It was a beautiful day. I was heading to a blind date — the one my mother had arranged to finally get me married. She'd been nagging me for months, saying things like "Amaya, you're 28 now, it's time!" So, after some persuasion (and mild emotional blackmail), I gave in.
He was supposed to be my mother's childhood best friend's son — someone I'd never met. I'd left my office early to make it to the café on time. My heart was thumping so fast I could hear it in my ears. I didn't know him, had no clue what he looked like, and honestly just hoped he wasn't one of those guys who chewed loudly.
When I reached the café and stepped inside, my eyes froze.
Sitting by the window, scrolling through his phone, was Kartik Malhotra — my Kartik. My teenage crush from school. The boy I'd fallen hopelessly for when I was 14. He had been 17 back then, the charming senior everyone adored. I'd joined that school just that year, and before I could even think of talking to him, he'd graduated and disappeared. I'd never seen him since… until now.
It felt surreal, like the universe had just hit rewind.
I walked up to his table, trying to act normal. "Hey… you're Kartik, right?"
He looked up, and the recognition hit his eyes like sunlight. "Yeah, and you are…?"
"Amaya. Amaya Sinha. Your mother's best friend's daughter."
His lips curved into a warm smile. "Oh, so you're my blind date."
"Yes," I said, smiling nervously. "Let me start — I'm Amaya Sinha, twenty-eight years old, software engineer at MH Group. Been in too many schools, but the last one was DPS Kalyanpur. I studied there from ninth to twelfth. Never dated anyone. I've got a big brother — five years older — and we fight like cats and dogs. Your turn."
He chuckled softly. "Alright. I'm Kartik Malhotra, thirty-one, surgeon. Last school — DPS Kalyanpur, just like you. Never dated anyone either. I've got a younger brother and sister, and they're basically my slaves." He grinned, and his smile — God, that smile — it was exactly how I remembered it.
"Hey Amaya," he said, leaning forward, "do you want to eat something?"
"Of course! I'm starving."
He raised his hand. "Waiter!"
The waiter came over.
"I'll have a burrito with cold coffee," I said.
"I'll take the same," Kartik added, handing over the menus.
As the waiter left, Kartik looked at me with that teasing spark in his eyes. "So, we went to the same school… did you know me back then?"
I laughed lightly. "Of course I did. Who didn't? You were the popular guy. Everyone knew you."
He tilted his head, mock seriousness in his voice. "Oh really? Then… tell me honestly — did you have a crush on me back then?"
I froze for a second, trying not to blush. "No, I didn't," I said quickly, avoiding his gaze.
He smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Hmm, I'll pretend to believe that."
Just then, the waiter returned with our food.
"Thanks," I said, and we started eating.
We talked more — about work, family, life. It felt surprisingly natural, like the years between us had melted away. His voice was calm, his humor easy. For someone I hadn't seen in fourteen years, it felt like I'd known him forever.
After a while, he looked at me and said, "Amaya, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," I said, sipping my coffee.
He smiled slightly, like he'd made a decision. "Do you want to marry me?"
I blinked. "Wait… what?"
"I'm serious," he said. "I don't want to go on more dates. You're… better than anyone else I've met. Our parents are friends, we went to the same school — it just feels right, you know?"
I stared at him, completely speechless. My heart was doing somersaults. The boy I'd loved silently at fourteen was now sitting across from me, asking me to marry him. It felt unreal.
"What are you saying, Kartik?" I whispered, half laughing, half trembling.
He leaned back, still smiling. "I'm saying that maybe this isn't just coincidence. Maybe it's something that was meant to be."
And somehow, I believed him.
"Okay," I said softly. "I agree to marry you."
His face lit up instantly. "Good. Then I should tell you— I have a house, three cars, and three companies that my parents started."
I laughed. "Impressive. I have two flats and one house that I share with my best friend. My parents have a small company too — not much, but it's home."
At that moment, my phone rang. It was Mom.
"Hey Maa," I said, smiling as I answered.
"Amaya! How's the date going? It's getting late, are you coming home?"
"Of course, Maa. I'm leaving soon. And… I liked him. We're actually thinking about getting married."
There was a pause, then an excited scream. "That's wonderful, beta! I'll tell Rohini right now! She'll be over the moon!"
"Okay Maa, bye! I'm heading home."
I hung up, turned to Kartik, and smiled. "I should go. Bye, Kartik."
"Bye, Amaya," he said softly.
As I walked out of the café, I couldn't stop smiling. My heart felt light, like I was floating. I was marrying the boy I'd loved for half my life.
It was, without question, the happiest day of my life.