The morning sun filtered gently through the classroom windows, casting warm streaks of light across Anaya's desk. She sat there, trying to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept drifting. Her thoughts were filled with Aarav—his smile, the way his eyes sparkled when he teased her, the way he had made her laugh yesterday under the rainy sky.
She tapped her pen nervously on the desk, a small smile playing on her lips. Today, she had decided, was the day she would finally share her feelings with someone other than herself. Her friends.
By lunch, Anaya practically bounced toward the small corner table where her closest friends waited. Their faces lit up as she approached, sensing her unusual excitement.
"Anaya! What's got you so happy today? You've been grinning like an idiot all morning!" one friend teased.
Anaya blushed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I… I have something to tell you all," she said softly, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening.
Her friends leaned in eagerly, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Spill it!" another urged, practically bouncing on her seat.
Taking a deep breath, Anaya started recounting everything—how she had met Aarav, how he had persisted in asking her out, how she had finally said yes after that rainy night. Her voice trembled slightly as she described the moments that had made her heart flutter: holding hands under the umbrella, walking together across the campus lawns, laughing until their sides ached, sharing secrets that no one else knew.
Her friends listened intently, some teasing, some sighing dreamily, but all smiling at the evident joy radiating from Anaya.
"You're in love, aren't you?" one whispered, eyes wide with amusement.
Anaya's cheeks burned hotter than ever. "Yes," she admitted, barely above a whisper, "I… I think I really love him."
Her friends erupted in cheers and teasing laughter. "Finally! About time you admitted it! We've been waiting for this confession for weeks!"
Anaya laughed, a mixture of embarrassment and happiness, and leaned back in her chair. "It's not easy," she said. "I… I don't know if he feels the same way completely yet. But… I want him to know how I feel."
One of her friends, always the practical one, leaned forward, grinning. "Then tell him! Don't just sit here worrying. Go on, Anaya, confess! Otherwise, you'll regret it!"
Anaya chewed her lip thoughtfully, glancing at the campus windows where Aarav's familiar figure sometimes appeared in her daydreams. The thought of confessing made her heart pound in her chest, her palms growing slightly sweaty. How would she even say it? What if he laughed or… didn't feel the same?
Her mind wandered back to all their moments together—the teasing, the shared lunches, the walks, the quiet conversations under the trees. With every memory, her resolve strengthened. She wanted him to know. He deserved to hear her heart, and she deserved to be honest about it.
After class, Anaya found a quiet spot near the campus fountain, a place where she and Aarav often sat together. The soft gurgle of water and the rustling of leaves created a peaceful backdrop. She pulled out her notebook, writing down words she could practice saying aloud.
"Aarav… I love you. I've loved you for a while now, and I want you to know…"
She paused, rereading the sentence, then smiled softly. It felt strange to put her feelings into words, even just on paper, but the act made her heart feel lighter. She folded the note carefully, imagining handing it to him one day, hoping her words would convey everything she felt inside.
Later in the afternoon, she met her friends again at their usual spot. They teased her mercilessly, asking if she had told him yet, if he had noticed her staring at him in class, if her heart skipped when he was near. Anaya laughed, hiding the note in her bag, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
"You're blushing again," one friend said, nudging her playfully.
"I can't help it," Anaya admitted. "I just… I really like him. More than I expected, more than I thought I could."
Her friends exchanged knowing glances. "Well, that's obvious," one said with a smile. "You're glowing. Just don't overthink it. Go tell him."
Anaya nodded, taking a deep breath. "I will… soon," she whispered, almost to herself.
As the afternoon sun began to dip, Aarav appeared, waving at her from across the courtyard. His smile was bright, carefree, and it sent a familiar warmth straight to her heart. Anaya's chest tightened, and she felt her lips curl into a shy smile.
"Hey," he called out as he approached. "What are you doing sitting all alone here?"
"Just… thinking," she replied softly, her heart racing. "About… everything."
Aarav tilted his head, curious, and sat beside her. "Everything? That sounds serious. Care to share?"
Anaya hesitated, glancing down at her hands. Her fingers twisted nervously, and she felt a blush creeping across her cheeks. "I… I just… I like to think about… us," she said finally, her voice barely audible.
Aarav's eyes softened. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Us?" he repeated gently, his voice warm. "You mean… me and you?"
Anaya nodded, a nervous laugh escaping her. "Yes… you and me. I… I really like you, Aarav. More than just friends. More than I thought possible."
Aarav blinked, his expression softening into a tender smile. He didn't speak immediately, just reached for her hand and held it gently, letting the warmth speak for him.
"I… I'm glad you told me," he said softly. "Because I feel the same. I've felt this way for a while, and I wanted to tell you too, but I… didn't know if you felt the same."
Anaya's heart leapt. Relief and happiness washed over her in a rush of warmth so strong it made her giddy. She leaned slightly against him, savoring the comfort of being understood, accepted, and loved.
As they sat together, laughing and sharing small details about their day, Anaya didn't notice a shadow nearby, watching them from a distance. A fleeting glance, a quiet smirk—but she didn't see it. She only saw Aarav. Only felt the joy of being in love.
Little did she know, life was about to complicate this happiness in ways she could never have imagined.