The Heart's Unexpected Twist

•||CHAPTER 6||•

Sahil leaned back in his chair, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as the victory screen flashed before him. The roar of engines from *Forza* still echoed in his ears as he uploaded his winning streak to his social media, proud of the perfect drift and flawless lap that had clinched him the win He didn't expect much when he posted it, just a moment to share his excitement. But a few minutes later, a notification lit up his phone, and there it was-a comment from Shruti.

"Wow, impressive! You're at it!"

Sahil couldn't help but smile. There was something about Shruti's words that made the win feel even better. Her presence in his life, though still new, was becoming a source of warmth and curiosity. He found himself wanting to know more about her-beyond the surface conversations beyond the shared laughs. There was a depth to Shruti that intrigued him, a story waiting to be unravelled, and he felt the pull to dive deeper.

Without overthinking, Sahil typed, "Thanks, Shruti! Winning this race felt great, but I feel like getting to know each other better would be even more rewarding. If you're up for it, how about we share some stories from our lives? You know, the kind that sticks with you-moments when we were embarrassed, times we felt inspired, or even those mischievous incidents that still make us laugh. What do you think?"

He hit send, his heart quickening just a little as he waited for her reply. It didn't take long.

"Sure, I'm in," came Shruti's response, her words infused with a mix of excitement and thoughtfulness. She hesitated for a moment, wondering where to begin, but then the memories started to flow.

"Well," she began, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, "one incident that comes to mind isn't exactly embarrassing in the typical sense, but it's definitely a memory that stuck with me. When I was a kid, I once fell asleep inside one of those giant cartoon characters displayed at a supermarket while my mom was busy shopping. She couldn't find me anywhere and panicked, thinking I was lost. I was blissfully unaware of the chaos I'd caused, napping peacefully inside that cartoon! The store staff found me eventually, and my mom was so relieved that she nearly cried. I didn't understand what the fuss was about at the time, but looking back, I can't help but smile at how innocent and unaware I was."

She paused, her mind drifting to another memory, one that filled her with pride rather than embarrassment. "A moment that had a positive impact on me was when I was acknowledged for being good at my studies and was chosen as the class prefect. It was a huge confidence boost, but even more so was the time when I was asked to give a speech on social media with just five minutes to prepare. I was so nervous, but when I did it and got praised for it, I felt like I could take on anything."

Her tone shifted, becoming more sombre as she moved to the next memory. "But not all moments are positive, right? The one that left a scar, both physically and mentally, happened a few days before my birthday in 2022. I was out to buy some masalas for a family gathering, as my father had come home after a long time. On my way back, two men surrounded me, dragged me by my hair, and threw me onto the ground. They slapped me, bit my neck and shoulder when I resisted. I was terrified, paralyzed with fear, and the thought that I might not make it out of there alive ran through my mind. Then, out of nowhere, an uncle came and scared them off. If it wasn't for him... I don't know what might have happened. The memory of that day still terrifies me. It's a wound that hasn't fully healed."

Sahil read her words in silence, his heart aching for her. He could feel the weight of her fear, the trauma that still lingered, and yet, amidst all that darkness, there was a strength in Shruti that shone through.

"But it's not all dark," Shruti continued, her words lighter now. "I've been inspired by many things in my life, but mostly by my mother. The way she selflessly takes care of us, the way she's faced every challenge with such bravery-she's the strongest woman I know. And then there's Sudha Murty, who defied all odds to become the first female engineer in her field. Her life, her humility, and her achievements have always pushed me to aim higher and never give up."

She hesitated, a smile playing on her lips as she recalled one last memory. "As for something mischievous..." well, when I was a child, I had this habit of poking holes in watermelons wrapped in cellophane at the grocery store. Once, I even ate a chocolate bar, then wrapped it back up and put it on the shelf. Of course, the CCTV caught me, and my mom had to pay for it. I was a bit of a handful back then!"

Shruti sent the message, her heart lighter after sharing these pieces of herself. There was something cathartic about opening up about letting someone into those hidden corners of her life.

Sahil read her stories, each word deepening his admiration for her. He felt a sense of awe at her strength, her resilience, and even her mischievousness. There was so much more to Shruti than he had imagined, and as he sat there, absorbing everything she had shared, he realized that this was just the beginning.

He started to type his response but paused, thinking carefully about what he wanted to say. The conversation had shifted into something more profound, more meaningful, and he knew that his next words would carry weight. But what would he say? How would he match the depth of what she had shared? The words danced at the edge of his thoughts, waiting to be brought to life.

And so, as the night deepened, Sahil found himself on the cusp of something new-a bond that was slowly, but surely, taking shape. The silence hung between them, heavy with anticipation, as Sahil crafted his next message, knowing that this conversation was far from over.