone cradled in her hands. Her thumb hovered over the screen, hesitating for a moment before finally tapping on the Instagram app.

Her heart raced as the app loaded, anticipation mingling with apprehension. And there it was, amidst a sea of profiles, she found him. Advait. His profile picture was a candid shot, a glimpse of the smile she had come to know so well during their time together at school.

A surge of elation washed over her, followed swiftly by a wave of nostalgia. Three months had passed since Advait's farewell, three months of silence and separation. At that time, he had been absent from social media, leaving Vishika to wonder about his whereabouts and well-being.

But now, seeing his profile, a flood of memories rushed back to her. She remembered the way his laughter had filled the air, the sparkle in his eyes when he talked about his passions. She remembered the shy glances they had exchanged, the shared moments that had fueled her hopes and dreams.

Yet, intertwined with the joy of finding him online was the bitter sting of rejection. The memories of that fateful day, when she had poured out her heart only to be met with gentle but firm words of refusal, resurfaced like unwelcome ghosts.

Despite the passage of time, Advait had remained a constant presence in her thoughts. Unconsciously, she had found herself gazing towards his bus stop, hoping for a glimpse of him, even though she knew he was no longer there. He had become ingrained in her daily routine, a part of her she couldn't shake off.

He was her first crush, a distinction that carried weight and significance. He had ignited feelings within her that she had never experienced before, feelings that had left an indelible mark on her heart. And though she knew that moving on would take time, she also knew that Advait was someone who couldn't be easily forgotten.

With a sigh, Vishika set her phone aside, the glow of the screen illuminating her darkened room. She knew that seeing Advait's profile was both a blessing and a curse, a reminder of the bittersweet nature of first love. But as she closed her eyes, she vowed to cherish the memories they had shared, even as she sought to forge a new path forward, one step at a time.