Ananya, returning to India after years of academic pursuits abroad, carries with her a love for literature and a spirit eager for new beginnings. Little does she know, her arrival in Mumbai will lead her to unexpected connections and a journey of lo...
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The days in Carolina Beach had passed in a blur of happiness, laughter, and moments that felt like they were out of a dream. But now, as we headed back to Mumbai, the reality of returning to our normal lives was sinking in. The drive to the airport was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. For me, the thought of not seeing Kartik every day was gnawing at my heart.
When we landed in Mumbai, I could feel the shift in energy. The carefree days of the beach were over, and we were back to our lives, filled with responsibilities and expectations. Our and Suhana's families had already begun discussing their engagement, which was now set for next month. The excitement was palpable, and yet, I felt a pang of sadness knowing that I wouldn’t be able to see Kartik as often.
As we prepared to go our separate ways from the airport, Suhana and Shanaya pulled me aside. Their faces were serious, a stark contrast to their usual playful selves.
"Ananya," Suhana began, "we need to talk."
I looked at them, confused. "What is it?"
Shanaya sighed, "Don't take too long, Ananya. Kartik is a great guy, and we can all see how much he cares about you. But if you wait too long, he might start to think you're not interested."
Suhana nodded in agreement. "He might not wait forever, Ananya. If you love him, you should tell him before it's too late."
Their words hit me hard. I knew they were right. Kartik had been so patient, so understanding, but how long could I expect him to wait without knowing how I truly felt? As I turned to say goodbye to Kartik, I felt a surge of panic. This might be the last time I saw him before we all got swept up in the preparations for Ahaan and Suhana's engagement.
“Kartik,” I called out as he was about to get into his car. He turned, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.
“Yes?” he asked, stepping closer.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I just stood there, staring at him, my mind a whirl of emotions. Suhana and Shanaya’s words echoed in my head: *Don’t take too long.*
Finally, I took a deep breath. “Can we meet tomorrow? There’s something I need to tell you.”
Kartik’s expression shifted slightly, as if he was trying to gauge what I was about to say. But he nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Of course. I’ll be waiting.”
We said our goodbyes, and as I watched him drive away, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to tell him how I felt.
---
The next day, I woke up with a mix of excitement and nerves. I had asked Kartik to meet me at a small café near our old college, a place filled with memories of our time together as friends. It felt like the right place to confess my feelings.
When I arrived, Kartik was already there, sitting at a table by the window, lost in thought. As I approached, he looked up and smiled, that same smile that had always made my heart skip a beat.
“Hey,” he greeted me, standing up to pull out a chair for me. “You sounded serious yesterday. Is everything okay?”
I sat down, my heart pounding in my chest. “Kartik, I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About us.”
His expression grew more serious as he listened, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I know I’ve been distant, and I’ve put up walls,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “But the truth is, I’ve been scared. Scared of falling in love, of getting hurt. But then I realized, not telling you how I feel is hurting me more than anything.”
Kartik leaned in closer, his gaze intense. “What are you saying, Ananya?”
“I’m saying that I love you, Kartik,” I blurted out, finally letting the words escape. “I’ve loved you for a long time, but I was too afraid to admit it. I was afraid but I can’t keep it inside me anymore.”
For a moment, Kartik just stared at me, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
“Ananya,” he said softly, reaching out to take my hand. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear those words.”
I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as he squeezed my hand. “So, you don’t hate me?” I asked, half-joking.
“Hate you?” Kartik laughed, shaking his head. “I could never hate you, Ananya. I’ve been in love with you since the day we met. I was just waiting for you to realize it.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me, followed by a sense of overwhelming happiness. Kartik leaned in, gently brushing a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
“Don’t cry,” he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. “This is a happy moment.”
I nodded, smiling through my tears. “I’m just so relieved.”
Kartik chuckled, leaning in closer until our foreheads touched. “So, what now?”
“Now,” I said, smiling, “we take things one day at a time. And we make the most of the time we have before Ahaan and Suhana’s engagement.”
Kartik’s eyes sparkled with joy as he pulled me into a gentle embrace. “I can’t wait to spend that time with you.”
--- Everything was falling into place, and I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.
To be continued
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