Haniya walked briskly, her curly black hair bouncing with each step. The weight of her dreams and unspoken love pressed heavily on her mind. As she approached the department, her eyes caught sight of Kalai sitting alone in the classroom, engrossed in a book. She paused, her heart skipping a beat, captivated by his quiet presence.
"I wonder what he's reading," she mused, a small smile playing on her lips as she admired his focus.
Haniya finally gathered the courage to approach Kalai. She stood by his desk, her heart fluttering with anticipation.
"Hi, I'm Haniya. I noticed you love reading too," she said, her voice carrying a gentle warmth.
Kalai looked up, his penetrating black eyes meeting hers. "Hello, I'm Kalai. Yes, reading is a bit of an escape for me," he replied, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Haniya found herself drawn to Kalai's intelligence and depth of thought. They exchanged ideas about their studies, dreams, and the challenges they faced.
"You have a remarkable way of seeing the world, Kalai," she would often say, admiration evident in her voice.
Kalai appreciated Haniya's openness and zest for life, though his focus remained steadfast on his goals.
Haniya cherished every moment, capturing memories of Kalai in secret photographs, her heart aching with a love that went unreturned.
"If only he knew how much he means to me," she thought to herself, longing for something more.
Haniya mustered the courage to take a group photo with Kalai, cherishing it as a symbol of her journey. But life pulled her in a different direction, leading her to Kodaikanal after a family dispute.
"I need to find my own path," she resolved, as the misty hills of Kodaikanal offered solace and a fresh start.
When Kalai finally arrived, Haniya poured her heart out, confessing her long-held feelings.
"If not you, then no one," she declared, vulnerability tinging her voice.
Kalai, gentle yet firm, explained that he did not share her feelings. "I'm sorry, Haniya. I didn't realize," he said, his gaze steady yet kind.
Haniya, though heartbroken, found a sense of peace in her honesty. As Kalai walked away, she understood that love, even when unreciprocated, had taught her to be brave and true to herself.
