Chapter 6: Feelings He Couldn't Hide
Weeks passed at the university in Kolkata, and Arman's life had slowly changed in ways he never expected.
Before meeting Ariana, his days were simple—classes, friends, parties, and endless expectations from his father.
But now, every day felt different.
Because of her.
Arman started noticing small things about Ariana.
The way she brushed her hair behind her ear when she was nervous.
The way her eyes lit up whenever she talked about books.
The quiet smile she gave when she finished writing a story.
One afternoon, Arman sat across from her in the library while she was writing again.
"What are you writing today?" he asked.
"A story," Ariana replied without looking up.
"Another romance story?"
Ariana stopped writing and looked at him.
"Why do you always assume I write about romance?"
Arman leaned back in his chair and smiled.
"Because you believe in love."
Ariana shook her head slowly.
"No," she said softly. "I just write about it."
Those words stayed in Arman's mind the entire day.
That night he realized something important.
He wasn't just curious about Ariana anymore.
He had fallen in love with her.
Chapter 7: The Confession
A few days later, Arman asked Ariana to meet him in the university garden.
The evening air in Kolkata was calm, and the sky was slowly turning orange as the sun began to set.
Ariana arrived a few minutes later.
"You sounded serious on the phone," she said. "What happened?"
Arman looked nervous.
For someone who was usually confident, this moment felt strangely difficult.
"Ariana… I need to tell you something."
She crossed her arms.
"That sounds dangerous."
Arman laughed softly.
"Maybe it is."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Arman finally said the words that had been in his heart for weeks.
"I think I'm in love with you."
The world seemed to stop.
Ariana's eyes widened slightly.
She had never expected this.
Arman looked at her carefully.
"You don't have to answer right now," he said quickly. "I just wanted to be honest."
Ariana looked down at the ground.
Her heart was beating faster than she expected.
She had been afraid of this moment.
Because deep inside…
She felt the same way.
But love also meant risk.
And Ariana had already lost too much in her life.
"I need time," she said quietly.
Arman nodded.
"I'll wait."
Chapter 8: The Beginning of Love
For the next few days, Ariana avoided Arman.
Not because she didn't care.
But because she cared too much.
Every time she saw him, her heart felt different.
Finally one evening, she asked him to meet again in the university garden in Kolkata.
Arman arrived quickly.
"You wanted to talk?"
Ariana took a deep breath.
"You said you loved me."
"Yes," Arman replied.
"And you said you would wait."
"I will."
Ariana looked directly into his eyes.
"You don't have to wait anymore."
Arman blinked in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
Ariana smiled slightly.
"It means… I think I love you too."
For a moment, Arman could not believe what he heard.
Then he laughed happily.
"Did the quiet girl in the library just confess her love?"
Ariana rolled her eyes.
"Don't make it weird."
They both laughed.
And at that moment, something beautiful began.
Two hearts that had once been strangers were now connected.
But neither of them knew that soon…
Their love would face the biggest challenge of their lives.