The promise of us
- Parnika MD
Index -
Chapter 1 – First Glances
Chapter 2 – Scribbled hearts
Chapter 3 – Gifts of silence
Chapter 4 – The summer Distance
Chapter 5 – Silent Hearts
Chapter 6 – Words between lines
Chapter 7 – Hearts between lines
Chapter 8 – One-sided hearts
Chapter 9 – Rising Beyond
Chapter 10 – From Nostalgia to Rivalry
Chapter 11 – Sparks in the Rivalry
Chapter 12 – Shadows and Sparks
Chapter 13 – Fire and Desire
Chapter 14 – Love Unbound
Chapter 15 – Legacy of Love
Chapter 1 – First Glances
The bell rang, sharp and shrill, signaling the start of the new school
year. Students shuffled into Class 7A, settling into their new seating
arrangements.
"Bench partners will be decided roll-number wise. No changing," the
teacher announced.
Tara exhaled quietly. Her parents were strict, her days carefully
timed, and school was her small refuge. Today, she would share a bench
with… someone she hadn’t yet met.
Dhruv.
He walked in, a stack of notebooks under his arm, his hair slightly
messy but eyes sharp and observant. He sat down silently, leaving a
polite distance between them.
For the first week, neither spoke. When she asked him to move his
book, he only nodded. When he needed space to write, he shifted
quietly. No smiles, no teasing — just two strangers forced into
proximity.
The first real interaction came during math class.
Dhruv stared at his half-empty notebook, frowning. Finally, he leaned
slightly toward her.
"Uh… can you explain… this?" he muttered, tapping the problem.
Tara glanced at him. His eyes were focused, almost tense, as if
admitting weakness embarrassed him. She picked up her pencil and
guided him softly through the steps.
"It’s easier if you break it down like this," she said.
As she explained, she noticed his gaze lingering on her face more than
the notebook. Her chest tightened, but she kept her focus on the page.
Later, when he began catching up on his notes, she found herself
staring at him. The way he leaned slightly, the curve of his handwriting,
the concentration lines on his forehead… She didn’t realize she was
smiling until Kruthika nudged her from the row behind.
"Caught you," Kruthika whispered, grinning.
Tara’s cheeks flushed, but she looked away quickly. Something had shifted between them. The silence now had a heartbeat.
Then came the test. Dhruv, absent-minded, scribbled something in the
corner of his notebook:
“DT”
…inside a small, uneven heart.
He didn’t ask her to see, but angled the page just enough, as if to
share a secret silently. Out of the corner of her eye, Tara caught it.
Her chest tightened, but she kept her face neutral.
When the teacher’s footsteps neared, he flipped the page shut, ears red. Neither spoke of it. But something had changed.
At lunch, her friends gathered under the neem tree near the
playground. Kruthika, Harshika, and Lirisha teased her lightly about
Dhruv, while Anjana and Shamis listened with playful smiles.
"Tell us the truth, Parnika," Anjana prodded, nudging her shoulder.
"There’s nothing to tell," Parnika replied quickly, sipping her juice.
"Exactly," Shamis added with a sly grin, "nothing to tell… yet."
The group laughed, their voices bright and lively. Tara rolled her eyes,
though her heart fluttered in a way she didn’t fully understand.
Across the classroom, Dhruv friends — Tushar, Kanishk , and Arsalaan
— joked loudly, occasionally glancing at him and Tara. Their laughter
made the room feel warmer, somehow, and for a fleeting moment, Tara
noticed Dhruv’s eyes meet hers. Both looked away immediately, cheeks
pink.
And so, it began — not with confessions or words, but with glances,
scribbles, and the quiet magic of two seventh graders sharing the same
bench.
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Chapter 2 – Scribbled Hearts
The bell rang for math class, and Tara slid her notebook toward Dhruv.
"Did you actually try this problem, or…?" she teased, raising an
eyebrow.
Dhruv looked down at his messy attempt.
"I… tried? Maybe. But it’s like the numbers are laughing at me."
Tara laughed, the sound light and bright.
"Numbers don’t laugh. You just need to trick them into doing what you
want."
He grinned, and for the first time, their conversation didn’t feel
awkward. They worked together, sometimes side by side, sometimes
laughing at mistakes.
During language class, she caught him doodling absent-mindedly. She
leaned over, pretending to look at her own notebook.
" Dhruv, are you writing a secret code again?" she whispered.
He froze for a second, then smirked.
"Maybe. But you wouldn’t understand."
"Try me," she dared, nudging his arm.
He laughed quietly, and the ice between them melted further. From
that day on, helping him with notes wasn’t just about schoolwork — it
became about the little stolen moments of conversation, shared jokes,
and the way their eyes kept finding each other across the classroom.
At lunch, Kruthika, Harshika, and Lirisha sat with them, laughing at
Tara s playful teasing and Dhruv’s shy comebacks. Even Anjana and
Shamis joined in the fun, sharing jokes and snacks.
"You two are impossible," Harshika said with a grin.
"Exactly! Stop staring at each other like that," Lirisha added,
smirking.
Dhruv blushed. Tara laughed, hiding her own blush behind her juice
box.
And in those small moments — notes, whispers, laughs — their
friendship quietly blossomed. They didn’t need confessions yet; the
magic was in the simplicity of talking and teasing, in the stolen glances,
and the shy smiles that said more than words ever could.
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Chapter 3 – Gifts of Silence
Winter had wrapped the school in a quiet chill, the kind that made
everyone huddle in sweaters and scarves. The day after Christmas, the
classroom buzzed softly with stories of holidays and family gifts, but
Tara noticed a small chain necklace resting on her desk.
She picked it up carefully. It was delicate, coated with silver metal ,
simple yet beautiful. There was no note, no explanation — just the
necklace.
Her heart skipped a beat. Across the classroom, Dhruv sat pretending
to focus on his book, but she caught him glancing at her, ears pink.
When she met his eyes, he quickly looked away.
Later, shyly, he found a small V-shaped keychain in her bag, wrapped
in tiny tissue paper. Her fingers trembled slightly as she held it. She
knew immediately it was for him. When she handed it over after class,
he took it carefully, his eyes soft and hesitant, and nodded with a
small, shy smile.
During math and language classes, they continued their little routine.
She helped him with notes, sometimes leaning close to explain a
problem. He looked at her, sometimes with concentration, sometimes
with something warmer in his eyes. When he scribbled in his notebook,
she noticed it — not fully understanding why her heart raced.
Their friends noticed too. Kruthika, Harshika, and Lirisha teased
gently:
"You two are always together!" Harshika laughed.
"It’s just notes!" Dhruv protested, though his blush betrayed him.
"Sure, sure," Lirisha teased.
Even Anjana and Shamis joined the group, joking and laughing as they
passed snacks. Nothing felt forced — they were all part of the same
small circle, yet Tara felt something unspoken growing between her and
Dhruv.
After class, when everyone rushed out, Dhruv sometimes lingered,
picking up his notebook or walking slowly to the bus gate, just to be
near her. And every time she caught his glance, her heart did that
little flip.
By the end of the week, the gifts had become a silent language
between them. They didn’t need to speak to say what was in their
hearts. A glance, a smile, a brief touch when passing notes — it was
enough.
For Tara, the necklace was a delicate memory of him. For Dhruv, the keychain was a small, precious token of her affection.
And in the quiet moments of winter, as cool winds brushed the
schoolyard, their friendship blossomed in small, unspoken ways —
laughter, teasing, and shared glances that said far more than notes
ever could.
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Chapter 4 – The Summer Distance
School had ended, and the heat of summer slowly crept over the city.
Classrooms were empty, playgrounds quiet, and for Tara, the longawaited break was both a relief and a strange emptiness. She missed
the soft laughter of her friends, the teasing in language class, and
most of all… the stolen glances she shared with Dhruv.
Chinmaye, their mutual friend, had been teasing both relentlessly
before the break.
"I have Dhruv’s number now," Chinmaye had whispered to Tara, a sly
grin on her face.
"You have her Instagram ID," he said to Dhruv later, equally teasing.
It felt surreal. For the first time, they had a way to reach each other
outside school. But neither of them messaged immediately. Days
passed, and the quiet of summer stretched long.
Then came a small, shy gesture — the Popin chocolate.
Dhruv had chosen one of her favorite flavors, wrapping it carefully
before handing it to her "Just… for you," he murmured, barely meeting
her eyes.
Tara’s cheeks warmed. She returned the gesture, giving him the same
kind of Popin chocolate — not the exact one he gave, but the one she
knew he would like. She said softly, "For you… because you gave me one
first."
For a moment, they just stood there, hearts thudding in quiet
acknowledgment of each other. No words were necessary. The
chocolates were more than sweets — they were a secret connection, a
whisper of the bond they shared.
Over the following weeks, they kept in touch lightly. Occasionally, a “hi”
or a “bye” text passed between them, but nothing beyond that. The
Instagram IDs were exchanged but rarely used — just a subtle promise
that they could reach out if they wanted.
Yet, even in the silence, their thoughts circled each other. Tara would
catch herself replaying the moments in class — the way he looked when
he concentrated, the small smile he gave when she helped him with
notes. Dhruv, too, would think of her, the quiet kindness in her eyes,
the way she laughed when the numbers “didn’t behave” in math.
Summer stretched on, a quiet tension filled with tiny joys — a
chocolate, a glance, a whispered hello through texts. It was a summer of anticipation, a gentle pause before the world of Grade 8 would begin.
And somewhere deep inside, both knew that this connection, fragile yet
strong, was only growing — slowly, silently, beautifully.
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Chapter 5 – Silent Hearts
The first day back after summer break carried a strange weight. Tara
walked into her classroom, glancing around, and her heart skipped.
Across the room, in the parallel section, Dhruv sat at his desk,
pretending to be absorbed in his notebook. Their eyes met for a
fleeting second before he looked away.
It was different now. Summer had changed something between them.
The Popin chocolates, the exchanged Instagram IDs, the quiet
connection — it had all awakened something deeper. Love, unspoken,
hung silently in the air.
They couldn’t sit together anymore, being in different sections. But
the moments they could meet — in language class, during PE, or at lunch
— had become the most precious minutes of their day.
In language class, as usual, they sat across the room, separated by
rows of desks. Whenever he struggled with an exercise, she noticed. A
small glance in his direction, a slight nod when their eyes met — it was
enough. No words were spoken, yet they understood each other
perfectly.
During PE, as students ran laps and practiced drills, their paths
occasionally crossed. She would pass by him, pretending to tie her
shoelace, and he would brush past, pretending not to notice her hand
grazing his. Both hearts raced, both cheeks flushed. Friends around
them — Kruthika, Harshika, Lirisha for her, and Tushar, Pranav, Havish
for him — laughed and joked, but neither of them heard a word. Their
world had shrunk to those stolen moments.
Lunch was the same. Their friends sat together, chatting and teasing,
but Tara s gaze constantly wandered. Dhruv would glance toward her
from the other section, sometimes catching her looking, sometimes
looking away quickly, both embarrassed yet elated. A brief meeting of
eyes, a shared, shy smile — that was enough to make the rest of the
day brighter.
Even their gestures were charged with meaning. Passing a pencil across
the gap, a notebook left on a shared desk in language class, an
accidental touch while reaching for something — each moment spoke
louder than words ever could.
They didn’t speak of love. Not yet. They didn’t need to. Every glance,
every small connection carried the weight of the feelings they couldn’t
say aloud. And in that silence, their love grew — patient, quiet,
unstoppable.
Every day, their eyes spoke what their lips could not.
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Chapter 6 – Words Between the Lines
The weeks of Grade 8 passed quietly, the same rhythm repeating every
day. Tra and Dhruv were in different sections, and the glances,
gestures, and stolen moments had become the lifeblood of their days.
Language class remained their only guaranteed meeting. As the teacher
spoke, Tara ‘s eyes often wandered across the room, searching for him.
Sometimes, he would notice and meet her gaze for a heartbeat, then
quickly look down at his notebook. Each time, their hearts pounded.
During PE and lunch, their small interactions continued. She would pass
near him, pretending to tie her shoelace, and he would brush past her,
pretending not to notice the brush of fingers. Their friends laughed
and teased, but these two existed in a world only they shared, rich
with silent understanding.
Then, one evening, something changed.
Chinmaye, their mutual friend, had texted her:
"I have Dhruv number now. Do you want it?"
Tara ‘s hands trembled slightly as she typed back:
"Yes… please."
Later that evening, Dhruv ‘s first message appeared on her phone:
"Hi."
It was simple, ordinary, yet it made her chest flutter uncontrollably.
She replied softly:
"Hi."
Over the next few days, the texts became a rhythm — hi, bye, short
exchanges. They didn’t say much, but somehow, that small connection
made the long hours at school more bearable. Their eyes still spoke
during class, still lingered at lunch, still carried all the things their
fingers couldn’t type.
On September 28th, Tara decided to send a bold, playful message:
"n 3^07 !"
Dhruv stared at his phone, confused. He replied cautiously:
"I… don’t understand."
"You can. Byeee," she texted back teasingly.
The next day in language class, the same quiet eye contact resumed.
During the evening, she finally followed up:
"Did you understand?"
"Yes," he replied, nervously.
"What?" she pressed.
"I can’t tell… my sister is here," he typed.
"Yes or no?" she teased.
"Yes," he finally admitted.
Nothing else was said. At school, they didn’t speak, but their eyes
carried all the words they couldn’t say aloud. Every glance, every subtle smile, every accidental touch during notes or PE whispered the truth:
they loved each other.
Yet the silence remained, their love a private world hidden in plain sight.
Chapter 7 – Hearts Between the Lines
The first months of Grade 8 passed in a rhythm of stolen glances and
unspoken feelings. But the real magic began after the summer, when
Tara and Dhruv started texting more.
It began innocently:
Dhruv: Hi
Tara: Hey!
Then came small jokes, little heart GIFs, and playful teasing:
Tara: You always forget your notes
Dhruv: Only when I’m thinking about someone
Tara: Who?
Dhruv: You… obviously
They sent small, animated hearts, a wink here, a laughing emoji there.
The Popin chocolate summer gift was often referenced jokingly:
Tara: I hope you didn’t eat all your Popin chocolate without me
Dhruv: Never! I saved one for you… like every day
Occasionally, they sent tiny playful challenges:
Dhruv: Bet you can’t beat me in the next language quiz
Tara: Challenge accepted
Even when messages were short, they were loaded with meaning:
• A heart GIF when one said “good morning”
• A small wink emoji after teasing about a mistake in class
• A tiny note GIF for “thinking of you”
Their school life reflected these messages. In language class, they
would exchange the tiniest smiles when a text arrived, careful not to
draw attention. During PE or lunch, they would catch each other’s eyes,
both blushing, knowing the hearts, the GIFs, and the messages existed
between them.
Every day, the text conversation grew:
Dhruv: You make everything better
Tara: Stop it
Dhruv : Can’t. You’re too distracting
Tara: I guess I like that
Even though they didn’t speak these words aloud at school, the texts
were their secret world. Hearts, GIFs, and playful emojis became the
language of their silent love. Every glance in class reflected the
messages, every accidental touch a reinforcement of the unspoken
bond.
And in this quiet rhythm, their connection grew stronger every day,
until the moment would come when friendship lines blurred completely
into love, and yet, betrayal loomed just ahead.
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Chapter 8 – One-Sided Hearts
It started with a small slip of paper, innocuous at first, but devastating in meaning.
Chinmaye, the mutual friend, had handed her a chit one November
afternoon. The handwriting was unmistakable.
"I want to break up."
Tara stared at it, unable to breathe. Weeks passed like a fog. She
went through classes, PE, lunch, and language sessions mechanically, her
heart hollow and aching. The stolen glances, the Popin chocolates, the
heart GIFs, the playful texts — all memories now felt like ghosts she
could never touch again.
She cried quietly at home, barely talking to anyone. Her friends
noticed, but no words could reach her. She felt utterly alone, trapped
in a love that no longer existed.
Then, as the school year ended, her friends — Anjana and Shamis
approached her.
"Tara… you should tell mam," Anjana said softly, avoiding her gaze.
"It’s… for your own good," Shamis added.
Tara s chest tightened. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she
whispered. But they only shook their heads.
She reluctantly followed them to the teacher’s office. Mam listened
patiently as Tara poured out her heart, trying to explain everything
without crying.
"Tara," Mam said gently, “life teaches lessons at the right age. The
only people who will always be there for you are your family. You must
focus on yourself now. Promise me you will stop all this… at least for
now.
tears streamed down Tara s face. “I… I promise, mam.”
Later, Dhruv was asked by Mam about the situation. He confessed
quietly,
"She forced me too…", embarrassed, trying to justify his actions.
The words stung, but they also clarified everything for Tara . She
realized painfully that her love had become one-sided. He had once
cared, but now, circumstances, pride, and misunderstanding had placed
a wall between them.
For weeks, she replayed every glance, every smile, every Popin
chocolate shared, and finally understood: she could not control
another’s heart.
From that heartbreak, betrayal, and unspoken love, she made a choice.
She would focus on herself — her studies, her dreams, her life. She
would become successful, not despite this heartbreak, but because of
it. The pain would not crush her; it would fuel her.
And so, Tara transformed her silent heartbreak into ambition. The
first heartbreak, the one-sided love, the betrayal by friends, and
Dhruv sudden distance — all became the foundation of a life
determined, strong, and unshakable.
In the quiet moments afterward, she still remembered him. The stolen
glances, the secret messages, and the Popin chocolates — they
remained in her heart, a bittersweet memory of a love that had been,
and a lesson that would last a lifetime.
Chapter 9 – Rising Beyond
The years after Grade 8 passed quickly, but Tara s heart remained
disciplined, focused, and quietly determined. Her one-sided love for
Dhruv, the betrayal of friends, and the heartbreak of that first real
love became the fire that drove her forward.
In Grades 9 to 12, she poured herself into studies, excelling in
psychology, literature, and writing. Mam, her teacher, remained a
steady guide, offering advice and encouragement. Their bond grew
strong; Tara often stayed after class to discuss books, life, and her
dreams.
While Dhruv continued his own studies, he became an average lawyer,
competent but not extraordinary. The contrast between their paths
was striking — yet in her mind, he remained a memory tinged with
affection, the one who had once stirred her heart.
Pursuing her dreams, Tara went on to study psychiatry and therapy,
her experiences shaping her understanding of human emotions. Her
writing flourished as well — she wrote both dark romance that
captured the shadows of the human heart, and light, tender stories
that celebrated its beauty.
In her adult life, her success became a quiet revenge against her
youthful heartbreak. Every patient she helped, every book published,
every award won, carried a piece of her perseverance, resilience, and
the lessons she had learned from one-sided love.
And yet, in quiet moments, she sometimes wondered: where was Dhruv
now? Did he remember? Did he ever think about the stolen glances, the
Popin chocolates, or the hearts in their messages
It was a question she let linger without seeking an answer, for she had
learned to be strong on her own. But the universe, as it often does, had
other plans.
Because when two hearts are meant to cross paths again, fate finds a
way.
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Chapter 10 – From Nostalgia to Rivalry
The soft hum of traffic and the salty breeze of Puducherry greeted
Tara as she walked into a local café, laptop bag slung over her shoulder.
She had been invited for a small literary event and was already
mentally reviewing her speech. Her life was full — successful patients,
bestselling books, and endless opportunities — yet a familiar flutter
lingered in her chest, a whisper of old memories.
She didn’t expect to see him.
Dhruv, now an average lawyer, sat at a corner table, laptop open,
glasses slightly crooked, looking absorbed in his work. Their eyes met
accidentally across the café. A wave of nostalgia hit — the Popin
chocolates, the heart GIFs, the stolen glances in school — and for a
moment, the years melted away.
" Tara?" he said cautiously, rising from his chair.
*" Dhruv …" she replied, masking her surprise with a polite smile.
They exchanged pleasantries, talking about work, the city, mutual
acquaintances. At first, the conversation was warm, even reminiscent
of their old friendship. But subtle differences began to surface
So… still writing those… dark romances?" he asked, a teasing edge in
his voice.
"And you’re still… an average lawyer, I see," she replied, a flash of
sarcasm cutting through the nostalgia.
A small, playful spark from school turned cold. They disagreed on small
things — the quality of her novels, his view on cases, even the
trivialities of the café menu.
"I don’t understand why you romanticize pain so much," he said, eyes
narrowing slightly.
"And I don’t understand how you’re satisfied being… just average," she
countered, biting back a sharper retort.
Their conversation, meant to be casual, turned competitive. Every
compliment became a subtle jab. Every laugh carried an undertone of
mockery. Old wounds — the one-sided love, the break-up, the betrayals
— simmered beneath the surface, unnoticed by others, but highly
visible to them.
By the time the coffee cooled, the friendship that had once existed
between them had shifted. They were polite, yet tense; warm, yet
distant. Their old connection — playful, intimate, and innocent — had
transformed into rivalry, built on pride, hurt, and unspoken
misunderstandings.
As Tara left the café, she reflected silently: “Some things from the
past aren’t meant to remain warm. Some fires burn brighter when they
become ashes.”
Dhruv watched her walk away, a strange mix of regret and
stubbornness tightening his chest. He knew the spark between them
was still there, but neither would admit it. Instead, old friends had
become enemies, their past tangled with ambition, pride, and lingering
emotions.
And so, their story continued — not with love, but with tension,
unresolved feelings, and a rivalry that neither wanted to face directly.
Chapter 11 – Sparks in the Rivalry
The air in the conference room was thick with tension. Tara adjusted
her notes, her eyes scanning the audience, but she couldn’t help
glancing at the man across the hall. Dhruv.
He looked the same, yet different — sharper, more composed, but with
that same familiar glint in his eyes that had once made her pulse
quicken in classrooms long ago. He noticed her too, and their eyes
locked for a moment longer than necessary. Neither smiled. Neither
looked away immediately.
The first encounter since their reunion had been polite, almost civil.
Now, in a professional setting, the past and present collided.
"I can’t believe your book was chosen for this panel," Dhruv said later,
leaning slightly in her direction, voice deceptively casual.
"I can’t believe you’re still working the same tedious cases and calling
it a career," Tara replied, her tone light but sharp.
A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes, quickly replaced by
mock indignation.
"At least I’m not hiding behind words and ink to feel important," he
shot back.
Tara laughed, a little too loudly, the sound both genuine and
challenging.
"And yet here you are, staring at me like I’m the problem," she said,
voice smooth, eyes locked on his.
Every conversation became a dance — playful sarcasm, subtle jabs, and
tension that neither wanted to admit was tinged with attraction. They
worked in the same city now, sometimes crossing paths at professional
events, always managing to push each other’s buttons.
Yet in private moments, away from the crowd, the old memories
surfaced. In her apartment, she would think of the way his eyes once
lingered on her in school, the Popin chocolates, the hearts and GIFs
they shared, and a warmth would spread through her chest. But when
he appeared in public, the rivalry resurfaced, keeping her emotions in
check.
Dhruv, too, found himself replaying her laughter, her sharp comebacks,
and the subtle grace she carried in every gesture. He hated to admit
it, but Tara still affected him, more than he would ever confess.
One evening, at a café meeting for a panel discussion, their banter
escalated.
"I still can’t believe you think dark romance makes sense
psychologically," Dhruv said, sipping his coffee, a teasing edge in his
tone.
"And I can’t believe you actually argue cases for a living and call it
challenging," Tara countered, smirking.
A small spark passed between them, almost imperceptible, but it was
there — the push-pull tension of attraction wrapped in rivalry.
As they left the café, walking along the promenade in the sunset, the
city lights reflected off the water. Silence fell between them, heavy
but intimate. For a moment, the barriers dropped, and they walked
side by side, not friends, not lovers, but two hearts entangled in rivalry
and unspoken desire.
And somewhere in the back of their minds, they both knew: the game
had only just begun.
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Chapter 12 – Shadows and Sparks
Tara strolled through the quiet streets of Puducherry, her casual jeans
and blouse comfortable yet neat. She had just finished a consultation
and was enjoying the soft evening breeze, thinking about her latest
manuscript. Her life was full, yet a familiar flutter lingered whenever
she remembered certain moments from her past.
She didn’t expect to see him.
Dhruv, in a simple shirt and trousers, sat at a small café table, laptop
open. Their eyes met across the street. A flicker of recognition, a
trace of memory, passed between them. The years had changed them,
but some sparks remained untouched.
" Tara?" he called, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
" Dhruv," she replied, voice calm, masking the rush of her heartbeat
They exchanged casual greetings, talking about work and the city. At
first, the conversation was polite and neutral, but the undercurrent of
old familiarity quickly emerged.
"Still writing those… stories about love and heartbreak?" he asked, a
teasing note in his voice.
"And you’re still… handling cases the same way?" she replied lightly,
her tone tinged with sarcasm.
Every interaction became a subtle battle — teasing remarks, small
jabs, playful sarcasm — but each carried a hint of attraction neither
wanted to admit.
Later, as they walked along the promenade after the café, the sun
dipping low, Dhruv brushed a strand of hair from her face. The touch
was fleeting, casual, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.
"You haven’t changed much," he murmured.
"Neither have you," she replied softly, looking away but feeling the
tension building between them.
The evening air was filled with unspoken words and lingering glances. A
light touch on the shoulder, a shared laugh, a brush of hands as they
adjusted papers or notes — each moment carried weight, a silent pushpull of desire and restraint.
They didn’t rush, didn’t speak of love, but every glance and gesture
hinted at what lay beneath — a connection neither could ignore, a
tension that teased and tormented in equal measure.
By the time they parted for the night, both knew the truth: the past
was no longer just memory. The present was alive with possibilities,
desire, and the thrill of a slow-burning connection that neither wanted
to name yet.
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Chapter 13 – Fire and Desire
The sun had set over Puducherry, painting the sky in shades of crimson
and gold. Tara adjusted the dress she had chosen for the evening, its
fabric hugging her gently, flowing with every step. Her heart raced as
she waited on the terrace, the warm breeze brushing against her skin.
Dhruv arrived, dressed in black, his presence commanding and
magnetic. Their eyes met, and the years of rivalry, tension, and
unspoken desire collided in a single moment.
"You look… dangerous," he murmured, a slow smile tugging at his lips.
"And you… irresistible," she replied, voice low, teasing yet bold.
As they talked, their casual touches grew deliberate. Fingers brushed,
hands lingered on arms, and every glance held a weight that neither
could ignore. The air between them was electric, charged with the push
and pull of desire and restraint.
Later, in the privacy of her beachside cottage, the intensity deepened.
A playful tussle over a manuscript ended with his hands resting on her
waist, her back arching slightly against him. Lips met briefly, teasingly,
then parted, only to meet again with more insistence.
You’ve been hiding this fire all these years," he whispered, brushing
her hair back.
"And you… never stopped tempting me," she replied, her breath
catching.
Time seemed to bend around them. Each kiss, each touch, was
measured but filled with years of longing, playful dominance, and desire
restrained by familiarity and caution.
Weeks later, at another intimate evening, Tara wore a saree, Dhruv in
a dhoti and shirt, their movements slower, more deliberate, exploring a
closeness that teased and tormented.
"You drive me crazy," she murmured, leaning into his chest.
"And you… make it impossible to think straight," he replied, his lips
brushing her ear.
Even in these quiet, sensual moments, they balanced passion with
restraint, laughter with whispers, teasing with longing. The darkromantic undertones wove seamlessly with tender touches, playful
glances, and whispered promises that no words could fully capture.
In these nights of desire and closeness, Tara and Dhruv’s bond grew
deeper — transforming tension, rivalry, and past heartbreak into
something alive, intimate, and dangerously beautiful.
Chapter 14 – Love Unbound
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Tara beachside
cottage, casting golden patterns across the wooden floor. She sipped
her coffee, glancing at Dhruv, who was busy reviewing legal papers. The
tension, rivalry, and teasing of the past had melted into something
warm, familiar, and deeply intimate.
"You’re ridiculously organized," she teased, setting her cup down.
"And you’re ridiculously distracting," he replied, glancing up, a sly smile
playing on his lips.
Days passed in a gentle rhythm — shared breakfasts, evening walks
along the shore, laughter echoing with memories of both rivalry and
passion. Every touch, glance, and word carried the weight of years,
unspoken longing, and now, a love fully realized.
One evening, under the soft glow of the sunset, Dhruv took her hands
in his. His eyes, dark and earnest, held hers completely.
" Tara … I don’t want to hide anything anymore. I’ve loved you for
years, through rivalry, distance, and all of it. Will you… marry me?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, not from heartbreak this time, but from
overwhelming joy.
"Yes… yes, Dhruv," she whispered, laughing and crying at the same
time.
The engagement was intimate — a small gathering of close friends and
family. Their laughter and smiles were unrestrained, a celebration not
just of love, but of endurance, growth, and understanding.
They moved to a charming home in Puducherry, overlooking the serene
beaches. Life settled into a gentle rhythm — morning consultations for
Tara, Dhruv’s legal work, shared dinners, and quiet nights on the terrace talking, laughing, or simply holding each other.
"I’ll make all your books’ fictional men come true… especially the dark
ones," she said one evening, brushing her fingers along his jawline.
"Then I’ll make sure you never forget the reality," he murmured,
capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss.
In these days, love was patient, tender, and alive. There were playful
teasing moments, gentle touches, and quiet nights filled with whispers
of shared dreams. Their past rivalry had evolved into a partnership —
passionate, respectful, and unbreakable.
Puducherry, with its warm winds, serene beaches, and golden sunsets,
became their world — a world where love was fully embraced, nurtured,
and celebrated.
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Chapter 15 – Legacy of Love
Years had passed since Tara and Dhruv had settled in Puducherry.
Their home, a warm beachside haven, was filled with laughter, love, and
the quiet rhythm of family life. Tara, now a celebrated psychiatrist and
writer, balanced her work with the joys of motherhood, while Dhruv, an
average but devoted lawyer, managed his career and home with steady
care.
Their daughter, Arya, was the light of their lives — curious, bright, and
full of life. The family also welcomed a son, but the joy was fleeting. A
sudden storm during one monsoon night claimed him, leaving an
emptiness in their hearts. Grief washed over them, yet it also
strengthened their bond, reminding them of the fragility and
preciousness of life.
"We’ll hold onto the ones we have, and love them fiercely," Tara
whispered one evening, holding Arya close.
Dhruv nodded, eyes heavy but tender. "Always. She’s our world now."
Years rolled by. Arya grew into a compassionate, independent young
woman. When she found love, her parents supported her
wholeheartedly. After her marriage, Arya and her husband decided to
settle on Gongjin Island, seeking adventure, work, and a new life.
The farewell was bittersweet. Tara and Dhruv watched their daughter
leave, carrying both pride and longing in their hearts.
"She’s ready," Dhruv said quietly, wrapping an arm around Tara.
"And so are we," she replied, her eyes reflecting gratitude, love, and
the strength of a life fully lived.
As the boat carrying Arya disappeared into the horizon, Tara and
Dhruv stood together on the pier, hands entwined. The years of rivalry,
tension, heartbreak, and desire had led them here — to a life filled
with love, resilience, and legacy.
"I’ll make sure every story we lived… every moment, every trial, every
love… becomes our strength," Tara said softly.
"And I’ll be here, with you, through it all," Dhruv replied, pulling her
close.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden hues across the sea.
In that light, they saw not just their past, but the family, love, and
legacy they had built together — a life that had weathered storms,
embraced passion, and grown stronger with every challenge.
And somewhere across the oceans, on Gongjin Island, their daughter
carried forward the same love, resilience, and dreams that her parents
had nurtured, a living testament to a love that endured time, trials, and
distance.
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THE END
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