London was everything Srishti had imagined—busy, diverse, and bursting with life. Yet, as the days passed, she found herself balancing excitement and exhaustion. The cobbled streets, charming cafes, and chilly air made the city feel alive, but adjusting to her clinical research and trauma courses was demanding. Add in her homesickness, and it was a mix of emotions that made her head spin.

Her evenings were often spent winding down with Olivia, her flatmate, who never failed to make Srishti laugh despite the challenges. Olivia had dragged her to a few social gatherings, which felt more overwhelming than fun. Srishti, always the quieter type, preferred her nights with tea, books, or catching up with Sahil.

Though they were just friends, Sahil had become her anchor. Living in New York for the past three years, he understood the stress of living in a new city. They often had long chats about their different lives, though recently, Sahil seemed more distant, and Srishti couldn't figure out why.

Everything seemed under control until the housing issue hit.

One rainy afternoon, Srishti returned from class to find an official notice taped to the front door of her student accommodation. Her heart dropped as she skimmed the words:

"We regret to inform you that due to urgent and unforeseen renovation work required in the building, all students currently residing in the building A are required to vacate the premises no later than two weeks from date of notice. For further information please contact your accommodation office."

"Great. Just what I needed," she muttered to herself, crumpling the notice in frustration.

"Olivia!" she called, pacing the small living room. "We're being kicked out."

"What?" Olivia appeared from her room, frowning as Srishti handed her the paper. "Oh, come on. How are we supposed to find a place in London in two weeks?"

"I have no idea," Srishti groaned, sinking into the couch. "I don't even know where to start."

But Olivia, ever the problem-solver, snapped her fingers. "Wait, I think I've got it. My aunt has a place in West London. She's always saying how empty it feels now that it's just her. Maybe we can stay there for a while?"

Srishti looked up, surprised. "Are you serious? I don't want to impose on your family."

"You're not imposing," Olivia said with a grin. "She's practically family to me, and she's got an extra room that she's been thinking of renting out. It might actually work out perfectly."

After a bit of convincing, Srishti agreed. The idea of moving to a quieter neighborhood, with a proper home, wasn't all bad. Plus, Olivia's aunt was reportedly kind and laid-back, which sounded much more inviting than scrambling to find an overpriced student flat on short notice.

***

Malory Anderson, Olivia's aunt, was a woman of quiet grace and resilience. In her mid-50s, she had faced her share of loss, having lost her husband a few years back. They never had children, but Malory had a nurturing spirit that she poured into the people she loved. Her connection to India ran deep; her first love had been an Indian man she met while traveling in her youth. Though they hadn't ended up together, that experience left a lasting imprint on her heart, and her love for the country never faded.

Malory took a special liking to Srishti the moment Olivia introduced them. It wasn't just because Srishti was from India, but because of her quiet strength and warmth. Malory found herself feeling a motherly affection toward Srishti, welcoming her into her home with open arms, as if she'd always been part of the family. She adored the way Srishti spoke about her dreams and would often share stories of her own travels in India, bonding with her over a shared connection to the culture. For Malory, Srishti was a reminder of the vibrant past she cherished, but more than that, she was someone she truly cared for.

Over the next few days, Srishti found herself settling into Olivia's aunt's lovely townhouse in West London. It was spacious and filled with warmth, a world away from the dingy student accommodation. Mornings were spent diving into her studies, evenings were more relaxed, and weekends were filled with walks through the nearby parks, accompanied by Olivia's never-ending enthusiasm.

Despite the smooth transition into a new home, life at university wasn't without its awkward moments. Chris Dawson, the professor who had seemed so irritated with her that night at the club, was one of the trauma care faculty members. Though they hadn't had any major interactions since that night, Srishti often caught his piercing blue eyes scanning the lecture hall. It was unnerving, but she tried to keep her head down and focus on the content, not the icy professor who seemed to think poorly of her.

She hadn't quite shaken off the strange tension from their encounter at the club, though. It wasn't a place she frequented, and Chris had looked at her as though she was out of place—a reckless party-goer, perhaps. Srishti wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to change his opinion, but luckily, he hadn't confronted her again. For now, she was happy to fly under the radar.

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Sahil's pov

It had been a quiet Sunday afternoon in New York, and Sahil was halfway through his paperwork when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen—his parents. With a sigh, he set down his pen and answered the video call, knowing it would be the usual round of "How's work?" and "When are you visiting?"

"Hi, dear!" his mom's voice came through the speaker, cheerful as always. His father, a little more reserved, waved in the background.

"Hey, Maa. Dad," Sahil greeted, trying to focus on the conversation despite the weight that had been on his mind since the last time they'd called. They had hinted at future plans and his "lack of direction" when it came to settling down.

"We were just talking about you!" his mom began, smiling warmly, her tone too light for the topic that was about to drop. "Your father and I were wondering... when are you going to think about getting serious? You're not getting any younger, you know. Actually my friend visited, and she was asking about you. She has a beautiful daughter, who's also in New York and..."

Sahil's jaw tightened. Here it was again. "Maa, I've told you. I'm focused on work right now. I'm not in any rush."

His father, always the more straightforward of the two, leaned forward. "Work is important, Sahil. But life can't just be about work. Your friends are settling down, and we've been patient. It's time to start thinking about your future."

"Future?" Sahil echoed, trying to keep his voice even. "My future isn't going anywhere. Why is this suddenly such a big deal?"

His mother sighed, her expression softening, but she pressed on. "Because we worry about you. It's not about rushing. We just want you to be happy. To find someone. You can't keep living alone in New York forever."

Sahil's heart thudded against his chest. He knew where this was headed. And the truth, the thing he had kept locked away for so long, was suddenly at the tip of his tongue. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

"I have someone, Maa," he said, his voice sharper than he intended.

Both of his parents fell silent, their expressions changing from curiosity to surprise. His mother tilted her head, confused. "You have someone? Who?"

Sahil bit the inside of his cheek, regretting how he had let it slip. But there was no turning back now. "Srishti."

His mother blinked, and his father raised an eyebrow. "Srishti?" his father repeated slowly. "You mean... Srishti? Your friend?"

"Yes, Dad. Srishti," Sahil said, leaning back in his chair, bracing himself for their reactions.

For a moment, the silence stretched on, uncomfortable and suffocating. His mother was the first to break it, her voice careful. "But, Sahil... she's like family. You two have known each other since you were children."

Sahil's patience snapped. "I know that, Maa. But she's not just family to me. She's... she's more than that. I've had feelings for her for a long time."

His mother's face softened with confusion and concern. "But you never said anything. Does she know?"

"No, she doesn't," Sahil admitted, the frustration clear in his voice. "And I haven't told her because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. But that doesn't change how I feel."

His father, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Sahil, we're not saying you can't feel this way, but you've kept this from us, from her. Have you really thought this through?"

Sahil gritted his teeth, trying to keep his temper in check. "Yes, Dad, I've thought about it. I think about it all the time. But I can't just drop everything and confess to her. It's complicated."

His mother, who had been quiet for a moment, finally spoke, her voice more measured. "Sahil, we love Srishti. But she's in London now, starting a new chapter of her life. And I'm not sure this is something you should be holding onto. You need to consider if it's fair to her or to yourself."

Sahil felt a sudden surge of anger. "Fair to her? I'm not asking her to drop everything for me! I'm not asking for anything. I just... I told you because you keep pushing me about settling down, and now you know why I haven't."

His mother's eyes softened, but there was an edge in her voice. "I'm just saying, Sahil, think about what you want and what's best for both of you. You two are at very different stages in life right now."

"I know what I want," Sahil shot back. "But this conversation isn't helping."

His father exchanged a glance with his mother, sensing the rising tension. "We're not trying to upset you, Sahil. We just want you to be realistic."

"I am being realistic, Dad," Sahil said, his voice firm. "I know where Srishti is. I know what she's doing. But that doesn't change how I feel."

His mother sighed again, her frustration finally showing. "Sahil, I'm just saying—maybe it's time to start thinking about someone else. Someone who isn't halfway across the world, and who can build a life with you. Maybe it's time to let this go."

Sahil's heart clenched at her words. "Let it go? You think I can just turn my feelings off?"

"I'm not saying that, Beta," his mother said gently, but her eyes held a look of caution. "I just don't want you to get hurt. Or for Srishti to be put in a difficult position."

Sahil looked away, his throat tight. He knew they meant well, but it only made him feel more trapped. He had spent years hiding his feelings, and now that they were out in the open, it felt like he was being pulled in every direction.

"I don't know what you want me to say," Sahil muttered. "I can't control how I feel, and I'm not going to stop just because it's inconvenient."

His father stood up, placing a hand on Sahil's shoulder through the screen. "We love you, Sahil. And we love Srishti. But you need to figure this out—soon. Don't let it fester and ruin what you have with her."

Sahil nodded, but the weight in his chest hadn't lifted. "I will. I just need time."

"Of course," his mother said softly, but there was still a trace of worry in her voice. "Take your time. But think about what's best for both of you."

They ended the call shortly after, leaving Sahil alone with his thoughts. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, frustration simmering inside him. He hadn't planned for this conversation to happen like this. Now, everything felt more complicated than before.

Back in London

After a long day of lectures, Srishti slumped onto her bed, picking up her phone to check for messages. Sahil had been on her mind—he had been quieter than usual the past week, and their conversations had become short and a little strained.

Srishti shot him a text:
Me: "Hey! It's been a while since we've had a proper chat. Can we catch up soon?"

Moments later, Sahil called her. His voice sounded familiar, but there was a hint of something unspoken in it, something heavier.

"Hey," Sahil started, "How's London treating you?"

Srishti smiled, feeling that usual warmth in his voice, even if something was off. "It's been crazy, but I'm settling in. Olivia and I had to move into her aunt's place, though."

"Move?" Sahil's voice rose in surprise. "Already? What happened?"

"Accommodation issues," she explained, rolling her eyes. "Renovations. Can you believe it? Anyway, it's sorted now."

Sahil hummed in response, but it didn't sound like his usual self. He seemed distracted. "And how's, uh, everything else?"

Srishti frowned. "Everything else? What do you mean?"

"I don't know," he said, his tone suddenly sharper. "Like, your social life? You're going out a lot, it seems."

Srishti blinked, taken aback. "Not really. I mean, Olivia dragged me to a club once, but you know me—I'm not exactly a party person. I haven't been going out much."

"Right," Sahil muttered. "Just that I saw your Instagram story. It looked like you were out a lot recently."

Srishti's frown deepened. "Sahil, that was one night. What's this really about?"

There was a pause on his end, and then Sahil let out a sigh. "It's nothing. I guess I just... I've been seeing you doing all these new things, meeting new people. It feels like you're moving on with your life, and I'm... stuck here."

Srishti sat up straighter, realizing the root of his frustration. "Sahil, I'm not 'moving on.' You know that. We've always lived in different cities. You've been in New York for three years—this isn't new."

"I know it's not new," Sahil said, his voice strained, "but lately, it feels different. You've got Olivia, your new classes, even that professor guy. You're busy with your life, and I—"

"Wait," Srishti interrupted, confused. "Professor guy? Are you talking about Chris?"

Sahil paused again. "Yeah, him. You've mentioned him a couple of times."

Srishti let out a frustrated laugh. "Sahil, I barely know him. He's just some professor who seems to think I'm irresponsible because of a weird interaction we had at a club. That's it."

Sahil's silence stretched on, making her more annoyed.

"I don't get it," Srishti continued, her patience wearing thin. "Why are you being so weird about this?"

Sahil's voice softened, but there was something sad in his words. "I'm just worried, I guess. That you'll get caught up in your new life and forget about... me

Srishti's heart twinged at his words, but she still didn't fully understand where this was coming from. "Sahil, I could never forget you. We've been friends since forever. You're important to me."

There was another pause, and this time Sahil's response was barely above a whisper. "Yeah, I know."

The call ended soon after, leaving Srishti feeling confused and unsettled. What was really going on with Sahil? And why was he being so vague?

***

Life at Olivia's aunt's house was a different kind of calm. The neighborhood was peaceful, the house filled with cozy corners and the smell of freshly brewed tea. Olivia's aunt, who was as kind as Olivia had promised, often invited them for dinner, making the adjustment much easier than Srishti had expected.

One evening, as they sat in the living room with tea, Olivia leaned over with a teasing grin. "So, have you had any more run-ins with the brooding professor?"

Srishti groaned, throwing a cushion at Olivia. "God, don't remind me. I've been doing everything in my power to avoid him."

Olivia laughed, taking a sip of her tea. "Maybe you'll change his mind. Or maybe he secretly finds you intriguing."

"I doubt that," Srishti muttered. "He barely knows I exist."

But in the back of her mind, Srishti couldn't shake the feeling that she and Chris were on a collision course, destined to cross paths again. And when they did, it would be far from simple.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

This was kinda filler chapter.

But I promise the next one will be more interesting 🤗

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