The love we left behind

A love never meant to be

Author's pov-

The cool autumn breeze swept through Delhi's crowded streets, rustling the golden leaves as students filled the bustling campus of Riverton university. The air smelled of fresh coffee, ink-stained notebooks, and the faint fragrance of nostalgia- or maybe that was just divya.

She sat by the large glass window of the college library, her fingers wrapped around a cup of now-cold coffee. Her eyes flickered across the room, but they weren't looking for a book. They were searching for him.

Purv Rathore.

Even if she hadn't seen him enter, she would've known the exact moment he walked in. The atmosphere always changed when he was around-a shift so slight, yet impossible to ignore.

He sat a few tables away, effortlessly owning the space around him. Sharp jawline, cold brown eyes, broad shoulders clad in a crisp white shirt. He wasn't just another college boy- he was a presence. The kind that pulled people in but never let them close.

Divya's finger tightened around her cup. It had been a year since she had last spoken to him. A year since he had shattered the fragile, naive feelings she had once held. And yet, here they were-two people existing in the same space, pretending the past had never happened.

Except, it had.

And it had ruined her in a ways she never spoke about.

"Are you done staring?" A teasing voice broke through her trance.

Divya turned to see kaashi, her bestfriend, plopping down beside her with a knowing smirk. "I wasn't staring."

Kaashi raised an eyebrow. "Right. And I don't binge-watch romantic dramas even though I claim I hate them."

Divya rolled her eyes, stirring her coffee even though she had no intention of drinking it.

Kaashi leaned in. "You know, you should talk to him."

Divya stiffened. "There is nothing to talk about."

Kaashi sighed. "Divi, you can't keep avoiding this. You liked him. He pushed you away. I get it. But you both still-"

"Kaashi," Divya cut her off, her voice barely above a whisper. "He doesn't care."

Her bestfriend studied her for a moment before sighing. "Fine, if you don't care either, then look away."

Divya's breathe hitched. Because the truth was-she couldn't.

Just then, purv moved. He stood up, stretching slightly, before turning toward the exit. And in that brief second, his gaze met hers.

Divya's heart clenched.

He didn't looked surprised. He didn't even flinch. His expression remained as unreadable as ever, those brown eyes giving nothing away. Like she was a stranger. Like she had never mattered.

And maybe.... Maybe to him, she never did.

With one last glance, purv walked away, disappearing through the library doors.

Divya let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She could almost hear her own heart laughing at her.

Stupid girl.

After all this time, after all the nights spent convincing herself she had moved on, why did his presence still shake her so effortlessly?

Kaashi placed a gentle hand on hers. "You okay?"

Divya forced a smile. "Yeah. Just... Lost in thoughts."

Kaashi gave her a knowing look but didn't push further. "Come on, let's go out of here before I fall asleep."

Divya nodded, standing up and gathering her things. But as they walked out of the library, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had just walked away from something unfinished.

Something that fate wasn't done with.

Not yet.