Love Before Graduation

The next day was soft and quiet — no school, no deadlines, no chaos. Just... calm.

I grabbed my phone and quickly called Nami and Teru on conference.

"Hello? Nami, Teru?" I said while pulling down my clothes from the rooftop line, balancing the phone on my shoulder.

"Yeah? What's up?" Teru's voice came first.

"Let's go to the temple today? Just a small trip," I asked, already half-distracted folding my clothes.

"Sounds like a plan... but let me ask at home first," Nami replied in her usual practical tone.

"Okay, ask and text me!" I said and ended the call.

I hurriedly finished folding the laundry and rushed down the stairs. Just as I reached my room, my phone buzzed.

Nami: "I'm in. Leaving now!"

A grin spread on my face.

I got ready quickly — nothing too fancy, just a soft yellow kurta and denim jacket. I told Mumma and left, the summer breeze brushing against my face as I walked toward the temple lane.

That's where I saw her.

"Hey!" I waved at Nami from across the street.

She squinted, then waved back, "Coming!"

We met just in front of the temple steps.

"Let's go inside first — darshan, then we can explore," I said, trying to act like the responsible one.

We walked barefoot on the cool temple floor, incense smoke dancing around us in slow spirals. Inside, the sound of bells echoed softly.

As we stood before Lord Shiva, I closed my eyes and folded my hands.

"Please... let things get better now. My mind's been a mess — fix it if You can. And Arin? No, never mind. If he's written in my fate, he'll return on his own."

I opened my eyes and stepped back, a quiet smile playing on my lips.

Outside, sunlight spilled onto the stone steps.

"I want chaat," I said suddenly, spotting a small stall nearby. My mouth watered instantly.

"And maybe... something sweet too! Rasgulla!" I added, eyes sparkling like a kid.

"You and your sugar addiction," Nami teased, nudging my arm playfully.

We strolled over to the stall and placed an order for three plates.

While we waited, we leaned on the counter and started talking.

"So... tell me honestly." Nami's eyes narrowed. "Do you still like Arin?"

I almost choked. "W-What kind of question is that out of nowhere?!"

"Oh please. The way your face twitches at his name? Obvious."

I looked away, blushing a little. "It's... complicated"

Nami rested her head on her palm. "That's not what your heart thinks."

Just then, the stall bhaiya handed us the chaat — warm, spicy, and topped with extra sev just how I liked it.

"Finally!" I clapped. "Let's eat before I faint."

We sat on a low bench nearby, legs dangling, our plates in hand.

"Mmm this is heaven," I mumbled, stuffing a big bite.

"You're a mess. A cute mess, but still a mess," Teru laughed, arriving a little late but diving right into her plate.

We all giggled together, our laughter echoing with the temple bells behind us.

For a moment, it felt like nothing was broken.

Just three girls, one sunny afternoon, and a little escape from the heaviness of yesterday.

Evening had begun to paint the sky in golds and purples when Teru waved us goodbye, her silhouette disappearing down the temple steps.

Nami and I were just about to head home too when she suddenly paused.

"Hey... let's sit by the lake for a while?"

Her voice was soft — almost hesitant — but her eyes were quietly hoping I'd say yes.

"The evening feels... magical, doesn't it?"

I glanced at her for a second, then smiled, gently bumping her shoulder.

"You're crazy. But fine, let's go, you silly woman."

I caught her hand loosely in mine, like it was the most natural thing.

We walked down the narrow path leading to the lake. The wind grew cooler with every step, brushing through our hair like a familiar lullaby.

By the time we reached the edge, the world had slowed down.

The lake shimmered under the setting sun, its ripples catching golden light. Tiny fish swam near the surface. A few birds flew low, their wings just brushing the water. Somewhere in the distance, a soft giggle of a child floated past. Everything was wrapped in a quiet kind of magic.

We sat down at the edge, legs folded, toes just grazing the cool grass.

The temple prasad — a few pieces of sweet coconut and jaggery — still sat in our hands. We munched on it quietly, the silence between us filled with peace instead of words.

The sun dipped lower, its rays casting halos around our faces. The world glowed amber. Time felt like it had paused just for us.

Two friends. A lakeside. A sunset that looked like it had been painted by gods.

No sadness. No worries. Just that fleeting, precious moment — so serene, it felt like we had stepped into a dream we didn't want to end.

"You know what happened yesterday?"

I asked while gently plucking a strand of fresh green grass, my fingers brushing its soft blades as the sun dipped lazily behind the horizon.

"What?"

Nami turned her head toward me, her chin resting on her knees, arms wrapped around them like a quiet hug. Her eyes—calm, warm, endlessly curious—locked onto mine.

"When you left me behind and just disappeared..."

I paused, a faint smile tugging at my lips, my eyes fixed on the blade of grass twirling between my fingers.

"Arin showed up. He came to take me back."

Her posture straightened instantly, the calm in her eyes shifting to sharp surprise.

"Wait—what? Are you serious? Then what happened next?"

She leaned in, excitement spilling from her voice like a rising tide.

"What happened?"

I shot her a dramatic glare.

"First, tell me—without even checking if I was dead or alive—you just flew away like the wind! It was getting dark, I was already scared, and my brain... completely shut down!"

"Tch. Drama queen."

She smirked, brushing me off with a roll of her eyes.

"Honestly, you should thank me. If I had stayed, your little romantic episode would've ended before it even began."

She winked, nudging my arm teasingly.

"Romantic?!"

I scoffed, falling backward into the soft patch of grass beneath us, arms sprawled wide, eyes drifting upward to the sky awash in orange and gold.

"The guy told me not to believe in love."

Nami made a face, arms crossed, lips pressing into a disapproving line.

"He always seemed a little crazy to me anyway."

There was a pause, one that lingered a moment longer than it should have. Then she looked at me again—quieter now, more serious.

"Or maybe... he likes someone else?"

Then, with a strange calm in her voice, she said:

"Some people... you should part ways with the moment time brings you together.

Not every meeting deserves to be shaped into love."

She wasn't teasing anymore. Her words fell like evening petals—soft, true, and painful.

Somewhere deep inside, I knew she was right.

Loving Arin... it never felt like the right thing.

Maybe it never had been.

I didn't answer. I just turned my gaze away, lying there with my thoughts tangled like threads in the wind.

Was it sadness in my eyes? Regret?

I couldn't even tell.

"Why did you say I should stay away from him?" I finally broke the silence, my voice barely above a whisper. My eyes were still locked on the setting sun, its fading hues bleeding into the horizon like a memory slipping away.

She turned toward me slowly, her expression unreadable, shadowed by the orange light.

"Do you not remember what Tenzin said... the day before yesterday?" she asked softly.

Tenzin?

I searched my mind, rewinding the moment like a worn-out tape.

What had he said?

(Flashback begins...)