When Hearts Begin to Listen

 

Chapter 5: Tum Saath Ho Toh…

It had been days since Arin first met Vaanika… yet every new moment with her felt like the beginning of something timeless.

They talked more now — beneath the banyan tree, while feeding birds, or sharing stories by the old temple steps.

But something had changed.

Arin had stopped calling it coincidence.

He knew now — he was falling for her.

The way she laughed quietly.

The way her eyes sparkled when she prayed.

The way animals followed her, how trees seemed to lean in when she passed…

And how she never noticed it.

She didn’t know she was magic.

But Arin did.

And it scared him.

Not her magic — but the world outside.

He had seen what cruelty could do to softness.

And Vaanika… she was all softness, all light.

That evening, as the sky turned pink and birds flew home, Vaanika picked up a fallen sparrow. It was hurt.

She held it gently, whispered something only the winds could hear… and in a blink, it fluttered back to life and flew away.

Arin stood frozen.

She smiled, unaware of what she’d just done.

But Arin’s heart whispered:

"I can't leave her here.

She doesn’t even know what she carries inside her.

I’ll protect her… even if she never knows why."

He looked at her, and softly said,

"Vaanika… if I go, will you miss me?"

She blinked, surprised. Then looked down, shyly.

"I don’t know..." she whispered, "but something won’t feel the same."

And Arin smiled.

Because in that “something” — he had found everything.

To be continued...

✨ Chapter 6 coming this Friday.

If this chapter touched your heart, don’t forget to like, share, and let the world feel Vaanika’s magic.

— The Author (Kridha)