Blueprints of Love

13. Flashback Revelations

Savi sat at her desk, the gentle hum of the office surrounding her, but her mind drifted back to college—a time when the world felt full of possibilities and every moment held promise. The weight of memories washed over her, each one like a wave pulling her further into the past.

The Cafeteria, Five Years Ago

The bustling cafeteria was filled with laughter and chatter, but Savi sat alone, her mind racing. It was the beginning of her second year, and she was still finding her footing. That day, she had dared to wear a dress, something she rarely did, and the teasing from her seniors had made her feel small.

"Hey, look who decided to show up dressed like a princess!" one of the seniors sneered, his friends snickering beside him. Savi felt her cheeks flush as she looked down at her food, wishing she could disappear.

Suddenly, Rajat appeared, his calm demeanour cutting through the chaos. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice firm but gentle.

The seniors paused, taken aback by his unexpected intervention. "Just having a little fun," one of them replied, smirking.

"Fun at someone else's expense isn't really fun, is it?" Rajat shot back, crossing his arms. "Why don't you let her eat in peace?"

The seniors exchanged glances, their bravado faltering under Rajat's gaze. After a few tense moments, they retreated, muttering under their breath. Savi looked up, her heart racing. "Thank you," she breathed, relief flooding her.

"Anytime," Rajat replied with a smile, plopping down across from her. "How's the princess holding up?"

Savi couldn't help but smile back, her nerves easing. "Just trying to survive."

"Trust me, college gets better," he said, reassuringly. "Just find your tribe."

Weeks later, Savi found herself at the library, struggling to study for an upcoming exam. She could hear her classmates laughing in the next room, and her heart sank. Just then, Rajat walked in, holding a stack of books.

"Need a study buddy?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Only if you promise not to distract me," Savi teased, grateful for his company.

They spent the afternoon poring over textbooks, sharing snacks, and trading jokes. As they studied, Savi found herself hanging on every word he said, each shared laugh drawing them closer. She felt a warmth growing inside her, a flicker of something more than friendship.

"Hey, I wanted to give you something," Rajat said suddenly, pulling out a small box from his bag. He opened it to reveal her watch—her father's gift to her on her graduation from high school.

"I thought I lost it!" Savi exclaimed, her eyes wide. "Thank you so much!"

"It looked lonely on the floor of the cafeteria," Rajat said, chuckling. "Can't have that, can we?"

Savi clasped the watch around her wrist, feeling a surge of affection for him. "You're too good to be true, you know that?"

"Nah," he shrugged, "just trying to do my part. Besides, I believe in karma. It's all about good deeds."

As the semester progressed, Rajat's campaign for environmental awareness took off, drawing in students and faculty alike. Savi was captivated by his passion and commitment, and she eagerly joined his efforts. Together, they organised events, raised awareness, and inspired others to care about the planet.

"Look at this!" Rajat exclaimed one afternoon, gesturing to a poster he had just designed. "I want to incorporate your ideas for the recycling initiative. You have such a unique perspective."

Savi felt a rush of pride. "You really think so?"

"Of course! Your ideas are brilliant. We need more of that." His words lit a fire within her, and she threw herself into the project, revelling in the shared goal and their growing friendship.

As the campaign progressed, Savi found herself daydreaming about Rajat. Every interaction left her feeling giddy, and she started making small changes in her life based on what she thought he would appreciate. She began to care about the environment even more passionately, believing it was what he valued.

But deep down, the lingering fear remained. What if he never saw her as more than a friend?

The College Farewell, The Moment of Truth

The last day of college arrived, and Savi felt a mix of excitement and dread. She had grown so close to Rajat, and yet, there was so much she hadn't said. As they gathered for one final farewell, Savi felt her heart pounding in her chest.

"Hey, Savi!" Rajat called, catching up with her as they stood outside, surrounded by their classmates. "Can you believe it's over?"

"I know," she replied, forcing a smile. "It feels surreal."

"Listen, I've been thinking—"

Before he could finish, Savi felt a surge of bravery. "I need to tell you something," she blurted out. "In college, I mean. I thought......."

Rajat's expression shifted, surprise etched on his face. "Savi, what is it? Tell what happen—"

But before he could ask, another classmate interrupted, pulling Rajat away. In the chaos, Savi stood frozen, her heart sinking. She watched as Rajat laughed with the others, the moment slipping through her fingers.

Later that evening, she overheard him advising another classmate, "Love is an obstacle to success. Focus on your goals."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. In that moment, she felt everything she had built up come crashing down.

Back in the Present

Savi shook her head, the memories flooding back in vivid detail. She recalled how she had built so much of her life around the little things she thought Rajat liked, without even realizing it. His kindness had been her beacon during the chaos of college. But his indifference years ago had shattered her.

As she sat at her desk, the revelation hit her hard—she was still in love with him. The feelings she had buried resurfaced, clawing at her heart. Yet, she wasn't ready to risk her heart again.

"I can't do this," she murmured to herself, her hands trembling slightly as she recalled the warmth of his smile, the way he always seemed to light up a room. "He's already hurt me once."

Yet a small voice in her head whispered, "But he didn't know. He didn't realize how much his words impacted you."

Savi's resolve faltered. What if Rajat had changed? What if he truly wanted to be with her now?

She pushed those thoughts aside, knowing how dangerous it was to entertain such hopes. The past had taught her well.

With a sigh, Savi opened her laptop, attempting to focus on work. But the memories of Rajat lingered, wrapping around her like a warm blanket that also felt suffocating. Deep down, she knew that part of her would always hold on to what they could have been. But for now, all she could do was keep moving forward.

And so, she threw herself into her work, determined to prove to herself that she could succeed without relying on Rajat—or the memories of him—holding her back.

Little did she know, Rajat was also wrestling with his own feelings, realizing that letting go of Savi was proving to be much harder than he had anticipated. 

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