Once in a blue moon

Fading dust and muted rays..

AFTER FEW DAYS

SWARA's POV

"I want to be your full moon," I whispered, swaying in the depths of his mysterious eyes—the ones that had haunted my dreams. Oh, how I wished it could be true.

Admiring Ishaan had become my favorite pastime. I'd lower my lashes, lost in thoughts of him.

"AND IF I SAY YOU ALREADY ARE!" His words echoed, and my eyes widened. Was he serious? Or was I weaving fantasies for myself?
He glanced toward the right corner, a charming smile tugging at his lips. Naina—yes, she was the reason behind that smile.
Suddenly, he lifted me like a baby, cradling me in his arms. My heart raced.

"YES... she left." He gently set me back on my feet, his milky white toothy grin making him utterly endearing.
I managed a decent smile. "Yes, she left."

"Thank you, Swara," he said, gratitude in his eyes. "You've been my rock these days. Now, I bet Naina will confess her feelings next week. I really like her a lot!"

"Yes, congrats in advance, Ishu," I cheered, jumping with excitement. "My bestest best friend!"
But don't misunderstand me. He really loves Naina. Truly.

And me? I'm just a hopeless lover—maybe even an irrational one. Ishaan left the auditorium, leaving me behind.

Seconds later, someone pulled me into the backstage room.

The room's lighting is dim and melancholic. The soft glow of a single lamp casts elongated shadows on the walls, creating a sense of intimacy and isolation. Dust particles dance lazily in the air, caught in the muted rays.

Rehaan's frustration was palpable. "What were you doing?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing.

Swara's pulse quickened. She hadn't anticipated this confrontation. The sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows on the floor, and the air seemed to thicken around them.

"What?" Swara shot back, her voice sharper than she intended.

Rehaan's retort was like a slap. "Why are you meddling in their lives, Swara? What if you're wrong? What if your matchmaking instincts fail you?"

Swara's throat tightened. "Sometimes," she said, her gaze steady, "love isn't about possession. It's about setting someone free."

Rehaan scoffed. "Possession? My foot!"

But Swara wasn't done. She squared her shoulders, her resolve unwavering.

"Why are you playing Cupid for Ishaan and Naina?" Rehaan's voice cracked. "Don't you love Ishaan?"

Swara hesitated, her heart a tumult of conflicting emotions. "Then why," she retorted, her words a desperate plea, "are you playing Cupid between me and Ishaan? Don't you love me?"

As the college bell chimed, signaling the end of the break, Swara walked away, leaving Rehaan standing there, his accusation hanging in the air.
.............

Swara's footsteps echoed through the narrow corridor, each step a resounding beat of her inner turmoil. The college bell had marked the end of the break, but for her, it was the beginning of a storm. She had walked away from Rehaan, leaving him there with his accusation hanging in the air like a heavy cloud.
The truth was, she didn't know what love truly meant anymore. It had become a tangled web of emotions, a maze where every path led to heartache. Swara had always believed that love was about setting someone free, allowing them to soar beyond the confines of possession. But now, as she replayed her conversation with Rehaan, doubt gnawed at her insides.
"Don't you love Ishaan?" Rehaan's voice had cracked, revealing vulnerability. His eyes, once filled with mischief, now held a raw ache. Ishaan was her best friend, the one who understood her silence and shared her dreams. Rehaan who is also become her friend, now irritating her to the extent.

As she turned the corner, Swara leaned against the cold wall. The world blurred around her, and she closed her eyes, seeking clarity.
.................
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