The room was quiet… too quiet
KNOCK
Before I could respond—
KNOCK
This time harder.
A second knock echoed through the room, louder this time, almost as if it was calling for me.
My steps slowed.
My breathing shifted.
Something inside me tightened.
I walked toward the door, each footstep matching the fast thud of my heartbeat.
Knock.
A third time.
Sharper. Closer.
Almost impatient.
And then… I opened the door.
My entire world stopped.
I reached for the doorknob.
The metal felt cold… too cold.
I swallowed, opened the door—
—and the world stopped.
Everything.
Every sound.
Every breath.
Every thought.
I froze in place, staring.
There he was.
For a moment I couldn't move — not even blink.
My heart pounded so hard I swear it echoed louder than the knocks.
The boy I once loved —
the boy I still love —
the one I hadn't seen in years…
…was standing right in front of me.
He had grown up, yes, but that same old smile — the one that once turned my whole world upside down — was still there.
Time had changed him.
But my heart recognized him instantly.
Yes. It was him.
The one I fell for.
---
My palms turned sweaty, my words tangled, just like always whenever he used to talk to me.
My hands were literally trembling when I finally managed to speak.
"What are you doing here?"
He blinked in confusion.
"Oh… sorry. I think I entered the wrong room. Didn't mean to bother you."
"No, no… it's fine," I said quickly.
He paused, then looked closer.
"You're… Ananya, right?"
"Oh yeah," I nodded.
"How are you?" he asked, voice softer now.
"I'm good," I lied, since my heart was still racing like crazy.
Oh please come in ....I invited him ...
He stepped inside .
I asked him "Aur batao ghar mein sab thik?"
..."Yup sab badhiya." He replied
I offered him a glass of water...he drank it .
My heart was still pounding like anything
....
I think god has a very serious problem with me...!
"Then he broke the silence ... You've changed a lot Ananya At first I couldn't even recognize you."
My breath caught.
Why ...Am i looking that bad ...? I gave him a slight smile
He smiled — that same old smile.
"Pretty… actually, very pretty."
My face warmed instantly.....oh Thank you so much...!
He glanced around.
I asked....
"By the way, where's your