(on Teacher’s Day)
10th standard
Everyone was busy decorating the class. She was arranging the flowers near the board.
Him: (nervously) hey… can I say something?
She: (smiling) yeah?
Him: I’ve had a crush on you since 8th grade… just thought you should know.
She: (surprised) that’s... sweet. But I don’t know what to say.
Him: it’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to be honest.
The conversation ended there. But something changed.
They started talking more. Laughing more.
From classmates to friends, and from friends to something unnamed.
---
(on farewell day)
He gifted her a diary.
Him: whenever you feel low… just open any random page.
She didn’t know what he meant—until weeks later.
Each page had a handwritten note.
“Page 7: You deserve happiness, even on your worst days.”
“Page 15: If you’re ever crying, read this and know—I care.”
“Page 21: I love you. Still do. Always will.”
---
(5 years later)
In a cafe with her best friend
Friend: wait… you married your 8th-grade admirer?
She: (smiles wide) yup.
Friend: and the diary?
She: still with me. Now he writes new notes in it every month.
Friend: that’s rare love…
She: not rare—just patient, pure, and kind.
He waited, without rushing me. He healed the part I never showed.
He loved me, even before I knew how to love myself.
