Blueprints of Love

12. The Past Resurfaces

The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the project site, casting elongated shadows on the floor as Savi and Rajat stood facing each other, tension crackling in the air. They had been going back and forth for what felt like hours, their voices growing louder and more heated. Today, it wasn't just the project at stake; it was their unresolved feelings.

"I don't understand why you're being so stubborn, Rajat!" Savi exclaimed, her hands clenched at her sides. "You're acting like it's impossible for us to work together without this constant banter!"

"Maybe I'm just trying to lighten the mood, Savi!" Rajat shot back, his brow furrowing with frustration. "You're the one who keeps taking everything so seriously!"

"Seriousness is what this project needs!" Savi snapped, her voice rising. "Not your childish antics!"

He threw his hands up in exasperation. "You think everything can just be business as usual? You've changed since college, and not for the better!"

At that moment, something inside Savi snapped. "You want to talk about change? Maybe I wouldn't have to be this way if you hadn't crushed my heart back then!"

Rajat's expression turned from irritation to disbelief. "What are you talking about?"

"I loved you, Rajat!" Savi's voice cracked, her emotions spilling out in a torrent. "I loved you in college, and you never even noticed! You were always out of reach, always joking around like nothing mattered!"

He opened his mouth, but no words came out. The playful demeanor she had grown to detest evaporated, replaced by an uncomfortable silence. "I didn't know," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know you felt that way."

"You think you can just breeze through life, leaving chaos in your wake, and I'm supposed to pick up the pieces?" she accused, tears brimming in her eyes. "Your old words about love being an obstacle shaped my life, Rajat. I convinced myself that romance wasn't worth it, that I had to focus on my career instead."

"I never meant to hurt you," Rajat replied, his tone heavy with guilt. "You were always so talented, so driven. I thought you wanted that for yourself."

"Is that what you really thought?" Savi's voice wavered, the vulnerability creeping in. "You never cared about how I felt. You just saw me as a friend, a partner in crime."

"Savi—"

"No!" she interrupted, shaking her head. "I can't do this right now. I can't keep arguing with you about something that's already broken. I need some space."

Before Rajat could respond, Savi turned on her heel and walked away, the weight of their conversation crashing down on her like a tidal wave. Every step felt like a release of pent-up emotions, but her heart ached as she left him behind.

Later that night, Savi found herself back in her apartment, the silence overwhelming. She needed an outlet for her emotions, a way to process everything that had just transpired. Her gaze drifted to the bookshelf, where she kept a small journal she had filled during her college years.

With a sigh, she pulled it out and sat on her bed, the pages well-worn and familiar. Flipping through the entries, she felt a flood of nostalgia wash over her. Memories of late-night study sessions, shared laughter, and stolen glances at Rajat came rushing back.

She found a page dated years ago, just a few months after she had realized her feelings for him:

"Dear Diary,

It's so hard to keep this secret. Rajat is everything I've ever wanted—funny, charming, smart. But every time I try to get close, he pulls away. I hate this feeling of being invisible to him. I wish he would see me as more than just a friend."