The Right Kind of Wrong

23. Rajat Realizes his Feelings

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the campus as Rajat made his way to the small café where he often met his friend, Aman. It had been a whirlwind of emotions for Rajat in the past few weeks, especially concerning Savi. The bickering had turned into something deeper, and it had him thinking more than he had ever intended.

He pushed the door open and spotted Aman seated at their usual table, his laptop open, immersed in whatever project he was working on.

"Hey, man! You look like you've seen better days," Aman greeted without looking up.

"Thanks for the sympathy," Rajat replied, taking a seat opposite him. "I appreciate it."

Aman finally looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What's going on? You seem... off."

Rajat sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's Savi."

"Oh?" Aman leaned forward, his interest piqued. "What about her?"

"I think I like her," Rajat confessed, his voice low.

Aman's eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face. "You think? Or you know?"

"I don't know," Rajat muttered, feeling frustration bubbling within him. "It's complicated. We've gone from arguing to teasing, and now... I can't help but feel there's something more."

"Dude, that's awesome!" Aman said, his excitement barely contained. "So, what's the problem?"

"I'm just worried that if I tell her, it could ruin everything we've built. Our banter, our dynamic—it's fun, and I don't want to mess it up," Rajat admitted, looking down at the table.

Aman shook his head, a serious look on his face. "Rajat, you can't let fear dictate your feelings. If you really like her, you should go for it."

"Easier said than done," Rajat retorted, crossing his arms defensively. "What if she doesn't feel the same way? I mean, we argue more than we agree on things."

"Isn't that part of the fun?" Aman replied. "Besides, how can you know unless you try? You might be surprised."

Rajat leaned back in his chair, pondering Aman's words. "What if I scare her off? She's ambitious, focused, and probably doesn't want the distraction of a guy like me."

"Rajat, stop it," Aman said, his voice firm. "You're not some distraction. You're a catch, and you know it. Just be honest with her. Worst case, she doesn't feel the same way, and you'll have to deal with it. But you'll never know if you don't try."

"Yeah, but what if it changes everything?" Rajat replied, frustration creeping back into his voice. "What if she pulls away or decides she doesn't want to be around me anymore?"

"Then you deal with it," Aman said, his tone softening. "But you need to take that risk. If she's as special as you think she is, then it's worth it. You'd regret not telling her more than you would regret telling her."

Rajat fell silent, staring out the café window at the students bustling by. Aman's words resonated, but doubt still clung to him. "I just don't want to ruin what we have."

"Sometimes, you have to shake things up to find out what's really there," Aman suggested, taking a sip of his coffee. "Look, you're not in high school anymore. You can't tiptoe around your feelings forever."

"Maybe you're right," Rajat conceded, a knot forming in his stomach at the thought of approaching Savi. "But what if I embarrass myself?"

"Then it'll be a good story to tell in a few years," Aman replied, winking. "Seriously, just be yourself. If you try to be someone you're not, that's what will mess things up."