Will Die In Love

Chapter 67

PAST CONTINUES

“You’re looking a bit different. Oh my gosh! Did you straighten your hair? And… is that lip gloss?” Preeti’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she studied Paro, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Paro shifted uncomfortably, her fingers brushing over her hair. “I… I just thought I’d try something new,” she murmured, trying to brush it off with a weak smile.

Preeti’s grin only grew as she nudged Paro playfully. “Oh, stop. Spill it, Paro! Do you think I am too dumb to not understand? All these are because of a certain someone… named… Jay Khatri?” Her voice dropped to a teasing whisper, eyebrows waggling.

Paro’s face flushed, and she tried to deny it, but her cheeks betrayed her, turning bright red. She fiddled with her glasses, feeling her heart hammer as Preeti giggled.

Just then, Jay walked over. “Paro, can you please help me wit….” as his eyes flicked to her, he paused mid-step. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. “Uh… you look different today,” Jay said, looking at her. 

Preeti clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to contain her laughter, and somehow managed it with a cough. “ Umm…. I have some work. Bye, guys. See you later,” giving Paro a knowing look before excusing herself, Preeti left the two of them.

Jay cleared his throat, shifting awkwardly. “So… I was wondering if you’d, uh, mind helping me with studying?”

Paro nodded quickly, her mind racing as she avoided looking directly at him. “Sure. The library?” she suggested, hoping her voice sounded steady.

Once they sat down in the library, Paro opened her notebook and started explaining the material, doing her best to stay focused on the pages in front of her. But Jay’s gaze kept drifting to her, and she could feel it. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire.

After a few moments, he reached across the table, his hand covering hers. “You look… really beautiful, you know?” His voice was soft, almost a whisper.

Paro’s heart skipped a beat, her throat tightening as she stared at him in shock. “Oh… um, thank you,” she managed to stammer, feeling her face grow even warmer. She tried to pull her hand away, but Jay gently held it in place.

When she finally tried to stand up, he moved swiftly, holding her hands and guiding her to a quiet corner at the back of the library. Her back pressed against the wall, and his hand rested just above her shoulder, his gaze fixed intently on hers. Paro’s eyes widened, as nervousness kept rising in her chest.

“Is it possible… between us?” he asked, his voice low and sincere.

Paro’s mind was spinning, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. “What… what do you mean? What… are you talking about?” she whispered, feeling trapped and unsure if she wanted to escape or stay right there.

Jay leaned closer, his fingers reaching up to gently adjust her glasses. “Don’t you really know? Are you that clueless, Miss Nerd?”

A shiver ran down Paro’s spine, and she swallowed, trying to regain her composure. “I… I need to go,” she stammered, attempting to step away.

But Jay caught her hand, his grip gentle yet firm, keeping her in place. “Not so fast, Paro.” He took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Alright, I’ll say it straight. Miss Paromita Chatterjee, I love you. I am so hopelessly in love with you that I don’t know what to do. Would you… would you give this idiot a chance to be your boyfriend?”

Paro felt her breath hitch, his words wrapping around her like a warm blanket, making everything else fade into the background. She struggled to find her voice, her mind racing in a whirlwind of emotions. “I… I…” She stammered, unable to complete her sentence.

Jay gave her a small, understanding smile. “It’s okay, Paro. Take your time. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it. ” He slowly released her hand, letting her go.

She looked at him one last time, her heart pounding as she turned and walked away, feeling like she was on cloud nine.

Later, after school, she met up with Preeti, her mind still spinning. She could barely wrap her head around what had just happened.

Preeti grabbed her arm, pulling her into a secluded corner with wide, eager eyes. “Okay, spill it. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What happened?”

“He… he proposed to me,” Paro whispered, almost as if saying it out loud would break the magic of the moment.

“ Who?” Preeti frowned for a second before it hit her. Her eyes widened, and she let out a squeal of excitement. “Oh. My. God! Jay!! I knew it! OMG! You’ve finally got a boyfriend! Paro!”

Paro’s cheeks flushed as she looked down, trying to contain her own smile. “But… I didn’t say yes yet.”

Preeti rolled her eyes, scoffing. “Yet. Keyword: yet. Now stop and tell me the whole story. Don't you dare to omit anything.” Preeti ordered Paro.

“ OMG! The way he confessed, so dreamy.” Preeti let out a sigh. “So, you’re going to tell him yes tomorrow, aren’t you? And don’t you even try to deny that you like him. It’s written all over your face, girl.”

Paro bit her lip, looking down, her fingers twisting nervously. “I… I do like him. But what if this isn’t right? What if…” She trailed off, feeling a small knot of worry in her chest.

Preeti softened, pulling her into a warm hug. “Oh, Paro. You deserve to be happy. You’re so special, and he’s lucky to have you. Trust me on this.”

A small smile broke through Paro’s worried expression, and she hugged Preeti back tightly, feeling a warmth and sense of comfort she didn’t realize she’d needed.

……….

The next day, Paro gathered her courage and, after what felt like a lifetime, finally said yes to Jay.

Jay’s face lit up, and he immediately pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her slightly. “ Oh my God, Paro! I never thought you would say yes to me! I am such a lucky guy!” His excitement was infectious, and Paro couldn’t help but laugh, feeling a warmth she couldn’t put into words.

How did she get so lucky to have him?

..........