Chapter 3: Almost Love
College festival season arrived.
Meera was busy hosting events. Kabir was participating in the music competition.
He almost backed out.
"I can't perform," he said nervously.
"You can," she insisted. "And I'll be in the front row."
That night, when his name was announced, his hands trembled.
But then he saw her.
Front row. Smiling. Believing in him.
He closed his eyes and started playing.
The auditorium fell silent. His music wasn't loud or dramatic—it was honest.
When he finished, applause filled the hall.
But he only looked at her.
After the event, she ran toward him and hugged him tightly.
"I'm so proud of you!" she said.
He froze for a second… then slowly hugged her back.
That hug felt different.
Longer.
Closer.
Almost love.
Later that night, under the fairy lights of the campus garden, Meera spoke softly.
"Kabir… what are we?"
He looked at her, nervous but certain.
"I don't know what to call it," he admitted. "But I know I don't want to lose it."
Her eyes softened.
"Me neither."
But sometimes, feelings grow faster than courage.
And neither of them realized how fragile "almost" can be.