KEY: Tara / Sahil
I did it
I did it, star
I performed onstage
and?
did it go well?
I stuttered once or twice, but I have no words to describe how good it felt
to not be scared, to not worry about what other people will say
it felt like the end of a long journey
I'm proud of you :)
congratulations, Sahil
you won
It actually feels like I did
like we did
we? oh, no
you did everything on your own
take the credit that is yours, beautiful
wow
you really are in a good mood, huh?
you think?
so, what are we doing to celebrate?
you want to celebrate with me?
yeah...unless you have plans?
if that's the case, it's totally okay, we can talk later
No, Tara
that's not the emotion I was going for XD
oh, okay
so, what did you have in mind?
nothing much, really
we have limited resources ;)
only because you refuse to meet me
shut uppp
we could play a game
what game?
it's one my bestfriend and I used to play over text
I think it's called "be your own muse"?
interesting
tell me more
so, basically what happens is
one of the two people playing starts telling a story about both the players
for example, I start telling a story about you and me
and we both take turns adding to it
I see
since you're into drama and I'm into stories I thought it would be perfect
it is, star
you're the real genius
okay, so should I start?
Can I start?
sure :)
The day is August 18th. It's nine in the morning and the hallways of Hills High are starting to fill with students who are trying to get to class before first period. Sahil is standing by his locker, trying to steady his erratic heartbeat, as he waits for someone to arrive. He has waited for this day since the day he met her, and a part of him still can't believe he finally gets to see her in person--to hear her voice, to be able to brush fingers with her, to be able to make her smile and be there to see it.
Tara stands outside the school gate, trying to recall the breathing exercises her Dadi taught her when she was a kid. For a second, she wants to flip open her Instagram and search for the boy she's about to meet, just to prepare herself for what she's getting into. But the thought passes as quickly as it arrived, and she feels her pulse race at the thought of laying eyes on him--a thousand questions cloud her mind, but she has answers to none.
Will he be the same in person as he is on text? Will he find her company dull? Will she find him waiting for her? Will their story end well?
Sahil wonders which way their online friendship will go once they meet face to face--will they remain friends, or will everything change?
Sahil, wait
we don't even know each other
I mean, we do, but not well enough to be thinking of things like this
what are you trying to say?
I have no idea|
I have n|
I'm not sure
I feel like there's so much between us that's unsaid
say it, star
you know you can talk to me
I don't know what it is, really
it just feels as if I need to figure things out
Tara?
on my own
why are you doing this?
why can't we just talk about it?
because I don't want to talk about it, Sahil
because you and I are too complicated to be explained|
because I don't want to ruin our friendship|
because I don't and will never deserve you|
after everything, Tara?
after everything we've been through, I'm suddenly too much of a stranger for you to talk to me?
sometimes, taking time apart is necessary
it slows down things when they're going too fast
we've only been talking a week
stop throwing that in my face as if it's some kind of parameter to judge how we should or shouldn't be feeling
I know what the problem here is
you don't see yourself with me, do you?
you don't think this could be a real thing? You and me?
you and me what, Sahil? We're just two people who know each other through texts
how can you expect me to be certain of anything here?
how can you expect me to give up my heart like this?
because I trust you enough to do it, star
I trust you enough to give up my heart
***