The days stretched on, each one blending into the next, while my feelings for Ishan deepened unexpectedly. What started as friendly chats and shared laughter evolved into something more profound, catching me off guard. I never intended to become so attached, knowing the complications it could bring.
One evening, as I sat working on my SST homework, Ishan and I were chatting casually. Our conversation meandered through various topics until, without warning, I felt compelled to confess something that had been weighing on my mind.
"Do you know something?" I began tentatively.
"What is it?" Ishan replied, his tone curious and attentive.
"I... I've never felt quite like this before, and please don't misunderstand," I hesitated, searching for the right words.
He assured me, "I won't. You can tell me anything."
Taking a deep breath, I confessed softly, "I think I've become more attached to you than just a friend."
Silence hung in the air for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, Ishan responded, "Oh, so that's how you feel about me now?"
Feeling awkward and unsure of how to proceed, I abruptly ended the conversation. The next day, Ishan attempted to make eye contact, but I avoided him, consumed by my own confusion and apprehension. Our interactions dwindled, communication reduced to mere glances and occasional greetings. Despite our bond being founded on laughter, my anxiety and tendency to push people away took over, leaving us in a state of uneasy distance.
Others began to notice the change in our dynamic, speculating about nonexistent tensions or unspoken secrets between us. In reality, there was only a friendship strained by my own insecurities. I longed for the awkwardness and bitterness to dissipate, but I lacked the courage to confront Ishan after withdrawing from him.
Reflecting on my actions, I chastised myself for letting fear dictate my choices. "How can you be so foolish, Incia? How could you even be?" I berated myself inwardly, regretting the barriers I had erected between us.
As days turned into weeks, I found myself hoping for a resolution, a chance to mend what I had unwittingly broken. But for now, all I could do was wait and hope that someday, the rift I had created would heal, and our friendship would find its way back to laughter and ease.