Some loves begin with friendship... but not every friendship becomes love.
And sometimes, love is never truly understood — not until someone walks away, leaving your heart shattered.
Tanvi never imagined she'd consider someone her own.
But Kartik… he was different.
Those days, those late-night talks, those little promises — they had become something else entirely for Tanvi.
For Kartik, it was just friendship.
But Tanvi mistook that friendship… for love.
---
The Instagram Photo
One evening, sitting in the hostel lounge, Tanvi was casually scrolling through Instagram. Just killing time.
And then, she froze.
> @kartik_02 posted a photo with Khushi – "River vibes & chill"
In the photo: Kartik and a girl — Khushi.
Laughter. Comfort. Closeness.
A kind of happiness on Kartik's face… that Tanvi had never seen with anyone else.
Her hand stopped.
A sharp tightness in her chest.
Something inside her broke.
She closed the app. Didn't say a word. Just walked back to her room and shut the door.
For two days — no classes, no mess, no library.
Just a dark room.
Drawn curtains. Red eyes. Sleepless nights.
> "I thought Kartik was different… But he turned out just like the rest."
That one sentence kept echoing in her mind.
---
A Sudden Visit
Kartik was confused. It had been two days, and Tanvi had vanished.
Finally, he went to her hostel, taking permission from the warden.
Knock. Silence. Then… the door opened.
Tanvi was sitting on the mattress. Her eyes swollen, face pale — like all color had drained out of her.
Kartik froze.
> "Tanvi... what happened? Did someone say something?"
Her voice cracked.
> "You did."
> "Me? But… we haven't even spoken in two days…"
Tanvi picked up her phone and held the screen in front of him.
The photo. Kartik and Khushi.
> "It was just friendship for you, right?
But I… I fell in love with you."
> "I'm crazy, aren't I?" she laughed and cried all at once.
Suddenly, in a burst of anger, she threw the phone on the ground — the screen shattered.
> "You'll leave too, won't you? Just like everyone else..."
Kartik couldn't say a word.
He quietly sat beside her.
Silence. Heavy, aching silence.
Then, gently, he held her hand.
> "You haven't eaten anything, have you?"
"Come on... let's get you something before you get even weaker."
---
Night Scene – Silence Before the Storm
He took her to the mess. Some soup. A piece of bread.
Tanvi was silent. But her eyes kept asking one thing:
> "You won't love me... will you?"
Kartik looked at her.
Her face was dark with hopelessness.
> "I'm your best friend, Tanvi. I'm here for you."
> "But I don't want your friendship, Kartik."
Tears filled her eyes.
> "I'm scared… that you'll leave too. That you'll become someone else's. That you'll abandon me…"
Kartik was just about to respond…
When Tanvi opened her drawer. Inside — a blade.
> "One last time, Kartik… Do you love me or not?"
Kartik was stunned.
> "Tanvi, stop… what are you doing?!"
But she was lost — in pain, guilt, and helplessness.
And before he could reach her, she slashed her wrist — a deep cut.
Blood spilled.
Her eyes slowly closed.
Unconscious. Still. Cold.
---
A Night of Silent Care
Without thinking, Kartik pressed her wrist, bandaged the wound, rushed to get the first aid kit.
He ran to call the nurse — but Tanvi screamed:
> "Don't call anyone… just stay. Please, just you."
Kartik stayed the whole night.
Held her hand. Wiped her tears. Covered her with a blanket. Sat by her side.
The girl who feared abandonment the most... was finally understood by someone — even in her silence, even in her breaking.
Morning light began to pour in.
---
The Real Confession
Tanvi opened her eyes.
Kartik was asleep beside her, still holding her hand.
She gently brushed his hair.
He stirred awake.
Their eyes met.
That same question lingered in hers:
> "Will you leave me too…?"
Kartik took her hand. Sat down on the floor beside her.
He leaned in close… and whispered:
> "I'm not going anywhere.
I love you, Tanvi."
"I love you."
Tears welled up in Tanvi's eyes again —
But this time… not from pain.
This time, from peace.
---
Chapter End
Everyone else left Tanvi behind.
But Kartik didn't.
And maybe… Kartik never truly understood what love meant —
Until he stayed awake beside someone who needed him the most.