The Heart's Unexpected Twist

•||CHAPTER 13||•

The glow of her phone screen illuminated Shruti's face as she typed, her fingers hesitating for a moment. She had a question lingering in her mind, something that had been tugging at her since Sahil mentioned his sister, Aziza. The mention of his sister's connection to classical dance had stirred something within Shruti. There was a subtle shift in her feelings, something she couldn't quite place, but it was there-gnawing at her thoughts.

Shruti: Hey, if you don't mind, can I ask you something?. Her heart raced as she pressed send, waiting for his reply. She wondered if she was overthinking it. What was she even trying to understand here? Was it curiosity, or was it something more? As she waited for his response, she found herself pondering the possibilities of what he might say.

Sahil's reply came quickly oh yeah, sure. What's on your mind?. Shruti took a deep breath. This was her chance to ask, but as she began to type, she couldn't ignore the fluttering in her chest. What if this changed things? You know Sahil, you mentioned your childhood crush when we were talking about . May I know who she is if you would be comfortable enough to share ?.

The words felt heavier than she had expected. She knew this was more than just a casual question. There was a vulnerability in asking, a part of her that was too invested in the answer. Sahil paused before typing. He had a feeling that this question carried more weight than Shruti let on. He could sense something deeper lurking beneath her curiosity. A quiet sigh escaped his lips as he decided to open up to her, to share a part of his past that still lingered in his heart.

Sahil yeah okay sure so you want to know about my childhood crush right so yeah
There was this girl, my childhood crush. I first noticed her during our school days. There was something about her that pulled me in-the way she laughed, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke. I remember being drawn to her whenever she was around.

Shruti's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to be so straightforward. But now, she braced herself for what he would reveal. Shruti could feel her heart sinking with every word. She hadn't realised just how much she had hoped for something else, something less painful.

Sahil continuing you know I would often try to talk to her whenever I got the chance, just to hear her voice, to be near her. But what really made me fall for her... it wasn't just her beauty. It was her strength. There was this one time when I was falsely accused of something, and no one believed me-except her. She stood up for me when no one else did. I think that was the moment I truly fell for her.

As Shruti read his words, she could almost see the memory playing out in his mind. She could imagine a younger Sahil, vulnerable and alone, and this girl standing up for him, shielding him from the world's accusations. A part of her felt happiness for him, but another part-an overwhelming part-felt the sharp sting of sadness. She hadn't expected it to hurt like this.

Sahil reminisced about how she had this way of making me feel seen, like I mattered. Even now, I can't help but think about her. Her eyes, her voice, her smile... they're all etched into my memory. I've never felt anything like that for anyone else. No other girl has ever made me feel the way she did.

Shruti swallowed hard. The knot in her throat tightened as she read his words. This wasn't just a fleeting crush for Sahil-this was someone he cherished deeply, someone who had shaped his view of love. And here she was, feeling something for him, knowing that his heart still belonged to another.

Shruti trying to keep her emotions at bay and saying you know that's really beautiful, Sahil. It's rare to find someone who makes such a lasting impact.Her fingers trembled as she typed, her emotions threatening to spill over. But she kept her composure. She didn't want him to know how much this was affecting her. Not now, at least.

So have you ever thought about reaching out to her? Maybe clearing up the misunderstandings between you two and reconnecting. Sahil said while typing I've thought about it, but I'm not sure it would change anything. We drifted apart because of those misunderstandings, and I don't know if she even remembers me now.

Shruti advises him that i think you should try. Sometimes, life gives us second chances, and maybe this is yours. You won't know unless you try. Her own words felt like daggers in her chest. Here she was, encouraging him to reconnect with someone who still held a piece of his heart, while her own feelings remained unspoken. But she couldn't let her emotions get in the way of what was right for Sahil. If this girl meant that much to him, he deserved the chance to find closure-or perhaps, rekindle something long lost.

A sudden thought struck Shruti, one that had been lingering in the back of her mind since their conversations began to take this deeper turn. Hey by the way sahil I intended to ask you that do you believe in astrology?

Sahil was amused by the way she changed the topic yet he said no not really so may I know why you ask? Shruti, it's just that I find it interesting, that's all. Her mind was racing now. She couldn't stop herself from diving into the depths of astrology, searching for some kind of answer-something that might explain the bond they shared. She had always believed in the power of fate, in the alignment of the stars.

Shruti, do you mind sharing your birth details if it's not much of a hassle. Sahil said, "Sure, here you go, these are my birthday details."
She chuckled softly at his casual tone, but her heart was heavy as she typed in the necessary details. She wasn't sure what she was expecting to find, but when she reached the part about his marriage, her breath caught in her throat.

The words stared back at her, mocking her with their cruel truth: "There are high possibilities of him marrying his childhood sweetheart."

Shruti felt as though the ground had been pulled out from under her. The idea of Sahil being destined for someone else, someone he had loved all along, pierced her like shards of glass. How could the stars be so unkind? How could fate play this role, leaving her on the sidelines, watching as Sahil's heart belonged to another?

Shruti then sends the kundali to him and says it looks like the stars have already decided your future. While sahil being caught off guard by this question asked what do you mean? Shruti said sahil you know your kundali says you'll marry your childhood sweetheart. Sahil's response was slow, almost hesitant. It's interesting... but I'm not sure if I believe in all that.

Shruti felt the weight of those words, the finality of them. And yet, she couldn't help but wonder if fate truly had already woven their paths. Sahil texting you know, Shruti, I haven't told you who my crush is yet.

Her pulse quickened Sahil further continuing she's an Odia celebrity now has a beautiful voice, captivating presence. I used to watch her sing in school, mesmerised by her talent. But life had other plans for us. As Shruti processed his words, she felt the sting of realisation. His crush, the one he had held onto all these years, was out of reach now-forever preserved in his memories.

Shruti still advises Sahil to still message her saying that maybe fate isn't as set in stone as we think while Sahil replying maybe... but there's more to this than what's written in the stars, don't you think?

And with that, the conversation hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions, as the distance between them grew-not in words, but in the weight of what was left unsaid.