𝐀𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐲𝐚
I'd sworn off of love and men after the fiasco that was my last relationship. Until I spent one steamy and passionate night with a dark haired stranger. A man that I thought I'd never see again. Until I found out that he was my new boss...
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Age 16 - THE PAST
Dear Diary,
I met a guy today. He was really cute - and nice too. We met at a family function - my cousin's thread ceremony - so I assume that he must be a close family friend. Though, there's no telling because Indian functions are notorious for being extravagant and full of unknown faces. His name's Ishaan, by the way. And he was so sweet with me, asking me questions about where I studied and whether I liked school or not. And like the obedient daughter I am, I told him that I did. I even told him how I'd scored straight As in my last exams. He'd smiled and congratulated me then and told me that I was a very smart girl with a bright future ahead of me. That was the first time I'd ever felt seen in my life. It felt so good! I wish everyone in my family could be like him - especially mumma and baba. They're always so severe when it comes to my education, even though they eventually want me to settle down. And I don't think I can remember the last time I was praised or complimented for anything. Life sucks sometimes, but I guess I'll have to make the most of what I have.
xoxo,
Aaliya
***
Dear Diary,
Guess who I saw again today? That's right, it was Ishaan. The guy I'd met last month. Mumma had told me that some guests would be coming over to our house for lunch today so I had to be on my best behavior - as I ever wasn't! So imagine my surprise when I saw him seated with his family. Was it weird that my heart flip flopped a little in my chest at the sight of him? All of my friends in school have had crushes or boyfriends, except for me. Mumma said I wasn't allowed to (typical!) because I had to focus on my future and not on boys. Ishaan quietly came into my room later on (no one even noticed because they were busy pigging out on the food hehe) and gave me his number right before he left and told me to reach out to him if I ever needed anything, or even if I wanted a new friend. I have the little scrap of paper in my hand right now as I'm writing to you. I just might take the plunge and text him, who knows?
xoxo,
Aaliya
***
Dear Diary,
I did it! I texted him. It's only been a day since I last saw him but I'm soooo nervous for his response. Will he reply? Or will he just ignore me? Did he really mean it when he said that I could reach out to him? Or was I just reading too much into it? Eh, I really hope I don't make a fool of myself. Write to you soon with updates.
xoxo,
Aaliya
***
Dear Diary,
It's been six months since I started seeing Ishaan - seven since I first texted him and he replied back - and he's been nothing but kind to me. Our initial friendship grew into something more over time, though. Yes, he's a bit older than me, but it doesn't matter. Age is just a number after all, isn't it? He tells me that I'm beautiful everyday. And so, so smart. He buys me little, sentimental things, like the small necklace that he bought me last week. The one that I've been wearing daily. He makes me feel so loved - even though we haven't said the words to each other yet. But I don't need any assurance from him because his actions speak louder than words. He waits for me everyday after school, ready to pick me up and drop me home. Mumma and baba don't know that obviously. They think I come home by rickshaw with a few of my girlfriends. Ishaan says that nobody has to know about us - it can be our little secret until we're ready to tell the world and get married someday (hopefully soon!). I don't know what it says about me, but I can see myself spending the rest of my life with him.
