It's A Love Story (Edited)

New Beginnings and Old Shadows

Laksh's POV:

It's been three months since I last saw Swara, and today, she's here, just a few feet away from me. She's as radiant as ever, her beauty unchanged. But there's something in her eyes, a sadness she's trying hard to mask behind a forced smile. It's clear that she's been crying. I know her well enough to see through the facade. She's hurting, just like I am.

I had to break up with her—not because my feelings for her had changed, but because of reasons I can't even begin to explain. It's a decision that's tearing me apart, and I know she might never fully understand. Seeing her now, laughing and chatting with her friends, brings a rush of memories. Her laughter used to light up my world, and now it's a bittersweet reminder of what I've lost.

I find myself drifting back to when we first met, a memory that feels both distant and achingly close.

Flashback - Eighth Grade:

It was my first day at a new school, and I was a bundle of nerves. Everything felt unfamiliar—new faces, a new environment. My father, Deependra Sharma, is a well-known contractor, and my mother is a dedicated social worker. I wasn't accustomed to blending in easily. As I walked into the classroom, all eyes were on me, and I felt out of place. The teacher asked me to introduce myself and find a seat. There was only one empty seat left, next to a girl who immediately caught my attention.

She had a warm, inviting smile that seemed to make everything feel a little less daunting.

"Hi, I'm Swara. And you are?" she asked, her voice friendly and welcoming.

"Uh, Laksh," I replied, my nerves making my voice waver slightly.

"You're new here, right?" she asked, her smile widening.

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease in her presence. "Yeah."

"Well, my friend isn't here today, so you can sit here. But tomorrow, you'd better come early if you want a seat!" she joked with a casual laugh.

Her ease and warmth made me smile. "Thanks. I don't really know anyone here."

"That's no problem," she said, extending her hand. "From now on, I'm your friend."

That handshake marked the beginning of our inseparable bond. That's when I first fell for her. I never imagined I'd be the one to break her heart. But here we are, and I feel like I've ruined everything.

Swara's POV:

I can feel Laksh's eyes on me from across the room, and it's infuriating. Why can't he just leave me alone? Every glance from him feels like a stab of the pain I've been trying so hard to bury. He looks lost, like he's reliving some memory, but I can't afford to care. How did I ever love him?

Just then, someone new walked into the room, catching my attention immediately. He exuded effortless charm and had a presence that was hard to ignore. My eyes darted toward him, and I couldn't help but groan internally. Of course, it had to be him—Mr. Oversmart. How could I forget? He's now in my class. Just perfect. How am I supposed to deal with this every day?

I leaned closer to Ragini and whispered, "Ragini, who's that guy?"

Ragini giggled. "That's Sanskar. He's the college heartthrob. All the girls are crazy about him, even the second-years."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course they are."

Ragini teased, "Wait... are you interested too?"

I scoffed. "Please. That's Mr. Oversmart. Definitely not my type."

Ragini looked puzzled. "Oversmart?"

I quickly filled her in on our previous encounter, and Ragini burst out laughing.

"Oh my god! This is amazing—Mr. Oversmart and Miss Attitude! You two are going to have some real fun in this class."

I laughed along with her, but deep down, I couldn't shake the irritation. Why did he have to be here?

Sanskar's POV:

So, Miss Attitude is in my class. Great. I see her laughing with her friends, and there's something oddly beautiful about the way she smiles. But what am I thinking? I barely know her, and our first encounter wasn't exactly friendly.

Our argument outside the principal's office was ridiculous, but in retrospect, it was kind of fun. She gave me a nickname, and I returned the favor—it felt almost like a scene from a rom-com, except it wasn't. And it shouldn't be.

I'm Sanskar Maheshwari, son of a politician, and I've learned to keep my distance from people. I have a complicated past I don't want anyone, especially her, to be involved in. She doesn't need to know about the baggage I carry. Still, there's something about her that draws me in, even though I know it's a bad idea.

But who am I kidding? I'm already falling for her, and that's not something I can afford right now.

Swara's POV:

Finally, the day ended. It was better than I expected, though exhausting. Seeing Laksh brought back memories I'd rather forget, but I can feel myself growing stronger. One day, I'll be free from this pain, from him.

And then there's Sanskar. How is he the heartthrob of the college? To me, he's just an arrogant guy with too much attitude. Yes, he's good-looking and smart—okay, very smart. But still, he's annoying. Why do I even care?

For the first time in months, I fell asleep with a smile on my face. Maybe, just maybe, things are starting to look up.

4o mini

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