“It’s only been a week since I joined. The department head assigned a senior manager to guide me, so I’ll be in the learning phase for a few months without the ‘intern’ tag, unlike you, Reyansh, and Karan,” she says in a teasing tone, making me roll my eyes.
“Oh, girl! You’re literally working as core staff while we’re still training. Stop comparing your position with ours,” I chirp playfully.
“Alright. So tell me, are you still working with Karan?”
“Of course not. It was only for that one campaign over a month ago. But we do keep in touch almost every day in the canteen.”
“That’s really… amazing.” There’s a glint of mischief in her tone, and I wonder why.
“What do you think about him?” she adds, making me pause.
“You mean Karan?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Karan is a great guy. Comfortable company. He knows how to behave with a woman. I feel free and peaceful when I’m with him. He’s smart, cool, and witty, one of those rare people who become close in a short time. I genuinely like him as a friend. He knows boundaries and respects them.” I look at Sanchi, only to find her smirking.
“Why should it be limited to friendship? Why can’t it be more?”
“Are you crazy? Why should it be more when I only see him as a friend?”
“You don’t understand, Amy. What if he still loves you? Maybe you could give him a chance. A new relationship might help you move on from your unresolved feelings for Reyansh.”
That has to be the craziest thing I’ve heard in my life.
Seriously, why does everyone assume Karan is still in love with me? First Reyansh, now Sanchi.
“How can you say such nonsense, San? Isn’t it a disaster to jump into a relationship just to move on, especially when my feelings are still alive? And Karan, I value his presence because I feel at ease around him, but that doesn’t change the fact that I only see him as a friend—”
“But dating isn’t always about being in love,” she interrupts. “Sometimes it’s about exploring the bond and seeing if it can grow into something lasting, like how Reyansh and your sister started.”
Mentioning Aditi and Reyansh suddenly makes her sound sensible, though my situation is different.
“You may have a point, San, but the intentions were different. Rey liked her and wanted to date her, and my sister felt the same. With us, I don’t even know what Karan feels, and I don’t like him enough to date him. The last thing I want is to use someone as a rebound just to forget someone else. This won’t work. Please stop pushing it.”
My voice sounds dejected. I know I’m not ready for a relationship, not with Karan, not with anyone.
“So you’re not allowing yourself to move on from Reyansh?”
“Wrong, San. I’ve accepted that Reyansh is off-limits now and there’s no future for us. But that doesn’t mean my feelings vanished. I loved him for years, so you can’t just unlove someone in a few months. Life feels manageable right now because I’m focused on work, so let me stay that way for now .”
My tone comes out harsher than intended, and the hurt on Sanchi’s face makes guilt sink in instantly.
“I’m sorry for snapping, San. Please try to understand my perspective and support my choices,” I say softly. She nods, finally easing.
“Alright, Amy. But if you ever get a chance to move on, don’t throw it away.”
Her words linger like a gentle, sensible piece of advice I needed to hear. Maybe stubbornness doesn’t always serve me right, especially when the right moment arrives.
There’s no point trapping myself in unrequited love when I already know it will never change.
*****
“Congratulations on successfully finishing your first official project, Karan.” I shake hands with him, and he looks visibly elated by my words.
“Thank you so much, Amyra. I also heard you’re doing well in your division and are constantly praised by your mentor. And aren’t you officially assigned to a solo marketing campaign?” He asks in an excited tone, and I have to admit, his memory surprises me, considering I mentioned it over a week ago.
“Yes. It will officially start in a few days,” I reply with a smile.
