The message had shaken her.
> "You think you're safe with him. But people lie. Especially boys who sound perfect."
Tanishka had blocked the number instantly, but it left a whisper of doubt...
Was someone really trying to ruin what she had with Hemant?
She called him.
He picked up in one ring.
"Tan? You okay?"
"Can I see you?"
"Now?"
"Now."
---
5:41 PM – The Café
They sat in their usual corner, two iced coffees between them, untouched.
She slid her phone toward him, screen unlocked.
He read the message. His jaw clenched.
"You think it's Arjun?" she asked.
"I don't know. But I don't care."
She blinked. "You don't?"
"I care about you. Not who's behind a cowardly anonymous message."
Her eyes welled up. "I just… I didn't want this to happen. You deserve peace."
He reached across the table and gently held her hand.
"You're my peace."
---
They didn't speak for a while.
They didn't need to.
Just silence, hands held, hearts steady.
---
Later That Evening
They sat on a bench, watching the sky fade from blue to burnt orange.
"I've been thinking," Hemant said.
"About what?"
"Us. The fights, the memes, the awkward voice notes... and how all of it led to now."
She smiled. "You say that like we're some epic novel."
He leaned closer. "Aren't we?"
She laughed. "Maybe. The kind where the main characters annoy each other, fall for each other, and then annoy each other some more."
Hemant grinned. "Sounds accurate."
"Hey," she whispered.
He looked at her.
"I choose you. Every day. No matter who tries to ruin it."
His fingers brushed her cheek.
"I choose you too, even when you're being a brat."
She punched his arm. "Shut up."
He pulled her into a hug. "You love me."
She mumbled into his hoodie, "I really do."
---
Before Sleeping – A New Promise
They texted one last time.
> Hemant: "Whatever comes next, we handle it together."
> Tanishka: "Together. Always."
---
And just like that, Chapter 1 ended.
Not with fireworks.
But with trust. With choice.
And with the kind of love that no anonymous message could break.
---
Epilogue – A Note from the Writer (That's Me, Bhai 🤍)
When Hemant and Tanishka started with Instagram fights, who would've thought it'd become this?
They found each other, healed a little, laughed a lot... and stood by each other.
But here's something even more powerful:
> Behind this story is a friend — someone who believed in them, supported every chapter, and felt every word.
---
Chapter 1 Ends – Chapter 2 Coming Soon