Strings

Lines

Kavya put her hands on either side of the sink and leaning in, she closed her eyes. The heavy sinking feeling was creeping back in. She could feel a tinge of anxiety pushing against her chest. She wanted very badly to talk about this with someone. She knew if Armaan walked in and saw her, he would know something was wrong. Just as these thoughts teased her mind, she felt arms snake around her waist from behind. She could feel his soft breaths on the back of her neck. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Armaan in the mirror. He nuzzled into her untidy hair and breathed in. he loved doing that, Kavya thought. Her heart had slowed down and she felt less on edge. Armaan slowly moved his face and rested his chin on her bare shoulder. He opened his eyes a few seconds later. The moment their eyes met; his expression changed. His eyes darkened as he pulled away slightly and gently forced Kavya to face him. As she did so, she lowered her gaze and significantly felt her heart quicken its pace again. Armaan held her hand and gently drew circles around it with his thumb. He knew exactly what calmed her down. His littlest of gestures soothed her mind. She half propped herself against the sink and finally looked up. Armaan's eyes were filled with worry.

I have to tell him.

He rested his free hand in her cheek and she gladly leaned into it. Armaan pushed up closer and ran his hand in circles on her back. Kavya sighed and started to feel the calm take over her anxiety. She smiled and spoke finally

"How do you not get tired of me?"

Armaan chuckled and pulled away to look at her. He tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled.

"Well," he whispered, "that's my secret to keep."

Kavya smiled and looked down at their intertwined hands.

"Kavu? Do you want to tell me?"

Kavya looked up and finally nodded.

She turned around slowly, Armaan loosening his grip, so she could pick something up from the shelf above the sink.

She carefully removed the white stick from the box and handed it to Armaan, looking at him through the mirror. His eyes had widened significantly, which almost made her laugh.

Armaan took the plastic stick and took a few steps back. Kavya turned around and smiled weakly.

"Are you serious?" he asked.

Kavya wrapped her arms around herself and nodded.

"I've been meaning to take the test but I didn't... I was scared it wouldn't..." her voice broke and the tears finally broke free.

Armaan gaped at her and then looked down at the stick. He flipped it over and stared at it, expressionlessly.

Kavya's heart sank and she sniffled.

Taking a sharp breath in, she closed her eyes, but they flew open when she felt Armaan approach. Her vision was blurry and her nose already blocked. She couldn't bear to look up.

Armaan stepped up to her placing his hand under her chin gently forced her to look up. He slowly wiped her cheeks with his sleeves and looked into her eyes.

Kavya saw his eyes were red, with a hint of joy. How-

She frantically grabbed the test out of his hand and looked at it. She saw the first line, which she was so used to seeing, but right beside it was a second, extremely faint one. Kavya felt the weirdest feeling at the pit of her stomach and she clapped a hand over her mouth. She had dreamt of this moment for years and she couldn't believe it was actually here.

Her head snapped up to look at Armaan and found him looking at her. She threw her arms around his neck and squealed out loud. Armaan wrapped his arms around her tightly and lifted her off the ground, laughing along.

She pulled back slowly as he put her down. Her body was relaxed in his embrace and everything felt perfect. Armaan put one hand behind her neck and pulled her closer, and as their lips met, all their fears melted away and they fell into a momentary rhythm.

As they finally broke away, Kavya looked up at him and smiled. She realized neither of them had said a single word for a while and had still celebrated. Armaan tucked away a strand of hair behind her ear and sighed.

'I love you Kavs.'

'I love you more' she replied and rested her head on his chest.