It had been a few days since the "prince" fiasco, and things were back to their usual rhythm. The study sessions, the quiet exchanges, the occasional playful banter—all felt natural now. But something had shifted between Adarsh and Naomi. There was a subtle, unspoken tension, an undercurrent of emotions they both were reluctant to address.
Adarsh sat at his desk, staring at the screen. His textbooks lay open, but his mind wasn't fully in the study material. It was impossible for him to ignore the growing feelings inside him, feelings that went beyond friendship. But the last thing he wanted was to mess up the one meaningful connection he had made in years. His hand hovered over the keyboard, unsure if he should type anything.
Naomi was already online, her username glowing in the corner of his screen. He had come to rely on her presence, the comfort of knowing she was just a click away. Yet, today, there was something different in the way he looked at her, even through the screen. Maybe it was the way she smiled during their last conversation, or the way her messages made his heart race in a way that had nothing to do with excitement over studying.
But before he could continue spiraling in his thoughts, Naomi's message popped up in the chat.
Naomi: "Hey, Adarsh, are you free now? I wanted to show you something fun!"
Adarsh blinked, momentarily shaken from his thoughts. He smiled and typed back.
Adarsh: "I'm free. What's up?"
Naomi: "It's a surprise! Just give me a sec!"
Adarsh couldn't help but feel his heart beat a little faster. Naomi always had this way of making simple moments feel special, even if it was just a study session or a random conversation. He wondered if she had any idea of what was happening inside him. Did she feel the same? Or was this just a silly crush he was overthinking?
Moments later, Naomi shared a link with him. He clicked it, and a video started playing on his screen. It was a recording of an adorable kitten trying to jump onto a couch but failing miserably, tumbling in the process.
Naomi: "I thought this might make you smile! It's one of my favorites."
Adarsh couldn't help but laugh, his shoulders relaxing as the lightheartedness of the video washed over him. His mind cleared, if only for a moment, as he watched the little kitten struggle.
Adarsh: "Okay, that's pretty cute. You have a good taste in videos."
Naomi: "I knew you'd like it! I think you need more cute things in your life."
Adarsh smiled at the screen, feeling warmth in his chest. He never would've thought that something so simple would mean so much to him. It was small, but it made him feel cared for, something he hadn't experienced in years.
Adarsh: "I guess you're right. I've spent so much time studying, I forget to have fun sometimes."
Naomi: "Well, that's what I'm here for. To remind you to smile."
Adarsh leaned back in his chair, gazing at the screen. Naomi's words were innocent enough, but they had a weight to them, a softness that made his heart flutter. Why did something as simple as that make him feel so... vulnerable?
Before he could dwell on it too long, Naomi's message came in again.
Naomi: "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something, Adarsh."
Adarsh felt his stomach flip. What's going on now?
Adarsh: "What's up? You can ask me anything."
Naomi: "Well, I've noticed something lately... you've been a little distant. Is everything okay?"
Her question made his heart skip a beat. He quickly glanced at his screen, but Naomi's face was still hidden behind her avatar, just as it always was. She couldn't see the way his fingers trembled slightly as he typed.
Adarsh sat there, unsure of how to answer. He couldn't just tell her the truth—that he was falling for her—not yet. The fear of ruining everything, of losing the only meaningful connection he had, was overwhelming.
Adarsh: "I'm fine. Just... been busy, I guess."
Naomi: "I get that. But I just want you to know, if something's bothering you, I'm here, okay?"
Her words were simple, but they carried so much meaning. It was almost as if she could sense the unease in him. And despite the distance between them—both physical and emotional—her offer of support felt like a lifeline.
Adarsh stared at the screen, unsure how to respond. But before he could type, Naomi sent another message.
Naomi: "I care about you, you know. You've been so nice to me, and I want to make sure you're okay."
The words felt like a punch to the gut. His chest tightened, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say. He had wanted to tell her how much her words meant to him, how much he wanted to be honest with her. But the fear held him back.
Adarsh: "Thanks, Naomi."
He didn't know if it was enough, but it was all he could manage. Naomi responded almost immediately.
Naomi: "Of course. Just remember that, okay? I'm always here for you."
The conversation ended there, but Adarsh couldn't shake the feeling that something important had just happened. Naomi had reached out, and she had made it clear that she cared. But the weight of those feelings—the feelings that Adarsh had buried deep inside—was harder to ignore now.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at his screen, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. For the first time in a long time, he felt seen.
But the question remained: Was he ready to let her see him fully?