One True Love!

Mahesh reluctantly combed his hair as he got ready for his coaching class. He was in intermediate school and would be appearing for his 12th-grade board exams the following year. His father thought he should take math lessons because he was weak in the subject.

Mahesh was neither a bookworm nor did he like putting up with extra classes. This was something that had been forced upon him. On his way to coaching, he was joined by his close friend, Aarav.

Aarav: Why are you sulking?

Mahesh: I had a match today. But I am stuck in this stupid class with you.

Aarav: Haha! Mock me all you want, but I’m the one who gets you through all your exams, bro!

Mahesh nodded his head with a smile. They reached the coaching centre. It was in middle of a market road. There was a tea stall on the side. Mahesh ordered tea for himself and Aarav.

Aarav: There’s some time, we could have munched on some samosas as well!

Mahesh (in a mocking tone): Don’t eat too many samosas or you will become one!

Both laughed!

Mahesh was health-conscious and wanted to pursue a career in sports. But, like most Indian parents, his father wanted him to focus on his studies rather than chasing a distant dream.

As they were talking, a girl approached them. She was wearing blue jeans with a loose white T-shirt. Mahesh looked at her and instantly fell in love. So much so that when she asked him a question, he couldn’t hear her and just kept staring at her. Aarav had to answer on his behalf. As she walked away, Mahesh snapped out of his daze and looked at Aarav.

Mahesh: Was she asking something?

Aarav: What’s wrong with you? You were staring at her like a creep. She was asking about the coaching class. I think she’s joining our class too.

Mahesh felt embarrassed, yet he couldn’t help but feel happy about her joining the class.

Days passed by, and Mahesh developed a new passion: staring at the new girl in class. He noticed every tiny detail about her—her beautiful face, her short ponytail, her long nails painted a different color every day, and her tight jeans paired with a different-colored T-shirt each day.

Mahesh was quite good-looking himself and had the attention of many lovely girls. But the new girl was the crush of the entire class. He didn’t have the courage to approach her.

One day, he finally decided to tell her how he felt. He waited for her after class. She was with her friends, and he felt nervous. How would he even talk to her? He couldn’t bring himself to do it. He was desperate, yet he lacked the courage. What if she said no, or worse, humiliated him in front of her friends?

After a few days, as he packed his bag to leave the class, the new girl came to talk to him.

Sheetal: Hi, My name is Sheetal.

Mahesh’s heart was racing as he struggled to get the words out of his mouth.

Mahesh: Hiiii…ummmm

Sheetal: I like you!!

Mahesh couldn’t believe his ears. He gazed at Sheetal in disbelief.

Sheetal sensed the situation. She broke the silence.

Sheetal: Can we be friends? I’m sorry I broke it to you like that. I had been thinking of telling you since day one. Remember when I came to ask you about the coaching class? I couldn’t stop looking at you that day. That’s why I approached you, but you seemed lost that day.

Mahesh was delighted by the fact that she loved him since day one.

Mahesh: I like you too ❤️

This was the beginning of their friendship and romantic relationship. They dated for nearly two years before officially getting into a relationship. They went to college together. Under his father’s pressure, and out of his love for Sheetal, Mahesh had joined an engineering college. Everything seemed perfect.

But things changed one day. It was the final year of college. Mahesh was sitting with Sheetal in their class. It was an Environment Engineering class. A new teacher was supposed to join the class. The students were waiting, almost certain that they would bunk the class if the teacher didn’t arrive within another minute.

But then she arrived. A female teacher. A beautiful one! She introduced herself as Shreya Sharma.

Tall and slim, in her 30s, with long black hair tied in a half-up, half-down style. Her olive skin glowed as she smiled at the students.

Mahesh instantly felt as if he had fallen in love all over again! He didn’t understand the feeling. Sheetal was sitting next to him, completely unaware of what he was feeling. She even whispered in his ear, “Isn’t she pretty!”.

Mahesh was not feeling good. He thought Sheetal was the one! But now he had mixed feelings for her.

As time passed, Mahesh started feeling distant from Sheetal. He realised that what they had was merely an attraction. His one true love was his new teacher, Shreya Ma’am! He started finding ways to talk to her. He would wait for her class, engage in class discussions, and meet her after class under the pretext of asking questions. Shreya was different from Sheetal. Unlike Sheetal, she was shy and timid. Mahesh often felt overwhelmed by her beauty.

Mahesh knew it would be difficult to propose to his class teacher. It would be rather inappropriate, too. Besides, he was already in a relationship. But day by day, his desperation grew. So he thought it would be better to break up first and then wait until he finished college. He could get a job and propose to his newfound love. The plan seemed perfect.

He started creating difficult situations for Sheetal. He would fight with her over stupid reasons. The distance between them grew, and before the final semester ended, their relationship came to an end.

But everything was not working out as planned for Mahesh. The breakup was harder for him than he had thought. He was used to sharing every single thing with Sheetal. They were not just partners but also friends. Mahesh could not even study amid the heartbreak, separation anxiety, and his growing desire for Shreya. He messed up his final semester really badly! He was not eligible to sit for most of the placement interviews. He somehow managed to pass his exams.

After everything was over, he realised he might have to take a year off to prepare for competitive exams and appear for company interviews, as he was still unplaced. But how would he focus on anything if he could no longer see Shreya? So he decided to tell her about his feelings.

It was the last day of college, and he went to talk to her. Everyone was congratulating Shreya.

Mahesh: Is it your birthday, Ma’am?

Shreya smiled.

Shreya: No. I’m getting married next month!

Mahesh froze. He had no words. He simply walked away without saying anything.

As he walked towards his room, he saw Sheetal with another boy. Apparently, she had moved on quite quickly.

Mahesh sat in his room, looking out the window. Everyone was happily bidding farewell to their friends and creating memories for their bright futures. He took a deep breath.