Memories

2

Karthik

After a long, exhausting day on set, there's only one place I want to be—the park. Our park. It's strange how something so ordinary has become my favourite spot in the world. To everyone else, it's just benches and flowers. But for me, it's escape. It's where I can stop being Karthik, the Bollywood star, and just be Karthik—the boy who's hopelessly in love with Shivani.

As I walk in, I immediately spot her. She's sitting with Anjali, her best friend, who's more like her shadow. Shivani's head is tilted; her eyes focused somewhere in the distance. I wonder what she's thinking about. Just seeing her there makes my heart squeeze. Sometimes I still can't believe she's mine. Shivani—my girlfriend. The girl I'd been crushing on ever since the day we met.

A mischievous grin creeps onto my face. Quietly, I motion to Anjali to stay silent. She catches on instantly, covering her smile. I sneak up behind Shivani, lean close, and whisper, "BOO!"

As expected, she lets out a scream and whirls around, hitting me with the book in her hands. I double over, laughing uncontrollably, while she keeps smacking my arm, her face a mix of outrage and amusement. "Karthik!" she huffs, but there's a smile tugging at her lips. This is us—banter, laughter, little games that make the rest of the world disappear. This is home.

Soon after, Rahul and Anjali decide to go for a walk, leaving us alone. Shivani and I find a quiet corner in the garden, far away from curious eyes. She sits down on the grass, opening Wattpad on her phone, and I lie down with my head in her lap. Her fingers automatically move into my hair, combing gently through the strands. It's become her latest obsession, not that I'm complaining. If I could, I'd let her do this forever.

I tilt my head slightly, watching her as she reads. She's so focused, her lips moving faintly as her eyes dart across the screen. I catch her hand, the one resting on my hair, and turn it over in mine. My eyes land on the tattoo etched onto her skin—our secret. To anyone else, it's just a music symbol. But to us, it's something more: the first letters of our names joined together.

Tracing it softly with my finger, I press a kiss to it. She lowers her phone, looking down at me. Her eyes meet mine, and in that smile, I see everything I've ever wanted. No fame, no crowds, no paparazzi—just her. Just us.

Too soon, Rahul reappears, reminding me of tomorrow's early shoot. My heart sinks. I never want these nights to end. Slowly, I get up and offer Shivani my hand. She takes it, her fingers warm in mine, and I pull her up.

Before leaving, I wrap my arms around her tightly. She presses against me, hugging back just as hard. "Goodbye," she whispers, her voice soft but steady.

I kiss her cheek, reluctant to let go. But I have to. As I walk away, I glance back one last time. She's still there, standing under the park lights, waving. That smile... it lingers with me long after she's gone from sight.

And even in the silence of the night, I miss her already.