Unspoken Devotion

Unspoken Devotion - OS

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."

– Sarah Dessen

Dia glanced up from her notebook on which she had been aimlessly doodling, her eyes lingering on Akash as he animatedly discussed a project with their team. His infectious enthusiasm for his work was just one of the many things she admired about him. But today, like every other day, she reminded herself to maintain a professional distance. It was the only way she could keep her feelings in check.

She had joined the company six years ago, a bright-eyed intern with dreams of making a mark. Dia was a chatterbox, bubbly, and happy-go-lucky, always ready to lend a hand. Her short, slim frame, natural tan complexion, brown eyes, and medium-length dark brown wavy hair made her stand out in any crowd. Her smart and helpful nature quickly earned her the admiration and respect of her colleagues.

But behind Dia's cheerfulness lay a past she had buried in the deepest and darkest corner of her heart. Twelve years ago, her first love, Vivek, had cheated on her, leaving her heartbroken and vowing never to fall in love again. While being in a relationship with Dia, he had started dating a good friend of hers, Sona. Sona came from an affluent family and so Vivek's ambitions to make it big and quick led him to pursue Sona. The betrayal had shattered Dia's trust and left her wary of opening her heart to anyone. Many would approach her to date or for marriage, but she would always have an excuse ready. Thankfully, her family prioritised her wishes and respected her decision, so when she decided to move to London for better work opportunities, they agreed thinking that a new environment would bring a new perspective to her life.

Then, she met Akash. Already an established project manager, Akash had taken her under his wing. His reserved and introverted demeanour contrasted sharply with her own, but his super smart, all-rounded abilities and helpfulness when approached made him her role model and mentor. Somewhere along the line, admiration had blossomed into something deeper, and she didn't even realize she was head over heels in love with him until it was too late.

The reality of Akash's commitment to someone else hit her like a ton of bricks. Dia learned about his relationship through casual office conversations. At first, it was a painful realization, but she had resolved to bury her feelings. She tried to distract herself with work, to convince herself that her feelings were fleeting. Yet, the more she tried to suppress her emotions, the deeper she fell in love with him.

It felt as if the universe itself was against her efforts to suppress her feelings. No matter what she did, Dia and Akash always ended up attending conferences together or sitting next to each other in department meetings or dinners. Their supervisor appreciated their efficient and effective teamwork, and their success on projects was often the talk of the office. However, for Dia, every moment with Akash felt like stepping onto a battlefield. Thankfully, her past had taught her to always let her brain take control.

Akash had always been there for her, treating her with respect and offering a shoulder to lean on when work got tough. His support meant the world to her, but it also made it impossible to distance herself. He was the epitome of what she desired in a partner: kind, considerate, loyal, and unwaveringly honest. His tall, athletic build, fair complexion, brown eyes, and short, straight black hair that would always fall on his forehead only added to his charm.

As the months turned into years, Dia watched Akash's relationship flourish. Due to the fact they were almost always together due to work, her chatty nature rubbed off on Akash and he became more comfortable in confiding in her. After all, they had become the best of friends. Oblivious to her feelings, he would at times mention his love life while she would just smile and nod while listening to him. She was there when he shared the news of his wedding, her heart breaking, while she forced a congratulatory smile upon being engulfed in a big bear hug. To escape her misery and to prove to herself that she could indeed move on, Dia decided to date other people, hoping to find a distraction, but every time she did, she found herself comparing them to Akash. She realized how unfair she was to them and even to herself.

When the wedding invitation arrived, Dia stared at it for a long time. She knew attending would be excruciating, but she hoped it might offer the closure she desperately needed. On the day of the wedding, she donned her best dress and a brave face, determined to support her friend. Watching Akash exchange vows, Dia felt her heart shatter piece by piece. Yet, she remained composed, clapping and cheering with the rest of the guests. It was one of the hardest things she had ever done, but she owed it to him—and to herself—to face this moment head-on.

Years passed, and Dia eventually came to terms with her feelings. She realized that her love for Akash would always be a part of her, a silent testament to a chapter in her life. She focused on her career, finding fulfilment in her accomplishments and the friendships she forged along the way. Her dedication to her work brought her a brilliant opportunity in Switzerland and she flew off to greener pastures. Despite everything, Dia and Akash remained friends. She continued to admire him, not just for who he was, but for the impact he had on her life. She respected the boundaries she had never crossed, cherishing the purity of their friendship.

In quiet moments, Dia would reflect on her journey. She had learned to live with the ache of unrequited love, finding strength in her own resilience. She knew that she would always hold a special place in her heart for Akash, a place untouched by time or circumstance. And so, Dia moved forward, proud of the love she had carried and the dignity she had maintained. Though he could never be hers, she found peace in knowing that her feelings had never tarnished their friendship. In the end, she accepted that in some love stories, love is meant to be unspoken, its beauty lying in its silent devotion.