Written in the Stars

We were classmates in 5th grade.

I was just a kid, but even then, I had a crush on you. I didn't know what love meant, but I knew I liked you.

Soon after, I left the school and moved to another school in Bangalore. Life moved on, and we lost touch.

After some years, during my intermediate, I came back to my native place, Nellore. Somewhere inside me, I wanted to know where you were, so I started asking friends about you.

After asking many people, I finally found you — just before my BTech started.

At that time, I didn't have any feelings. We spoke mainly because of Nishi. Sometimes we played Ludo. It was simple and casual.

During my first year of BTech, I was interested in another girl, Sravani. I was rejected, and after that, I didn't go behind anyone.

You were there, but I didn't realize what you would become to me.

In my fourth year, I got selected for MathCo. I was told by Nishi that you were also there. When I saw the WhatsApp group, I noticed your display picture.

I was completely taken by it. I surrendered without even knowing why. You looked beautiful, but more than that, something felt different.

Still, I didn't want to ruin our friendship.

Before going to the Coimbatore campus from the Chennai campus, my biggest excitement wasn't the interview — it was seeing you after 10 years.

After we met, the next day we went out with the gang. There's a picture from that day which still means a lot to me. Being around you felt good in a way I couldn't explain.

Slowly, I started talking only to you. I waited the whole day just to talk to you. I even left exams early just so I could speak with you.

One day, I saw a snap with Vihal, and I thought you were in a relationship. I didn't say anything, but I was very sad.

Later, I found out that you were single in the beginning. You hadn't shared everything with me at first, but slowly you started opening up.

I felt happy — truly happy — because for the first time, I felt like I had someone who was mine.

Still, I wasn't sure if you had a crush on someone else.

I got chances to attend many interviews.

If the location was Coimbatore, I never missed the chance — even when everyone else dropped out because the package was just 3 LPA.

People asked me why I was still going.

I never told them the real reason.

My birthday trip was supposed to be a group trip to Tirumala. But Radhika and Chandana dropped out.

I told you it was okay if you didn't come — but you still did.

I came from my home in Nellore, telling my family that I was going to Coimbatore with my friends Lokesh and others, and then to Tirumala.

You came to the railway station to meet me. We went out, you took me to Aryan Biryani — a place I still regularly visit because of you.

We watched Vettaiyan, then went to Domino's, had pizza, and boarded the train to Tirumala.

We played arm wrestling. You gave me two gifts — one from Alappuzha and one perfume. I felt like a kid again.

At Tirumala, the tokens were over, so we went to Fresh Up and then decided to climb. We went through Srivari Metlu and luckily got the last 500 token.

We climbed for 3.5 hours.

For the room, I stood in line and got a token, but when the room was being assigned, the officer questioned us and asked us to bring family members since bachelors weren't allowed.

I didn't know what to do. I froze.

That moment made me feel awkward — but also proud. You did what I couldn't.

We got ready and went for darshan. The most beautiful thing happened — we got darshan in just 30 minutes. No queue.

We sat near God for two hours.

When we came down, you got me a cake. I felt incredibly happy — a kind of happiness I can't express.

I dropped you at the bus. I returned home, and that's when calls from my family started.

After that, you started helping me with my placements. You helped me write exams. You stood by me when no one else did.

I went to Infosys only to write the test, not to accept the offer. Even then, staying there and leaving you was hard.

When it was time to leave, I cried. I didn't lift my head. I was crying deeply.

Later, I got ValueHealth on December 31st and joined on January 20th. That's when we started talking regularly — calls, video calls, and slowly meeting again.

I went to Bangalore and spent time with you — four times till now. You came to Coimbatore once, just for me.

Somewhere between Commercial Street and MG Road, I tried to propose to you — badly, but honestly.

After starting work, we did have a fight — about another guy. It wasn't easy.

But today, I want you to know this clearly:

This is not the end of the story.

It's just the beginning of us.