The next day, Nitya woke up feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had a feeling that today would be different, but she wasn't sure why. As she got ready for the day, she couldn't help but think about Manav and their conversation at the café.

Arriving at the campus, she met up with Anu and the rest of her friends. They chatted and laughed, but Nitya's mind kept drifting back to Manav. She wondered if she would see him today.

As they walked to their first lecture, Nitya saw Manav standing near the entrance, talking with a group of his friends. He spotted her and waved, making her heart skip a beat. She waved back, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.

After the lecture, Nitya and Anu decided to grab a quick lunch at the campus café. As they were eating, Manav approached their table.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, smiling.

"Not at all," Nitya replied, feeling a flutter of excitement.

Manav sat down, and they chatted about their day and their plans for the weekend. Anu, sensing the chemistry between them, made an excuse and left them alone.

"So, Nitya," Manav said, leaning forward slightly, "I was thinking...would you like to go for a walk after this? There's a beautiful park nearby, and I thought it might be nice to spend some more time together."

Nitya's heart raced at the thought. "I'd love that," she replied, smiling.

After finishing their lunch, they headed to the park, enjoying the warm sunshine and the gentle breeze. They walked along the paths, talking and laughing, and getting to know each other better.

As they strolled through the park, Manav suddenly stopped and turned to Nitya. "You know, Nitya, I really enjoy spending time with you. You're smart, funny, and just...amazing."

Nitya felt her cheeks heat up. "I enjoy spending time with you too, Manav. You're kind and genuine."

Manav smiled, taking her hand in his. "I'm glad to hear that. Because I really want to get to know you better."

Nitya looked into his eyes, feeling a connection she hadn't felt before. "I'd like that too"

They continued their walk, holding hands and enjoying each other's company. The park seemed to fade away as they focused on each other, lost in their conversation and the warmth of their growing connection.

As the sun began its slow descent, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Nitya and Manav found a secluded bench in the park and settled down. They sat side by side, watching the vibrant colors shift and blend, each lost in their own thoughts.

Despite the undeniable attraction simmering between them, they both knew the importance of boundaries. They had shared meaningful conversations, laughed together, and felt a connection that went beyond mere friendship. Yet, they hesitated to acknowledge the unspoken feelings lingering between them.

In a moment of vulnerability, Manav turned to Nitya, his expression tinged with uncertainty. "Nitya, I... I value our bonding. You mean a lot to me."

Nitya met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat at his words. "I feel the same way, Manav. You're a good friend."

Their voices were soft, almost hesitant, as if they were afraid to speak the truth that lingered just beneath the surface. They both knew that their bond ran deeper than mere friendship, was it attraction..?

Maybe or Maybe not 

but whatever it was they were reluctant to confront the complexities of their emotions.

Manav shifted uncomfortably on the bench, his gaze drifting to the ground. "I know we've never really talked about it, but... I just want you to know that I'm here for you. Always."

Nitya felt a pang of sadness at his words, knowing that they both longed for something more but were unable to admit it. "Thank you, Manav. Your friendship means a lot to me."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging heavy in the air. Despite the warmth of the setting sun and the beauty of their surroundings, they couldn't shake the sense of sadness and awkwardness that lingered between them.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared below the horizon, casting the park into darkness, Nitya and Manav stood up from the bench, feeling the weight of their unspoken words pressing down on them.

"Let's go," Nitya said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "It's getting late."

Manav nodded, his expression pained. "Yeah, let's go."

They walked side by side out of the park, their steps heavy with the weight of their unspoken emotions. Despite their best efforts to deny it, they both knew that their feelings ran deeper than friendship. But for now, they were content to hide behind the facade of platonic companionship, afraid to risk the fragile bond they had built between them.

Nitya and Manav walked back and parted ways, bidding their goodbyes. Nitya was a bundle of mixed emotions, but she scolded herself for letting her feelings get the better of her, convincing herself it was just attraction. Manav, on the other hand, walked back to his apartment, confused about the unfamiliar feelings towards Nitya. He remembered how beautiful she looked even in simple clothes. She was confident, but there was something she always seemed to hide. Her deep, expressive eyes told stories that complemented her radiant smile, her nature, and her passion.

The next morning, Nitya tried to focus on her studies, immersing herself in coursework to distract from thoughts of Manav. His presence lingered in her mind like a persistent whisper. Later that day, she found solace in the library, settling into a quiet corner with a novel, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him.

In the evening, as Nitya was leaving the library, she bumped into Manav at the entrance. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.

"Hey, Nitya," Manav greeted her with a warm smile, trying to mask his confusion.

"Hi, Manav," Nitya replied, her heart racing.

They stood in awkward silence until Manav broke it. "Do you want to grab a coffee or something?"

Nitya hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, I can't. I have an assignment to work on." She made an excuse, needing to escape the feelings she feared.

Manav nodded, trying to hide his disappointment. "Sure, another time then."

Nitya quickly walked away, her heart heavy. The truth was, the possibility of liking Manav, or falling for anyone, scared her. She wasn't ready to confront those emotions and the vulnerability they brought.

Nitya hurried away from the library, her thoughts a tangled mess. She chastised herself for feeling relieved about avoiding the coffee with Manav. The possibility of liking him—or anyone—scared her deeply. She knew that once she opened her heart, she would be vulnerable, and the fear of getting hurt was too much to bear.

Back at her apartment, she tried to concentrate on her assignment, but her mind kept drifting to Manav. His warm smile, the way he looked at her, and the genuine kindness he showed were hard to ignore. She sighed, pushing the thoughts away and forcing herself to focus on her work.

Manav, meanwhile, walked back to his apartment, feeling a mix of disappointment and confusion. He couldn't understand why Nitya had turned him down. He respected her need to work on her assignment, but he sensed there was something more behind her refusal. Her hesitation and the look in her eyes suggested deeper emotions at play.

The following days at campus were a blur of lectures, assignments, and fleeting glances between Nitya and Manav. They continued to see each other in passing, exchanging polite greetings, but the warmth of their previous interactions was missing. Nitya kept herself busy, avoiding any situation where she might have to confront her feelings for Manav.

One afternoon, Anu noticed Nitya's distraction. They were sitting under a tree on campus, books spread out in front of them, but Nitya's attention was elsewhere.

"Alright, spill it," Anu said, closing her book. "What's going on with you and Manav?"

Nitya looked up, startled. "What do you mean?"

"You've been acting weird ever since that day at the café. Did something happen between you two?"

Nitya hesitated, then sighed. "Nothing happened. He asked me for coffee, and I said no. I told him I had an assignment."

Anu raised an eyebrow. "And did you?"

Nitya shook her head. "No. I just... I don't want to feel those feelings, Anu. The possibility of liking him, of falling for him, it scares me."

Anu looked at her friend with understanding. "I get it. Falling for someone can be scary. But Nitya, you can't run from your feelings forever. What if he feels the same way about you?"

Nitya sighed. "I don't know. I just need time to figure things out."

That evening, Nitya received a text from Manav. It was a simple message, asking how she was doing. She stared at the screen for a long time before replying with a casual response. They exchanged a few more messages, but the conversation felt stilted, both of them holding back.

As the days turned into weeks, the distance between Nitya and Manav grew. They continued their polite exchanges, but the connection they once shared seemed to be slipping away.

Manav wanted to know the reason behind Nitya's distance. Staying away from her for weeks had made him realize he had started liking her, but her behavior was hurting him. Determined to confront her, he decided he would talk to her in any way possible and not let her go.

One evening, as Nitya was leaving the campus library, Manav approached her. His heart raced, but his determination steeled his nerves.

"Nitya, can we talk?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

Nitya froze, her pulse quickening. "Manav, I... I don't think now is a good time."

"Please, just a few minutes," he insisted. "I need to understand what's going on. You've been avoiding me, and it's been hard to take. Did I do something wrong?"

Nitya looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "It's not you, Manav. It's me. I just... I can't handle this right now."

"Handle what?" he pressed gently. "If you need space, I can give it to you, but I need to know why."

She sighed, finally meeting his gaze. "The possibility of liking you, of getting close to you, scares me. I'm afraid of getting hurt."

Manav's expression softened. "Nitya, I understand your fear. But running away won't make it disappear. I like you, and I think you like me too. Isn't that worth exploring, despite the risks?"

Nitya felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "But what if it doesn't work out? What if we end up hurting each other?"

He took a step closer, his voice earnest. "That's a possibility, yes. But isn't it also possible that we could make each other happy? That we could be something good for each other?"

Nitya shook her head, her defenses solid and unwavering. "Manav, I can't. I've been hurt before, and I can't go through that again. I can't let myself be vulnerable."

Manav's heart sank for a moment, but then he squared his shoulders. "Nitya, I know you're scared. But I'm not going to give up on you. On us. I can't. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and I know you feel something too. Whatever past traumas are holding you back, I want to help you overcome them. I'm not going to let fear dictate our future."

Nitya stared at him, stunned by his determination. "Manav, you can't just..."

"I can," he interrupted gently but firmly. "And I will. I'm willing to fight for you, for us. Even if it takes time, even if it's hard. You don't have to go through this alone. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

She looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and strength in them. For the first time, she felt a flicker of hope amidst her fear.

"But what if..."

"We'll face it together," Manav said softly. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Just give us a chance."

Nitya, overwhelmed and unsure, ran from the encounter, unable to confront her emotions. She headed back to her apartment, immersing herself in studies to escape her thoughts of Manav.

-

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