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A meaningful connection is built on respect and open communication.​It is about finding a partner who is honest, humble.

The Sunday morning sun was barely filtering through the curtains when Purvi dialed Akshat's number. When he picked up, his voice sounded heavy, distant, and unusually low.

"Are you not feeling well?" Purvi asked, her brows furrowing in immediate concern.

"Yeah... a bit down," Akshat replied, his voice raspy.
"Did you take medicine?"
"Yes."

"I'm coming over to check on you," she said, already reaching for her scooty keys.

"No, there's really no need for that," Akshat muttered quickly, trying to sound reassuring but failing as a cough cut him off.

Purvi wasn't having it. Her mind was instantly flooded with worry. Leaving her own place, she went straight her way over to Akshat's flat. She pressed the calling bell until the lock finally clicked.

When the door opened, Akshat stood there, looking visibly exhausted, nursing a clear case of a cold and cough. Without greeting him, Purvi stepped inside and immediately reached up, gently placing the back of her hand against his temple to check his temperature.

For a brief, suspended second, time froze. Her cool hand against his warm skin sent a quiet jolt through them both. Their eyes locked-his dark, tired gaze meeting her worried, searching ones.

The distance between them seemed to evaporate, the silence in the apartment suddenly heavy with a warm, unspoken intimacy.

Breaking the spell, Akshat cleared his throat softly and stepped back. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll just take a shower and come."

As he disappeared into the bathroom, Purvi began exploring his apartment. Walking around the living hall, she smiled as she looked at his world.

The space was scattered with musical notes, framed pictures of him performing with different bands, and his favorite guitar resting proudly in the corner.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Akshat had just finished his shower. Wearing a black banian, with a towel draped over his waist and legs, he was busy rubbing his wet hair dry.

CRASH.

A loud, shattering sound echoed from the hall. Purvi had unknowingly bumped into a shelf, sending a decorative showpiece crashing to the floor.

Panicking at the noise, Akshat came running out into the hall-completely shirtless with just a black banian and towel.short, hair dripping wet, and the towel still hanging loose around his neck.

Purvi turned around at the sound of his rushing footsteps and completely froze. The words of apology died in her throat as she broke the vase but seeing him. Her eyes widened, and she stood utterly paralyzed, staring blankly at the man standing before her.

Akshat looked at the broken piece, then looked up at her, noticing her dazed expression. A slow smirk played on his lips and he put his both hands on his waist looking at vase and said,

"Where is your mind?" he asked, his voice dripping with a playful, low undertone.

"On you," Purvi blurted out honestly, completely captivated.

Akshat's smirk widened, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Realizing what she had just confessed, Purvi's face flushed a deep crimson. She snapped out of her trance, quickly averting her gaze to the opposite wall.

"Why did you come out undressed like this?!" she squeaked.

"I heard a noise," Akshat said innocently, taking a step closer. "And besides, I am wearing bathrobe and gestured with hands from up to down"

Purvi tightly shut her eyes, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Just go back inside!"

"But you just said your mind is on me," Akshat teased, leaning in slightly.

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Purvi didn't waste another second. She stepped behind him, planted both her hands firmly on his bare back, and pushed him all the way down the corridor toward his bedroom.

"Go wear your tracks and come out!" she scolded, her cheeks burning.

By afternoon, the awkwardness had settled into a comfortable warmth. They ordered lunch and sat down to eat together.

"Our channel is really picking up," Akshat mentioned between bites, looking pleased. "We're starting to get a very decent amount of views now."

Purvi flipped her hair playfully, flaunting her intelligence with a smug smile. "I know. After all, whose idea was it?"

Akshat chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, yes, all credit goes to you."

After lunch, they slipped into a relaxed, candid conversation. Purvi was comfortably leaning back against the sofa chair, while Akshat stood nearby, talking while folding his hands.

Suddenly, Akshat's phone rang. He answered it, and as the conversation progressed, Purvi watched his expression shift from casual to utter disbelief, and then to pure ecstasy.

A record label was offering his band a massive opportunity-a chance to create an original album, collaborating for five entire songs. It was the kind of breakthrough he had only dreamed of.

The moment he hung up, a massive, brilliant smile broke across his face.

"What happened?" Purvi asked, leaning forward with intense curiosity.

Driven by pure, unfiltered excitement, Akshat didn't answer with words. He lunged forward, swept Purvi up into his arms, and lifted her off her feet, taking her into a joyous, dizzying swirl right there in the living room.

"Ah! Put me down! Tell me what happened first!" she gasped, laughing.

He slowly let her feet touch the ground, but he didn't step away. His hands lingered on her waist, and her hands rested instinctively on his broad shoulders. His eyes were locked onto hers, burning with excitement.

He explained the album deal, his voice trembling with emotion. "This is really important for me, Purvi. With this, I can actually enter the music industry."

In the days that followed, Akshat poured a hundred percent of his soul into the project. Music was his ultimate passion, and to make this dream a reality, he intentionally shifted his focus away from academics, dedication bleeding into every lyric and chord he composed.

Purvi, on the other hand, embarked on a grueling journey of her own. She began rigorously preparing for the GATE examination. She had desperately wanted to crack the IITs during her B.Tech but had missed the mark; this time, she refused to let her dream slip away.

Just like that, life became a whirlwind of ambition and busy schedules for both of them.

Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, Riya was fighting a battle of her own. Try as she might, she could not forget the incident at the cricket ground. For the first time, she had looked at Yash in a completely different light-
a realization that terrified her so much she was afraid to even admit it to herself.

During a lecture break, the three girls gathered in their usual spot. Riya, unable to keep her swirling thoughts to herself anymore, turned to Isha.

"Isha, according to you, what exactly is love?"

Isha, who was quietly flipping through a textbook, sighed softly.

"Honestly, Riya? This whole love business just scares me. With the kind of drama already present in my life, it's honestly better if I stay far away from all of this."

Riya rolled her eyes playfully.

"Yeah, there's no use asking you."

She turned her gaze sharply toward Purvi.

"What about you?"

"I don't know either," Purvi said, trying to act casual.

"Oh, come on, you definitely know," Riya countered, a knowing smirk forming on her lips.

Purvi raised an eyebrow. "How are you so confident?"

"My eyes are like an eagle's, darling. Nothing hides from them," Riya said, leaning in closer.

"Tell the truth. Don't you like Akshat?"

Purvi looked at her friends, a soft, genuine smile spreading across her face.

"I don't just like him, Riya. I love him."

Isha's head snapped up from her book instantly, her eyes wide with shock.

"It happened just a few days ago," Purvi admitted softly.

Riya clapped her hands in triumph.

"See! I knew it! I told you something was cooking between these two. Look at that, I was right!" She then nudged Purvi eagerly.

"Okay, now tell me. What is love for you? How did you feel that Akshat is the right guy for you?"

Purvi's expression turned deeply reflective, her voice softening into a tone of absolute certainty.

"I really admire Akshat for his honesty. Even when we were just friends traveling together, the very first thing that drew me to him was his transparency. Before love even entered the picture, I had immense respect for the person he is. I am a practical girl, Riya. I had my priorities and intact and I felt he is the one when I chose him."

"But does he give you that princess treatment?" Riya teased.

Purvi smiled and shook her head.

"This 'princess treatment' and all those dramatic phrases are just cliches I feel.

When you are choosing a partner for real life, the most important things to see are simple:

Is he honest?

Does he listen to you?

Is he humble?

Does he communicate?

And most importantly... Does he make you feel like you are hard to love?"

The words hung beautifully in the air. Purvi then turned to Isha, gently reaching out to hold her hand, offering a reassuring squeeze.

"It's not necessary that every person we meet will turn out to be wrong, Isha. We shouldn't run away from love just because we are terrified of a heartbreak. Just be open to it."

Isha looked at their joined hands, a faint, hopeful smile touching her lips.

Riya let out a dramatic sigh, trying to break the heavy emotional atmosphere.

"Wow, Purvi. I had only heard that people write poetry when they are in love, but today, I actually witnessed it!" she teased loudly.

Purvi laughed, nudging Riya with her elbow.

"Anyway, why were you asking me all of this suddenly?"

Riya laughed it off, waving her hand casually.

"Oh, no reason! I just wanted to know. I mean, I should also start looking for someone, shouldn't I?"

With that, all three girls burst into a fit of shared, bright laughter, the heavy clouds of doubt momentarily clearing away.

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