Once Upon A Time In New York

The Very Confusing Dinner Menu(They haven't even seen it yet)

Simran's POV:

The bar's pulsing music seemed to echo the rhythm of her racing heart. Simran glanced around, taking in the familiar faces. Daamini, Siddhant, Samriddhi—they had all been part of her life since middle school. And now, here they were, reunited at university, ready to build their futures together.

Kaartik leaned in, his voice a low murmur. "Remember when we used to sneak out during lunch breaks?" he said. "We'd explore the abandoned building behind the school. Daamini was always the one with the wild ideas."

Simran chuckled, the memories flooding back. "And you were the one who could climb any tree without breaking a sweat," she replied. "Those were simpler times."

"Simple but unforgettable," Kaartik agreed. "We dreamed big, didn't we? We talked about traveling the world, discovering hidden treasures, and leaving our mark."

Simran's gaze met his. "And now?" she asked. "What's your dream now?"

He hesitated, then leaned even closer. "My dream," he said, "is to find that hidden treasure right here, in this city, with my sports career."

Simran's heart swelled. "We're all a little broken," she whispered. "But together, we can be build each other back up." 

Middle school—the awkward phase of braces, gangly limbs, and secret crushes. Simran remembered it well. She'd sit in the back row, stealing glances at Kaartik during math class. His unruly hair, the way he'd furrow his brow when solving equations—it had all fascinated her.

Kaartik, on the other hand, was oblivious—or so she thought. He'd tease her about her messy ponytail, and she'd retaliate by calling him "Captain Cool" because of his calm demeanor. But beneath the banter, there was something more—a flutter of anticipation whenever their eyes met.

One rainy afternoon, they found themselves alone in the library. Simran pretended to read a book while stealing sidelong glances at Kaartik, who was engrossed in a sci-fi novel. The rain tapped against the window, creating a cozy bubble of warmth.

"Simran," Kaartik said suddenly, looking up from his book. "Do you believe in parallel universes?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, what?"

He grinned. "Parallel universes. You know, where every decision we make creates a new reality. Maybe in one universe, you're a famous astronaut, and in another, you're a pirate."

Simran laughed. "And what about you?"

"In one universe," he said, leaning closer, "I'm brave enough to tell you that I—"

The librarian interrupted, shushing them, but Simran's heart raced. What was he going to say? Did he feel the same way?

'What were you saying?' Simran said whispering now.' 

'I don't like the strawberry frosting you made on the cupcakes 2 weeks ago! That what I wanted to say...' Kaartik said rubbing the back of his head.

Kaartik's POV:

Middle school—the time of scribbled notes, stolen glances, and heartbeats that raced faster than a sprinter. Kaartik had a secret: he'd been crushing on Simran since forever. Her laughter, the way she'd open her hair after sprints and races—it drove him crazy.

He'd find excuses to sit next to her during art class. They'd share colored pencils, and he'd marvel at how she could turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece. But he never dared to confess his feelings. What if she laughed? What if she thought he was just another geek?