The sky was slowly turning orange as the sun began to set.
Aarav and Anaya were still standing near the college gate after Rohan left. The cool evening breeze moved gently through the trees.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Aarav looked at Anaya.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked softly.
Anaya nodded.
"Yes… I just needed to say those things for a long time."
She looked down at the ground for a moment, thinking.
Then she looked back at Aarav.
"Thank you for staying with me."
Aarav smiled.
"You don't have to thank me for that."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because I want to be there for you."
Anaya's heart felt warm hearing those words.
They started walking slowly toward the small park near the college, the same place where Aarav had confessed his feelings.
The park was quiet.
Only a few birds were flying across the evening sky.
They sat on the same wooden bench again.
Anaya looked around and laughed softly.
"It feels like we keep coming back to this place."
Aarav smiled.
"Maybe this place is lucky for us."
For a moment they both stayed silent.
Then Anaya turned toward him.
"Aarav… can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Why do you like me so much?"
Aarav thought for a moment.
"There are many reasons," he said.
"Like?"
He looked into her eyes.
"You're kind. You care about people. You're strong even when things are difficult."
He smiled a little.
"And when you smile… it makes everything feel better."
Anaya felt her cheeks becoming warm.
"You really notice all those things?" she asked.
"Of course," Aarav replied.
"You're important to me."
For a moment, Anaya didn't say anything.
Her heart was beating faster again.
She remembered all the moments they had spent together—
The first time they met.
The laughter in class.
Walking in the rain.
And the way Aarav always supported her.
She took a deep breath.
"Aarav…"
"Yes?"
Her voice became softer.
"Yesterday you said you loved me."
Aarav nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Anaya looked into his eyes.
For the first time, she felt completely sure about her feelings.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Aarav… I think I was afraid to say it before."
Aarav waited quietly.
Then she finally said the words that had been in her heart.
"I love you too."
For a second, Aarav couldn't believe what he heard.
"Really?" he asked.
Anaya laughed softly.
"Yes… really."
Aarav felt happier than he had ever felt before.
Without thinking, he gently held her hand.
This time, Anaya held his hand back.
They both looked at the sunset together.
In that beautiful moment, everything felt perfect.
But somewhere in the city…
Rohan was already planning something that could destroy their happiness.
And very soon…
Aarav and Anaya's love would face its biggest test.