Chapter 25
(The Unspoken Wait Called Restlessness)
The next morning feels a little different. A light mist, soft sunlight, and a strangely quiet yet busy city atmosphere. Before leaving for college, Ayush stands on the balcony for quite a while. Taking a sip from his coffee, he finds himself lost in thoughts about the depth of Aishi's eyes. Those eyes that, without trying, seem to understand everything within him. And that one moment of touch—the gentle brush of Aishi's hand yesterday, which melted him completely from within.
Every road, every sound in the city today seems to say just one thing—don't be late, Ayush… say something. He knows nothing is easy. His religion and Aishi's religion—like two rivers flowing in different directions. But he also knows that if he can't stand before her and speak the truth, his life will feel meaningless.
Aishi, too, wakes up with a different feeling today. She hasn't slept all night. She kept writing on her notebook—
"Will you come? Will you quietly stand beside me today?"
There are faint dark circles under her eyes, yet a thoughtful smile lingers on her lips. She knows Ayush will say something. Maybe not today, maybe tomorrow. But she wishes a new chapter would begin today.
As they meet at the bus stop, their eyes lock—and this time, neither looks away. Aishi doesn't lower her gaze. Instead, she tucks her hair behind her ear and says,
"Will you stay a bit after class today?"
Ayush nods slowly,
"I'll try not to go anywhere… at least for you."
After that, neither speaks, but even amidst the surrounding noise, their silent presence feels like a declaration—something is about to happen today.
On the bus, they stand side by side. There are no seats, yet it doesn't feel uncomfortable. Standing this close feels natural today. Looking outside through the glass, Ayush suddenly says,
"You know, if I don't see you every day, I feel restless… like something is incomplete."
Aishi looks surprised, then smiles,
"You say things like this so easily?"
Ayush replies softly,
"It's not easy. It's actually very hard. I could say it only because you're listening."
After reaching college, before class begins, they go to that spot behind the library. The jackfruit tree seems as if it had been waiting for them. Leaves fall around, a gentle breeze flows. Sitting together on the bench, Ayush hands his diary to Aishi.
Aishi opens the first page and reads slowly, pausing at every line. Inside, it says—
"You are the answer to all the questions within me, yet I am afraid to ask you."
"When you leave, even the shadows in my room grow pale."
"I start every day with the first letter of your name."
Aishi stays silent after reading. Her eyes fill with tears, yet she smiles.
"Ayush, how do you write so beautifully?"
Ayush shrugs,
"I write the way you make me feel."
A moment of silence… then Aishi says,
"You know, I'm very scared of you."
Ayush is surprised,
"Scared? Why?"
"Because I know… one day you might leave me. Maybe your religion, your family, this society won't allow you to love me."
Ayush looks at her firmly and says,
"I won't ask anyone for permission to be with you, Aishi. I'll stay because I want to. As long as you want me to. Society and religion have no power to stop the love I see in your eyes."
Aishi looks at him in astonishment. She can't say anything. She just keeps looking at him. This time, there is no fear in her eyes—only trust.
After college, they don't rush to catch the bus. Sitting on a bench in front of the library, they talk for a while. Small conversations carry deep emotions. Time softens, the clock seems to slow down just for them.
That night, Aishi writes in her notebook—
"You said I fear losing you. Today I saw it in your eyes—you are afraid too. And I love that fear, because it is another form of love."
And Ayush writes—
"What I saw in your eyes today taught me how to live again. If you are there, I lack nothing. My only religion is your name. I want nothing more."
What happens next? Stay tuned for the next chapter and keep following this novel till the very end.
The next chapter is coming very soon 🫵
To be continued…🌷