Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 16

Laranya's POV

As I sat there, the seconds stretching endlessly, my thoughts drifted back to the morning. I had been so confused, questioning whether my feelings for Shravan were more than just friendship. I had hesitated over the idea of giving him a chance, of seeing him as something more than just my best friend. Marriage, the thought had crossed my mind, but I was scared—scared of ruining what we had, of venturing into territory that felt unfamiliar and risky.

But now, as I replayed the day's events, a harsh realization hit me. In my pursuit of distraction, trying to distance myself from my own conflicting feelings about Shravan, I had unintentionally pushed him away. I had wanted to escape the confusion that came with the possibility of loving him, but instead, I ended up feeling even more lost. Aarav had seemed like an easy way out—a way to avoid facing the depth of my emotions for Shravan. Yet, I had only ended up right back where I started, perhaps even deeper.

I thought about how easily I had slipped into Aarav's company, letting myself get carried away with the idea of something new and different. But that was all it was—different, not better. Not once throughout the day did I feel the comfort or ease that came naturally when I was with Shravan. And now, sitting here, waiting for him to come and pick me up because someone else had left me behind, I felt ashamed of how I had treated him. Shravan was the one person who had never abandoned me, not even for a second.

A realization washed over me, sudden yet clear—I no longer needed a distraction. I had been looking for a way to avoid my feelings, to make sense of them without diving too deep, but what was the point when my heart had already chosen? It didn’t matter what doubts I had tried to force upon myself. I was drawn to Shravan in a way I couldn’t ignore, a way that went beyond the confines of friendship. Today had shown me that no matter how I tried to run or hide from it, my heart would always find its way back to him.

I didn’t want to be distracted anymore. I didn’t want to find comfort in anyone else’s presence. I wanted Shravan. For everything—a distraction, a companion, maybe even for marriage. As terrifying as that thought was, it felt right. No one else could fill the space he held in my life, no matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise.

The guilt gnawed at me as I thought of how I had ignored him today, letting another person occupy the time and space that belonged to him. But the truth was now clearer than ever. Shravan was the only person I wanted by my side, the only one I could imagine being with, whether for a moment of solace or a lifetime commitment. And I had to find a way to make it right, to let him know that I hadn’t meant to push him away.

The thought of finally letting go of my fears and embracing my feelings for him both scared and exhilarated me. But as I waited for Shravan, I realized that I was done running from what I felt. I would rather face it head-on, take the risk, and see where it would lead us than spend another day pretending I could find what I was looking for in someone else.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had lost something precious today. I was scared and ashamed, hoping that Shravan would arrive soon to chase away the doubts and fears that clouded my mind.

As I sat in the bustling restaurant, my heart raced with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. I had just seen time for the umpteenth time when I spotted Shravan’s car pulling up in front of the restaurant. A wave of relief washed over me, and I felt a flutter of hope. I knew we needed to talk. I could feel the weight of the day pressing down on me, the guilt gnawing at my insides. I stood up, eager to run to him, to bridge the gap that had formed between us.

The moment I stepped outside, I saw him getting out of the car, his posture tense, his expression unreadable. Without thinking, I dashed toward him, my heart pounding. I threw my arms around him, holding him tightly, desperate to convey the depth of my feelings, the remorse I felt for how the day had unfolded.