A Letter To My Butterfly

chapter 10: The New Beginning

Chapter 10: New Beginnings

As winter descended upon their small town, Vishwa and Tarini found themselves immersed in the final preparations for their college applications. The air was filled with a sense of urgency, but also with hope and excitement for the future.

The days grew colder, and their once-regular picnic lunches transformed into study sessions in cozy cafés, where they could sip hot chocolate while working on their essays. Despite the looming deadlines, they remained each other’s anchors, continually reminding one another of their worth beyond the applications.

One Saturday afternoon, as they sat nestled in a corner of their favorite café, Tarini stared at her laptop screen, her brow furrowed in concentration. Vishwa watched her, a mix of admiration and concern swirling within him. “How’s the essay coming?” he asked gently, wanting to break the tension that filled the air.

“It’s… fine,” she replied, biting her lip as she typed. “I just feel like I’m not capturing my true self. I want them to see who I really am.”

Vishwa leaned in closer. “You are unique, Tarini. Just write from the heart. Share your journey, your passions. You don’t need to impress anyone with fancy words. They want to know you.”

She smiled at him, appreciating his encouragement. “Thanks, Vishwa. I just keep second-guessing myself. What if they don’t like my story?”

“They will,” he assured her. “Your story is worth telling. Besides, you can always ask me to read it before you submit. I’m here for you.”

“Would you really?” she asked, her eyes lighting up. “That would help so much.”

“Of course,” he said, his heart swelling with pride for her. “We’re in this together. We’ll help each other through this process, just like we promised.”

With that agreement, they spent the next few hours discussing her essay ideas, and as they worked side by side, the air buzzed with creativity and shared aspirations. Laughter echoed through the café as they exchanged ideas and playful banter, reminding each other of the joy that came from collaboration.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue across the room, Tarini closed her laptop with a satisfied smile. “I feel so much better now! Thank you for being my cheerleader, Vishwa.”

“I’ll always be your biggest fan,” he replied, feeling the warmth of their connection envelop him. “Now it’s your turn to help me with my essays.”

Tarini raised an eyebrow, playfully challenging him. “Oh, I will! You better make them as good as mine!”

As the weeks passed, they worked tirelessly on their applications, often meeting late into the night to refine their essays and prepare for interviews. The pressure was palpable, but Vishwa found solace in the time they spent together. Each shared moment felt like a precious gift, strengthening their bond even more.

One evening, as they sat in Vishwa’s room surrounded by scattered papers and half-empty coffee cups, Tarini put her pen down and looked at him thoughtfully. “Vishwa, do you ever think about what happens next? After all of this?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, curious about her sudden seriousness.

“I mean, what if we end up at different schools? What if things change?” she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Vishwa paused, processing her words. “I’ve thought about it,” he admitted. “But I believe that no matter where we go, we can make it work. If we want to be together, we will be.”

“But what if it’s hard?” she asked, vulnerability etched on her face. “What if life pulls us in different directions?”

He moved closer to her, wanting to assure her. “Tarini, life is unpredictable. We may face challenges, but we’ve already proven that we can support each other through tough times. Distance is just a physical barrier. Our connection is strong enough to withstand it.”