The Way You Looked at Me"

Aanya was a quiet girl who loved books, rain, and the smell of fresh flowers. She lived in a small town where everyone knew each other. Her days were simple—working at the library, helping her mother at home, and walking alone under the old trees by the river.

Kabir was new in town. He had moved from the city to start fresh. Tired of the noise and fast life, he wanted peace. He opened a little coffee shop near the library, not knowing it would change his life.

One rainy afternoon, Aanya walked into his shop. She looked around, shy and curious. Kabir noticed her right away. She had a calm smile and held a book close to her chest, as if it were her best friend.

“Hi, what can I get you?” Kabir asked with a warm smile.

“Just a tea, please,” she said softly.

From that day, she started coming often. She would sit by the window, sip her tea, and read. Kabir would watch her from the counter, smiling to himself. He wanted to talk to her, but something always held him back.

One day, he gathered the courage. “What are you reading?” he asked.

She looked up, surprised, then smiled. “It’s a love story.”

“Do you believe in love stories?” he asked, curious.

“I’m not sure,” she replied. “But I like the idea of two people finding each other.”

That small talk turned into longer conversations. They started sharing stories, laughing at silly jokes, and learning about each other’s lives. Aanya found comfort in Kabir’s presence. He was kind, calm, and listened to her like no one else ever had.

Kabir felt the same. Aanya was gentle, thoughtful, and made him see the world in a softer way. He looked forward to her visits, her voice, her smile.

Days turned into weeks. One evening, Kabir closed his shop early. He had an idea.

“Will you go on a walk with me?” he asked Aanya.

She nodded, her heart beating a little faster.

They walked under the trees by the river, where Aanya always went alone. But now, she wasn’t alone. Kabir was by her side. The leaves rustled in the breeze, and the sky turned golden.

“It’s beautiful here,” Kabir said.

“I come here when I want to think,” Aanya replied.

“What do you think about?” he asked.

She paused. “Love. Life. If someone out there is meant for me.”

Kabir stopped walking and looked at her. “Maybe that someone is already here.”

Aanya looked into his eyes. She saw honesty, care, and something she had never felt before—love.

From that moment on, they were together. Not in a loud, movie-like way. But in a quiet, deep way. They supported each other, laughed together, and found joy in simple things—sunsets, tea, books, and long walks.

People in the town noticed how they changed. Aanya smiled more. Kabir sang while he made coffee. They brought light into each other’s lives.

One rainy evening, much like the day they met, Kabir held Aanya’s hand and said, “You once said you weren’t sure if love stories were real. Do you believe now?”

She smiled. “Yes. I believe in ours.”

He pulled out a small ring and said, “Then let’s write the rest of our story—just you and me.”

Aanya said yes, tears in her eyes, heart full.

They didn’t need grand things. Their love was made of small moments, quiet talks, shared dreams, and the promise of forever.

And so, in the little town, by the river, with books and coffee and rain, their love story lived on.

Just you and me.