stupidity in love

I once knew a girl from my class when I was in middle school, she used to sit right next to the window in the corner of the classroom.

No friends except me, though i too ever talked to her.

Her life was — slow, as if she was not living at all. Yet she had that aura, the aura which makes you feel something deep inside you.

I heart would race anytime i see her ! Yet, i... I naver told her how I felt about her, she had moved to another city far far away from me.

She did not say goodbye to me, though I was sad but somewhat reliefed too. I thought maybe if I don't see her, my feelings for her would go down as time passes.

But it did not, it just grew stronger and deeper.

I would often question myself: if I had expressed my feelings, would we be together today? Even after four years.

I don't know if she even remembers me now, yet I still want to see her. Whenever I think about her, my heart starts pounding so fast as if I have had seen a ghost in the deepest darkness of the planet.

Now after four years, I love alone in a apartment only a few kilometres away from the school I go to.

My life is not the best but not the worst either, I have food to eat, place to stay, and clothes to wear.

The only thing missing is someone to love me, or someone who i could give love to.

After I lost her, I lost intrest in every girl. Or rather I lost intrest in me and myself.

I still had the friends I had in middle school, they would try to cheer me up. No matter what had happen, they would not leave my side, that is what real friendship is. Right?

But still, i sometimes feel like I don't really deserve love, friends, family.

I sometimes think if my life is worth living.

I do part time job in a convenience store near my apartment, I talk to a lot of people during my work hours, but the words I speak. For some reason they feel like not even mine.

It feels like a different soul enters my body whenever I stand behind my work area, but I know for certain that I am who I am.

Once while I was doing my job one customer approached me, she was here to confirm her purchase.

I did what I usually do, take the items, scan them, pack them, take money and done. But for some reason, when I looked at the face of that customer, I felt like I knew her.

Her beautiful round face, pitch black hair, blue shining eyes and the same kind of aura she, the one I loved had.

I was frozen for a second before realising the world is bigger than we imagine, just because she looks or feels the same does not mean she has to be her.

She had left me a while ago, there is no way she would ever come back to me.

I bought myself to reality and got to work as quickly as I could.

That night I could barely sleep, as a result I got Ill.

Maybe it was a good thing, a day off of work and school doesn't sound so bad now does it?

Even still, i could not stop myself from thinking about that girl. It was unforgettable, her gaze; so beautiful even a blind could sence her beauty.

Around the evening time, I went to the nearest park to hang out and get some fresh air as I was packed in the apartment the whole day.

Standing at the gate I was stunned, the girl i thought about all night long, the one I was sick for. She was sitting above a newly painted bench, though the color was already dry so no worrys i guess.

I tried to ignore her, to save myself from getting the same heartbreak again. But it seemed faith had some other plans, she had already noticed my presence.

" Oh! Aren't you that cashier boy from yesterday? "

Her tone so soft playful and full of energy.

Shyam could not help but look at her, he looked at her direction. She was smiling though that smile: for some reason did not seem to have the energy of joy as a normal smile normally has.

" ha.. hi " he said, his voice cracking. He was scared, nervous. Yet, somewhat happy, happy that he could finally talk with the one who stole his heart even with a glimpse of an look.

She wove her hands telling shyam to sit down next to her, which he did. " Hi, I am raitha, nice to meet you. " She said, her tone yet again playful.

Shyam on the other hand was stunned to hear her name. She, she was her. The girl he had loved since childhood, the only girl who could create sparks into one's heart and soul.

Seeing shyam speachless, raitha asked him if he was okay. Her soft voice pulled him back to reality, and he managed to stutter out, "Y-yeah, I'm fine. I just... your name... Raitha, right? It's... beautiful."

Raitha giggled lightly, her eyes sparkling under the golden hues of the setting sun. "Thanks! And you? What's your name?"

"Shyam," he replied, his voice steadier now. "Shyam... we were in the same class in middle school. You probably don't remember me."

Her playful expression softened, and her brows furrowed slightly as she tilted her head. "Middle school? Hmm..." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Wait, were you the boy who used to sit a few rows away from me? Always quiet, never really talked much?"

Shyam nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "Yeah, that was me."

Raitha's eyes widened as recognition dawned on her face. "Oh my gosh! I remember you now! You used to sit near the window, didn't you? I always thought you were kind of mysterious, you know? Like, the guy who has all the secrets but never tells anyone."

Shyam couldn't help but chuckle at her description. "I wasn't mysterious. Just... shy, I guess."

Raitha leaned back against the bench, her gaze drifting to the sky. "I never thought I'd see anyone from middle school again, especially not here." She turned to him with a curious look. "What are you doing here, Shyam? Living nearby?"

"Yeah," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I live in an apartment not far from here. I work part-time at the convenience store to support myself."

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, Shyam thought he saw a flicker of sadness. "That's... impressive. Living on your own, working, studying. I wish I had that kind of courage back then."

Shyam tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"

Raitha let out a small sigh, her playful demeanor momentarily fading. "I moved away after middle school because of... family stuff. It wasn't easy, and I guess I kind of shut myself off from everything for a while." She smiled faintly. "But enough about that. What about you? How's life been treating you?"

Shyam hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's been... okay. Not great, but not terrible either."

Raitha gave him a knowing look. "That's a very vague answer, you know."

He laughed softly. "Yeah, sorry. I guess it's just... I never expected to run into you again. It's a lot to process."

Raitha smiled, and this time, it reached her eyes. "I get it. Life's funny like that, isn't it? You think you've left something behind, and then—bam—it's right in front of you again."

Shyam nodded, his mind racing with questions. Should he tell her about his feelings from all those years ago? Should he ask her about her life now? Before he could decide, Raitha spoke again.

"Hey, Shyam, do you come to this park often?"

"Not really," he admitted. "Just came here today because I wasn't feeling well and needed some fresh air."

Her brows knit together in concern. "You're not sick, are you?"

"Just a little under the weather," he said quickly. "Nothing serious."

"Good," she said, her tone lightening again. "Because I think we should meet here more often. What do you say? Catch up on old times?"

Shyam's heart skipped a beat. "You... want to meet me again?"

"Of course," she said with a grin. "It's nice to have someone to talk to who knows a bit about my past. Plus, I could use a friend in this city."

Friend. The word echoed in Shyam's mind, both thrilling and bittersweet. It wasn't what he wanted, but it was a start.

"Yeah," he said, forcing a smile. "I'd like that."

Raitha stood up, brushing off her skirt. "Great! Same time tomorrow, then?"

"Sure," he replied, watching as she started to walk away.

Before she disappeared from view, she turned back and called out, "Take care of yourself, Shyam!"

He nodded, unable to stop the smile spreading across his face.

That night, as he lay in bed, Shyam's mind replayed their conversation over and over. For the first time in years, he felt a flicker of hope—hope that maybe, just maybe, the girl who had always been in his heart could become a part of his life once more.

But as he drifted off to sleep, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered a question: What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if this is all just a fleeting moment?

Shyam shook the thought away. He didn't want to ruin the fragile happiness he had just found. For now, he would take things one step at a time, cherishing every moment he could spend with Raitha.

The next day, Shyam arrived at the park earlier than planned. The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the area, casting long shadows and painting the world in hues of amber and crimson. He sat on the same bench where he had spoken to Raitha the day before, his heart racing with both anticipation and uncertainty.

As the minutes passed, he began to wonder if she would show up. His thoughts drifted to their shared past, the fleeting moments he had spent near her in middle school. Back then, he had admired her from a distance, too shy to speak, too afraid to let his feelings be known. And now, years later, fate had brought her back into his life. But would she stay this time?

"Hey, you're early."

Her voice broke through his thoughts like a gentle breeze. Shyam looked up to see Raitha standing before him, her smile as radiant as the sun. She was holding two cups of coffee, one of which she handed to him.

"Thought you might need this," she said with a playful grin.

"Thanks," he said, taking the cup. Their fingers brushed briefly, sending a spark through him that he tried to ignore.

They sat in silence for a moment, sipping their coffee and watching the world around them. The park was alive with the laughter of children, the chirping of birds, and the soft rustling of leaves. Yet, amidst all the noise, Shyam felt a sense of calm he hadn't experienced in years.

"You know," Raitha said, breaking the silence, "I've been thinking about yesterday. About how we used to be in the same class."

Shyam glanced at her, his heart pounding. "Yeah?"

She nodded, her gaze distant. "Back then, I didn't have many friends. Actually, I didn't have any at all. But... I remember seeing you. You were always so quiet, but there was something about you that made me feel... safe. I think that's why I always chose the seat near you."

Shyam's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't known. He had always thought she hadn't noticed him, that he was just another face in the crowd. But hearing her words now, it felt like a piece of his heart had been healed.

"I used to watch you," he admitted softly. "Not in a creepy way, I swear. It's just... you had this presence, this way of making everything around you feel... lighter. I wanted to talk to you so many times, but I was too scared."

Raitha turned to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I wish you had," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because I felt the same way. I always wanted to talk to you, but I thought... you wouldn't want to talk to someone like me."

"Someone like you?" Shyam repeated, disbelief coloring his tone. "Raitha, you were everything I wasn't. Confident, beautiful, smart... I didn't think I'd ever be good enough for you."

She let out a shaky laugh, wiping at her eyes. "And I thought I was too broken for someone as kind as you."

The weight of her words hung between them, heavy with the years they had lost. Shyam reached out hesitantly, his hand brushing against hers. "Maybe we were both wrong," he said quietly.

Raitha looked down at their hands, her fingers trembling slightly. "Maybe we were," she agreed.

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away. There was no park, no children laughing, no birds chirping. There was only them, two souls who had found their way back to each other after years of longing and regret.

"Raitha," Shyam said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've never stopped thinking about you. Not for a single day. And now that you're here, I don't want to let you go again."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she met his gaze. "I don't want to go anywhere, Shyam. I've spent too long running, too long being afraid. But with you... I feel like I can finally stop."

Without thinking, Shyam closed the distance between them, wrapping her in a gentle embrace. She leaned into him, her sobs muffled against his chest. They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, holding onto each other as if the world might pull them apart again at any moment.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of violet and indigo, Shyam whispered, "You're not alone anymore, Raitha. You never have to be alone again."

And for the first time in years, he felt whole.

" Fast we gotta catch the train " familiar voice echoed through the closed doors of an happy family of shyam and raitha.

It has been 17 years after they had confessed each other, 17 years of countless arguments, loving moments, sadness; happiness, loneliness, and who knows what.

But they made sure to be together, always togather.

Now they have a doughter who they must look after.

Their first ever family trip was today as well, just like that a family of three got together by the grace of the gods.

Writer 『 𝓝𝓸𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓾𝓹𝓮𝓻2648』

Editor 『 ＣｈａｔＧＰＴ—

𝓡𝓪𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓪 』

Ideas 『 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖋𝖘 』

One shot novel - the hit of romances ~ stupidity in love ~