"We keep this love in a photograph
We made these memories for ourselves..."
Rakshit's POV
I adjusted my tie for the third time, gazing at my reflection. The guy in the mirror looked prepared—but inside, I wasn’t so confident.
"You'll do fine," Aaditya comforted me from the other side of the room.
Easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one about to be interrogated by a panel of strangers. Nevertheless, I nodded, muttering a hasty thanks.
Aaditya, my roommate, had become a steady presence in my life since I moved to Bengaluru. Friendly and outgoing, he made this unfamiliar city feel a bit more like home. He worked in the tech industry, always busy yet somehow always there when I needed him.
Today was significant. I was heading for an interview as the Personal Assistant to the ISAC Director. My job at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad had been good, but this... this was an opportunity I couldn’t ignore.
After a final look in the mirror, I headed to the kitchen, making chai and parathas for Aaditya and myself. Our rule—whoever wakes up first makes breakfast.
As I sipped my tea, my gaze drifted to my phone. With a couple of taps, I opened the hidden gallery folder.
Umang.
Her photos filled the folder—smiling, laughing, lost in thought. A habit I hadn’t broken, not even after all these years. My chest tightened, memories flooding back. One, in particular, always stood out—the Goa trip.
—Flashback: Nine Years Ago—
Author's POV
Rakshit came unuually early for tuition . With nothing better to do, he took out his phone, going directly to his secret folder.
It was filled with her photographs. There were funny ones, candid ones, and ones that they left him breathless. And then, there was that photograph—the one from their trip to Goa.
The memory came back so clearly to him. Their families, who were close friends, had decided on a trip together to goa, and that night on the beach had been memorable.
She had been wearing a black mini dress, beautiful in simplicity, the gentle ocean air caressing her hair. The way the dress had clung to her body had made it impossible for Rakshit to look away. In the golden light of the sun setting, she was looking breathtaking like an angel from a dream world.
And standing next to her? He had been in a crisp white linen shirt with beige trousers, an accidental but effortless compliment to her dress. They had made a striking contrast, and for the first time, he had thought we look good together.
That photograph had recorded more than what they looked like. It contained a silent intensity—a sort of chemistry he had never dared to put into words.
In the tuition class, Rakshit was so engrossed in the picture that he didn't even see Umang coming. She was breathless from running, when she appeared and found him at their spot. A gentle smile creased her lips. He is cute, she thought, admiring his tousled hair, his naively pouting lips, and the way his eyes sparkled under the classroom lights.
He still hadn't seen her, striking an idea in her mind. Smiling to herself, she crept up behind his chair, planning to frighten him. But just as she leaned in, her eyes picked up something on his phone screen.
Her pictures. And in particular, that picture. Her brows rose in shock, a combination of shock and curiosity washing over her head.
"Why the hell are you looking at that picture?" she exclaimed.
Rakshit's heart almost jumped out of his chest. His fingers struggled to lock his phone, but it was too late. She had seen...... something.
He turned to her, attempting a sheepish smile. "Oh, um... these?" He scratched the back of his neck, looking for an escape. "I was just gathering funny photos for your birthday post. You know, the embarrassing ones—to make you regret being my friend."
He chuckled nervously, hoping she'd believe the excuse.
Umang crossed her arms, obviously unmoved. "Oh really? And what about that one? The Goa picture?"
Rakshit gulped. Damn it.
He clicked his tongue, attempting to maintain his composure. "Oh, that? I was deleting it. Can't keep a picture where you actually look nice. How else will I tease you?"
Umang raised her eyebrow, a flash of amusement in her eyes. "Deleting it, huh?"
Rakshit nodded hastily. "Obviously."
She leaned in close, her voice falling into a light whisper. "Then demonstrate. Erase it. Immediately."
His smirk disappeared. Shit.
She smiled, thinking she's won. "Thought so."
Rakshit let out a dramatic sigh. "Okay, okay. You won. I wasn't erasing it. But only because it's a great blackmail picture for when you become too full of yourself."
Umang laughed, nudging his shoulder. "Oh, please. I was looking perfect in that dress, and you know it."
Rakshit smiled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever keeps you sleeping at night."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. There was something unsaid in the moment, something that neither of them did say. Instead, she just sat next to him, their shoulders touching as she took out her notebook.
Rakshit looked at his phone again before closing it, a small smile involuntarily appearing on his lips.
Yeah... there is no way he was deleting that photo.
—Flashback Ends—
The buzz of my phone snapped me back to reality. Maa’s name flashed on the screen.
"Hello, Maa," I answered, leaning back in my chair.
"Hi, bachha! I called to wish you luck for the interview. Don’t stress too much, okay?"
I smiled. "Thanks, Ma. I’ll try."
"And listen, since you're in Bengaluru, visit the ISKCON temple. It’s one of the most beautiful one there."
ISKCON... Umi’s favorite.
"Sure, Ma. I’ll go."
"Good boy. And call after the interview, okay?"
"I will." I chuckled before hanging up.
Placing my phone down, I finished my chai and stood up. ISKCON temple, huh? Maybe a visit wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
I picked up my bag and took a deep breath.
This was it.
But as I stepped out of the house, a strange unease settled in. Memories of Umang kept resurfacing. It wasn't just the Goa photo. It was everything. The laughs, the arguments, the warmth... and the bitter distance.
And now, I was here. In another unknown city.
I looked up at the Bengaluru sky, whispering to myself, "Let's hope I don't lose myself here too, Umi."
So, everyone, this was the second chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. If not, please suggest ways I can improve. I have tried my best to avoid any grammatical mistakes.
Please support me by voting and commenting on the chapter.
- Midnight Scribes 🎀🎀
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