YOU AND ME

Ayush

As soon as I pat Amina's head and walk away, my heart starts pounding. What was I thinking? She just told me I was something special, and all I could do was pat her head like a child. I feel a wave of nervousness wash over me. I like this girl-a lot. But I didn't know how to react.

I force my legs to move, feeling them tremble as we head back to the car. Every step feels heavier, and my mind is swirling with thoughts of what I should have said or done. You had a chance, Ayush, and you blew it.

And then, because fate has a cruel sense of humor, I stumble down a small set of stairs. My foot catches the edge, and before I know it, I'm tumbling forward. Thankfully, I don't get hurt-just a bruised ego-and more importantly, Amina doesn't see it. I quickly straighten myself, hoping no one else noticed, and slip into the car.

The ride back to the hotel is silent, and not the comfortable kind. My mind races, replaying every word, every glance, every laugh from the day. I want to say something, but my tongue feels like lead.

Back in my room, I collapse onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The weight of my feelings is pressing down on me. What is wrong with me? I grab my phone and, without thinking, call Raj.

"Hey, how's it going?" he answers, his voice lazy, as if he's still half asleep.

"I messed up," I blurt out, feeling the embarrassment rising in my chest.

"What happened?" he asks, now sounding more awake, his tone immediately concerned.

"I... Amina told me I was something special, and all I did was pat her head. I didn't know how to react," I confess, the words spilling out of me like a confession at a crime scene.

There's a moment of silence before my brother bursts into laughter. "Are you serious? You've been pining over this girl for how long, and that's how you respond? Man, that's priceless."

I groan, rubbing my face in frustration. "It's not funny," I grumble, feeling the sting of his words. "I really like her, and I blew it."

Raj's laughter dies down, replaced by a more serious tone. "Alright, listen. You didn't blow it. You just... fumbled. But you've still got time. Just tell her how you feel, bro. Be yourself."

"Be myself?" I repeat, skepticism creeping into my voice. "That's what got me into this mess."

He chuckles again, but this time it's softer. "Trust me. Women can sense when a guy's being real with them. Just talk to her. You've got this."

I hang up, but his words linger. Be myself. Easier said than done.

---

The next morning, as I'm waiting for Amina in the lobby, I'm hit with the reality that today is her last day here. I have to tell her. I can't let her leave without knowing.

But before I can say anything, she speaks first, her voice soft and filled with an unspoken sadness. "Ayush, I feel like this is our last day together." She pauses, and the weight of her words sinks into my chest. "Tomorrow, I'm heading back to Malawi. I have a lot of work pending at home that I need to complete. I don't know if I'll come back to India, but I feel like this is our final goodbye."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I want to tell her everything, but I can't find the courage. Instead, I force a smile and nod. "I hope we can still talk over the phone," she continues, her eyes searching mine for something-maybe reassurance, maybe the words I'm too scared to say. "You have my number, and I have yours."

I swallow the lump in my throat and give her a smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. "Of course. I'll call you."

---

We set off to explore more of Udaipur. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the city, and everything about today feels bittersweet. Every step we take, every laugh we share feels like a countdown. This is it-our last day together.

We visit the Sajjangarh Palace, also known as the Monsoon Palace, and for a moment, I let the beauty of the view take my mind off the anxiety brewing in my chest. The city below us is breathtaking, but all I can think about is Amina.

She stands next to me, looking out over the city, her eyes wide with wonder. "You know, this place is beautiful," she says, her voice breaking the quiet between us.

"Yeah, it is," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. But I'm not looking at the view. I'm looking at her.

We share a quiet moment, standing side by side, and I realize that this might be my last chance. My heart pounds as I gather the courage to speak, but every time I think about confessing my feelings, I freeze. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if I ruin everything?

---

That night, back at the hotel, I lie awake, staring at the ceiling. I can't stop thinking about her. About us. About everything I didn't say. I grab my phone and, without thinking, start scrolling through her Instagram. Every photo, every smile just makes my chest tighten even more. You're going to regret this if you don't do something, Ayush.

I type out a message, then delete it. I do this several times, my nerves getting the better of me. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I send a simple, "Hey, are you awake?"

To my surprise, she replies almost immediately. "Yeah, can't sleep. What's up?"

I stare at the screen, my heart racing. Just tell her. I take a deep breath and type, "I need to tell you something. Can we meet tomorrow before you leave?"

There's a pause, and I hold my breath, waiting for her response. Then, "Sure. Let's meet for breakfast."

---

The next morning, I wake up with a sense of determination. Today is the day. I can't let her leave without knowing how I feel. We meet for breakfast, and I can see the curiosity in her eyes. She knows something's up, and I can feel the tension hanging in the air between us.

"Amina, there's something I need to tell you," I begin, my heart pounding in my chest.

But before I can get the words out, her phone buzzes on the table. It's a message. She glances at the screen, and I see the slightest change in her expression. Something shifts.

"I... I have to go," she says, her voice suddenly distant.

My heart sinks as I watch her stand, gathering her things. "I'll text you when I'm at the airport."

And just like that, she's gone. I sit there, staring at the empty chair in front of me, the words I was too scared to say still caught in my throat.

---

I watch her leave for the airport, my heart aching. I wanted to run after her, to tell her how I felt, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. She was gone, and I was left with a void in my heart.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like I'd lost something... someone... important.