THE JOURNEY
It had been a few months since we had taken our GMAT exams, and the day we had both been anxiously awaiting finally arrived—D-day. The air seemed to hum with anticipation as we waited for the results that would shape our futures. When her text came through, I could feel the weight of her emotions even through the screen. Her words were a mix of excitement and nervousness, trembling with the news that she had been accepted into Harvard University. My heart swelled with pride and joy for her, but a mischievous part of me couldn't resist playing a little game. With a playful grin, I texted back that I had been accepted to Princeton. My heart raced as I waited for her response, and when it came—a single, sad emoji—I couldn't help but chuckle at her adorable reaction. The thought of being apart had clearly struck a chord, and her vulnerability only made me love her more.
Moments later, she sent me a screenshot of her flight tickets to Boston. My heart leapt at the sight, and without a second thought, I booked a ticket for the same flight. The idea of surprising her filled me with a thrill I couldn't contain. Just two days later, the day of our journey arrived. The morning was tinged with a bittersweet energy, as though the universe itself was aware of the looming distance that threatened to stretch between us. Yet, beneath the surface of our excitement, there was an unspoken understanding—a quiet promise that no matter where life took us, we would find our way back to each other.
At the airport, the atmosphere was electric with the hum of travelers and the clatter of luggage. I spotted her from a distance, her presence like a beacon drawing me in. When her eyes met mine, her face lit up with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling like constellations. But beneath that joy, I could see the faint shadow of sadness, the weight of the impending separation pressing gently on her heart. As I approached, she instinctively wrapped her arms around mine, her head resting on my shoulder as if seeking solace in the familiar warmth of my presence. In that moment, amidst the chaos of the airport, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us, bound together by an unbreakable thread of love.
As we settled into our seats on the plane, the hum of the engines seemed to echo the rhythm of my heartbeat. I could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken worry about what the future held. Determined to lift the mood, I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone. With a dramatic flourish, I revealed my acceptance into Harvard. Clearing my throat, I read aloud the words that had been burning in my heart: "Dear Dev, we are delighted to have you as a part of Harvard University." Her eyes widened in disbelief, a kaleidoscope of emotions dancing across her face—shock, joy, relief—all culminating in a radiant smile that could outshine the sun.
In an instant, she snatched my phone, her fingers trembling as she scanned the email herself. A playful smile tugged at her lips, and she let out a laugh that was pure music to my ears. "You had me worried for a moment there!" she exclaimed, her voice a melody of relief and joy. She playfully slapped my arm, her laughter bubbling over like a spring, filling the cabin with its warmth. Tears of joy glistened in her eyes as she pulled me into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around me as if to anchor us both in the moment. In that embrace, I felt the weight of our fears dissolve, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude. We wouldn't have to face the strain of distance after all. Our love had been given a second chance, and I vowed to cherish it with every fiber of my being.
As her excitement bubbled over, she began to talk about our next steps, her voice alive with the thrill of possibility. "We should start looking for a hostel," she suggested casually, her eyes alight with plans for our future. I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise, and replied with a playful smirk, "Why a hostel? I have a mansion there." Her jaw dropped in mock disbelief, and she laughed, a sound so pure it felt like sunlight breaking through the clouds. "Wait, how rich are you?" she asked, her tone a mix of amusement and curiosity.
I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I have two bank accounts—one with 22 digits and another with just 17." The truth was met with her infectious laughter, the sound weaving a tapestry of warmth and comfort around us. We spent the rest of the flight lost in joyous chatter, dreaming about the adventures that awaited us at Harvard. Every word felt like a promise, every laugh a thread binding our hearts closer together.
As the plane soared through the azure sky, I couldn't help but feel like we were floating on a cloud of endless possibility. It felt like a dream come true, a new chapter unfolding before us, written in the language of love and shared dreams. With her by my side, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, hand in hand, heart in heart. In that moment, amidst the clouds, our futures intertwined like the most delicate of tapestries, woven together with love, excitement, and the promise of a lifetime of memories yet to be made.