When Stars Align: Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Growing Bond 


Days passed, but the echoes of that late-night conversation lingered in Dhaval’s mind. Every now and then, he would unlock his phone, scroll through their messages, and smile. There was something about the way Anamika spoke — her gentle sarcasm, her laughter that almost echoed through words. And though he never admitted it, he found himself waiting for her messages.

Anamika, too, felt the shift. Each time her phone buzzed, she secretly hoped it was Dhaval. She liked the way he made her laugh, how he listened without judgment, and how he always had a witty comeback. She hadn’t expected someone like him to settle so easily into her thoughts. But there he was.

Then, one evening, a message lit up Dhaval’s phone.

Anamika: "Hey, hope you’re not too busy. Just wanted to say hi."

A small smile crept across his face. She had been on his mind all day, and now — here she was.

Dhaval: "Never too busy for you. How was your day?"

The conversation flowed effortlessly. They spoke of everything and nothing. Anamika vented about her endless meetings and half-hearted attempts at cooking, while Dhaval shared stories about the people-watching sessions he indulged in during his coffee breaks. With every exchange, their words danced — playful, light, yet woven with an undercurrent of warmth.

Sometimes, their chats grew deeper. Anamika spoke of her dreams, her fears, and the way certain memories still tugged at her. Dhaval listened, offering words that felt like a reassuring hand on her shoulder. And when he talked about his passion for photography — the way capturing moments made him feel alive — she listened like it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever heard.

But even in their silence, they spoke.

One night, Anamika sent him a picture of a sunset — hues of amber and violet melting into the sky.

Anamika: "Thought you’d appreciate this. A photographer’s kind of view."

Dhaval stared at the photo longer than necessary. The colors were beautiful, but it was the thought behind the gesture that struck him.

Dhaval: "Stunning. But I’m sure it would’ve looked even better with you standing there."

She didn’t reply for a while, but when she did, the single word carried a thousand unsaid emotions.

Anamika: "Maybe."

Days turned into weeks, and their conversations became a part of their routine. Morning greetings, stolen moments during the day, and long, winding chats late into the night. The world outside moved on, yet for Dhaval and Anamika, time seemed to pause — as if those messages were a world of their own.

Neither of them said it out loud, but it was there — that growing ache when the conversation ended. The warmth that lingered long after their phones went silent. The unspoken questions that neither dared to ask.

Were they just friends? Or was there something more?

For now, they held on to what they had — something rare, something fragile, and something neither was willing to lose.


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Stay tuned for Chapter 6: Unspoken Feelings.