chapter 1: The beginning that wasn’t meant to last

⸻

I wasn’t supposed to meet him.

It started with a random match on a dating app.

One swipe. One “hi.” Nothing serious.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

⸻

My name is Aarohi.

I’m the kind of person who overthinks everything.

Every message. Every pause. Every feeling.

I believe in love…

but I don’t trust it easily.

I like things that feel safe. Predictable.

Because the moment something starts to matter too much…

it also starts to scare me.

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We didn’t talk all day like people usually do.

No constant texting. No over-excitement.

Just… normal conversations.

The kind that slowly become a habit without you realizing it.

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“What’s your plan for the weekend?” he had asked one night.

“Goa. 5 days. Needed a break,” I replied.

There was a pause.

Then his message came.

“Wait… I’m going to Goa too.”

I smiled a little. “That’s a coincidence.”

“Or maybe it’s timing.”

⸻

His name was Kabir.

Not the loud, attention-seeking type.

Not the kind who tries too hard.

He was calm. Observant.

The kind of guy who listens more than he speaks…

but when he does speak, it makes you stop and think.

He had this quiet confidence.

And a slightly nerdy vibe—like someone who’d rather have a deep conversation than a meaningless one.

Not perfect.

Just… real.

⸻

We started talking a little more after that.

Not too much.

Just enough to feel like I knew him… a little.

⸻

The message came two days before the trip.

“Maybe we should meet.”

I stared at my phone longer than I should have.

Because meeting someone from a screen…

in real life…

is never as simple as it sounds.

⸻

What if he’s different?

What if the comfort disappears?

What if I get attached… and he doesn’t?

⸻

“Let’s see,” I replied.

Safe answer.

Always my style.

⸻

The first two days of the trip passed quickly.

Beaches. Music. Friends. Photos.

Everything felt light.

Everything felt exactly how it was supposed to feel.

Except for one thing.

Him.

⸻

We hadn’t met yet.

But somehow… I kept thinking about it.

About what he would be like in real life.

About whether the conversations would feel the same.

Or if everything would just… fall flat.

⸻

On the third day, he texted.

“Coffee?”

Just one word.

Simple.

Direct.

Dangerous.

⸻

I looked at the message.

Then at the ocean in front of me.

Then back at my phone.

⸻

Maybe it was the weather.

Maybe it was the mood.

Or maybe… it was him.

⸻

“Okay,” I typed.

And just like that…

something started.

⸻

I didn’t know then…

that some meetings don’t come into your life to stay.

They come to change you.

And then leave.

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