Vivid Imagination

CHAPTER 8 : Coffee Date

As the decoration came to an end, one by one, the guests who had attended the anniversary celebration began to leave. Saraswati, still lost in her own world, continued with her tasks, unaware of Karan’s watchful gaze. But for Karan, every moment that passed felt like a countdown to the inevitable—soon, he would no longer have an excuse to stay, and he would be left with nothing but the memory of her presence.

His heart sank with each departing guest, as the thought that he might not get to see her again gnawed at him. The sudden emptiness filled him with unease. He had never felt this way before, this sense of urgency, this craving to be near someone, to see them, to be a part of their world. He had to admit it—he wasn’t just obsessed; he was lost.

His mind raced as he watched her smile and chat with a few of the remaining people. The fleeting moment he had with her was slipping away, and it bothered him more than he was willing to admit. He couldn’t let this be the end of their encounter for today, not when he had come so far, not when he knew he was falling deeper into a feeling he couldn’t control.

His fingers clenched into fists, and he took a step forward, ready to make his move before she disappeared from his sight. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, something inside him made him pause. He knew he had to be careful—he couldn’t rush this, not yet. But he couldn’t just leave without saying something, anything that would keep her close, even if only for a little while longer.

"Just a little more time," he whispered to himself, watching her, determined not to let her slip away so easily.

Karan hesitated for a moment, the words lingering on his tongue like an unfinished thought. His heart raced, uncertainty creeping in. He had never been this cautious before, not about anything—especially not about asking someone for coffee. But with her, it was different. He didn't want to seem too forward, yet the pull to keep her near was undeniable.

Taking a deep breath, he finally spoke, his voice steady but carrying a hint of nervousness. "Saraswati... would you, uh... like to grab a coffee sometime? I mean, if you're free. Of course, no pressure," he added quickly, almost as though he was trying to convince himself as much as her.

The words hung in the air between them, and Karan couldn’t help but feel a flutter of anxiety. What if she said no? What if she rejected him outright? He was used to getting what he wanted, but with her, the game felt different. He wasn’t sure how much more of this uncertainty he could take.

Saraswati stood there for a moment, caught in the whirlwind of her own thoughts. His question lingered in the air, warm and inviting, yet it felt like a delicate trap. She wanted to say yes—wanted to experience something light and simple, a moment of connection—but the weight of her past held her back. Her heart ached with the memories of betrayal, of trusting the wrong people, and the pain that followed. She couldn't risk that again.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Karan, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I'm sorry, Karan, but... I can't. Not right now," she said, her voice soft but firm.

There was a vulnerability in her eyes that she couldn’t hide, the unspoken fear that haunted her every time she thought of letting someone in. She had been hurt before, and as much as she felt drawn to him, the walls she had built around her heart were not so easily torn down.

"I hope you understand," she added quietly, turning slightly away to hide the storm brewing inside her.

Karan could see the hesitation in her eyes, the battle within her, but he didn't push. He simply nodded, his expression unreadable for a moment before he spoke, his voice quiet but sincere. "I understand, Saraswati. Take your time."

But in his heart, he knew that no matter how long it took, he would wait for her.
Saraswati’s heart tugged painfully as she watched the sadness flash across Karan's face. It wasn’t like her to feel this way, to be moved by someone else's emotions so easily. But there was something about him, something in the way his gaze softened, that made her want to reach out. She had said no, she had been firm, but seeing him, standing there, his quiet disappointment lingering in the air... it shifted something deep inside her.