The bond between Dean and Sejal was now growing deeper with each passing day. What once was a one-sided affection had now turned into a shared emotion—so full, so real, it echoed in every heartbeat they exchanged.
A single text from Dean, a call, or even a fleeting touch was enough to light up Sejal's entire world with a smile.
But amid this new beginning, something quietly began to fade—Ken's presence.
Sejal no longer spent time with him the way she used to.
The late-night conversations grew shorter.
Meet-ups became rare.
And her excuses became more frequent:
"Too much college work today,"
"Lab sessions ran late,"
"Feeling a little unwell today…"
Ken noticed the growing distance.
He felt the ache.
But he said nothing.
Even Sejal had not visited her home in quite some time.
Her absence began to worry her family.
One evening, Sejal's parents called Ken.
Sejal's mother asked gently,
"Ken, dear, it's been so long since Sejal came home. Is she really that busy?"
Ken kept his tone soft, with a polite smile over the phone,
"No, Aunty… she's just really focused on her studies these days. Plus, with the café work… her schedule's quite packed. But she's doing well. Please don't worry."
There was a moment of silence.
Then, her mother spoke again—this time, with a firmer tone.
"Ken, we've always liked you very much… as someone we'd want as our son-in-law. If you still want to be with her, we can begin discussing things with both families. Not a formal decision yet, but… at least a direction."
Ken paused, then replied softly,
"Aunty, I've loved Sejal since we were kids. I've tried everything to win her heart. I've even proposed to her multiple times… but she's never looked at me that way."
Her mother sighed.
And then, in a voice sharper than before, she said,
"Then listen carefully, Ken. If you want her, win her over soon. Otherwise… things might slip out of your hands. And by then, there might be nothing left to do."
Ken didn't respond.
He simply ended the call.
Then he sat alone for a long while, in silence, thoughts storming through his mind.
Finally, with trembling fingers, he typed a single message to Sejal:
> "Will you be free after work today?
I need to talk to you… it's important."
---
To be continued…