A step closer
Author's pov-
The next morning, Divya woke up feeling heavier than usual.
She had barely slept after her conversation with purv. His words kept replaying in her head-I don't want to push you away.
Then why was he still holding back?
She sighed as she got ready, opting for a comfortable oversized sweater and jeans. She wasn't in the mood to dress up, not when her mind was this restless.
As she stepped out of her house, kaashi was already waiting outside, leaning against the car.
"You look like you had a rough night," kaashi noted, eyeing her carefully.
Divya groaned. "I feel like it too."
Kaashi raised an eyebrow. "Purv?"
Divya sighed. "Who else?"
Kaashi didn't push further. She just nodded, getting into the passenger seat as Divya started the car.
At college, the tension between her and purv was still there.
He was in the parking lot when she arrived, leaning against his car, deep in thought.
For a second, she considered ignoring him.
But then, as if sensing her presence, he looked up.
Their eyes met, and for the first time in days, he didn't look away.
She didn't either.
It was a silent acknowledgement- one that neither of them had the courage to put into words.
Later that day, in the library, Divya was sitting alone, flipping through her notes, when a voice broke through her thoughts.
"You're avoiding me now?"
She looked up, startled, only to find purv standing across from her, hands shoved into his pockets.
Divya arched an eyebrow. "That's funny coming from you."
A ghost of a smirk played on his lips. "Fair enough."
He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down without asking.
Divya watched him carefully. "What do you want, purv?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at her with something unreadable in his gaze.
Then, after a long pause, he finally spoke.
"I don't know how to do this," he admitted.
Divya frowned slightly. "Do what?"
Purv exhaled, rubbing his temple. "This. Us. Whatever this is."
Something inside divya softened.
She leaned forward slightly. "Then stop overthinking and just feel it."
Purv let out a humourless chuckle. "You make it sound so easy."
Divya gave him a small smile. "Maybe it is."
There was a silence between them, but it wasn't tense this time.
Then, before she could stop herself, she reached out and placed her hand over his.
Purv stiffened for a second but didn't pull away.
It was a small moment- insignificant to anyone else.
But to them?
It felt like the first real step forward.