Love, it is such a simple word, yet it carries more weight than most people can ever express and nowadays, I wonder if anyone truly understands what it means to love someone.

I’ve grown up watching my parents breaking, building, fighting, healing yet always standing together, side by side, in every phase of life. They never once made me or my sister feel less or more than the other and with them, I saw what unconditional love looks like.

But, what happened to my sister… It shattered something in me as I witnessed her break because of the man she trusted for years. The way he betrayed her, tore apart not just her heart but my belief in people too.

I realized that in this generation, people wear masks so easily. They pretend, act, charm until they’ve got what they want and only then do their true faces come to light.

I did date once, back in my teens but It didn’t last long. Sometimes I feel cursed by my genes because being the kind of man women seem to chase makes me proud at times, but most days, I hate it.

Because all that attention never meant anything real and with her, I learned early on how shallow things could be. 

She was ahead of me in the worst way as she was dating two guys at the same time while being with me. I broke it off as soon as I found out but I still laugh thinking about it now, teenage foolishness.

Since then, there have been plenty of proposals, but I never cared enough to say yes. 

Not until her. 

I glanced at her once again. Swati Verma, my best friend. Her hair was flying in the sea breeze, a Cornetto was in her hand and her smile brighter than the shining moon in the sky. My lips curved into a small smile without my knowledge. 

“Is it a coincidence or destiny that you were born on April Fool’s Day?” She teased while grinning at me. 

It’s my birthday today, and I spent it with the people who matter most to me, my family. She was there too because she's included in my family. 

All day she's laughing with everyone and playing with Ansh. They are inseparable when they are together and I adore their bond. 

Now the day’s winding down and it’s just the two of us at our spot...the beach. The waves are calm, the breeze is cool, and sitting here with her feels like the perfect way to end my birthday.

I shot her a glare but she only laughed and pushed my face away saying,“Don’t glare like that, Adi because with the kind of lame jokes you crack, I feel like it was destined too.”

“Are you calling me a fool, Su?” I raised a brow.

“You are a fool, Adiiii!” She replied cheekily and her grin was wide full of mischief. I stared at her for a moment as I was half annoyed, half agreeing. 

She’s been with me since college, my partner in crime, my constant. Her family and mine are close, but life hasn’t been kind to her. 

She lost her parents, and the only family she had left was her brother who moved to Canada to handle their family business, leaving her to face everything alone. 

I’ve watched her fall apart and then gather herself again, stronger each time. That strength, that resilience, all of it makes me respect her more than words can say.

But the day she confessed her feelings for me… my world stopped and for a moment, my heart froze because I’d never thought of her that way. 

Not because she isn’t worth it. God knows she is but because of the shadows of my sister’s past. Because I’ve seen what betrayal does to a person. I’ve seen how love can destroy.

I told her I don’t believe in love and she smiled through it, promised me never to bring it up again, and she never has. After that incident nothing changed between us. We’re still us, still teasing, still laughing as each other's bestfriend. 

And yet, her words echo in my head. They won’t leave and a part of me wants to give us a chance. I want to step into the unknown and see where it takes us. 

But another part of me is terrified of the consequences. What if it ruins everything? What if I lose her? Not just as someone I could love, but as the only best friend who feels like home?

That’s the war I live with every day.

“When’s your flight tomorrow?” She asked, brushing the crumbles of the cornetto from her palms.

“In the morning.” I replied as I leaned forward to wipe crumbs away from the corner of her mouth. For a few seconds, her brown eyes held mine, and neither of us moved as I gazed deeper into her eyes.

She broke the moment first, pressing her palm against my cheek only to push my face sideways saying,“Then let’s go. You should be sleeping by now.”

If only she knew. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sleep without missing her. She’s become so woven into my life, into my family, into me, that the thought of a single day without her feels impossible. 

I wonder how will I concentrate on my work but a part of me will ache to see her, in person. 

“Just London, or some other cities too?” She asked as curiosity flickered in her voice.

“Birmingham and Manchester as well.” I admitted. Work never comes in halves as the schedule was packed with conferences and meetings stacked one after another.

She nodded slowly, studying me for a beat before whispering, “I’ll call you daily…”

Before she could finish, I shook my head saying,“I’m going for work, Swati. It’s not like you can’t live without me.”

Her eyes locked with mine as she stared at me but slowly a soft, aching smile curved her lips as she mumbled,“Yeah, right. I can live without you for sure.”

She turned away quickly, but that smile wasn’t her usual one. It hurts in a way I can’t put into words. It's better that I'm going for three months. 

Maybe this distance will help her and maybe she’ll think clearly, move on, and find someone who can give her the love I keep denying her. 

But the selfish truth? I don’t want her to and I don't even know why?

“Fine then… drop me back home.” She stood, brushing sand from her clothes and her hair whipped around in the sea breeze as she tried in vain to tame it.

I extended my hand to her and she chuckled, gripping it to pull me up, though her strength barely moved me. 

She muttered, “You’re giving me your hand so willingly. What if I hold it forever?”

Her words cut through my heart, leaving me breathless. Does she even realize what she says sometimes? Does she know what it does to me?

“Bologe toh jaanegi na?” My subconscious muttered and I shut it off as silence pressed between us when I rose to my feet, my gaze fixed on her as though I could etch her into my eyes and take her with me.

(If you'll speak, she'll know!)

“I’m… I’m sorry. It just slipped out.” She stammered, looking anywhere but at me.

I smiled faintly then teased, “I know. You’re clumsy… nothing new.”

She snapped her head towards me and  her glare shot straight at me, and I did the only thing I could. I ran away ahead of her while laughing as she looked pissed but she immediately chased after me, shouting every insult she could think of.

“I hate you, Aditya Malhotra!” She yelled as her voice cut through the wind. 

I laughed over my shoulder screaming,“That’s a lie, Suuuu!”

Maybe it was selfish of me, maybe even cowardly, but as long as she laughed, as long as I could distract her with these stupid jokes, I could pretend my heart wasn’t breaking every time I thought of leaving her behind.

Because the truth is simple, her smile is the only thing that puts my heart at ease.

We drove back to her house and the rude was peaceful, the kind of ride where words weren’t needed. There's silence filled the in the car, but it wasn’t awkward…it was comfortable. 

She leaned against the window, letting the night breeze play with her hair while I kept stealing glances at her.

Why do I do that?

Because she’s beautiful and beauty, real beauty….demands to be admired.

When we pulled up, I stepped out first and said, “Don’t skip your meals, alright? Eat properly. And don’t miss me, or I’ll be hiccuping the whole time I’m gone.”

She shot me a glare, but her reply was instant, “That’ll be good. Tum aur lambe ho jaaoge.”

(You'll grow more taller.)

I couldn’t help but smile as I leaned against my car. She stepped closer, measuring her height against mine with that adorable expression of hers before murmuring the sweetest words, “Soar high and make your parents proud. I hope this business tour brings you new opportunities.”

Her sincerity caught me off guard but I managed a small grin as I replied,“Thank you and I wish the same for you… because you need to make me proud.” 

I winked uttering those words but she gasped softly and froze, staring at me for a moment too long before fumbling, “I’ll… I’ll leave...”

I caught her wrist gently promoting,“At least give me a hug before you go.”

She scrunched her nose, muttering,“You’re just… nevermind.” 

She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around me hesitantly. The moment her body pressed against mine, I froze. 

The moment stilled and I wanted the time to stop. We’ve hugged before and it’s not new but this… this was different. 

I could feel every fiber of her against me, her warmth seeping into my skin, into my very bones. My arms came around her back almost instinctively, holding her closer, inhaling that faint caffeine scent that always clings to her.

And heavens, it felt so intimate, so personal. Too personal because suddenly, I didn’t want to let her go. Neither did she as she buried her face deeper into me, nuzzling as if she belonged there. 

“Maybe she did!” My subconscious whispered and my throat went dry, a hard gulp sliding down, as something unknown burned in my chest.

It was yearning. It was comfort. It was safety and it felt like home. I wondered how the hell can a hug carry all that?

I wanted to keep her there, to lock her in my arms forever.

What the heck am I thinking?

“Have a safe journey.” She whispered as she finally pulled away. 

The moment she stepped back, the warmth vanished, leaving my arms aching with emptiness and suddenly I was homesick.

“Byeeeee…” She waved as she walked backwards toward the gate while staring at me with a sad smile pulling at her lips. And all I could think about was running after her, dragging her back into my arms where she belonged.

Fucking hell.

I’m doomed. Completely, utterly doomed.

I shouldn’t feel this way, not when I’ve sworn I don’t believe in love.

But I stood there anyway, watching until she slipped inside and the guards shut the gate. I didn’t leave. Not yet as I waited, like I always do, until I saw her slide open the glass door of her room’s balcony.

And there she was, waving at me with an alluring smile and my chest tightened as my pulse raced, and I lifted my hand to wave back before climbing into the car. 

I couldn’t drive away without taking one last glance at her and I did only to groan, shutting my eyes as the foreign ache of longing pressed down on me. 

My chest felt too tight and my breath too heavy. I turned the ignition and sped away, telling myself that three months apart would be good for us.

Maybe this distance will help. Maybe three months away from her will keep me safe… safe from the pull I feel every time she smiles at me.

But deep down, I already know will it really save me from falling for her?

_________

This was added last year in August and the rest of the story is unedited, and it's the first draft of the story.

The one that gave me, my BUNBUNS 🐰!

Enjoyieeee... I'll see you in the last chapter.

Byeeeissh.

Arcturus ✨