Until We Meet Again Chapter 4 - An End to the Loop

  From that day forward, the way I saw Anika transformed. Her beauty, always undeniable, took on a new luminescence in my eyes. Every action, every word of care, fanned the embers of your affection into a roaring flame. I berated myself for the past blindness. Witnessing her speak of Viraj ignited a fierce jealousy within me, a feeling I desperately tried to suppress for the time being.

  Patience, you knew, was your only ally until the inevitable breakup. It unfolded like clockwork, fate's cruel hand playing out the preordained events. The friend group solidified - I, Anika, Arjun, Shreya, and Varsha - a bond forged in shared experiences.

  Then came the storm Anika always weathered, the aftermath of her relationship ending with Viraj. Stepping in to help navigate the heartbreak wasn't a calculated move on our part, though it might appear that way from an outsider's perspective. It was an act of desperate necessity, driven not just by your burgeoning feelings, but by a deeper understanding of what she needed.

  Coping with the heartbreak was a slow, arduous process for Anika, but with time, she emerged stronger. The academic year raced by, culminating in the final exams. College life was drawing to a close, and the farewell day loomed. It was on that day, amidst the bittersweet emotions of goodbyes, that I decided to take a chance, to finally confess my hidden love.

  Exams over, me and Anika decided to celebrate. A shared cappuccino at a nearby cafe seemed like the perfect casual setting. As we both finished our drinks, my  heart hammered against my ribs. Now or never.

  “Anika,” I began, my voice rough with nervous anticipation, “there's something I need to tell you.” Her eyes met mine, filled with innocent curiosity. “What is it?”

  Taking a deep breath, I plunged into the unknown. “I know this might come as a shock, Anika, but I can't keep it bottled up any longer. My heart needs to speak. I love you, Anika.”

  Anika's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and confusion swirling within them. My heart pounded a frantic rhythm against my chest, each beat echoing in the sudden silence that stretched between me. An eternity seemed to pass before she finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

  “Shivam,” she began, her words laced with uncertainty, “I... I don't know what to say.” “It's okay, Anika,” I stammered, forcing a calming breath. “I understand if this is unexpected. But I had to be honest about my feelings. These past few weeks have shown me just how much you truly mean to me. You're more than just a friend, Anika. Your presence, your kindness, everything about you...”

  She cut me off, her voice tinged with a hint of accusation. “So this is why you pushed me to break up with Viraj?” Here was the crux of the matter. I had to make her understand, to bridge the gap of misunderstanding that threatened to engulf my confession.

  She was silent, but her eyes gave me a sense of unease. I tried to calm her down. “Anika, I understand what you’re feeling. It’s entirely your decision. I am open to whatever your answer may be.” She took a few minutes before responding. “Shivam, it’s a tough decision for me. I need more time. Will you wait for my answer?” I nodded in agreement.

  From that moment, my anxiety began. Trusting in the universe, I did what I had to do. Now, I hope everything turns out well.

  The farewell day arrived with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. Students gathered, reminiscing about their college years while preparing for the next chapter of their lives. Amidst the festive atmosphere, I noticed Arjun standing at a distance, looking uncertain yet resolved.

  I approached him and asked, “What happened?” He responded with slight hesitation, “Nothing.” I knew something was going on. I tapped his shoulder and said, “Arjun, there’s something you’re hiding. What is it?” He tried to distract me. “Nothing, just excited for the farewell, that’s all.”

  I pushed him to tell the truth. “Don't hide it, just tell me.” With slight hesitation, he said, “See, Shivam, it's like this. I've been in love with one of our classmates. Today, I decided to propose to her.” This was a major event in Arjun's life, and I knew what was going to happen.

  I asked, “Who is that?” For that he answered, “See Shivam, I don’t want to reveal her name. Incase, if she accepts my proposal, I will tell you.” I don’t know what to say, I just simply gave a small advise, “Arjun, whatever will be her decision. Just respect it, I will say.” He solemly agreed to it.

  After giving him advice, I began waiting for Anika to arrive. A gentle breeze brushed against me as I waited. My eyes turned towards the hall gateway, where I saw her approaching. Dressed in a black saree, her eyes sparkled like stars. She looked like an angel to me. As she entered, I approached her.

  I noticed Anika arriving at the farewell venue, her presence bringing a mix of nerves and anticipation. “Hey,” I greeted her, trying to gauge her mood. She responded in kind, then after a few moments, she said, “Shivam, for now, I will sit with our other classmates.”

  I asked, “Why? Does it make you more comfortable?” She replied, “No, not like that. I've already made my decision. Just wait, I will tell you.” I agreed to wait.

  After that, the farewell party began with an introductory speech from our class representative. Following that, our juniors performed a dance, and there was a showcase of our class memories through photographs. The atmosphere in the hall was filled with various emotions.

  At that moment, I noticed Arjun was crying. I asked him, “What happened, Arjun?” He said, “I told my love to that girl.” I already knew what happened, but still, I asked, “What was her answer?” With his head bowed down, he responded, “She rejected my proposal, that’s all.”

  Seeing his condition, I offered him support. “Arjun, don’t worry. You expressed your feelings, and she rejected them. I can’t imagine how tough that is, but here’s what I believe: from this moment onward, focus on moving forward. There are many things waiting for you. Think about them and take steps towards them.”

  Arjun responded, “I know, but it was two years of love. Failing like this, I couldn’t handle it.” I felt sorry for him, knowing how deeply he must be hurting, but I knew there was hope ahead for him. “Arjun, cry as much as you need to today, but from tomorrow onwards, you should try not to shed any more tears,” I encouraged him gently.

  Arjun nodded reluctantly, his face reflecting a mixture of guilt and concern. He wiped his tears, trying to compose himself. “Yeah, I'll reset my life from now,” he said with determination.

  Later, the prom dance was about to begin, a dance meant for couples. It felt like a waste of time, yet I was torn within. On one side, I didn’t know what Anika had decided to say, and on the other, seeing Arjun heartbroken, I couldn’t express my own emotions.

  As the prom dance was about to begin, Anika approached me. She asked, “Why are you sad? Did something happen?” I responded, “Kind of.” She then said, “Okay, I can see you're upset. I want to cheer you up. Shall we dance?”

  I smirked and said, “Anika, it's a prom dance. It might be a bit boring, plus it's typically for couples.” Anika smiled softly, her eyes showing a hint of playfulness, “That's exactly why I'm asking you?”

  With a smile tugging at her lips, Anika gently nudged me towards the dance floor. Her playful yet reassuring demeanor eased some of the tension that had built up inside me throughout the day. As we stepped onto the dance floor amidst the swirling lights and music, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in her presence.

  We both swayed to the rhythm of the music. It felt like a scene from a movie for me. Anika looked at me with a gentle smile.

  As the music played on, she began, “Shivam, I've been thinking a lot about us. I know it took me a while to process everything you said back then. I have one question for you, and I want an honest answer.”

  With a gentle tone, I responded, “Go ahead.” She asked, “In any chance or in any way, if we face a challenging situation, will you leave me or not?” I stared into Anika's eyes, her question echoing in my mind amidst the music and swirling lights of the prom dance. It was a moment of truth, a pivotal point where our future hung in the balance.

  With a deep breath, I took her hands in mine, feeling the warmth and softness of her touch. “Anika,” I began, my voice steady but filled with sincerity, “I can't predict the future or what challenges may come our way. But I promise you this—I am here because I want to be with you. If there ever comes a time where we face difficulties, I won't give up on us without a fight. I will do everything in my power to work through it together. The universe has already given its answer. Now, I'm just waiting for yours.”

  Anika's eyes shimmered with unspoken emotions as she listened to my heartfelt declaration. The music around us seemed to fade, leaving only the soft rhythm of our breathing and the palpable tension of the moment. She looked down briefly, then back up at me, her gaze steady and resolute.

  She began with her soft voice, “Shivam… Before I tell you what I've decided, I need to say something important. You know I was in a relationship with Viraj. I loved him, but I never trusted him like I trust you. My actions didn’t hurt him, but I was not as open with him as I am with you. If anyone were to ask whom I trust the most in this world, I would say it's you.”

  Anika's words sent a wave of relief through me, but I remained silent, allowing her to continue. She took a deep breath before speaking again, “Shivam, when I first realized that you might have feelings for me, I was confused. I didn't know how to process it because of my past relationship and because I didn't want to lose you as a friend. But now, after thinking it through and seeing how much you care for me, I understand my own feelings better.”

  She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “You have always been there for me, even when things were tough. You supported me without any expectations, and that means more to me than you can imagine. I needed time to understand my own heart, and now I realize that I have feelings for you too.”

  My heart skipped a beat at her words, and I felt a surge of hope and happiness. “Anika, you don't know how much this means to me,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.

  She smiled a gentle and sincere smile that lit up her face. “I just have one condition,” she said softly. “Anything,” I replied, eager to know what it was.

  She looked deep into my eyes, her expression serious yet tender. “Promise me that we'll always be honest with each other. No matter what happens, we'll be open to each other. We will trust each other. I don't want any misunderstandings or secrets between us.”

  I nodded fervently, my heart swelling with affection and determination. “I promise, Anika. I promise to always be honest with you and to work through everything together.” With that, she smiled again and leaned in closer, “I love you, Shivam.”

  As she whispered those words, my heart soared. I felt a rush of happiness, relief, and excitement all at once. We continued to dance, swaying gently to the music, lost in our own world. The rest of the farewell party became a blur as I basked in the newfound joy of being with Anika, knowing our feelings were mutual.

  I couldn't help but smile at the sight of me and Anika dancing together. It seemed like everything was falling into place for both of us. The music played softly in the background, creating a magical atmosphere that felt like the perfect ending to our college journey.

  After a strenuous battle with time, the universe brought Anika and me together as a loving couple. From that day onward, we embarked on our love story. In the future, we will encounter many situations, but we are committed to standing by each other, even through the lowest points. With the universe as our witness, our love blossomed. This has been my craziest and most extraordinary love story.