Chapter 7: The Almost Confession ?

The days had flown by, with Adarsh and Naomi's study sessions shifting from strictly academic to a blend of learning, laughter, and shared silences. By now, they'd developed a comforting routine, but recently, things had felt different—like there was something unspoken lingering between them, hovering just below the surface.

As they logged into Discord that evening, Naomi had a mischievous twinkle in her messages.

Naomi: "So… I have a new challenge for you tonight, Prince Adarsh."

Adarsh: "Challenge? I thought we were going to study calculus today."

Naomi: "Calculus can wait! Besides, don't you trust me?"

Adarsh smiled, imagining Naomi's playfully arched eyebrow. He didn't usually go along with unplanned "detours," but something about Naomi's challenges always intrigued him.

Adarsh: "Fine, what's this challenge, Detective Dog?"

Naomi laughed to herself, feeling a warm happiness she couldn't quite explain. She typed back quickly, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

Naomi: "Alright, here's the deal. We both have to say one thing we've never told anyone else before. No holding back."

Adarsh felt a wave of hesitation. He'd never shared anything deeply personal with anyone, especially not after his three-year struggle with dysthymia. Still, with Naomi, there was a strange feeling of trust, like she was his quiet corner of the world.

Adarsh: "I don't know, Naomi… I'm not good at this stuff."

Naomi: "I promise, it's safe with me. And you can go first if you want."

After a pause, Adarsh finally typed:

Adarsh: "Okay, here goes… During the past three years, I hardly talked to anyone. I stopped connecting, I stopped making friends, I just… stopped. I guess I thought that if I distanced myself, I'd be protecting others and myself too."

Naomi's heart softened as she read his words. She could feel the weight behind them and realized how much trust he was placing in her by opening up, even a little.

Naomi: "Thank you for sharing that, Adarsh. I can't imagine what it must've been like. But… I'm really glad we're friends now."

Adarsh's heart skipped a beat, a feeling both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. But he pushed those thoughts away, keeping things light.

Adarsh: "Okay, now it's your turn. One thing you've never told anyone else."

Naomi bit her lip, wondering if she should share her secret. She'd never told anyone about this part of herself, especially her insecurities.

Naomi: "Alright… I guess I've always been scared of showing the real me. I act all cool and carefree online, but honestly, sometimes I'm just… scared. Scared people will realize I'm just a shy girl who doesn't always know what she's doing."

Adarsh: "I don't think that's a bad thing. Actually, I think it makes you more… real. I'm sure the people who know you would feel the same way."

Naomi blushed, feeling warmth in her chest that she couldn't quite name. Before she could stop herself, her fingers typed out a message that came straight from her heart.

Naomi: "I'm glad you think so… especially you."

Adarsh's heart skipped a beat. He reread her message several times, feeling something unfamiliar stirring within him. He wondered if Naomi felt it too. He hesitated, his fingers hovering over the keyboard, and then typed:

Adarsh: "Naomi… can I be honest with you?"

Naomi felt a surge of excitement and nervousness all at once, her mind racing with possibilities.

Naomi: "Of course, Adarsh. Always."

Adarsh typed, paused, erased, and typed again. The words wouldn't come out right; they felt clumsy and inadequate. But finally, he managed to type:

Adarsh: "I think… I think meeting you has been one of the best things to happen to me in a long time. You've… made things brighter."

Naomi stared at the message, her cheeks flushing as her heart raced. She wanted to say something back, something to show him she felt the same, but she hesitated, wondering if she was reading too much into it. But then, she thought about all the times he'd been there for her, all the messages and late-night talks that had made her feel more connected than ever before.

Gathering her courage, she replied:

Naomi: "I feel the same way, Adarsh. You've been… my light."

There was a pause, as they both sat there, on either side of the screen, feeling the silence fill with the weight of unspoken words. Naomi took a deep breath and typed:

Naomi: "Have you ever thought that maybe… there's something more between us?"

Adarsh's breath caught. His mind raced with possibilities, but before he could respond, a family member called him from the other room, snapping him back to reality.

Adarsh: "I… I have to go. Can we talk about this later?"

Naomi felt her heart sink a little, but she quickly typed back, hiding her disappointment.

Naomi: "Of course. We'll talk later. Goodnight, Adarsh."

As Adarsh closed his laptop, he couldn't shake the feeling that something big had almost happened—something he hadn't even known he'd been waiting for. And Naomi, left alone in the glow of her screen, wondered if she'd ever find the courage to ask him again.

Both of them lay awake that night, wondering what the future held for them. And though they didn't know it yet, this moment was just the beginning of a journey they'd never forget.