The following days passed in a blur for Sanya. The conversation with Arjun on their midnight walk had lingered in her mind, but she hadn't quite figured out what to make of it. He had confessed something—something real—but she wasn't sure if she was ready to acknowledge it, let alone confront it.
At school, Sanya threw herself into her work, focusing on her studies and rehearsals for the dance showcase coming up. She had always been good at burying her emotions under layers of work, and right now, it felt like the only way to keep herself from spiraling into confusion.
But then, just when she thought she was getting a handle on things, Arjun texted her again. It had become a habit for him to check in with her, to ask how her day was going or to send a random message when he had a free moment. It felt normal, but there was something unspoken in those exchanges—something that made Sanya's pulse race each time her phone buzzed.
This time, his message was different.
Arjun: Sanya, I think we need to talk.
Her heart skipped. What did he mean by that? Was it about what happened on the walk? She quickly typed a response.
Sanya: About what?
The reply came almost immediately.
Arjun: You'll see. Meet me at the café by the park at 5?
Sanya stared at the screen for a moment. What was he planning to say? Was he going to confirm his feelings? Or was this going to be one of those moments where everything awkwardly crumbled?
Despite the nerves gnawing at her, she agreed.
Sanya: Okay. I'll be there.
---
When Sanya arrived at the café, the late afternoon sun bathed the outdoor seating area in a soft golden light. She spotted Arjun sitting at a corner table, his back to her, his hands wrapped around a coffee cup. She took a deep breath and walked over to him, her heart thudding in her chest.
He looked up as she approached, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. There was something in the air—something electric—that made Sanya's breath catch. She slid into the chair across from him, her hands clasping together nervously in her lap.
"Hi," Arjun said, his voice soft, almost hesitant.
Sanya nodded, managing a smile. "Hi."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. The usual banter, the easy flow of conversation they had shared in the past, was absent. It was as if they were both waiting for something, but neither one of them knew what.
Finally, Arjun spoke, his tone more serious than usual. "I didn't want to just text you about this. I wanted to see you in person."
Sanya raised an eyebrow, her heart racing faster now. "About what?"
Arjun leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking with hers. "About us."
Sanya's breath hitched. This was it. The moment she had been avoiding, the conversation she wasn't sure she was ready for.
"I know I've been a little... off lately," Arjun continued, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "And I don't want to make things complicated, but I can't keep pretending that what I feel for you is just friendship."
The words hit Sanya like a wave. Her mind raced, but for a moment, everything around her seemed to blur. He was confessing it. He was saying it out loud.
"I don't know what this is, Sanya," he went on, his gaze never leaving hers. "But I know that I care about you. More than I probably should."
Sanya's chest tightened. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words stuck in her throat. Her emotions were a whirlwind, and she didn't know how to navigate them.
"Arjun," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I care about you too. But I don't know what to do with that."
He reached across the table, his hand hovering just above hers. She could feel the heat of his palm, and for a moment, she thought he might take her hand in his. But instead, he just let it linger, waiting for her response.
"I don't want to pressure you," he said softly. "I just wanted you to know that you mean something to me."
Sanya swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. She had spent so long keeping her heart locked away, convinced that her career and her independence were enough. But sitting here with Arjun, feeling the weight of his confession, she realized that maybe—just maybe—she had been running from something she wanted all along.
"I don't know what comes next," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "But maybe... maybe we can figure it out together."
A smile tugged at the corners of Arjun's lips. "That's all I'm asking for.