A Love That was never meant to Be

“Heartbeats and Boundaries"

“Heartbeats and Boundaries"

When I reached my class, I noticed that no one was there. Was I in the wrong class? Did I miss something? Just then, a lady approached me and told me that the first class had been canceled, so now we had to join the 12 PM class instead.

My initial reaction was confusion, What’s going on here? But I kept it to myself. The lady then asked, "Would you like to join me in the canteen?" I quickly replied, "Thank you, but I’m not going to the canteen. I’ll go to the books storage room instead."

She looked at me for a moment and then asked, "Do you have the ID for the books storage? Because without it, you can't enter."

Now I was starting to get frustrated, but I controlled myself and said, "Dear, could you give me a little privacy for a moment?"

Her reply was a bit sad, but she said, "Okay, if you need any help, just let me know." I smiled back and said, "Okay, thanks," as she walked away.

Now, I was left with a lot of time on my hands—two whole hours. It felt like forever, especially without anything to do. I decided to head to the garden area with a business magazine in hand. As I walked toward the garden, for some reason, my heart began to race. What is happening to me? I thought, trying to calm myself down. But the faster my heart beat, the more confused I felt.

And then, just as I was trying to focus on my magazine, I saw him. The guy. Standing there, looking so effortlessly handsome in a black shirt. I couldn’t help but stare. My heart was racing even faster now. Radhe, please help me, I silently prayed, feeling completely out of control.

I tried to divert my attention, but it was impossible. My eyes kept drifting back to him. His presence, his calm, and the way he stood there. I couldn’t focus. It was like everything else faded away, and all I could see was him.

When I reached the classroom, I found it eerily empty. Did I come to the wrong class? I wondered, scanning the room. Did I miss something? I felt a slight pang of anxiety, not sure if I’d misunderstood the schedule or if I had been in the wrong place entirely.

Just then, a lady came over and explained, “The first class today got canceled, so now we have to join the 12 PM class instead.”

Okay, that makes sense, I thought, letting out a small sigh of relief. My initial reaction had been one of mild confusion. What’s going on? But I kept my composure, not wanting to seem lost.

She asked me, “Do you want to head to the canteen with me until then?”

Without much thought, I quickly replied, “Thank you, but I’m not going to the canteen. I’ll head to the books storage room instead.”

The lady paused, eyeing me curiously before saying, “You have the ID for the books storage, right? Because you can’t get in without it.”

I felt a bit irritated now. Seriously? I thought. Is it that difficult to just let me be? But I forced a smile and said, “Dear, can I have a little privacy for a moment, please?”

Her expression softened, and she replied in a quieter tone, “Okay… if you need anything, just let me know.”

I nodded and said, “Okay, thank you.” She left, and I was finally alone.

Now, I had two hours to kill, and it felt like a lifetime. I couldn’t sit still in the classroom, especially with no work to occupy my mind. What should I do? I asked myself. I had no books to read and no one to talk to. I glanced around and decided to head for the garden area. There, I figured I could read my business magazine and distract myself.

But as I walked toward the garden, I started to feel a strange flutter in my chest. My heart began to race, beating faster than it ever should have. Mira, what’s going on with you? I scolded myself inwardly. Why is my heart beating so fast? It was strange, unsettling even. I’d never felt this way before. I tried to calm myself, but it didn’t help. Radhe, please help me, I whispered to myself, unable to shake the unease growing inside me. Why is this happening?

When I reached the garden, I found a quiet spot under a tree and sat down, opening my business magazine. I tried to focus on the articles, but the words seemed to blur on the page. I couldn’t concentrate. Focus, Mira. Focus, I thought, trying to push away the feeling that something was off. But my thoughts kept drifting.

And then, as though the universe had planned it, I saw him. There he was. The guy I had bumped into earlier in the hallway. He was standing just a few feet away from me, looking as striking as before. His black shirt clung to his frame, emphasizing the strength of his presence. His posture was casual, yet there was something commanding about the way he stood. How is he so effortlessly handsome? I wondered, unable to tear my gaze away.

I felt my heart rate spike. What is happening to me? It was as though the world around me had dimmed, and all that mattered in that moment was him. I couldn’t breathe properly. Mira, get a grip. Stop staring. But my eyes wouldn’t listen. They were drawn to him, as though some invisible force was pulling me toward him.

I tried to look away, focusing on my magazine once more, but it was useless. His presence was magnetic. I couldn’t fight it. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall into something I couldn’t control.

Radhe, please help me, I whispered again in my mind. What is wrong with me? My thoughts were racing, and I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks. I was sure my face was flushed. I couldn’t remember ever feeling this way before—so drawn to someone, so lost in the moment.

I stole another glance at him. His eyes—those deep, captivating eyes—seemed to be looking right at me. My breath caught in my throat. How does he know? I thought. But when he looked away, I quickly tried to distract myself. My heart was still pounding in my chest, like a drumbeat I couldn’t escape.

I wanted to move, to stand up and walk away, but my legs felt like they were rooted to the spot. The sensation of his gaze lingered, and I felt a strange warmth spread through me. Every inch of my body seemed to tingle, and I couldn’t tell whether I wanted to run or stay.

I swallowed hard, trying to clear my head. What is this feeling? I asked myself. Why is this happening now? I had no answers, no explanations, just a swirling confusion that I couldn’t untangle.

It was a long while before I managed to stand up and gather my things, but my thoughts were still consumed by him. His presence. His eyes. What do I do now? The question echoed in my mind as I walked away, trying to leave behind the intensity of that moment. But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t be able to forget him. Not today. Not ever.