I invited Maya over for lunch at my place since my parents were out of the city for a couple of days. Getting her then was not easy; her house was far from mine, and her strict parents were not keen on letting her go out. But love set up a way, as it always does. She induced them with a “ study group ” reason — classic!
I was agitated for our first date, down from the council. When the doorbell chimed at 11 a.m., my heart contended. Maya stood there in a white kurta and jeans, her sweet Earring completing the look. She wore a knee sock I had given her, and I was speechless.
“ Stop gaping and let me in, ” she teased with a wink, pushing past me.
We sat on the settee, and I tried to lighten the mood with jokes. She made us a simple but succulent lunch. Our date was simple and relaxed, just as we preferred it. After eating, I laid my head on her stage, and she ran her fritters through my hair. We participated in nonage stories and talked about our futures.
She questioned, ‘You’ll encourage me to follow my dream of photography, won’t you? It caught me off guard, but I promised her I’d always support her. That made her so happy, she kissed me on the forepart, and I was over the moon.
As the day wound down, I was loath to let her go. We hugged tight, and also our first kiss.
It was February, and our council had a three-day particular Contact Program( PCP). I arrived late, and my musketeers were at a café hard, so I joined them. That’s when I saw Maya for the first time, in a white T-shirt and jeans. Our collective friend introduced us, and we hit it off.
We sat together in class, and I incontinently clicked with her. We were both mischievous, laughing and making jokes during the lectures. Those three days were full of fun and recollections.
After the PCP, we were added to a WhatsApp group for study accouterments. It was not long before I contacted Maya for some notes, just to start a discussion. She helped me, and we ended up drooling about all kinds of effects — our histories, our tricks, and everything in between. We came close, participating in laughs, teasing each other about her big spectacles, and flirting a little. Our bond grew stronger each day.
The time had come to defy my passions. Was this just fellowship, or commodity further? I was not sure, but I could not keep it in presently.
I called Maya, heart racing. I did not have the courage for a grand offer, but I had to say commodity.
“ I’ve come to realize that you are more than just a friend to me now,” I said, my words coming out unexpectedly. “ I may not be prepared for a commitment right now, but I can’t see my life without you by my side.
There was a long pause. Eventually, she said vocally, “ I need some time. ”
After a week of silence, Maya eventually confessed she felt the same way. I was on pall nine! But, as with everything, there were some conditions. We were not ready for any commitments about the future, so we agreed to keep it casual.
With that, effects shifted. I started flirting further, feeling like I had authorization! She called it flirting, I called it love. I loved seeing her color when I teased her. We spent hours together at Marine Drive, holding hands and talking. We called our relationship” Mature loves Immature,” and she happily wore the” immature” label.
November came, Maya’s birthday month, and I stupidly forgot it! She suggested it all day, but I was oblivious until she reminded me. I felt terrible but promised to make it up to her.
That weekend, I took her to the boardwalk for a movie, M.S. Dhoni The Untold Story. She devoted a song to me, “ Kaun tujhe yun pyar karega, jaise mai karti hu ” Subsequently, we had her favorite pizza and watched the evening at Marine Drive. She sounded so happy, I could not stop feeling ashamed for forgetting her birthday.
December came, and it was my birthday. Despite me forgetting hers, Maya went all out. Starting December 1st, she transferred me a song every day, creating a whole playlist of sweet songs. I felt so favored and shamefaced at the same time for not doing anything for her. She indeed showed up beforehand on my birthday just to wish me well. What a sweet girl!
Our relationship was rocky. We had not committed to a future yet, and there were so numerous obstacles — society, family prospects, and more. But we were still featuring a future together.
One day, after a trip to Jaipur, Maya told me how important she endured to be with me. I decided to meet her parents, but when I got to her house, only her aged family was there. He was furious to find us alone and started yelling at Maya. Despite her prayer, he locked her in a room and threw me out, advising me to stay down.
I wandered the thoroughfares late at night, upset and sick about Maya. Eventually, I made it home at 2 a.m., but I could not shake the guilt and solicitude. I cried, thinking about her and how everything had turned so wrong.
After that night, the effects only got worse. Maya’s family confined her indeed more, and she asked me not to communicate with her unless she reached out. I promised to admire her wishes, indeed though it was hard. I missed her every day, but I did not want to beget her any further trouble.
But her family manipulated her. Her father induced her to choose between me and her family, and, feeling torn, Maya gave in. We argued one day, and our frustrations boiled over. We decided to break up.
Also Read: Falling for My Best Friend
Even after the breakup, Maya remained an important part of my life. We were still drawn to each other, but not all love stories end in marriage. I believe the journey is more important than the destination, and if I could have her by my side through it, why end it? Our journey of love continues.