Aditi
Today must be the first time I’ve reached our meeting place early. It’s always been Reyansh who arrives before me, never once complaining about the waiting. He has always been nice to me, supporting my dreams and being gentle whenever I’m beside him. I could label him the best boyfriend ever, but I don’t think being the best is enough to sustain a relationship, especially when it lacks deep emotion, intensity, and passion that are needed to take it to another level. I’m certain we would remain stuck in this phase even if our relationship stretched on for months more.
I've tried to stay positive about a few things I've noticed in Reyansh, but they all lead back to Amyra Di. I didn’t want to judge too quickly, given their strong bond since childhood.
Initially, my relationship with Reyansh was satisfactory. However, as time went on, I realized that everything revolved around Amyra Di. Despite his calm demeanor, his happiness depends on her presence, and his mood changes based on their relationship. She occupies his mind all the time, and I see that even her absence cannot separate them.
Whenever Amyra Di is nearby, I notice his gaze drifting toward her, often without him realizing it. I’ve felt insecure about theircloseness, particularly when he caused a scene at a nightclub to ensure her safety. His insistence on leaving and disregard for our dinner plans hurt me deeply, but I chose to overlook it. When I discovered Amyra Di was growing closer to her work partner, Karan, I felt hopeful they would form a relationship that would lessen Reyansh's attachment to her. I even invited Karan to lunch, sensing his affection for Di, although Reyansh seemed annoyed by his presence.
When Amyra Di went out to dinner with Karan, I prayed they would date. I knew Reyansh wouldn’t approve, especially since Di asked me to keep it a secret from him, but I told him anyway, hoping he’d accept that she had someone else now. Instead, their bond seemed to strengthen after that night.
Then there was the incident when Reyansh risked his life to protect Amyra Di from flying glass shards. The intensity of their exchanged looks while he was nursing his wounds revealed something deeper than friendship. What he feels for her is clearly love—intense and self-sacrificing. That realization shook me to my core. While he hasn’t wronged me, he has shown little interest in investing in our relationship. So why did he ask me to date him in the first place? Why drag this on for eight months? Just because he’s unsure of his feelings doesn’t give him the right to play with my emotions or give false hope for a future together.
Though I haven’t fallen in love with Reyansh, I did own the feeling of being his girlfriend. I considered him my partner and gave my best to turn this relationship into something lasting. That’s why, even with the truth standing right in front of me, I find myself unable to accept it and simply move on. When I learned that Reyansh also wanted to meet me to discuss something important, I knew it would either be a confession ofdisinterest or a breakup. Still, I’m not someone who gives up without offering a second chance, not if it means regretting it later.
Whatever I’ve decided to do for this relationship now will, at the very least, give me clarity strong enough to help me make the right decision.
“Hey, Aditi!” I hear his voice and turn around to see him walking toward me.
“How’s your hand?” I hold it gently, examining it. I know I didn’t check on him after the party, not because I didn’t care, but because I couldn’t bring myself to fake concern after what happened. I’ve never been good at pretending.
“It’s okay now. Let’s go inside.” He steps ahead, guiding me in, something he always does whenever we meet. I’ve always seen it as a gentlemanly gesture and, secretly, liked it. The lakeside café where we met for the first time has become our regular spot during this dating phase, so he chose the same place again. It’s empty, like every other time, and a faint smile curves my lips, knowing how cautious he is about my security.
After settling down and ordering two coffees, Reyansh’s expression turns serious, as if he’s desperate to say something I can already sense but am not ready to hear.
“Do you remember telling me, at this same place, to let you know if I ever couldn’t give you loyalty, responsibility, or genuineness?” My heart tightens instantly, already aware of where this is heading.
“Yes,” I reply, watching him take a deep breath, bracing himself.
“And that time has come, Aditi.” It feels like I’m drowning in sorrow and betrayal, crashing over me all at once. He may not have given me his heart, but he gave me the experience of having a good boyfriend, and that makes this hurt sharper.
“I’m sorry, Aditi. I’ve wanted to say this for a long time, but I was busy and scared of how to tell you. I don’t want to fool yo—”
“I’m leaving the city tomorrow,” I interrupt deliberately.
“What? Why?”
“My uncle and my mother’s brother have been asking me to visit for a long time. I’ll be back in a week.”
“Oh.” He pauses. “I’m leaving for Singapore tomorrow for an international conference. I’ll return in three days.”
“Then it’s decided, Reyansh. Let’s take a break and meet after a week to decide about us.” This is my last attempt to delay hearing the cold truth he’s ready to pour out. I want to believe distance might work some magic, the way people say it strengthens bonds.
You can call it desperation, my final effort to see if this relationship still has a chance to survive.
And I don’t think desperation is always wrong.
“It’s not necessary,” he says. “I’m already clear about a few things and want to confess them to you.”
“But it matters to me, Reyansh. A relationship isn’t built on one person’s clarity alone. I’m asking you to wait a week. I need some time to sort out something I can’t explain yet. Please respect my opinion and support me.”
I did not lie. I am in no mood to hear his reasons for breaking up right now. I needed time to absorb the reality and prepare myself for a future without Reyansh. It shows how attached I’ve grown to him, even without being deeply in love. Maybe it’s because my dreams, my plans for a master’s degree abroad, have always kept my heart guarded. I know it would have destroyed me if I were already in love with him. Maybe I was spared the ugliest heartbreak, especially one where your boyfriend chooses your sister over you.
Reyansh stays quiet for a moment before nodding slightly, his expression calm.
“Even if nothing changes, I respect your decision. I can do this much for you.” His honesty brings relief. At least I’ve gained time to process the truth, to analyze everything, to prepare myself for the bad day.
“Thank you. We’ll meet here after a week,” I say softly. “Let’s see if life decides to intervene.” He nods, avoiding my eyes. I know he wants to end this immediately, to finally speak the truth aloud. But I believe time has a way of reshaping emotions, either pulling you closer or preparing you for the storm.
