The Reconciliation

The night before the pseudo-date; At the girl’s dorm-

“I’ll invite Ram out and apologize to him.”

“And here I thought ‘Why are they being awkward around each other even though they knew each other?’ What happened between you guys?” asked Aashvi.

“It’s not something that I wished for. It might’ve been unknowingly but it is a fact that he was deeply hurt by me. And I have to make up for it.”

“Although I don’t know what happened, I can see that you are prepared for this. So, make sure that you reconcile properly, and do it wholeheartedly. I’m sure he’ll come around.”

“Thanks a lot, Aashvi. You’re the only person that supports me with a pure heart.”

“No biggie. Now go to bed and break a leg tomorrow!”

“Sure. Goodnight.”

“Nighty-night Oh Maiden-in-Love…”

“Stooooooop”

“Hahahaha”

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After the date at the La Vinto Cafe, at the girls’ dorm-

“So, my dear junior! How’d the date go?”

“Please stop joking Aashvi! It’s nothing of the sort…”

“You say that, but the smile on your face says otherwise. Hehe.”

“Please….”

“Tell me what happened. Cmon”

“Nothing special. We just ate and came back”

“That doesn’t take 2 hours. Spill it.”

“Seriously that’s it. We just ate and talked for a bit”

“And what exactly did you talk about?”

“Fine, I’ll tell you but please keep it a secret from both of them.”

“So something did happen. I won’t tell Ram but I can’t guarantee about Vishal.”

“Ugh. Fine. So you know how Ram told you he knew me before? We were good acquaintances who became good friends after we got to know each other. He was a kind guy who helped me when I was lonely and awkward. It was due to me being shy and awkward around people that I projected that behavior unintentionally onto him. This led to him thinking that I was avoiding him and eventually led to a break in contact between us. He expressed himself, of course elaborately, which made me understand how he felt and what he went through. I then apologized and cleared up the misunderstanding between us by explaining how I was before we met, and what kind of change he brought in me.”

“What happened then?!”

“After that….. I suggested that we start anew to which he agreed instantly, his face beaming with happiness”

“Well… kudos on making up with your ‘boyfriend’. Hehe.”

“It's not like that…”

“Your face doesn’t agree with you.”

“... yet”

“Ooooooh. Do I see an honest, pure maiden in love finally emerging from within you?”

“Please don’t tease me anymore than that.”

“Yeah yeah, Miss Cherry-Cheeks.”

“Well, as your junior it is only natural that I follow in your footsteps.” said a smug-faced Mythili.

“Oh? And what might you be talking about?”

“About your Prince Charming of course.”

“Why are we bringing Vishal into this?”

“I didn’t say anything about Vishal being the Prince Charming.”

“Wha- no no no nothing. Just forget what I said.”

“Okay, Madam Princess-with-a-one-sided-crush.”

“You’re getting cheekier by the day.”

“You’re the one who taught me after all.”

“Shut up and go to bed. It's getting late.”

“Haha, good night.”

Aashvi left, almost stomping as she did.

Mythili thought while lying down on her bed, staring at the ceiling-

‘A new start to my relationship with Ram huh? Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, I'm excited for tomorrow and all the days I’m about to spend with him.’

She rolled to her side and hugged her pillow.

‘Although many people have crossed paths with me, he was the one who shone the brightest and led me, who was astray, on the right path. I have to keep up this version of me and move forward-’

She fell asleep.

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*Beep-Beep*

*Beep-Beep*

*Beep-Beep*

‘Ugh. What’s the time?’

Mythili turns to her side to look at the clock. She finds a familiar ceiling that isn’t the one from her dorm.

‘Why am I at home in my room?’

She leaves her room and finds her mother sitting on a chair at the dining table, looking sleep-deprived.

“Hey, Mom. Why are you looking pale? Did something happen?”

Her mother started tearing up.

“That’s what I should be asking you!”

“What are you talking about?”

“You suddenly came home and started crying. You were so out of breath that I couldn’t even understand what you said-”

“What are you even-”

“You then ran into your room, locked your door, and kept weeping for hours while muttering weird things! I had to force your dad to go to the office since he kept on insisting that something happened to you. I stayed near your window till the morning to make sure you didn’t do anything stupid. Oh dear lord! What could have happened that made my calm and soft-spoken girl become like this!”

“Mom! Wait! Hear me out!”

(sobbing) “What?...”

“What did I mutter in my sleep?”

“Something about an accident and you kept repeating a name.”

“A name? What is it?”

“Ram”

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