POV: Her
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I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window, soft and distant, like they were singing just for me. The sunlight, still gentle and sleepy, slipped through the curtains and stretched lazily across my bedsheets.
My hand moved out from under the blanket, feeling for my phone on the nightstand. Found it. 6:42 a.m.
I blinked twice. Then once more for good luck.
Today… was important.
With a small stretch and a yawn I tried to muffle (and failed), I sat up. My hair? A mess. My face? Still puffy.
But my heart? Already skipping steps like it was racing me.
I got out of bed carefully, avoiding the creaky floorboard that always made me jump. My bare feet hit the cool tiles, and I shuffled to the bathroom. Brush, rinse, splash — each movement more robotic than the last. But as I looked in the mirror, something flickered behind my eyes.
Was I… glowing?
Okay, shut up brain, he's just a friend.
Best-friend.
Best-friend who has nice eyes.
And a voice like honey on rainy days.
AND WHY AM I BLUSHING WHILE BRUSHING!?
I scrubbed my face until it almost felt like a ritual.
Outfit. I needed an outfit. Something casual. But not too casual. Cute but not like "I-tried-hard" cute. Just... naturally gorgeous by accident cute.
After fifteen minutes of changing tops like I was in a fashion anime montage, I finally chose my favorite white dress. The one with the light-blue stripes on the sleeves. The one that fluttered when I walked — like it knew it had a role to play today.
I packed my bag.
Sunscreen.
My sketchbook — just in case.
Lip balm.
A granola bar.
And… a folded note I swore I'd never give him.
I locked my door, turned the key, paused — and then double-checked like the paranoid little nerd I was. Yup. Locked.
Then I started walking. Step by step.
Heart whispering secrets I didn't want to hear.
Butterflies acting like they paid rent in my stomach.
The bus stop wasn't far. I stood under the crooked shade of that old banyan tree, right beside the small concrete bench with someone's initials carved on it.
I checked the time. 8:08 a.m.
He said "see you at 9" but I was already twenty-two minutes early.
The bus arrived with its usual sigh and clunk, like even it didn't want to work today. I got on, paid with coins that jingled too loud in my nervous hands, and sat by the window.
The wind outside played with my hair like an old friend.
I rested my cheek against the glass. The roads blurred.
I was going to see him today.
I was going to see Aarav.
---
The bus slowed down, and I stepped off.
And there it was — the beach.
Waves kissing the shore lazily.
A few kids chasing each other in the sand.
The scent of salt, the warmth of the morning sun, and…
"Aarav?" I said softly.
He turned around, standing near a coconut vendor, holding two bottles of lemonade. He smiled and lifted one.
"I figured you'd forget to hydrate. As usual," he said with a teasing grin.
I wanted to die right there. Not literally. But you know that kind of mental short-circuit when your crush does something stupidly thoughtful?
"Shut up," I muttered, taking the drink from him.
"Thank you…"
Our day began. Just two best friends wandering the coast like it was their own little world.
We walked barefoot in the sand.
He talked about this random documentary he watched about jellyfish living forever.
I laughed too loud. He looked proud of that.
We skipped stones. He sucked at it. I told him so.
He chased a crab. I screamed. He laughed harder.
There were moments —
— when our hands brushed.
— when he looked at me a second too long.
— when I looked away… but not because I wanted to.
Every little thing mattered. Every step. Every glance. Every heartbeat.
Then came the moment.
The sun was sinking into the horizon like it was shy.
Golden hues melting into purple waves.
We stood at the edge of the beach, where the rocks met the foam.
It was quiet. Peaceful. Like the world paused to listen.
I looked at him and whispered,
"Today's August 1, huh?"
He smiled. "Yeah, it was. It was as beautiful as you are."
My heart forgot how to breathe.
I forced a small laugh, brushing hair behind my ear.
"S-So… what did you want to talk about?"
He looked at the waves for a second too long.
Then back at me.
"…Would you believe me if I say something stupid right now?"
"No," I replied, smiling nervously.
The sun dipped completely.
A line of purple fire lit up the sky behind him like nature was painting its final stroke.
He took one step closer.
One.
And said:
> "What if… I love you?"
And just like that…
The story closed.