It was a Monday evening in February, 5:40 p.m., when Mani first saw her — Laya, moving gracefully along the riverside path. The golden sunset glinted off her hair, and the breeze carried the soft fragrance of flowers she had collected earlier. From that very moment, Mani felt something shift inside him.
"From that moment, love began to grow inside me.
I couldn't take my eyes off you,
my whole focus moved completely toward you."
Krishna and Ashik were chasing each other nearby, tripping over flower pots and laughing hysterically. Gajanan tried to balance on a small rock, while Sunitha and Monal teased Bharath for his clumsy antics. But Mani barely noticed — all his attention was on Laya, who seemed unaware of the magic she had sparked in his heart.
"What kind of magic have you done to me?
You bring me a feeling of peace and calm.
Little by little, with your voice,
you make this crazy heart fall deeply in love with you."
Every small movement Laya made — the tilt of her head, her shy glances, the delicate sway of her dress — was like a spell weaving itself into his heart. Even the playful chaos around him, the teasing friends, the random flurry of petals and leaves, only made the moment feel more cinematic, more alive.
"I have so much love for you in my heart.
Say 'I love you,' my beauty.
Even remembering your perfume is enough for me.
My whole world has filled up with you.
My daily routine has totally changed because of you.
My life, my everything, is now for you."
Laya paused, noticing Mani staring, and for the first time, their eyes locked fully. In that gaze, time seemed to slow. The laughter of Krishna, the playful mischief of Ashik, the teasing of Sunitha and Monal — all became background music to the quiet symphony of their hearts.
Mani stepped closer, feeling the intensity of the moment. The sun dipped lower, casting a soft golden halo around Laya. Mani realized that life had changed forever in this one instant: the world had become a tapestry of love, laughter, and friendship — random faces, breezes, petals, and sunlight converging to mark the beginning of something magical.