It was late in the evening.
Sejal had just finished her night shift at the café. She cleaned up, packed her things, and was about to step out—
when suddenly, a pair of hands gently touched hers from behind.
She turned around—
Dean.
His voice was calm, but serious.
— "Get in the car. I need to talk to you."
Without asking anything, Sejal quietly got into the car.
As she fastened her seatbelt, she said tiredly,
— "Say it quickly, please. If I'm late getting back to the hostel, they'll shut the gates."
But instead of replying—
Dean suddenly pulled her into an embrace.
Sejal was stunned.
She quickly pushed him away, her eyes wide with shock.
— "What are you doing, Dean? Are you crazy?!"
Dean's voice trembled.
— "I said I'm sorry… I made a mistake…
Sejal, I love you."
Sejal froze.
Her heart leapt, dancing in joy…
But her face remained composed.
With a suspicious tone, she asked,
— "What kind of game is this now?
You don't even like me.
To you, I'm just a little girl, right?"
Dean answered calmly,
— "You're still holding on to that?
Yes, I said it…
But I was wrong, and I've told you so many times—I'm sorry."
Sejal's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she softly said,
— "I'm not a kid anymore, Dean.
Look at me—my face, my body—
Do I still seem like a child to you?"
Dean chuckled,
— "I can see that you've grown up quite a lot…
But when you cry, your nose still turns red—just like before!" 😅
Sejal glared at him with a mix of anger and amusement.
— "Are you seriously teasing me right now?"
Dean placed a hand on his forehead dramatically.
— "No, no! I swear, I'm serious… I'm sorry 🤭"
Then, in a soft voice filled with vulnerability, Sejal whispered,
— "Don't you… ever feel like… holding me?
Just a little… showing me some love?"
Dean paused for a moment.
Then he replied,
— "Of course I do…
But it's already too late tonight.
Come on, I'll drop you at the hostel."
Sejal didn't answer.
She simply nodded, quiet and flushed, and agreed to go.
That night…
For the first time, they shared a soft, delicate moment—
wrapped in unsaid emotions and unshed tears.
As if love, tied by an invisible thread,
was finally beginning to bloom… for real.
---
(To be continued…) 💫