EP 5 : "Beyond 'I Love You'
Riya: What's your ideal romantic moment?
Hrishit: Tell me yours first.
Riya: That's not fair; I asked you first.
Hrishit: Trust me, you'll want to go first.
Riya: Fine. An outing in the countryside, a crackling fire, a cozy tent... Embracing, lost in each other. The world is fading away until only his eyes remain.
Hrishit: Hmm, Maine itna deep to nahi socha tha. For me, it's simpler. Pulling my partner close, running my fingers through her hair, gazing into her eyes, and saying, 'You look stunning.' That beats 'I love you' any day. 'I adore you' is the new sexy, don't you think?
Riya: Oh, ho, now we're talking! This is insanely crazy! Tell me more about these romantic fantasies of yours.
Hrishit: Well, I have many, but one of them is about Paris. I visited once, and I saw a couple roaming around the Eiffel Tower in the background. It was so beautiful that I asked if I could take their picture, kissing. I wanted to capture that moment because I dreamed of having the same kind of photo with my partner someday.
Riya: Romantic, indeed! So you couldn't get that same click with your partner?
Hrishit: Not yet; I didn't get a chance to cherish Paris with my partner.
Riya: Ok, and how do you want to spend your time with her in Paris?
Hrishit: Well, my wish is to hold the hand of my partner and spend a whole day with her. starting with brunch at one of the best Italian eateries, then moving on to dessert at a delicious bakery. Then roam around European streets with her. Visiting the banks of the Seine River will be an inspiration to artists. Then it rains, and we go to some bar and have tequilla shots. Then visit some nightclubs, and after draining out, spend the whole night sharing her embraces and lips! ❤️
Riya: Wow, it's blowing my mind! Your fantasies are the stuff of romantic novels. You're quite the dreamer, aren't you?
Hrishit: You know what! It will be much more difficult for me to stop if we simply allow ourselves to follow these feelings. I am the one who is being foolish and concealing his emotions in front of a girl he likes, who is too naive to comprehend his subtle insinuations.
Riya: Right, you're stupid. But I am not a fool to miss such signals! Maybe this chat medium is a communication barrier; otherwise, my eyes would be an open letter to let you know that I have fallen for you a long time ago.
Hrishit: Oh my! So should I expect this to be the formal start of our dating?
Riya: ❤️
EP 6 : Cracks in the Digital Glass
Riya: Hey, can we talk? Something’s been bothering me.
Hrishit: Sure, what’s up?
Riya: I noticed you’ve been online a lot lately, but you don’t reply to my messages as much. Is everything okay?
Hrishit: Yeah, everything’s fine. I've just been busy, I guess.
Riya: Busy? Hrishit, it feels like you’re avoiding me. You used to be so quick to respond, and now… I don’t know, it’s like I’m not a priority anymore.
Hrishit: Riya, that’s not fair. I’ve just had a lot going on at work and in life. It’s not about avoiding you. I cannot multi-task; I work while working and talk while talking.
Riya: But I don’t see you talking! You leave me in the dark, and I’m left to contemplate whether I’ve committed an error.
Hrishit: You always jump to conclusions. Not everything is about us. Sometimes, I just need space to breathe. You know, guys need something like a vacuum where they can think about absolutely nothing!
Riya: Oh, no! Not this “Men are from Mars” analogy again.
Hrishit: All I’m saying is that I’m burning out because of work. I need some space to unwind!
Riya: Space? Is that what you need? Because it feels like you’re shutting me out.
Hrishit: And it feels like you’re suffocating me, Riya. I can’t be glued to my phone all the time. I need to focus on other things too.
Riya: I’m not asking for constant attention, Hrishit. However, when you fail to respond for hours and then simply state that you are preoccupied, it suggests that you are disinterested.
Hrishit: I do care, but I can’t always be there at your beck and call. It’s exhausting trying to meet all these unspoken expectations.
Riya: Unspoken? I’ve told you what I need—a little more communication, a little more reassurance. Is that too much to ask?
Hrishit: Maybe it's when I’m dealing with my own stuff and you keep pushing for more. You don’t get that sometimes I just need to be alone.
Riya: Alone? So where do I fit in, Hrishit? I am currently experiencing the sensation that you do not wish to have me in your life.
Hrishit: That’s not true. But it’s like, no matter what I do, it’s never enough for you. I’m tired of feeling like I’m constantly failing you and unfulfilling you.
Riya: And I’m tired of feeling like I’m always second-guessing everything! I have to walk on eggshells just to get a simple response from you.
Hrishit: I can’t keep doing this, feeling like I’m constantly falling short.
Riya: You're an impossible jerk, do you know that?
Hrishit: You, too, are a tough bitch to bite! aren't you? Maybe that's why I irrevocably fell for your infinitely adorable quirkiness!
Riya: Don't act cheeky. You know I am pissed off! And these goddamn plums are as sour as you!
Hrishit: You're having plums! Aah 😋
Riya:Don't change the topic!😡
Hrishit: No, but one thing kept me hooked, wondering which one would be tastier: plum itself or its juice on your lips? 😘
Riya: What! Shut up! Oh, I didn't say that coming! 🤣,😍
Hrishit: Ah, and it started raining here!
Riya: Oh, and I am getting grilled here at 42°C.
Hrishit: Rain is like romance. When it happens, it satisfies an everlasting thirst for barren land. It unfolds the fragrance of excitement and curiosity and leaves the marks of their unique marriage. When you get so excited in the rain, thinking of a partner and romance is the only thing left to do. 😜😍
Riya: Hmmm
Hrishit: Don't say hmmm. Fati padi hai idhar...
Riya: I'll kill you.🙁
Hrishit: If I say anything more at this moment, I would screw it up badly!
Riya: Then keep a mum…
Hrishit: No, seriously. Riya, we’re dodging the issue here. I think we’re dancing around something bigger—something that’s been there for a while.
Riya: What do you mean?
Hrishit: I mean, this isn’t just about replying to messages or needing space. It’s about where we are in life. I’m under so much pressure with work, trying to make something of myself, and I feel like you’re ready for something more stable, something I can’t give you right now.
Riya: Hrishit, I’m not asking you to have everything figured out. But it feels like we’re living in different worlds sometimes—like we’re heading in different directions.
Hrishit: Maybe we are.
[ To be continued]
