Pixels and Reality 5
Four weeks had passed.
For a whole month, there had been no signs of Raitha. No streams. No updates. Nothing.
And then—one day—Shyam saw her channel go live again.
She was playing the same game.
His heart pounded as he clicked on the stream. The familiar visuals loaded up, and there she was.
Raitha.
Without hesitation, he typed into the chat:
"Hey, how are you?"
A moment later, she noticed his message.
Her voice came through the stream, softer than usual.
"Shyam…"
A long pause.
And then—
"I'm sorry. Really sorry… I got carried away by my feelings that night. I'm sure you didn't like it. And now… you must hate me. I'm a terrible woman."
Shyam clenched his fists.
"She really thinks I hate her?"
He couldn't let her misunderstand. If he didn't say it now, she might never know.
So, he took a deep breath and typed:
(Just so you know… I fell in love with you the first time you called my name. The first time I saw you. I fell in love with your voice, your face, and your heart. I know you feel like a terrible woman right now, but there's no need for that. Because… I love you too. Will you be my girlfriend?)
He hit send.
For a moment, the stream was silent.
Raitha was staring at the chat.
Her fingers trembled as she read his words.
Her heart, which had been burdened with guilt, suddenly felt light—as if something had been lifted away, replaced by a new, overwhelming warmth.
Tears welled in her eyes.
And then, with a voice full of emotion, she said:
"Yes! Of course."
Shyam exhaled, a smile spreading across his face.
That night, their story changed forever.
And from that day on, they lived together—husband and wife—happily ever after.
Because, you know what they say—
"All's hell ends hell."
(—Great lines by Shine-chan Nohara.)
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