Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 17

Shravan's POV

As we arrived at Marine Drive, the soft sound of the waves crashing against the rocks created a tranquil backdrop, but my heart was anything but calm. Lara's voice broke through the gentle hum of the night, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.

"Before I say this, I want you to promise me something,” she began, her gaze fixed on the shimmering water, her breath hitching slightly. I couldn’t help but furrow my brow, confusion flooding my senses. “I need you to promise me that you won’t break our friendship. No matter what happens next.”

Her words hit me like a sudden gust of wind, stirring emotions I had kept buried for so long. “Lara, what are you talking about?” I asked, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of feelings inside.

“I want to give us a chance,” she said, and my heart nearly stopped. The weight of her confession hung heavy in the air between us.

“What do you mean, a chance?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even as I felt surprise ripple through me. I wanted to grab hold of this moment, to make sure it was real.

She took a deep breath, her palms clammy as she struggled with her emotions. “I mean... we’re getting older, Shravan. It’s time to settle down, to think about making a family. I’m not sure about this because you’ve mentioned you have someone else in your mind. Was Preeti right when she said that someone in your mind is me?”

Her vulnerability pierced through the walls I had built around my heart, and I felt exposed. The seconds stretched on as I wrestled with the implications of her words, wondering if this was the moment I had secretly wished for. The silence loomed, and a flicker of fear gnawed at my insides. What if I ruined everything by speaking too soon?

“Lara, be clear. I don’t get you,” I finally said, frustration lacing my tone. I needed her to elaborate, to clarify what this meant for us.

“Shravan, I won’t beat around the bush regarding this anymore. You know how my dad is about me getting married and all, but why not try with someone I already know? What I mean is that, Shravan... I want to see if we can be more than just friends. I want to try to make this work.”

The gravity of her words hung in the air, and I could see the uncertainty in her eyes as she searched my face for a response. “Are you serious?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, terrified of what the answer might mean for us.

“Yes, I am,” she confirmed, her cheeks flushed, and I could feel my heart thundering in my chest. It was a confession that could change everything. “I don’t want to lose you. I want to give this a real chance, to see if we can build something together. But I need you to promise me we’ll always be friends, no matter what happens.”

Her words were a lifeline, yet I couldn’t shake the fear that gripped me. I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “What do you think?” I asked, desperate for her to see the conflict swirling within me.

“Shravan, please. What are you feeling? I need to know.”

“Are you feeling pressured?” I finally asked, my brow furrowing deeper, sensing her vulnerability.

“No!” she denied quickly, shaking her head. “It was my own thinking, my own feelings. I just—” She faltered, and I could see the anxiety creeping into her features. “I spent the whole day with Aarav, and it was... distracting, but I don’t need a distraction anymore. I’m clear about how I feel about you.”

The words hung in the air, and I felt a warmth bloom within me, but uncertainty still loomed. She nodded slowly, her eyes searching mine, and I could feel the tension coiling between us. The silence stretched painfully, and I was consumed by the fear that I wouldn’t be able to give her what she needed.