The village was small and quiet.
Every morning, the sun rose slowly, touching the roofs of the houses with soft golden light.
Birds sang gently, and the air smelled of wet soil and flowers.
Life moved slowly here, but hearts still felt deeply.
Anaya lived in that village.
She was simple, kind, and calm.
Her smile was not loud, but it stayed in people's hearts.
She loved early mornings and silent evenings.
She believed that love should be soft, not painful.
Every day, Anaya walked to the river to water the small plants she had planted near the bank.
She spoke to them like friends.
She believed that if you give care, things grow beautifully.
One morning, she saw someone new near the river.
His name was Arjun.
He had come from the city to stay for some time.
The village was new to him.
The silence felt strange, but peaceful.
He carried pain in his heart, though he did not show it.
That day, Arjun stood near the river, looking at the flowing water.
Anaya noticed that his eyes looked tired, like he had cried many nights alone.
She did not speak first.
She only smiled politely.
Arjun noticed her smile.
It was simple, but warm.
For the first time in a long time, his heart felt light.
The next day, they met again.
Then again the next day.
Slowly, without planning, they became part of each other's mornings.
They talked about small things.
About the sky.
About rain.
About childhood memories.
Anaya listened more than she spoke.
Arjun spoke more than he ever had before.
He told her about the city.
About broken dreams.
About love that left without explanation.
About nights when he felt empty.
Anaya did not judge him.
She only listened.
Sometimes, she said nothing, but her silence felt safe.
Days passed.
Their friendship grew quietly, like a plant growing under sunlight.
One evening, rain started suddenly.
They stood under a tree near the river.
Rain fell heavily around them.
Anaya laughed softly.
Arjun watched her laugh.
At that moment, he felt something change inside him.
He realized he cared.
Deeply.
He cared about her smile.
Her voice.
Her presence.
But he was afraid.
He had been hurt before.
He feared loving again.
Anaya also felt something.
She felt it every time Arjun looked at her with gentle eyes.
Every time he waited for her near the river.
Every time he smiled only after seeing her.
But she never rushed love.
She believed real love takes time.
One night, Arjun could not sleep.
He kept thinking about Anaya.
Her calm voice echoed in his heart.
The next morning, he met her near the river.
He looked nervous.
"Anaya," he said softly,
"I don't know when it happened.
But you became important to me."
Anaya felt her heart beat faster.
But she stayed calm.
She replied gently,
"I feel the same.
But love should not hurt.
Promise me it will not hurt."
Arjun looked into her eyes.
Tears filled his eyes.
"I promise," he said,
"I will protect your heart."
From that day, their love began.
Not loudly.
Not suddenly.
Slowly.
Carefully.
They walked together.
They sat in silence together.
They supported each other.
Arjun started smiling again.
Anaya felt stronger.
Their love healed old wounds.
It made broken parts whole.
One day, Arjun had to leave the village.
The city called him back.
Anaya felt pain, but she did not cry.
She said,
"Love does not end with distance.
If it is true, it will return."
Arjun held her hands tightly.
"I will come back," he said.
"I promise."
Months passed.
Seasons changed.
Anaya waited.
One morning, just like the first day, she saw Arjun standing near the river.
He had returned.
This time, he did not speak.
He only opened his arms.
Anaya ran into them.
That moment, they knew.
Love that waits,
Love that heals,
Love that grows slowly—
That love never ends.
And just like the morning light,
Their love continued to rise every day. 🌅💞