The Unsent Letter of Akash.
Akash and Bristi had been "best friends" since their second year of college. To the outside world, they were inseparable—sharing tea at the corner stall, debating over movies, and walking to the bus stop every evening. But to Akash, every walk felt like a journey he never wanted to end, and every laugh she shared felt like a melody he was secretly composing in his heart.
The Silent Storm.
Akash loved Bristi in the way people love the moon—from a distance, knowing it belongs to the whole sky. He knew her favorite flavor of ice cream (butterscotch, but only if it had extra crunch) and the way her eyes crinkled when she was about to tell a lie.
He had written dozens of poems in the back of his notebook, tucked between math equations. One of them read:
"You look at the rain and see water; I look at the rain and see the day you forgot your umbrella and leaned into my shoulder. I haven't washed that shirt since."
The Turning Point
One rainy Tuesday, sitting at their usual cafe, Bristi looked particularly radiant. Akash felt the words "I love you" bubbling up, ready to break his silence. He took a deep breath, but before he could speak, Bristi grabbed his hand.
"Akash, you're my best friend. I have to tell you first," she whispered, her face glowing. "Rohan asked me out today. I think... I think I'm in love with him.The Smile
He didn't cry. He didn't confess. Instead, he tightened his grip on her hand for a split second and forced the most genuine smile he could muster.
"That's amazing, Bristi," he said, his voice only slightly trembling. "He's a lucky guy. Just make sure he knows about the butterscotch ice cream rule."
The Aftermath
That night, Akash went home and opened his notebook. He didn't tear out the pages. He just closed it and placed it on the top shelf of his cupboard.
One-sided love isn't always about heartbreak and tragedy; sometimes, it's about the quiet strength of holding someone's happiness above your own. Akash continued to be her best friend, the man who cheered the loudest at her wedding, and the keeper of a story that only he would ever truly know.