Forever Meant to Be

Alisha Arora and Devin Babbar had been best friends since childhood. Their bond was effortless, built on years of shared laughter, secrets, and unbreakable trust. While they never spoke about love, everyone around them believed they were destined for each other.

However, as they grew older, things began to change. Devin started spending more time with Niya, a cheerful and outgoing girl he met at college. At first, Alisha didn’t mind. She believed friendships could survive despite new relationships. But soon, she found herself feeling left out. The late-night calls with Devin became infrequent, their inside jokes faded, and slowly, she started realizing something—she had loved him all along.

A Silent Heartbreak

Alisha tried to push away her feelings. She didn’t want to ruin their friendship, and more importantly, she wanted Devin to be happy. If he was happy with Niya, she would support him. But deep down, it hurt.

Devin, on the other hand, was unaware of her emotions. He liked Niya. She was fun, exciting, and new. Being with her felt thrilling, but there were moments when he found himself missing Alisha—her calming presence, her quiet understanding, and the way she always knew what he needed without him saying a word.

One evening, Alisha sat on her balcony, lost in thought, when her mother walked in with unexpected news.

"Alisha, Devin’s family has spoken to us. They want to arrange your engagement with him."

Her heart stopped.

"Engagement?" she repeated in disbelief.

"Yes. They believe you and Devin are perfect for each other, and honestly, we always thought the same."

Alisha’s mind raced. Was this some cruel twist of fate? How could she get engaged to the man who was already in love with someone else?

An Unexpected Proposal

Meanwhile, Devin was just as shocked. His parents had arranged everything without consulting him. He knew Alisha was wonderful—anyone would be lucky to have her. But love? That was something he associated with Niya.

He went to Alisha’s house that night, confused and frustrated.

"Alisha, did you know about this?" he asked as soon as she opened the door.

"I just found out," she said, looking away.

"I mean… do you want this?"

She hesitated before answering, "Does it matter what I want, Devin? Your family has decided, and you… you already love someone else."

Her words stung. He had never considered how she might feel. Alisha had always been there, steady and reliable, never demanding anything from him. He had taken her for granted.

"But what about you? Do you love someone?"

She swallowed hard.

"It doesn’t matter."

Devin wanted to argue, but something in her eyes stopped him.

The Engagement and Realization

Despite their reservations, the engagement ceremony took place. Friends and family gathered, celebrating the union of two childhood best friends. Alisha remained quiet, doing everything expected of her, while Devin felt like a stranger in his own life.

Days turned into weeks, and slowly, something shifted.

Devin started noticing things about Alisha that he had overlooked before. The way she always made sure he ate properly, the way she listened without judgment, the way she put everyone else’s happiness before her own.

One evening, as they sat together, he asked, "Alisha, why did you agree to this engagement?"

She hesitated before replying, "Because I knew you wouldn’t choose me otherwise."

Her honesty hit him hard.

That night, Devin found himself thinking about Niya. Had he truly loved her, or had he just liked the idea of being with someone different? The more he thought about it, the more he realized—his relationship with Niya was never deep. It was filled with fun moments, but no real foundation.

But Alisha? She had been his anchor all along.

Falling in Love for the First Time

For the first time, Devin saw Alisha as more than just a friend. He saw her as the woman who had always loved him, even when he was too blind to notice. And for the first time, he felt something real—something deeper than excitement, something stronger than fleeting passion.

One evening, as they walked through their old childhood park, Devin stopped her.

"Alisha, I need to tell you something."

She looked at him, waiting.

"I thought I knew what love was. But I was wrong. Love isn’t just about excitement or attraction. It’s about trust, respect, and understanding. And if I’m honest, the only person I’ve ever truly loved is you."

Her breath hitched.

"Devin…"

"I was a fool for not seeing it sooner, but I see it now. And I promise, from this moment on, I will never take you for granted again."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but this time, they were of happiness.

Together, Forever

With time, their bond grew even stronger. Devin cherished Alisha in a way he never had before. He understood her worth, her sacrifices, and most importantly, her love.

Their wedding was not just a ceremony, but a celebration of a love that had always been there—waiting to be recognized.

And as they stood together, hand in hand, they knew one thing for certain—some love stories aren’t about grand gestures or whirlwind romances. Some love stories are about finding what was always meant to be.

And theirs was one of them.

The End.

This is a heartfelt, slow-burn love story about friendship turning into love. Let me know if you want any changes or additions!