After a seemingly long day at office, I directly headed to a bar with Preeti. And Preeti being Preeti, knew that it was less about the work and more about a certain Indian guy being the campaign manager without my knowledge.
"Come on, Roop," she said, sipping her margarita, "what's up with that face of yours?"
"I had no idea we had a new campaign manager. Dad did not tell me about it and neither did the hiring team, knowing well he went to the same school as me. I understand I am not into the hiring processes, but someday I will be, and I must know."
It had not yet been twenty-four hours since I was on a candlelight dinner with my supposed boyfriend, my present, and today I could not help but drift into the past.
"So you do know him?" she raised an eyebrow.
Realising I had let the truth slip out, I could only blame the four martinis, "Of course I know him. He was the stupid lucky draw guy my friends selected for me."
"But did you select him?"
7 years ago, Roop's POV
It has been two weeks since I turned down Shaurya's proposal to study together.
But this week, he had dialled me more than 30 times, which is even more than all times in the past, combined.
He also tried speaking to me after school, but I pretended not to listen and boarded my school bus.
When no other method worked out, he sent me letters through Neha. Now that was unexpected, given that he already HAS A GIRLFRIEND, while we are just 15-YEAR-OLDS, and their families have AGREED TO THEIR MARRIAGE.
It was a lot to take in, so I just kept putting all those letters in my left drawer, hoping to let them rot in there, until tonight. I was beyond tempted to know what was in those letters, so I did it.
I locked the door of my bedroom, spread out the letters on my table, and prepared myself to know what Shaurya's heart held for me.
With trembling fingers and a heavy heart, I opened the first letter, dating back to two days after we went out for a walk.
"Roop, I know this is not the way I should have said things, but I have been trying to speak to you for a while....."
But what caught my attention was, "It is not what you think it is with Aditi."
My eyes widened as I opened another letter: "Roop, you give me butterflies."
Another read, "I swear I never felt anything for anyone but you."
"Your smile is something I would always treasure."
At this point, it was evident that Shaurya had feelings for me, more than I could have ever imagined. He loved me, just like how I loved him.
My heart was beating wildly, threatening to jump out of my chest and hold Shaurya. Maybe this was the purest thing I had ever felt.
Tonight felt the longest night of all, the walls whispering profanities at me, for not opening the letter earlier and telling Shaurya that I love him, cursing me for waiting so long. The sun refused to rise for a few more hours, enjoying my misery, and my eyes betrayed me by depriving me of sleep.
After hours of torture, the sun was finally up, which felt like the brightest morning of all, where I would now finally go and tell Shaurya that 'there is us'.