Kriti sat at the coffee shop, lost in her thoughts about her past. Her childhood had been a happy one, filled with books and the love of her parents. She remembered spending hours curled up with a novel, lost in its pages.
Her parents had always been supportive of her love for reading, even when it meant spending long hours at the library or ignoring chores to finish a book. Kriti's father, in particular, had been her biggest cheerleader. He would often bring her new books as a surprise and encourage her to pursue her dreams.
As she sat lost in her memories, Kriti remembered one conversation she had with her father when she was a teenager. They were sitting in the park, enjoying a beautiful day, and Kriti had been telling him about her dreams of becoming a writer.
"I believe in you, Kriti," her father had said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You have a talent for writing, and I know that one day you'll be a published author. Just keep writing and never give up on your dreams."
Kriti smiled at the memory, grateful for her father's unwavering support. She knew that without him, she wouldn't be the person she was today.
Kriti's thoughts drifted to memories of her childhood and family vacations. She remembered the time when her parents had taken her on a trip to the Swiss Alps. It was the first time they were traveling abroad, and Kriti was excited beyond words.
As it turned out, they were not alone on the trip. Rishi's family had also planned a vacation in the same region, and they ended up spending a lot of time together.
Rishi's parents were always busy with work and rarely spent time with him. As a result, Rishi felt neglected and turned to books for solace.
Kriti stood at the entrance of the cozy cafe, scanning the room for her parents' friends. As she looked around, she spotted a tall and lanky guy sitting at a table in the corner, engrossed in his phone. He had messy hair and wore a pair of worn-out sneakers. She assumed that must be Rishi.
Taking a deep breath, Kriti walked towards him and cleared her throat to get his attention. Rishi looked up, surprised to see her, and greeted her with a polite smile.
Kriti was a stunning young woman with a bright smile that lit up her face. Her shoulder-length hair was a soft shade of brown, with natural highlights that caught the sunlight just right. She wore modern, trendy clothing that showcased her slender figure, and her favorite outfit was a white and pink jumpsuit that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her glasses, while functional, added an air of sophistication to her overall look. When Kriti walked into a room, heads turned, and people couldn't help but be drawn in by her captivating presence.
"Hey, you must be Kriti," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Kriti shook his hand, returning the smile. "That's me. And you must be Rishi. I've heard a lot about you from my parents."
Rishi nodded, still unsure of what to say. Kriti could tell he was a bit reserved and decided to break the ice.
"So, I hear you're quite the reader. What's the latest book you've been playing with?"
Rishi looked up from his phone, surprised by Kriti's sudden enthusiasm. "Uh, nothing much, just some science fiction."
Kriti rolled her eyes playfully. "Boring! You should try reading some actual books. You know, like Harry Potter or something."
Rishi chuckled, amused by Kriti's teasing. "I prefer to live in the scientific world, thank you very much."
Kriti grinned. "Oh come on, you can't deny the magic of Hogwarts. It's a whole different world."
Rishi shook his head, still smiling. "I think I'll stick to my science for now."
Kriti and Rishi's conversation continued to flow, with Kriti talking animatedly about her love for books and Rishi sharing his passion for programming. As they spoke, Kriti noticed that Rishi was slowly opening up and becoming more comfortable around her. They even had a friendly argument about the merits of science fiction versus fantasy novels, something Kriti had always enjoyed.
By the end of their conversation, Kriti noticed how distant Rishi was from his parents. She could see that he was craving their attention and love, but they were too busy to give him any.
One day, while they were out hiking in the snowy peaks, Kriti and Rishi found themselves walking side by side. They started talking,
Kriti was bubbling with excitement as she and Rishi started their hike through the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps. "Wow, can you believe how beautiful this place is?" she exclaimed, gesturing to the breathtaking scenery around them.
Rishi just nodded in response, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground as he trudged ahead.
Undeterred by his silence, Kriti continued to chatter away. "Did you know that the Swiss Alps are home to some of the world's most unique species of flora and fauna? I've been reading up on it, and it's fascinating!"
Rishi finally looked up at her, a hint of a smile on his lips. "You're such a nerd, Kriti," he said teasingly.
Kriti beamed at him, delighted that he had finally spoken more than a few words. "Guilty as charged! But come on, you have to admit that it's interesting."
Rishi chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it is."
And with that, the two of them continued on their hike, chatting and laughing along the way.
From then on, Kriti made it her mission to be there for Rishi. They started spending more time together and went on more hiking trips, sharing their hopes, dreams, and fears. Their conversations started off as formal and polite, but as time went on, they became more comfortable with each other.
Kriti became the confidante that Rishi never had. He shared his deepest secrets with her, and she listened with empathy and understanding. He opened up about his strained relationship with his parents, and Kriti offered a shoulder to cry on.
As they hiked through the snowy peaks, Kriti could see the change in Rishi. He was no longer the lonely and distant boy she had met at the beginning of the trip. He was opening up, laughing, and enjoying life. Kriti felt proud of the progress he had made, and happy that she could be there to support him.
Their family vacation came to an end, but Kriti and Rishi's friendship continued to grow. They kept in touch through phone calls and letters and even planned more trips together in the future. Kriti was grateful for the bond they shared, and for being able to make a difference in Rishi's life.
The memories of her happy childhood and her father's encouragement gave Kriti a sense of warmth and comfort, even as she faced the uncertainties of the future.