Love Me Like you do

Chapter 5

My parents returned home after a long journey.

They had lunch, refreshed, and went upstairs to rest. My grandma stayed back at my uncle’s house to support and console my grieving aunt.

Meanwhile, I sat in the living room watching a movie on Netflix—365 Days. It’s a love story between a gangster CEO and an ordinary girl. The movie had me hooked with its intense romance and stunning visuals.

Just as I was getting engrossed, my phone buzzed. It was Simbu.

I paused the movie and answered his video call.

“Hi, Kannama! What are you doing?” he asked, smiling.

“Hi, I’m watching a movie. Did you have lunch?” I asked.

“Yes, in the college cafeteria. What movie are you watching?”

I tilted the camera toward my computer screen.

He raised an eyebrow. “365 Days? Okay, let’s watch it together!” He laid back on his bed with his laptop.

I laughed and restarted the movie from the beginning.

“Simbu, I love this movie’s hero, Massimo. He’s tall, handsome, and so masculine. For me, three seconds would’ve been enough to fall for him. This poor heroine needed 365 days!” I joked.

He smirked. “Don’t make me jealous, Kannama.”

I smiled and continued watching the movie.

“Do you like this kind of wild move in bed, Kannama?” he asked suddenly.

I glanced at him and replied, “Maybe.”

His grin widened. “Let’s try all these 365 positions in the future.”

“Future? What’s that?” I asked with a playful smile. “You think we have a future together?”

He paused the movie and looked serious. “Do you think I’m still flirting with you?”

I saw the sincerity in his eyes and hesitated. “Simbu, let’s stop this discussion here.”

“No, Kannama,” he said firmly. “I need to tell you this. I want to give some meaning to our relationship.”

“Simbu, no. Stop it here. I can’t give you any hope. I can’t go against my parents’ wishes,” I said, avoiding eye contact.

“Kannama, look at me.”

When I met his gaze, I felt locked in.

“I love you, Kannama,” he confessed. “I know what I’m saying. Your cousin was right—I don’t open up easily. But with you, I feel comfortable. From the moment I saw your friend request, I felt a spark. You awakened feelings in me that I didn’t know existed. Maybe my approach was wrong, but my feelings are real and pure.”

“Simbu…” I whispered, feeling helpless.

“Kannama, just love me back. That’s all I ask. I’ll handle the rest.”

I nodded slowly, a faint smile breaking through my tears. His words gave me a sliver of hope, but the weight of reality held me back.

“Wipe your eyes, Kannama,” he said softly. “I only want to see your happy face.”

In that moment, I decided to let go of my doubts and fears. His love felt genuine, and I didn’t want to overthink it anymore. In my heart, all I could think was, Love me like you do.

---

My Days After the Confession

At home, I wasn’t doing much apart from preparing for entrance exams. My days consisted of cooking, going to the temple, shopping, and helping my mom in the kitchen.

One day, I decided to take things a step further. I told our maid I could offer free tuition to kids in her neighborhood who needed help. She lived in a government quarters area where most residents worked in corporations.

After getting my parents’ permission, I started hosting evening classes in our penthouse from six to seven. Fifteen kids joined my free tuition, and I felt so fulfilled doing this.

When I told Simbu about it during one of our calls, his reaction surprised me.

He kissed the screen and said, “Kannama, you never fail to amaze me. Every day, you give me another reason to love you more than the day before. I love you, Kannama.”

I smiled. “Enough, Simbu. I’m already impressed.”

He grinned. “Have you had dinner?”

“Yes, I’ve already finished and am about to go to sleep.”

“I read somewhere that girls are in the best mood for chats with their boyfriends at night,” he said with a wink.

“Oh, really? Well, it’s nighttime, I’m your girlfriend, and I’m talking to you, but I don’t feel that way,” I teased, laughing.

“Let’s do some research on this tonight,” he said playfully.

I laughed and switched off the main light in my room, leaving only the bedside lamp on.

Simbu propped himself up on his elbow and stared at me.

“What?” I asked.

“I just wish I could be there with you,” he said softly. “In your bed, under your quilt, holding you close to my heart and letting you sleep to the rhythm of my heartbeat.”

His words painted a vivid picture in my mind, and I blushed uncontrollably.

“You’re imagining it, aren’t you?” he teased, noticing my blush.

I smiled and nodded.

“Don’t be shy in front of me, Kannama. It only makes me want you more,” he said with a grin.

I called his name softly, “Simbu.”

“Yes?” he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“How poky would that be?” I asked, referring to his trimmed beard and mustache.

He widened his eyes in surprise and burst out laughing. “What?!”

“Nothing. Forget it,” I said, trying to brush it off.

“No, Kannama. Please repeat that. Don’t leave me hanging.”

I whispered, “How poky would your face and mustache feel?”

He smiled, rubbing his chin. “If you don’t like it, I can shave. Do you want me to?”

“No, no,” I said quickly. “I love it. I even… wish to feel it.”

I stopped mid-sentence, realizing what I’d just blurted out.

Simbu froze, processing my words. “Why did you stop, Kannama? I want to hear the rest,” he said, his voice soft but insistent.

I smiled shyly and lowered my head.

“Tell me, Kannama,” he urged. “What’s wrong with being open with me?”

I gathered my courage and replied, “This is what I admire about you—your trimmed facial hair and mustache. Are you satisfied now?”

His smile grew wider as he continued rubbing his chin. “If you love it, I’ll never shave again. Anything for you, Kannama.”

As we talked, sleep eventually took over. Those nights were beautiful, filled with laughter, confessions, and quiet moments of love.

---