That very day, I was sitting in a cozy café with two of my closest friends. One was my guy best friend from high school, Prem —more like a brother than anything else—and the other was Priyanka, my partner-in-crime, the one who knew all my secrets.
We were laughing, sharing bites of food, talking about random things… but my mind wasn't there. It kept drifting back to one question—why hadn't he replied?
Shresth hadn't texted back after that short "good morning." Was he… not interested to talk? Or just busy? My thoughts kept spiraling. Maybe he had school today? That could be it.
I turned to Priyanka and casually asked, "Hey, do you know if Border Academy had classes today?"
She frowned. "Hmm, I'm not sure. Why? Why are you asking?" Then, with that suspicious look she always gave me, she added, "Maybe they don't. Wait—Shresth didn't reply to my texts either. Maybe he's in school."
The moment she said his name, I felt my cheeks warm up. Oh god, how could I forget they were friends too?!
I tried to play it cool, muttering, "Oh… no reason, just asking."
But it was too late. Priyanka caught that tiny blush. And of course, they both started teasing me.
"Ohhh, spill the tea! Who's this new guy from Border Academy?"
"No one," I said quickly.
They didn't believe me.
Finally, I gave in. "Okay, fine. Actually… I talked to Shresth yesterday."
And just like that, it became the hot topic. They kept teasing me, throwing glances and smirks, and I kept saying, "Stop! It was just a normal conversation!"
But deep down, I knew it wasn't normal.
That night, around 8:00 PM, he finally texted back, apologizing for being busy the entire day. From 8:00 to 10:30 PM, we talked… and talked. And somewhere in those two and a half hours, my mind started creating little scenarios about him.
He told me he already knew me—through Priyanka and his sister, Vidya. We talked about the café I'd gone to that day, the snacks I had. Slowly, the conversation shifted from casual to personal.
He opened up about himself—his likes, his dislikes, how he'd been driving since a young age, how much he loved cars more than anything else. He told me his opinions, his values, how he respected women deeply, how he behaved in public.
And the more he spoke, the more it felt like he'd walked straight out of the little delusion I'd once imagined.
I told him about me—my likes, dislikes, my school, the stream I'd chosen, what I was planning for my future. We realized we had so much in common. We were both from business families. We both had the same cultural values. It was strange… but it felt like fate.
Somehow, I trusted him from the very first day. Maybe that was my mistake.
I even told him about my anemia—how I'd been struggling with low iron. And do you know what he said?
"Don't worry. I'll take care of you."
Something about those words felt comforting. Like he meant them.
We both knew then—we were long-lost friends. But I also knew… this wasn't going to remain just friendship.
That day, we were still formal. Still polite. But I had this feeling that it wouldn't stay that way for long. Something more was waiting ahead. Something I couldn't see yet.
I liked him from day one. He was charming, kind, and effortlessly made me feel comfortable. He did flirt a little, he smiled in a way that felt… special.
After a while, we finally said goodnight.
Later that night, Priyanka texted me, "So? What's the matter with him?"
I sent her a few screenshots.
She replied with a laughing emoji. "Hehe… this man is totally flirting with you."
And just like that… it began.
Something big.
Something strange.
Something that would change my life, my perspective, my priorities…
Little did I know, the very next thing he was about to reveal… would shake me.
Because that very day, I saw his Instagram note.
It simply said: "And just like that… it all came to an end."
What did he mean by that?