Ana had always been a girl of simplicity and grace. Her heart was kind, her smile gentle, and her love for nature and music seemed to make the world around her a little brighter. She loved the serenity of mornings in the garden, the laughter of games, and the soft melodies that filled her quiet room. Yet, despite her warmth, Ana carried a shadow with her—a past that refused to let her sleep at night, haunting her in silence.

By day, she was a talented engineer, working as a developer in a bustling IT company. She focused on her work, avoiding unnecessary distractions, especially romance. Love, for her, was a luxury she had never allowed herself. Boys? She didn’t speak to them, not casually, not even in passing.

But Ana had made a decision. A decision to rewrite her story, to find a path that would help her heal. Maybe… just maybe, loving someone could help her forget the darkness of her past.

It was on a quiet evening, as she scrolled through social media, that a new friend request appeared—a simple notification that would change the rhythm of her life.

King.

She stared at the name for a moment, a mixture of curiosity and skepticism washing over her. He seemed confident, almost effortless in his charm. And yet, Ana wasn’t looking for charm—she was looking for change.

With a deep breath, she accepted.

“Hi,” the message appeared.

“Hi,” Ana replied cautiously, her fingers hovering over the keyboard longer than necessary.

“May I know your name?” came the next message.

“I’m Ana. And yours?”

“I’m King. May I know where you studied?”

Ana blinked, surprised by the sudden curiosity. “I’m from SKS Engineering College.”

“OMG! We studied in the same college!”

“Yes, I know that,” Ana responded, feeling a flicker of intrigue.

“You know about me?”

“No, not really. I just… saw you in college.”

King’s reply came instantly, tinged with amusement. “Sorry, I don’t remember you.”

“It’s okay!” Ana typed back, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“Okay, let’s be friends.”

Ana paused, unsure. But something in the way he spoke felt genuine, if a little playful. “Okay,” she replied softly.

“Great! So… how about a date? Will you come with me?”

Ana’s heart skipped. A date? Already? She hesitated. “Wait… you don’t even know me. Why would I go?”

“Because you are beautiful… and very cute.”

Ana laughed nervously. “Wait, how do you know me? I’m not that cute.”

“I saw your profile. You are.”

“That’s not me. That’s my friend,” Ana corrected, feeling her cheeks warm.

“No, that’s you. I even have proof—your college ID, your picture.”

Ana sighed. “Okay… that’s me. But I still won’t come.”

King’s tone softened, playful yet sincere. “Alright. I said let’s be friends, right? We don’t need a date. Come… as a friend.”

Ana narrowed her eyes, suspicious. “You call every girl like this?”

“I call every girl for an outing,” he admitted.

“I won’t believe you. I won’t come, even as a friend.”

King shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. “Okay, no problem.”

Ana paused, a strange warmth creeping into her chest despite herself. “Will you call me tomorrow?”

“Why should I? You said no.”

“Yes… but we are friends. Call me tomorrow.”

King waited, almost silently, before replying. “Number?”

“I’ll text you,” Ana said, a quiet determination in her words.

And with that, their story began—not with fireworks, not with declarations, but with the fragile, tentative threads of friendship… threads that would soon weave a story neither of them could forget.

TO BE CONTINUED...........

Ana admired something about King that she couldn’t easily explain. He lived without worrying about tomorrow, enjoying the present as if the future didn’t exist. To her, that felt… freeing. Interesting. Different from the way she lived her own life—always carrying the weight of her painful past.

And so, despite her hesitation, Ana made a choice. She would speak with him. She would love him.

She gave him her number, but not without a condition.

“I won’t call you,” she said, her voice low but firm. “You have to call me. This is my number.”

King chuckled, his confidence flowing through every word. “Alright. I’ll call you tomorrow. Here’s mine too.”

“Okay… bye.”

“Bye,” he replied casually, almost carelessly.

But the next day, Ana waited and waited. Her heart leapt at every vibration of her phone, but no call came from King. She clenched her fists, whispering to herself, Why hasn’t he called me? Against her own rules, she pressed his number. The line rang once—and then she cut it off, her chest tightening with nervousness.

A moment later, her phone buzzed.

Sorry, I’m at work. I’ll call you later.

Ana exhaled softly and typed back.

“Okay… sure.”

King smirked at his phone. She’s already missing me.

For Ana, this was different. This was her first attempt at love, her first risk. She didn’t know how boys thought, how romance worked—but she wanted to give her best.

That night, her phone lit up again. King was calling

With trembling hands, she answered.

“Hi.”

“Now only I have free time,” his voice was calm, smooth. “So I thought I’d call you.”

Ana smiled faintly, even though he couldn’t see her. “Okay.”

“Sorry for calling this late,” King added.

“It’s fine… no problem,” she reassured him quickly.

“Then tell me,” he teased, “why did you ask me to call?”

Ana hesitated, her heart racing. “I… I forgot to ask you something.”

“Yes?”

“Are you single… or committed?” she whispered.

“Of course I’m single,” King said with confidence. “I

Don’t love anyone. I had too much pain in my past. What about you?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Ana admitted softly.

“That’s good to hear,” he replied, his voice lighter now.

Ana bit her lip, debating within herself. Should I tell him? Should I risk it? Then, with a deep breath, she let out the secret she had carried for years.

“Do you know one thing? You were my first crush in college.”

There was silence, then King’s surprised laugh. “What? Really?”

“Yes,” she confessed, cheeks burning though he couldn’t see her. “Back then, I thought you were my senior… and that you already had a girlfriend.”

“No,” King said firmly. “I was single. And I wouldn’t have spoken to you, even if you had tried. I only

Focused on my studies. And for your correction—we’re the same age.”

Ana’s voice softened. “I know. I didn’t try to speak to you. It was just… a crush. Nothing big.”

King chuckled again, but this time there was warmth in it. “Still, I’m happy to hear that from you.”

Ana fell silent, unsure of what to say.

“So what about now?” King asked suddenly, his tone playful yet curious. “You don’t still have a crush on me?”

Ana froze. Her heart thudded loudly. “Yes… but now we’re adults, right?”

“So what?” King pressed. “Tell me, Ana. Which year was it?”

“The first year of our college,” she answered softly. “That was the first and last time I saw you. After that, I thought… it would never happen between us.”

“It will,” King said firmly, his voice smooth and confident. “Let’s try. Not a serious relationship… just a date.”

Ana’s lips parted, her breath shaky. Her heart wanted to say yes, but her mind held her back. She closed her eyes, whispering gently—

“Let me… think about that.”

And in that moment, her journey began.

TO BE CONTINUED .....

Ana was ready to face the risk. Her heart was racing, but her eagerness to meet the king was stronger than her doubts. Yet one question still haunted her: “What if he lied to me? What if he’s not the man he pretends to be?”

She reminded herself—it wasn’t right to trust someone so quickly, even if they were from the same college. She barely knew him. But this was her first love, and that was enough for her to silence the confusion.

Ana promised herself she wouldn’t confess her love yet. Not now. She would date the king without revealing the depth of her feelings.

The king’s call came, his deep voice steady and confident.

King: “What have you decided, Ana?”

Ana: “I need some time… because this is my first date.”

King: “What! This is your first date?”

Ana: “Yes. Will you… wait?”

King: “Of course, Ana. Take your time. I’ll be waiting.”

Ana: “Okay… king.”

But inside, Ana whispered to herself, “I love him. I love his character. But… he isn’t serious about me. For him, this is just fun. For me, this is my whole world.”

She sighed, “I don’t even know if I believe in love. I don’t even know what love really is. But let me try.”

That night, unable to sleep, Ana called him again.

Ana: “Hello, King. Sorry for calling so late.”

King: “No problem, Ana.

Ana: “Let’s meet… but not as a date. Let’s just be

friends, okay?”

King: “Alright then, but if I touch your hand, you’re allowed to scold me.”

Ana: "laughs softly, looking down “I don’t know… maybe I won’t.”

King: “Then what’s your plan? You can decide everything.”

Ana: “How about… the aquarium?”

King: “Perfect. When?”

Ana: “Saturday. Morning 9:30… until night.”

King: “Alright, Ana. Bye.”

Ana smiled after hanging up. “I like him. But do I truly have romantic feelings for him? Let’s see. This is the right time to find out.”

Saturday

The morning sun was soft, but Ana’s heart was restless. Every step toward the meeting place made her chest tighten with both fear and excitement.

Her phone buzzed.

King: “Hello, Ana. Don’t come late, okay?”

Ana: “Don’t worry, King. I won’t.”

King: “But how will I recognize you? This is our first time meeting face-to-face.”

Ana: with a shy smile “I’m already here. I’m wearing a blue dress and a black cap. What about you?”

King: “I’m in the same outfit as my profile picture."

Ana: “Okay… oh, King! I see you.”

King: “Where are you?”

Ana: raising her hand nervously “I’m here!”

Their eyes finally met.

King: smiling warmly “Hi, Ana… you look so cute.”

Ana: blushing, lowering her gaze “Thank you, King. You look handsome too.”

King: with a small laugh “That’s nice to hear. Let’s go.”

Ana walked beside him, her heart pounding louder than the sounds of the street.

“Why do I feel so safe with him? Yet my whole body is trembling. Is this really love? How can I know? Maybe… if I hold his hand, I’ll understand. But… what will he think if I touch him first?”

King: “Ana, the road ahead is too narrow. We can’t take the car—we’ll have to walk.”

Ana: “That’s fine, King. Let’s walk.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“This is my chance. Don’t be afraid, Ana. Just… reach out.”

Slowly, she stretched out her hand. Her fingers brushed his lightly before she finally held it.

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Oh God… his hand. It’s so soft, so warm. Why does it feel like it belongs with mine?”

The King suddenly stopped and turned to her. His eyes searched hers, his voice low and gentle.

King: “Ana… Ana…”

Ana froze, caught between fear and hope. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. The world around them faded away—only their joined hands felt real.

✨ TO BE CONTINUED… ✨