The room is quiet. Mansi walks in still laughing, phone in hand.
Mansi
(teasing):
Oh ho ho… look at you sitting like a Disney princess after her first kiss!
Aarohi
(rolling eyes, smiling):
Shut up.
Mansi
You and Reyansh walked home alone, shared a ride, shared glances, laughs, hands…
Don’t you dare say ‘he’s just a friend’ now.
Aarohi
(playful glare):
Do you ever shut your romantic brain?
Mansi
(winks):
Do you ever admit your feelings?
Aarohi
(Aarohi throws a pillow at her. Mansi laughs and leaves the room.)
Aarohi lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts loud. She picks up her phone and video calls her best friend, Ruhi.
Ruhii
(answering, half-asleep):
Bro. It’s 12:30 AM. What happened? Did someone propose? Did someone die?
Aarohi
(smiling softly):
I don’t know what’s happening to me.
I’m just… happy.
And it scares me.
Ruhii
(sits up):
Okay. I’m listening. Say everything.
Aarohi
There’s this boy... Reyansh. We met through Mansi.
I don’t even know what’s going on.
We had fun. Laughed. He held my hand on the ride.
Flirted a little. Looked at me like I mattered.
Ruhii
And?
Aarohi
I like it.
But I’m scared too.
You know me… I get attached.
I don’t want to lose control again.
That anxiety... the overthinking...
I lose breath sometimes when feelings hit too fast.
Ruhii
(softly):
Aaru… you don’t need to label anything right now.
But I know you.
When something makes you smile like this —
don’t ignore it.
Aarohi
I’m not saying I love him.
But... I like him.
Kinda. A lot.
Ruhii
(smiling):
Then don’t rush.
Just feel.
You’re strong, Aarohi.
But strong people are allowed to be soft too.
Aarohi
I needed to hear that
Ruhii
I’m always here, Jaan. You’re my story baby — write it how you want.
Aarohi
I love you🥺❤️
Ruhii
Love you more.
Now go to sleep before I cry for no reason🫂❤️
Notification Ping
Aarohi hangs up. Her face still carrying a soft, tired smile.
Instagram Notification – Message from Reyansh:
Reyansh
(“Hey, are you alright? You were quiet when I dropped you.”)
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