This is not the End

Samar's Week Away

It was around 2:30 AM when Ria left, and Samar was walking back to the campus, unable to shake off the night they had spent together from his mind. He felt a sense of change within himself. He wasn't tired or sleepy; instead, he desired more time with her. Returning to his room, he lay down on his bed, still feeling her head on his shoulder. Sleep eluded him. Checking his phone at 4:00 AM, he messaged Ria to inquire if she had reached her destination.

Upon receiving her immediate response, he asked her to inform him when she arrived. He contemplated sending her another message but hesitated. He couldn't quite understand why he couldn't stop thinking about her. Memories of her entering the event with Nishant, receiving a rose from him, and dancing together replayed in his mind. Ketan also assumed she was Nishant's girlfriend, yet she denied it. Samar recalled her uneasiness in the elevator when they saw her with Nishant. Flashbacks of those moments kept resurfacing.

Furthermore, he noticed that she continued to engage with the guy who had feelings for her. Why didn't she stop talking to him? Perhaps she was the type of girl who took advantage of guys by keeping them in the friend zone. Samar searched for reasons to dislike her and distance himself from her thoughts.

"I shouldn't be thinking about her anymore and should stay away," he resolved before falling asleep. However, he still felt her presence, as if she were still resting on his shoulder. He felt different, and that feeling was difficult to ignore.

Upon waking up, he saw her message about reaching safely. Nevertheless, he had made up his mind not to communicate with her anymore. Over the next few days, he kept himself busy with classes, the library, and other tasks, but deep down, he missed her. Each time his phone buzzed, he hoped it was a message or call from Ria. But as the days went by, he began questioning his own expectations. Was he just another friend she kept around? Did she see him the way he saw her? The uncertainty gnawed at him, fueling his inner turmoil.

During lectures and study sessions, Samar's mind often wandered, drifting back to memories of their time together. He found himself replaying their conversations in his head, analyzing every word and every moment shared. The more he dwelled on these thoughts, the more apparent it became that his heart was yearning for her presence.

The laptop deliveries occupied some of his time as everyone collected their laptops from his room, keeping him somewhat preoccupied. On Thursday, when Ria messaged him, he experienced a strong sense of comfort. However, he was still torn between liking her or not. There was an ongoing battle between his heart and mind. Despite his mind's attempts to take control, his heart prevailed, and he ended up talking to her for an hour and a half. There was something about it that felt right. He eagerly awaited Sunday, when he would be able to see her again. Yet, he remained uncertain about whether he wanted her in his life or not.

As the weekend approached, anticipation and apprehension intertwined within Samar. The prospect of seeing her again brought both excitement and anxiety. He longed for the chance to be in her company once more, to see if the sparks he felt were reciprocated. However, doubts continued to plague his mind, making him question if pursuing this connection was the right choice.