Aira was happy.
Not loudly.
Not in a way anyone could notice.
But inside—
something felt different.
As if—
she had found something new within herself.
Something soft.
Something she didn't fully understand.
And maybe—
something that couldn't change anything.
Still—
she wanted to love her.
Even if their future was impossible.
Even if she knew—
nothing would come from it.
She didn't think about anyone else.
Not these days.
Not anymore.
Her thoughts—
always found their way back to Aarohi.
Every moment.
Every pause.
Her voice.
Her words.
Her laugh.
Everything replayed—
again and again—
in her mind.
As if—
she was afraid to forget.
As if—
forgetting would mean losing something real.
Aira thought,
"Why did she miss me?"
"Why was she worried about me?"
"She says she loves me as a friend…"
"Then why did it affect her so much?"
"Does she… love me more than that?"
She paused.
"Or maybe… I'm just thinking too much."
On the other side—
Aarohi was happy too.
After talking to Aira—
something felt lighter.
She missed her.
A lot.
But she didn't say it.
Not completely.
Maybe—
she was afraid.
Afraid of her own feelings.
Afraid that if she spoke too much—
it would create expectations.
And expectations—
always led to complications.
So she stayed quiet.
And just—
felt it.
Without naming it.
Sometimes—
Aira didn't want to talk to her.
Not because she didn't care—
But because she was scared.
Of something—
she couldn't even explain.
A feeling—
that stayed heavy in her chest.
A feeling—
that warned her.
But her heart—
never listened.
Because no matter what—
Aarohi was still special.
Still—
the one her heart chose.
Even now.
Even after everything.
Thinking about her—
made her heart race.
Fast.
Uncontrollably.
As if—
it never wanted to stop.
As if—
it just wanted to feel her—
again and again.
Aira thought—
"Can I really love someone…"
"who will never be mine?"
She stayed quiet for a moment.
"Is this even love?"
But then—
a small smile appeared.
Because deep down—
she already knew the answer.
"This feeling… is beautiful."
"I was always lost in games… movies… series…"
"And suddenly—"
"how did I get so attached to someone?"
"Someone who was never meant to be mine…"
But even then—
she didn't regret it.
Because loving her—
felt real.
And maybe—
that was enough.
That night—
Aira sat alone.
No phone.
No distractions.
Just silence.
And her thoughts.
For the first time—
she didn't try to stop them.
She let everything come.
Every memory.
Every question.
Every "what if."
"What if she really loves me… but is scared?"
"What if she doesn't… and I'm just hoping too much?"
The thoughts didn't end.
But this time—
Aira didn't fight them.
She just listened.
Slowly—
one truth became clear.
It didn't matter—
what Aarohi felt.
Because Aira already knew—
what she felt.
And that feeling—
was real.
Even if it had no future.
Even if it had no name.
She placed her hand on her chest.
Her heart was still racing.
Still reacting—
to just the thought of her.
And instead of stopping it—
she smiled.
Because maybe—
this was what love felt like.
Not perfect.
Not mutual.
Not easy.
But still—
beautiful.
Aira stopped questioning herself.
Stopped asking—
"Is this right?"
Stopped asking—
"Will this work?"
Because she already knew the answers.
And still—
she chose to feel it.
Not because she was weak—
But because she was honest.