It had started as a simple inconvenience—a sudden reshuffling of project groups in class. Tanya ended up in one group, Aarav in another, their schedules clashing more than ever. At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal. They had planned to meet after class, but then Tanya’s group needed extra time, and Aarav’s team was stuck in last-minute discussions.

Then it happened again. And again.

Excuses piled up.

"Sorry, Tanya, our project discussion got extended."

"I’ll text you later, Aarav, I’m still stuck at the library."

Even when they crossed paths in the corridors, it was only for fleeting seconds, stolen glances, half-smiles that never reached their eyes.

And before Tanya even realized it, an entire week had passed.

A week without seeing him properly. A week of unspoken words pressing against her ribs. A week of missing someone who wasn’t even that far away.

By the time Friday rolled around, she was done.

She checked her phone—no texts from Aarav. No missed calls. No messages asking when they’d meet.

Fine.

If he wasn’t going to make time, she would.

At exactly 9:45 p.m., Tanya stood outside Aarav’s apartment, her pulse hammering in her ears.

She had barely taken a breath before she knocked.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, the door swung open.

Aarav stood there, dressed in sweatpants and a plain black T-shirt, his hair slightly tousled. His expression flickered with surprise, then something unreadable.

“Tanya?” His voice was low.

She let out a slow breath. “Can I come in?”

Aarav hesitated for half a second before stepping aside.

She walked in, the familiar scent of him wrapping around her like a memory. The apartment was dimly lit, the soft hum of a playlist playing in the background. A half-empty coffee mug sat on the table, next to an open book he clearly hadn’t been reading.

He had been distracted.

Just like her.

When he shut the door, Tanya turned to face him, her heart steady despite the storm inside. “I need to talk to you.”

Aarav folded his arms. “At this hour?”

“Yes,” she said firmly. “Because I can’t wait anymore.”

His jaw tensed, but he said nothing.

Tanya exhaled sharply. “I know what you’re doing, Aarav. You’re avoiding me.”

His brows furrowed. “Tanya—”

“No.” She stepped forward, her voice unwavering. “Don’t lie to me. You’ve been pushing me away. And I let you, because I thought maybe you needed space. Maybe you needed time.” She shook her head. “But I’m done waiting.”

His fingers curled into fists. “You think this is easy for me?”

“I don’t know, Aarav. Because you won’t tell me anything,” she shot back. “But you don’t have to. I know it already.”

Her breath came out slow, steady.

“I love you.”

The words landed between them like a thunderclap.

Aarav froze.

Tanya didn’t blink. “I love you, Aarav. And I don’t care if it took me too long to realize it. I don’t care if I was stupid before. I don’t care if you think I’m making a mistake. Because this isn’t a mistake.”

His entire body had gone rigid, like he was bracing for impact.

But she wasn’t finished.

“You’re the only person who’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t notice. You never needed to say anything, but I see it now. I see you. And I know you’re scared, but so am I.”

Aarav let out a slow breath, his fists still clenched. “Tanya…”

She grabbed his hand before he could turn away. “Don’t do this. Don’t push me away again.”

His eyes flickered with something—something deep, something desperate—but he shook his head. “You think this is that simple?”

Tanya frowned. “It is simple. You love me. I love you. What’s complicated about that?”

Aarav let out a bitter laugh. “Everything.”

Her chest ached. “Then explain it to me.”

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Tanya… if I let myself have this—have you—there’s no going back. And I don’t think I can survive losing you.”

She sucked in a breath. “You won’t lose me.”

“You don’t know that,” he whispered. “I’m not like Jay. I don’t just flirt and move on. I feel things, Tanya. And when I do, I feel them too much. If I let myself love you the way I want to… and then something happens—”

Tanya’s grip tightened on his hand. “Then nothing happens.”

Aarav looked at her, his walls cracking, his breath uneven.

Tanya took a step closer. “I know you think you’re protecting yourself, protecting me. But Aarav, what’s the point of protecting something if it means never living it?”

His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Tanya took one last step forward, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. “If you walk away from this—from me—then do it. But I’m telling you right now, I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Aarav. And I will keep loving you, whether you accept it or not.”

She had never been more serious about anything in her life.

Aarav stared at her, his emotions waging war inside him.

Tanya could feel the moment stretch, thick with everything unsaid between them.

Then—

Aarav took a step back.

Tanya’s stomach dropped.

No.

No, this wasn’t supposed to happen.

His expression hardened. “Tanya… I can’t.”

Her breath caught. “What?”

His fists clenched. “I can’t do this.”

She felt like the floor had been ripped out from beneath her. “Aarav—”

Before she could say anything else, Aarav turned and walked away.

Out of the room.

Out of reach.

Out of her.

Tanya stood there, frozen, her heart shattering piece by piece.

She had taken the biggest risk of her life.

And she had lost.

Tanya stared at the empty space where Aarav had been, the words she had spoken still hanging in the air.

She had given him everything.

And he had still walked away.

But if he thought this was the end, he was wrong.

Because Tanya Kapoor don’t give up that easily.