"Her Crush, His Game"

Ana had always been a girl of simplicity and grace. Her heart was kind, her smile gentle, and her love for nature and music seemed to make the world around her a little brighter. She loved the serenity of mornings in the garden, the laughter of games, and the soft melodies that filled her quiet room. Yet, despite her warmth, Ana carried a shadow with her—a past that refused to let her sleep at night, haunting her in silence.

By day, she was a talented engineer, working as a developer in a bustling IT company. She focused on her work, avoiding unnecessary distractions, especially romance. Love, for her, was a luxury she had never allowed herself. Boys? She didn’t speak to them, not casually, not even in passing.

But Ana had made a decision. A decision to rewrite her story, to find a path that would help her heal. Maybe… just maybe, loving someone could help her forget the darkness of her past.

It was on a quiet evening, as she scrolled through social media, that a new friend request appeared—a simple notification that would change the rhythm of her life.

King.

She stared at the name for a moment, a mixture of curiosity and skepticism washing over her. He seemed confident, almost effortless in his charm. And yet, Ana wasn’t looking for charm—she was looking for change.

With a deep breath, she accepted.

“Hi,” the message appeared.

“Hi,” Ana replied cautiously, her fingers hovering over the keyboard longer than necessary.

“May I know your name?” came the next message.

“I’m Ana. And yours?”

“I’m King. May I know where you studied?”

Ana blinked, surprised by the sudden curiosity. “I’m from SKS Engineering College.”

“OMG! We studied in the same college!”

“Yes, I know that,” Ana responded, feeling a flicker of intrigue.

“You know about me?”

“No, not really. I just… saw you in college.”

King’s reply came instantly, tinged with amusement. “Sorry, I don’t remember you.”

“It’s okay!” Ana typed back, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“Okay, let’s be friends.”

Ana paused, unsure. But something in the way he spoke felt genuine, if a little playful. “Okay,” she replied softly.

“Great! So… how about a date? Will you come with me?”

Ana’s heart skipped. A date? Already? She hesitated. “Wait… you don’t even know me. Why would I go?”

“Because you are beautiful… and very cute.”

Ana laughed nervously. “Wait, how do you know me? I’m not that cute.”

“I saw your profile. You are.”

“That’s not me. That’s my friend,” Ana corrected, feeling her cheeks warm.

“No, that’s you. I even have proof—your college ID, your picture.”

Ana sighed. “Okay… that’s me. But I still won’t come.”

King’s tone softened, playful yet sincere. “Alright. I said let’s be friends, right? We don’t need a date. Come… as a friend.”

Ana narrowed her eyes, suspicious. “You call every girl like this?”

“I call every girl for an outing,” he admitted.

“I won’t believe you. I won’t come, even as a friend.”

King shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. “Okay, no problem.”

Ana paused, a strange warmth creeping into her chest despite herself. “Will you call me tomorrow?”

“Why should I? You said no.”

“Yes… but we are friends. Call me tomorrow.”

King waited, almost silently, before replying. “Number?”

“I’ll text you,” Ana said, a quiet determination in her words.

And with that, their story began—not with fireworks, not with declarations, but with the fragile, tentative threads of friendship… threads that would soon weave a story neither of them could forget.

TO BE CONTINUED...........

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