Unexpected Love [Completed]

Chapter 29: Believe

I texted him often. We talked in school. And I fell deeper. I was so happy, but I was so despairingly falling. Avi was that one person who was connected to every part of my life. He was the one who touched my heart in every way. He knew his Bollywood movies inside out. He was the only person who I could talk to about Indian movies and he actually knew them. He knew the songs, the plot, and he had an opinion.

He picked one of my top five Indian movies as his favorite. And he preferred the old ones to the new ones, just like me.

When I was younger, everyday I prayed for a friend who knew my life, who knew my family, who knew my beliefs and values without me having to explain any of it because they lived a similar life. We weren't the same person, we weren't identical. Some couples end up together because they have all the same favorites. They have the same likes and dislikes, and the same opinions. But those couples never end up together for long.

Avi complemented my views. We matched perfectly. We clashed in all the right ways. And I absolutely loved it. He said all of the right things without even meaning to. He never complimented me, not really. He just kept pushing me to do better. Honestly, he lectured me as much as my parents sometimes. But for some reason, whenever he did, I adored it. I loved it because it showed he cared.

And last night...

A- yoooooo

M- yea?

A- should I do talent show?

M- YES DEFINITELY

A- lmao idk

M- y not

A- idk. but ill prolly do half Indian half american

M- full indian bro

A- idk if they'll like it

M- what songs tho

A- idkkk

We discussed songs and styles until he decided to go to sleep. He promised to run the songs by me though. And it made me smile even in my sleep.

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Today I was so cold in class. I kept shivering. I don't understand how the halls are warmer than the rooms. Especially our lab room. So I texted Avi to lend me his coat. He unfortunately was with the one teacher that hated him. So he couldn't leave to hand it to me. However, if not for the class he would've.

So I went to lunch. And when I came back I took his coat. And wore it for the rest of the day. But he gets out earlier than I do so I couldn't keep it until I left. It was so cute though. He waited for me after his last class. He knew exactly where I'd be. He paid attention. And I loved it so much.

I know I sound dumb and pathetic and love sick. But he cared. He could say whatever he wanted but he cared. He cared. He was willing to lend me his coat. He wanted my advice even though he had his friends giving him advice. He had told me himself they had told him to sing and what songs to do. But Avi knew I'd be a better help than them.

Firstly, I've heard him sing a lot. Secondly, we had a similar taste in music. And plus, I've sung with him before. I'd be honest about the songs. I knew his voice. HE valued my opinion. And he respected it. Maybe he didn't like me the way I liked him. But the fact alone that I meant something is enough for me.

I once said that I was broken. That all these broken pieces of me needed someone to put them back together again. but Avi didn't do that.

He burned all of those pieces covered in cracks and ash. He took them and reshaped them into the right heart. Into a heart that melded with his in all the best ways.

He had this strange way of sticking in my heart and my soul. I felt this calm within me knowing he was there, knowing I wasn't alone anymore. Knowing him alone was enough. He had consumed my life without burning it down. He was building it for me, with me.

I could almost imagine in my worst moments him saying, "I'm here, Meera. I'm here for you."

I knew he was there, his entire family was too. I know Vijay told Eli to stay away from me. They were close so there was no way Eli hadn't told Vijay about me. And Vijay wouldn't let Eli mess with me. After all, I was practically his sister. His parents and Shona and my parents had all told us we were supposed to watch out for each other.

Plus, I was his brother's girl. (Maybe)

Rohan was like my big brother. He was one of the greatest people I knew. And don't even get me started on Aunty Sharda and Uncle Rahul. My second parents quite literally. I loved them so much. If I really wanted to, I could talk to Aunty Sharda about anything. But I know she'd feel unsure whether my parents would be ok with it.

It's ok, maybe someday I will.

I never expected this. Never once did I think I could feel like this. I never knew this is what liking someone so powerfully felt like. I didn't want to say I loved Avi, as in "in love". Not yet. It would make everything all too real. And for once I wasn't in a rush to declare my love for him. It was just a very strong attraction and emotion, and respect, and admiration.

It was a feeling of belonging. I liked talking to him for the sake of talking to him. I wanted him to see the real Meera. I felt real with him. I felt love. I don't know if I'm in love with him. Maybe I do see him like a brother, the way he claims to see me. But you don't think about your brother all the time. You don't feel so absolutely right after the stupidest most ridiculous conversation. You don't smile and giggle just by thinking of them.

This was real, and so very very unexpected.