Crush fever

Confession

Karan hastened his pace to keep up with Dhruthi's, their footsteps harmonizing as they strolled together. He leaned in close, his voice a gentle whisper, "What if I really had caught feelings for you?"

The words were laced with vulnerability, his heart beating faster with anticipation.

Dhruthi's response was a playful jab, "That's never going to happen! Who falls in love with a kid? And you know, it's a crime!" Her tone was light, teasing, but she failed to grasp the sincerity behind Karan's words, the depth of his emotions.

A faint crack spread through Karan's heart as Dhruthi's words lingered in the air. He couldn't believe he had once called her a kid. Regret washed over him like a wave.

How could he have been so blind? His feelings for her had shifted like sand between his fingers, and now he couldn't imagine a future without her.

"I used to see her as just a kid," Karan thought, his mind racing, "but now...now I dream of her as my partner, my forever companion."

The realization hit him like a gentle breeze, soft but profound.With their departure imminent, Dhruthi suddenly remembered a pressing need. "Karan, wait here, go get the scooty. I have to use the washroom," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency.

Karan nodded obligingly, his face still aglow with the warmth of their earlier moments. He had meticulously gathered all of Dhruthi's cherished treats and goodies, each one revealed through her Instagram reels.

Now, he eagerly anticipated their joyful ride together.With a gentle smile, Karan headed off to fetch the scooty, his heart filled with tender thoughts of Dhruthi.

They brought the scooty back home and prepared to board the train, Dhruthi's face fell, her eyes welling up with tears. "Bye, Amma, take care of your health, and Dad, don't forget to eat on time," she said, her voice trembling.

Her dad smiled reassuringly. "We'll be fine, don't worry about us. You take care of yourself, okay?"Karan stepped in, his voice filled with responsibility. "Don't worry, Uncle, I've got this. I'll take care of her, make sure she's safe and happy."

Dhruthi's gaze drifted to Karan, her eyes locking onto his as he spoke. For a moment, they just looked at each other, a spark of understanding passing between them.

As the train rumbled along, Karan and Dhruthi settled into their berths, sitting together in comfortable silence. But Karan's mind was racing. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he needed to know how Dhruthi truly feel about him.

"I have to ask her," he thought, his heart pounding with determination. "If she feels the same way, then this is the perfect time. I'm running out of time, with all the marriage pressure from home. I need to know ."

Karan steeled himself, deciding to take the next step before they reached Hyderabad. He couldn't wait any longer to uncover the truth about Dhruthi's feelings.

Dhruthi was completely absorbed in her Instagram feed, her eyes glued to the screen as she scrolled mindlessly, almost forgetting to breathe.

The train came to a halt, and Karan got up to stretch his legs and grab some snacks. He returned with a bag of treats and a chilled Pepsi bottle, which he handed to Dhruthi with a smile."Here, I got your favorite snacks," he said, offering her the bag. "And I thought you might need a drink, so I got this Pepsi too."

Dhruthi looked up, startled, and smiled as she took the bottle and bag from Karan. She unscrewed the cap and took a refreshing sip, feeling the cool drink trickle down her throat.

Dhruthi's eyes widened in shock as she took a few sips from the Pepsi bottle. At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but as she continued to drink, she noticed something written on the bottle in black marker.