The next day, she prepared a dish and sent me a snap.
Me: You’re just sending snaps… when will I get a chance to taste it?
Shwetha: Soon
Me: Dish or you?
Shwetha: Both
Me: What do you mean?
Shwetha: Nothing
I kept insisting for her to explain, but she changed the topic again.
That’s when I realised she was also interested in me but didn’t know how to take things to the next step.
Two more days passed. Nothing happened, but I really wanted her to open up and admit that she was interested in me too.
3rd Day it was Sunday and
Bangalore’s monsoon had just begun.
Early morning drizzle. Cold breeze. That quiet kind of beauty only this city knows.
I stepped out onto the terrace, the air smelling of wet earth. Clicked a few random shots and sent it to her with a caption.
Me: These days… I think I’m falling in love with Bangalore’s weather.
She replied almost instantly.
Shwetha: Beautiful.
Me: Not as beautiful as you.
Shwetha: Oh, really?
Me: Don’t doubt me…
Shwetha: Instead of me, if you had tried with some single girl… she would have already fallen for you.
Me: So… you don’t like me flirting with you? If that’s the case, I’ll stop.
Shwetha: No… I’m getting this kind of attention after a long time, and I don’t want to lose it.
Me: Then make me yours… you’ll never lose me.
After a pause, her message made my heart race.
Shwetha: “I don’t know how to say this… but I’ve started liking you. With you, I feel noticed again. My husband… he doesn’t care for me, not emotionally, not physically. I’ve been holding all this inside for so long, and you… you make me feel alive.
I replied
Me: Even I like you more… because you’re my dream girl. I don’t care if you’re single or married. I love you, and I love you so much, Shwetha…”
Shwetha: I love you too.
Me: I’m so happy today… I just want to hug you and kiss you deeply.
Shwetha: Me too.
Me: Then can I come near your house?
Shwetha: No… everyone’s at home — my mom, dad, and younger brother
Me: Then when can I see my girl?
Shwetha: Soon..
After that, our conversation kept circling back to the same thing — meeting. We both felt it; the desperation was growing. Every message I sent was teasing her a little more, tempting her, making her imagine what it would be like when we finally stood face-to-face.
In July 2020, lockdown had just started to lift. Because of Covid, there weren’t many places open where we could meet. Then, out of nowhere, an opportunity appeared — one of our mutual friends was getting married, and she invited both of us, more out of formality than anything else.
I saw it differently. For me, it was the perfect excuse.
The wedding was about 200 km from Bangalore. When I pitched the idea, she was instantly excited and ready to go. But her parents hesitated, telling her to check with her husband first.
As expected, her husband didn’t care.
We started planning right away, but her parents had one condition: we shouldn’t stay back. We had to travel back the same day and she lied 2 more girls also travelling with her.
I had different plan.
Finally the day arrived.