Letters, Looks, and Longings

Finally, it's here. Confession Day. The one day I've secretly been hoping for ever since this storm inside me began. A chance to say what I've been carrying for so long. But how do I even begin? What do I write to someone who doesn't even know the power they hold over me?

Tanmay. His name alone feels like a whisper of something unattainable, yet here I am, on the brink of writing my heart out to him. This is terrifying, exhilarating, and utterly insane. What if he laughs? Or worse, what if he doesn't even notice?

Aditi stared at the blank piece of paper in front of her, her pen poised but motionless. Her thoughts swirled like whirlwinds. Before she could spiral any further, her friends, Ankita and Riya, burst into her dorm room as if on cue.

"What are you doing just sitting there?" Ankita exclaimed, plopping down on Aditi's bed.

"This is your moment! You've been waiting for something like this for months, and now you're chickening out?"

"I'm not chickening out," Aditi protested weakly. "I... just don't know what to write."

Riya rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You've been carrying around a whole anthology of feelings for him. Just pour it out. No filters, no edits."

"Easy for you to say," Aditi muttered.

"You're not the one putting your heart on the line."

Ankita leaned closer, her expression softening. "Aditi, listen. You're not doing this for him. You're doing this for you. It's about finally saying what you've been bottling up. And who knows? Maybe he'll feel the same."

"But what if he doesn't?" Aditi's voice cracked slightly.

"Then you'll know you were brave enough to try," Riya said firmly. "And that's what matters."

Aditi sighed. "Fine. I'll do it. But if this backfires, you two owe me endless chocolate."

The girls grinned, their mission accomplished.As soon as they left, Aditi began to write. Her hand trembled slightly, but her words flowed effortlessly. Her heart guided her pen:

Jo tune mujhpe nazrein ki, ban gayi mai ramta jogi,

Ashmaan mei dhundu zameen, yeh tune kya kiya,

Chaand mei tujhko niharu mai,

taaron se baatein utaru mai,

Teri khushboo se sawaru mai,

yeh tune kya kiya.

Saari duniya se jeet ke mai aayi hu idhar,

Tere aage hi toh hara, kiya tune kya ashaar,

Laage sab kitna sundar hai,

jab se tu dil ke andar hai,

Ishq ka behta samandar hai,

yeh tune kya kiya.

(Translation: When you laid your eyes on me, I became a wandering soul. I search for the ground in the sky—what have you done? I gaze at you in the moon, I share secrets with the stars, I adorn myself with your fragrance—what have you done?I conquered the whole world, only to surrender to you. What charm have you cast on me? Everything seems so beautiful since you entered my heart. A river of love flows within me—what have you done?)

She folded the letter carefully, her heart thudding in her chest.The amphitheater buzzed with energy as students gathered to hear the confessions. Aditi sat with Ankita and Riya, her palms clammy and her heart racing.As the host began reading out the confessions, Aditi's anxiety heightened. And then, her name was called.

The first was a song dedication:

Chura lo dil mera sanam, bana lo na apna sanam,

Tere bin na jee sakenge, ke tere bin na mar sakenge,

Kuch bhi na kar sakenge,

chura lo na dil mera.

(Translation: Steal my heart, my love, and make me yours. Without you, I can neither live nor die. Without you, I can do nothing—so steal my heart, my love.)

Aditi's cheeks flushed as the amphitheater erupted in cheers.

The second was a poem:

Teri sirf ek jhalak dekhne ke liye maine har ek seema ko langa hai,

Tu waqt par milti nahi mujhe, tu isliye har 11.11 par maine tujhe manga hai.

(Translation: To catch just one glimpse of you, I've crossed every limit. Since I can't meet you on time, I've wished for you at every 11:11.)

Aditi couldn't help but smile, her heart feeling lighter with every word. But the true moment of reckoning came when her letter to Tanmay was read aloud.As the host read her heartfelt words, Aditi dared to glance at Tanmay. He was sitting a few rows ahead, his expression unreadable. But then he turned, their eyes meeting for a brief, electrifying moment. Aditi's breath caught. His gaze held hers, and for a second, the world seemed to fade away.Is this what they mean when they say time stands still? I can't breathe; I can't think. His eyes... they're searching for something, or maybe it's just my imagination. Does he know it's me? Does he feel even an ounce of what I feel?I'm terrified and thrilled all at once. This moment... it's everything. And no matter what happens next, I know I'll never forget this feeling. This reckless, beautiful, overwhelming feeling.

The host's voice brought her back to reality, but her heart remained suspended in that fleeting glance. Confession Day had given her the courage to speak her truth, and for the first time in months, Aditi felt free.

Later, as the three friends gathered in their usual corner of the canteen, Ankita and Riya pounced on Aditi.

"So, Aditi," Riya began with a smirk, "how does it feel to be the star of Confession Day? Two confessions in one go? Someone's popular."

Aditi rolled her eyes, though her cheeks burned. "Stop it, you two. It's not that big of a deal."

"Not a big deal?" Ankita exclaimed. "One guy literally said he's been wishing for you at 11:11! And don't even get me started on the song. That was straight out of a Bollywood movie."

"You guys are impossible," Aditi muttered, trying to hide her smile.

"But seriously," Riya leaned in, her tone turning playful. "Do you have any idea who they might be? Any secret admirers you're aware of?"

"No clue," Aditi said honestly. "And I'm not sure I want to know."

"Liar," Ankita teased. "Your curiosity is practically written all over your face."

Before Aditi could retort, her heart skipped a beat. Tanmay walked past their table, his stride unhurried, but his eyes lingered on Aditi for a moment longer than necessary. That single glance sent her thoughts spiraling.

Oh no. Did he hear what they were saying? Did he notice my reaction? Why did he look at me like that?His gaze felt different today—like he was trying to tell me something. Or maybe I'm just overthinking. Either way, my heart is not handling this well. Stop staring, Aditi. Act normal. Breathe.

Ankita nudged her, breaking her trance.

"Earth to Aditi. You good?"

Aditi nodded quickly, hoping her face wasn't as red as it felt. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Uh-huh," Riya said knowingly. "Fine, she says, after Tanmay just gave her the look."

"Shut up," Aditi hissed, burying her face in her hands as her friends burst into laughter. Despite their teasing, she couldn't help but smile. This day had turned out to be far more memorable than she'd ever imagined.