Chapter 5: A Love written in the shadows

After three long hours, Reya found herself staring at her phone, waiting for Vihan's message. How long can I wait for his message? Damn, how busy is he? she thought. The impatience was unbearable.

"Maybe I should just delete the message," she muttered to herself. "Okay, fine. Ten more minutes, and then it’s gone."

Minutes later, she caved. “Alright, let’s just end this,” she sighed, opening the chat to delete the message. But just as her finger hovered over the delete button, she saw it—Vihan had already seen the message, and now he was online!

Her heart began to race. Oh my god, oh my god! Why is my heart beating so fast? she panicked. It feels like it’s about to leap out of my chest!

Suddenly, the notification appeared: Vihan is typing…

"Okay, Reya, calm down," she whispered, trying to steady herself. "Don’t be nervous."

Finally, his message popped up.

Vihan: Hey Reya, are you alright?

Reya quickly replied, trying not to overthink.

Reya: Yeah, I’m good. I just wanted to ask you something. Are you busy?

Vihan: No, I was at the gym earlier. Go ahead.

Reya froze for a second. Oh, so that’s why his chest looks so broad and… hot. Reya, snap out of it! She shook her head and typed:

Reya: Hey, did you put a bandage in my bag?

Vihan: What bandage are you talking about?

Reya frowned. How can he lie so easily? she thought.

Reya: Don’t be a liar. I know it was you.

Vihan: How did you know it was me?

Reya: After I hit that bench, I sat down, and you came over and asked if I was okay. That’s when you put the bandage in my bag.

There was a pause before Vihan replied:

Vihan: What I put inside you?

Reya’s cheeks flushed as she noticed her mistake.

Reya: No! I meant you put the bandage inside my bag!

Vihan sent a string of laughing emojis.

Vihan: Fine. It wasn’t me.

Reya: I could feel your presence when you did it.

Vihan: Oh, so you felt me?

Reya’s stomach flipped as butterflies took over. She quickly typed:

Reya: Pardon?

Vihan: Alright, don’t get confused. It was me.

Reya: I knew it! It was definitely you.

Vihan: Fine. Do you feel better now?

Reya: Yeah, I’m good. I just used the bandage after coming to the home.

Vihan: Alright. By the way, who’s the girl who sits beside you?

Reya raised an eyebrow, wondering why he was asking.

Reya: That’s Advika. Wait, why do you ask?

Vihan: She’s the only one who invited me for lunch. That’s why I asked.

Reya: Really? That’s the reason?

She hesitated for a moment before typing again:

Reya: Do you always carry a bandage with you?

Vihan: Probably, yes. After classes, I go straight to the gym. If someone gets hurt while weightlifting or hits something—like you—I give it to them. That’s why I carry it.

Reya: Oh, I see. Thank you for helping me out.

After a pause, she asked,

Reya: Why don’t you mingle with the other boys?

Vihan: I’m not the type to mingle quickly. Look at my face. Does it look like anyone would like me? Most people say my eyes give off a terrifying vibe.

Reya began typing furiously.

Reya: No, no! Your eyes are very cute and sharp!

Vihan: Oh, so you’ve been looking closely at me, huh?

Reya felt her cheeks burn.

Vihan: Alright, what other things have you noticed about me?

To Be Continued...