Minnie POV
I crossed my arms and looked at both of them seriously.
"So... you two are hiding such a big story from me?"
Sara bit her lip nervously and held Akil's hand. "Minnie, please don't get angry. We wanted to tell you today only."
Akil nodded quickly.
"Yes, Minnie. It just happened slowly. First friendship... then feelings. We didn't know how to explain it to you."
I raised one eyebrow.
"Oh really? Friendship? Then why are you standing like a married couple in front of me?"
Sara panicked.
"See, Akil, I told you she will kill us"
"I won't kill you," I said coldly, "but I will forture you with questions."
Akil laughed nervously.
"Minnie, don't look at us like that. We were scared to hurt you. You were already going through so much."
Sara came closer and held my hands.
"You are my best friend. I didn't want you to feel alone or replaced. That's why I kept quiet."
pulled my hands away dramatically. "Wow, Madam! So you found love and forgot your best friend?"
"Minnieee!" Sara hugged me tightly. "Never. You are my first priority. Akil just came after you."
I tried to stay angry, but my lips started shaking with a smile.
"You both are so stupid... hiding like criminals."
Akil said softly,
"We just want your blessing. Without that, this happiness feels incomplete."
looked at them for a second, pretending to think very hard.
Then I sighed loudly.
"Fine... I am angry."
Both of them looked shocked.
"..angry that you didn't tell me earlier!" I laughed suddenly.
Sara's eyes widened. "So... you are not upset?"
I pulled her into a hug. "Idiot, I'm happy for you. After everything we went through, seeing you smile like this makes my heart peaceful."
Akil smiled in relief.
"Thank you, Minnie"
I teased them,
"But listen carefully... if you hurt her, I will personally come and beat you."
Sara laughed. "And if he hurts me, you will take my side, right?"
"Always," I said, hugging them both.
"Huh... I forgot to tell you one more thing," I said suddenly.
Akil looked at me. "What did you forget?"
"I already started applying for jobs," I said proudly.
Sara's mouth fell open. "Seriously, Minnie? Are you out of your mind? We just finished college! This is the time to enjoy. I had so many plans with you... movies, trips, late-night talks!"
I sighed and looked down.
"No, Sara. You know my situation. I can't sit at home or go sightseeing like nothing happened. I need a distraction. And for me, only one thing can distract my mind-work. Work will keep me alive."
Akil nodded and said gently,
"Minnie is right, Sara. She needs something to hold on to. So Minnie... what kind of job are you searching for?"
I smiled a little.
"I want to work in a production company. I want to learn everything there, even if it's not in Chennai. I' m okay with any location... because right now, I want to leave this city."
My voice broke at the last sentence.
Sara held my hand tightly. "Minnie, what are you saying? If you leave Chennai, what will I do without you?"
I shook my head and tried to smile.
"Sara, you also have to get a job and settle down. Our paths may be different, but you will always be my best friend. If you miss me, I will come and meet you. And you can come and meet me too. I'll always be there for you, no matter where I am"
I hugged her, and she hugged me back tightly, like she was afraid to let go.
Akil watched us and smiled softly.
"If you really want to move out of Chennai... why don't you move to Paris with me?"
Both Sara and I froze. "Excuse me?" Sara said together with me.
Akil raised his hands quickly.
"Hey, no no! You misunderstood me. One of my friends works in a production company in Paris. He is an assistant to the CEO. Right now, they are looking for another assistant. If you want, I can refer you."
I looked at Sara, then at Akil.
"I am okay with moving out... but Paris is difficult for me. You know Will is there."
Sara held my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes.
"Minnie, Paris is a big city. You won't meet him everywhere. Opportunities like this won't come again. Don't lose your future because of your past."
Akil added softly,
"This is not about Will. This is about you... your career, your dream, your new beginning."
I stayed silent for a moment, my heart fighting with my mind.
Paris scared me.
But staying the same scared me more.
Sara hugged me again and whispered, "Whatever you decide, we are with you."
I thought for a second while playing with my spoon and said.
"Okay... I will attend the interview, Akil. Just tell me the time and place."
Akil was chewing his food and nodded.
"I'll check with my friend and let you know. Maybe it will be an online interview."
I suddenly looked up at him and asked, "By the way... what about you? What are you doing for work now?"
He wiped his mouth and smiled proudly. "Do you know the brand called 'Love for Design?"
I widened my eyes. "Of course I know! That's a famous designing and modeling company."
He leaned back slightly and said calmly, "Yes... I work there. I'm the Senior General Manager."
Sara almost dropped her fork. "What?! Senior GM"
I froze with my spoon in the air.
"Wait... you were eating biryani with us and suddenly you became a big boss?"
Sara hit his shoulder playfully. "Why didn't you tell me this before? I knew you worked there, but I didn't know you were a GM. I'm so proud of you, my boyfriend."
Akil laughed shyly and continued eating. "It's just a job, not a movie role."
I folded my hands dramatically. "Sorry sir... from today I will talk to you only with respect. Mr. Senior GM, pass the salt please."
Sara laughed loudly.
"Minnie, don't scare him. Next you'll ask for an appointment letter."
Akil shook his head, smiling. "You two are impossible"
On the other side
Will POV
After Minnie blocked me, at first I told myself she would be happier without me. I thought this distance would heal both of us. But somewhere deep inside, something kept breaking silently. Did I do the right thing? That question followed me everywhere.
These days, I couldn't concentrate on my work anymore. I kept making mistakes-mistakes I never used to make before. My mind was always somewhere else, lost in her memories.
Whenever the pain became too heavy, I went to the only place that still felt safe-my grandparents' house. Jackson, my grandfather, and Ruth, my grandmother. Until I was twelve years old, I was raised by them. My parents were always busy with their business, so my sister Luna and I grew up under their care and love..
As soon as I reached, I stepped inside quietly and saw my grandmother sitting on the sofa, knitting. I went behind her and hugged her gently. She was surprised at first, then turned around and smiled when she saw me. I lay down on her lap like a tired child, and she softly ran her fingers through my hair.
Her touch felt like home. Like peace.
She looked at me with worried eyes and asked, "What happened, Will?"
I didn't answer. I just whispered, "Grandma... where is Grandpa?"
She said he was in the garden.
I closed my eyes and said softly, "Give me a few minutes. I just need to rest here... on your lap." In that moment, I wasn't a man with responsibilities or confusion. I was only a broken heart searching for comfort in the arms that once taught me what love felt like.
Grandma gently stroked my hair and said softly, Grandma: "You didn't come here just to rest, Will. Something is hurting you. Tell me... what happened in Chennai?"
I stayed silent for a moment, staring at the ceiling.
Will: "Grandma... I met someone there."
She smiled lightly. Grandma: "Someone special?"
I nodded slowly.
Will: "Her name is Minnie. At first, she was just a friend. We met by accident... then again... and again. She was different, Grandma. Simple, kind, always smiling even when she was broken inside."
Grandma listened without interrupting, her hand never leaving my head.
Will: "Her family had problems. Her father hurt her mother... she was trying to stay strong for both of them. I stayed with her, supported her. I thought I was only being a good friend."
Grandma asked gently, Grandma: "And your heart? What was it doing?"
I swallowed hard.
Will: "My heart was lying to me. I liked being with her. I liked her voice, her laugh, the way she trusted me. But I didn't accept it. I kept telling myself... this is only friendship."
Grandma sighed. Grandma: "Then what went wrong, my child?"
Will: "She told her friend that she liked me. I heard it... but I pretended I didn't. I became distant. I thought if I stayed close, I would hurt her more. So I left... and now she blocked me"
My voice started to shake.
Will: "I thought I was protecting her... but I think I broke her instead."
Grandma lifted my face and looked into my eyes.
Grandma: "Did you love her, Will?"
Tears filled my eyes.
Will: "I don't know when it happened, Grandma... but now that she's gone, everything feels empty. Paris feels empty. My work feels empty. I feel... empty."
My lips trembled.
Will: "I should have stayed. I should have told her the truth. I was scared... and because of that, I lost her."
I couldn't control myself anymore. My voice broke.
Will: "She trusted me, Grandma... and I walked away."
I buried my face in her lap and started crying like a child.
Will: "It hurts so much... I don't know how to fix this."
Grandma held my head close to her chest and kissed my forehead.
Grandma: "Sometimes love doesn't hurt because it is wrong... it hurts because it is real. You ran from your feelings, Will. But feelings don't disappear. They wait."
She wiped my tears gently.
Grandma: "If your heart still calls her name, then your story with Minnie is not finished yet."
I cried harder, holding her tightly.
Will: "What if she never forgives me?"
Grandma smiled softly through her own tears.
Grandma: "Then at least be brave enough to tell her the truth. A broken heart can heal... but an untold truth becomes regret forever."
I closed my eyes, still crying, holding onto her as if she was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
I was still lying on Grandma's lap when I heard slow footsteps from the garden. Grandpa entered the room, wiping his hands with a cloth.
Grandpa: "Why is my strong boy crying like this?"
Grandma looked at him and said softly, Grandma: "His heart is heavy."
Grandpa sat beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
Grandpa: "Tell me, Will. What made you forget how to smile?"
I took a deep breath and slowly told him
everything-Chennai, Minnie, her family problems, how we became close, how I walked away when she needed me most.
Grandpa listened silently.
When I finished, he said calmly, Grandpa: "In my life, I learned one thing. Running away from love is more painful than facing it."
I looked at him with wet eyes.
Will: "But Grandpa... I hurt her. I don't think she wants to hear my voice again."
Grandpa smiled gently.
Grandpa: "A heart that truly loved will always listen, even when it is angry."
Grandma held my hand.
Grandma: "You made a mistake, Will. But mistakes don't make you bad... silence does."
Grandpa added,
Grandpa: "If you don't speak now, this regret will grow with you. Do you want to grow old thinking 'what if'
I shook my head slowly.
Will: "No... I don't want that."
Grandpa stood up and said firmly but kindly, Grandpa: "Then be brave. Love needs courage, not fear."
That night, I couldn't sleep.
I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, but all I could see was Minnie's face... her smile... her eyes when she trusted me.
The room was silent, but my mind was loud.
I remembered her laugh in the coffee shop.
I remembered the way she said my name.
I remembered how she looked at me that last night, trying to hide her pain.
I whispered into the darkness, "I'm sorry, Minnie..."
My phone was beside me. Her name was still saved there.
But I was blocked.
So close... yet so far.
I held the pillow and closed my eyes, but tears slipped out anyway.
Will (thinking):
"I thought distance would protect you... but it destroyed us. I thought time would heal me... but it only made you more real."
For the first time in my life, Paris felt like a prison.
"If loving you means waiting, I will wait. If loving you means silence, I will suffer in silence. But I will never forget you, Minnie... not today, not ever."
I turned to the window and watched the moon.
Somewhere in Chennai... she was sleeping under the same sky. That thought broke me even more.
I closed my eyes with her name in my heart, and sleep finally came... not with peace.
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Author Note
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