New Beginnings
RIVAL HEARTS
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Dhruvin leaned against his bike, staring at the email on his phone, rereading it for the third time. It was an offerâan opportunity to work on a high-budget short film project under a well-known director. It was everything he had ever wanted, everything people had told him he had the talent for. But instead of excitement, a strange weight settled in his chest.
Aashna walked up to him, nudging his arm. "Kya chal raha hai?" (Whatâs going on?)
He locked his phone and shrugged. "Kuch nahi." (Nothing.)
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Dhruvin, I can tell when youâre lying. Spill."
Sighing, he finally handed her his phone. As she read, her eyes widened. "Dhruvin! This is huge! Why do you look like youâve been given a death sentence?"
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Mujhe pata nahi... I mean, I love filmmaking, but committing to something this big⦠what if Iâm not good enough?" (I donât know⦠I mean, I love filmmaking, but committing to something this big⦠what if Iâm not good enough?)
Aashna stared at him for a moment before smacking his arm. "Idiot! Youâre brilliant at this. Itâs time you start taking yourself seriously. You canât keep treating your talent like a hobby forever."
He gave her a lopsided smile. "Tu mujhe chod ke UK jaane wali hai, aur bol rahi hai main commitment issues solve karu?" (Youâre going to leave for the UK, and youâre telling me to solve my commitment issues?)
Aashnaâs breath hitched. She had been avoiding this topic, pushing away the anxiety creeping in.
"Dhruvinâ¦" she hesitated. "Tu janta hai na, this isnât just a dreamâitâs my lifeâs goal. Maine iske liye kitni mehnat ki hai." (You know, right? This isnât just a dreamâitâs my lifeâs goal. Iâve worked so hard for this.)
He nodded, his expression unreadable. "I know, Babba. And I want you to go, I really do. Par kabhi kabhi lagta hai⦠pata nahi." (But sometimes I feel⦠I donât know.)
She bit her lip, looking away.
Later that day, she met up with Sia at their usual spot, a small café near campus. Stirring her coffee absentmindedly, she finally voiced the fear that had been gnawing at her.
"Sia, tujhse ek baat puchu?" (Sia, can I ask you something?)
"Hmm?" Sia said, looking up from her phone.
Aashna took a deep breath. "Sometimes I feel⦠can I really have both? My dream of going to the UK and my relationship with Dhruvin? Can both exist together?"
Sia placed her phone down and leaned in. "Listen, Aashu. Pyaar ka matlab ye nahi hota ki tum apni zindagi ka control kisi aur ko de do. Dhruvin loves you, but if you start doubting your own dream, he will too." (Love doesnât mean giving control of your life to someone else.)
Aashna swallowed hard. "Par long distance⦠itâs not easy. What if things change?"
Sia gave her a pointed look. "Then they change. But you donât give up before trying. And knowing Dhruvin, woh tujhe kabhi rokega nahi. Par agar tu ruk gayi, toh ek din tujhe khud par gussa aayega." (But if you stop yourself, one day, youâll be angry at yourself.)
Aashna stared at her coffee, Siaâs words settling in her heart. Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe she just needed to trust what she had with Dhruvin, and trust herself, too.
Later that night, she met Dhruvin at their usual spot near Marine Drive. The city lights reflected in his eyes as he looked at her, waiting.
She took his hand, intertwining their fingers. "Take the project, Dhruvin. Donât let fear hold you back. And I wonât let it hold me back either."
He searched her face before smiling softly. "Toh dono dare karenge?" (So we both take the leap?)
She nodded, squeezing his hand. "Dono." (Both.)
As the waves crashed against the rocks, they made an unspoken promiseâno matter what the future held, they would fight for themselves and for each other.
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Authorâs Note
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