Between Notification and Destiny
812 Words
📞 Later That Night – Narmada’s Call
“Ishi… coffee? Tomorrow? That’s not work. That’s fate testing you in full clarity,” Narmada gasped dramatically.
“I don’t know what to feel. I’m happy. I’m scared. What if I mess this up?” Ishika confessed, voice small and unsure.
Narmada grew calm — gentle, but grounded.
> “Dreams are beautiful, Ishika. But reality is where we prove if they were worth dreaming.
You always believed in destiny.
Now... don’t stop halfway.”
> “Understand him. Read him. If he truly feels like your Shivv, there’s nothing wrong in taking the first step.”
Silence lingered.
Ishika whispered, half-laughing, half-teary:
> “You are my admirer, Narmuu…”
> “I just admire your madness enough to support it.”
---
🌃 Meanwhile — Shiv Veer’s Hotel Room
Shiv Veer sat staring at the Teams screen.
> “Message seen.”
No reply yet.
He tapped the table, nervous.
Professional? Yes.
Prepared? Always.
But tonight… he wasn’t either of those.
> “Why do I care this much?”
He walked to the window, city lights painting stories he couldn’t read.
Ishika’s voice echoed in his mind.
> “Are you… Shivv?”
Not just a question. A strange pull.
He had met hundreds. Only she made his world stop.
He closed his eyes.
> “If she is the one… let her be there tomorrow. Let something… shift.”
---
🌅 The Next Morning – Hostel Room Chaos
Ishika’s room was a mess — sarees across the bed, kajal on the floor, perfume floating in the air.
> “You’re going for a review… or an engagement?” her roommate teased.
Ishika said nothing.
Her cheeks said everything.
She picked black — again.
Hair open. Heart open.
And behind her smile… lived every bit of excitement, fear, and unspoken hope.
---
🚘 Shiv Veer — Already Waiting
He reached early.
Sat in his car. Told himself this was just a professional review.
But when she walked out in that black saree, with diary in hand and nervous grace in her steps?
Everything paused.
> “She looks like someone I was meant to meet long ago…”
He stepped out, controlled his heartbeat.
> “Good morning, Ishika.”
> “Good morning, Shiv Veer.”
Their eyes met — again.
They didn’t speak it…
But something inside both whispered: I remember you.
He opened the car door for her.
She sat. The door closed.
And destiny drove them both to the café.
---
☕ Café — Reserved Table, Heavy Hearts
They sat across each other.
Coffee between them.
Eyes locked, then politely looked away.
Heartbeats? In chaos.
Shiv spoke first, awkward but honest:
> “You… look stunning today. Don’t take it the wrong way — just a compliment.”
She smiled gently, masking her racing heart.
> “Thank you.”
Inside?
Fireworks.
Butterflies.
A silent song only her soul could hear.
They shifted to files and notes.
Spoke about the project. Ideas. Plans.
But between every word — there was a glance.
Between every pause — a soft pull.
When their fingers brushed reaching for the same page, they didn’t speak.
But both noticed.
And both… felt something quietly deepen.
---
🚘 Drive Back – More Than Silence
The drive was quieter this time.
Not awkward.
Just peaceful.
Like they were letting the silence speak.
At a red signal, Shiv turned slowly.
> “You’re different, Ishika.”
She looked at him — the calm in her eyes hiding the tremble in her chest.
> “That’s the nicest casual compliment I’ve heard all week.”
They laughed. Finally. Genuinely.
---
🌃 Hostel Gate
The car stopped.
She opened the door, stepped out, then paused.
> “Thank you for the coffee. And the review.”
> “Thank you for… being exactly who you are,” he replied, barely noticing what he just said.
Her smile was soft. But real.
> “Good night, Shiv Veer.”
> “Good night, Ishika.”
---
📖 That Night — Ishika’s Diary
> “Shivv garu…
You weren’t in my dream today.
Because you were right in front of me.”
> “You called it casual.
But for me… it felt divine.”
> “It wasn’t just coffee.
It was something I want to carry with me forever.”
She closed the diary, held it to her chest like a secret.
Outside, the wind whispered softly…
> “Ishika…”
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🪟 Shiv Veer — Alone at Night
He sat on his bed, quietly unfolding the café receipt.
He didn’t throw it.
Didn’t know why.
Maybe because this wasn’t just a meeting.
> “You’re different, Ishika…”
And for the first time in years…
He hoped she felt the same.
---
🌌 To be continued…
- Writer
