The Strangers - Across the Silent Heartbeat-Chapter 5: The Dance of Hearts

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Days that followed were heady cocktail of hope and apprehension as emotions had bared themselves in the confession made by Arjun. Every conversation with Ayesha acted as pointer toward their developing bond, and Arjun continued to pour heart into those conversations, all to prove to Ayesha what she meant for him.

It is in small gestures such as these, really very thoughtfully done, that reflected Arjun's dedication. He had taken to sending her little surprises: digital sketches of places dear to her or virtual gift boxes containing tokens of experiences shared together. With every such gesture, in itself a testimonial to his regard, Ayesha found herself touched by the depth of his care.

It was a crispy evening; the sun outside his room, the last rays entering Arjun's room, and giving a warm glow to everything around. He, as usual, sat at his study table waiting with anxiety for Ayesha's response. His nervous fingers drummed their rhythm on the keyboard with the occasional glance cast at the phone in hope for that one message which would unravel the mystery of her feelings

Ayesha sat amidst thoughts. Days these had been to her in terms of digesting Arjun's confession and how he had been wooing her constantly with his sincerity and creativeness. She felt getting drawn toward him in ways unbeknownst to her.

She sat in her own room, dimly lit with only the soft light from her desk lamp, thinking about the feelings that came to her. The warmth that she had felt whenever near to Arjun strengthened itself, and now Ayesha felt her heart open to him very slowly.

It was time to reply to Arjun's confession. Much thought had to be done before Ayesha could make out what to write to him, something from her heart and true. She poised her fingers over the keyboard and then took a deep breath to pour out her heart.

" Arjun, I was thinking about us and everything you said to me. It is something in your love and care that touched me so much, and I just couldn't help myself from realizing that yes, there was that connection between us. And this was when I realized that yes, I grew to love you. I want to be with you, see where this journey of ours has taken us. Hope you're ready to have me along on this adventure. "

The message was delivered. Ayesha's heart began to pump in anticipation and a smidgen of nervousness. She breathed hard and caught it off the screen. She could hardly hold herself, feeling very, very apprehensive about Arjun's response.

The other side of the globe, Arjun's phone buzzed with a message. His fingers were trembling while he picked up his phone, and his heart was pounding as his eyes read out Ayesha's words. His face lighted up by a smile and his moistened eyes. It was finally that moment that he had been waiting for and the depth of his emotions was overwhelming.

His fingers started pecking on the keyboard, like there was no tomorrow, to let out everything that was pouring into his mind from deep within.

" Oh, Ayesha! I am more than ecstatic to hear that. That is something I had been really looking forward to, and it means everything to me that you are agreeing with me, having the same wavelength. Here I stand to make you happy at your side just as you made me. Now, I'm so excited about this journey we're going to take together in life. "

Then came the reply, after which elation and relief followed in tow. What Arjun had with Ayesha now had a name, and he longed to make more of it.

That night, Ayesha and Arjun wanted to celebrate this closeness. So they decided to go out on a virtual date. They were thinking of a marvellously remarkable movie night—the kind of movie strangely significant for both of them. Walking through the movie side by side, pointing at what was in their heads and feeling responses, in this way creating a feeling that further fills their relationship with life.

She playfully needled Arjun about the kind of movie he had picked to watch during the movie, and he reflexively shot back as if he had taken offense—and filled the evening with an extra bit of humour. Both of them laughed, and palpably, many a laughter filling up in the virtual space between them did exude with joy.

Eventually, when the movie ended, the conversation never stopped between Arjun and Ayesha; they still remained in their favourite scene, discussing things about future planning. All their dialogues were about the things they desired or dreamt of, for which Arjun seemed much excited about their cyber encounters. And then, things headed towards hope again for this couple. His excitement fascinated her, and the things started to move in hope again for this couple.

Well, it was already the end of the night and just when the conversation was going to sign off, Arjun sent her a virtual goodnight kiss; well, really, that did sound very sweet. Excitedly was she to respond, thanking him for such a nice evening that really showed she was now keen about the future too.

Goodnight, Arjun. Thanks for such a special evening. I am really looking forward to all loads of fun and crazy, insane adventures that we are about to share. You made me so happy; I look forward to where this journey's gonna take us.

As they both logged off, an upper swell of satisfaction and anticipation coursed through the hearts of both Arjun and Ayesha. Indeed, the Rubicon of that new beginning had been finally crossed by their relationship, and both were waiting with bated breath to accept that inexorable reality.

Arjun smiled at the last message from Ayesha; in his heart, it was a moment filled with bliss and hope. Ayesha held on to her phone, smiled, and was filled with a warming of the heart by their bonding. At the two opposite corners of the globe, they are in anticipation and love for whatever challenges and joys it may bring.