Far Yet Forever

Chapter 05

"It's amazing how a simple connection can feel like everything yet leave you questioning if it's really anything at all."

We'd been talking for a while for what felt like weeks now, yet somehow, we hadn't exchanged the simplest detail- our names. It was funny how we'd gotten comfortable discussing our lives, our likes, and even our fears without knowing something as basic as that.

 So, he started the conversation

By the way, we've been talking all this time, and I don't even know your name. Kind of strange, right? I bet our Instagram handles don't carry our real names?

I blinked at the message, realizing he was right. We had built this odd little connection, yet our names remined a mystery. For a moment, I hesitated. I liked the anonymity-it felt safe, like a bubble where nothing from the outside world could interfere. But then, I was curious, too. It was time to let that small wall down.

Okay, let's do it, "I replied, smiling to myself. On the count of three, we both share our names. Deal?

Deal, he agreed.

I took a breath and typed.

One...

Two...

Three...

I hit the send at the same time he did, and for a split second, I held my breath, waiting for his reply alongside mine. And then, there it was - our names, staring at back at me on the screen:

Aarin...

Aarisha...

I blinked in surprise, reading his name again. Aarin. Almost like mine. A small laugh bubbled up from my chest, and I couldn't help but smile at the coincidence.

No way! I texted; our names are so similar!

I know, right? he replied. Aarin and Aarisha. That's pretty crazy. It was almost like it was meant to be.

I paused, feeling butterflies in my stomach thing... like a flutter in my chest at the way he said that. Meant to be. It was silly, but something about it made this moment feel special, like the universe had its own sense of humor, or maybe its own plan.

It’s kind of nice, I admitted. Almost like a sign.

Maybe it is, he replied, a hint of playfulness in his words. Guess we were meant to know each other after all.

I couldn’t help but smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. It was a small thing—our names—but somehow, it felt like a step closer, like the connection we had was becoming just a little more real.

After the surprise of our names, the conversation flowed effortlessly, as if that small revelation had unlocked something between us. We laughed about the coincidence, shared more about our lives, and dove deeper into topics we hadn’t yet touched. Time seemed to blur as we exchanged texts, each message pulling us further into this strange, comfortable space we had created together.

Before I knew it, the sky outside was shifting from deep indigo to the soft hues of dawn. I glanced at the clock and blinked in surprise—hours had passed, and we hadn’t stopped talking. It was as if the night had slipped away without either of us realizing.

Wow, it’s almost morning, I texted, a little stunned. We’ve been talking all night.

Looks like we forgot about sleep, he replied, a smile evident in his words. But I don’t mind. It’s been worth it.

I smiled to myself, feeling the same. It wasn’t often that I could lose track of time with someone like this. Even though we were miles apart, I felt closer to him in those moments than I had to anyone in a long time.

Yeah, it was worth it, I agreed, letting my tiredness fade away for just a bit longer. We had spent the whole night talking, but for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel alone.

The next morning, as the sun streamed through my window and reality began to settle in, I couldn’t help but overthink everything. The warmth of our conversation from last night faded, replaced by creeping doubts.

It’s just someone online, I thought to myself, staring at my phone. You don’t even know him in real life. What if it’s all just temporary? What if he disappears like everyone else eventually does?

Negative thoughts started swirling in my mind, questioning whether I was naive for trusting someone I hadn’t even met. What if this connection wasn’t as real as it felt? What if I was just setting myself up to be hurt again?

I sat there, conflicted, unsure of how to navigate these new feelings. What we shared felt real, but was it? The distance between us suddenly seemed much larger, and the uncertainty of it all weighed heavily on me.