The Strangers - Across the Silent Heartbeat-Chapter 9: A Glimmer of Hope

The winter had started to set in, and small transient layers of anxiety wrapped themselves around Arjun these days. He would spend his days in endless coding and studying, but his nights were now reserved for Ayesha. He could feel it simmer inside him every single passing day, as he looked forward to their video calls— every moment spent was so precious.

That night, as he busied himself preparing for the call to Ayesha, he felt that something big was going to occur. His heart would gallop upon the thought of whether Ayesha would have something to say; the heady mix of excitement and anxiety. No sooner would he press the button to connect the call than he could.

It went bright, as ever, yet now everlastingly, with the face of Ayesha-at joy: beaming with an eternally radiant smile, Arjun's heart, which felt something turn warm with the light in sparkling eyes carrying something new, yet this change could easily sneak in his being from this side of the screen.

"Hey, Arjun!" she exclaimed, quite enthusiastically. "I have something really exciting to share with you."

Curiosity was written on his face. "Hey, Ayesha! You are looking quite happy. What's that grand?"

Ayesha jumped from her chair in excitement. "I am playing in a national young musicians competition! To me, this is mega tough. I am euphoric about this."

Light on Arjun's face had brightened up to delight; he was genuinely happy. "Fantastic, Ayesha! Now am sure that you are very talented. That really brought joy to my heart and really proud of you.)'".

Ayesha blushed with pleasure. "Thanks, Arjun. That coming from you is a big compliment. I have been really putting in good work these past days, and stuff finally seems to fall in place."

They kept a light conversation going, perpetually teasing one another. Arjun tried to tease her about her practice, and she had playfully scolded him for not pursuing his advice regarding work and rest.

"The more they talked, Ayesha tells him more and more about the competition, how she was preparing, all the problems they came across, and all the fun of having such a huge audience out front while they performed". Arjun did listen. With every word that Ayesha spoke, his respect for her was appreciated a notch higher.

The evening was growing delicate, so was the constitution of Ayesha. "Arjun, meant to be keeping you for something, in fact. Off late, along with treatment and prepping for the competition, time management has sort of been a problem. You get what I am trying to say? Means, sometimes it does feel to be just a bit excess.".

This tugged at Arjun's heart and in response he said, "I can just imagine for it to be tough, but boy you are so strong and doing a great job—if there is anything that I can do to help out, let me know."

Tears welled up in Ayesha's eyes. "Thanks Arjun, mustering the strength to know that you are behind me is such a relief, instantly. Your encouragement makes me strong every time I wish to pull the weight and have had enough.".

It was almost time for the alarm to ring, but preparation was the last thing on Arjun's mind. All his thoughts revolved around Ayesha and the respect she had gathered for being so powerful and determined to do whatever she wanted. He knows it well; it's not going to be that easy, but every single day brings different meanings of strength, grace, and fortitude that keep on flowing and inspiring.

Just when he was about to hang up the phone, Arjun sprung the last thing he had yet to tell Ayesha. "And something for you, this is. Hope that brings a smile on your face."

Now, her interest piqued, she asked, "Oh? So what is it, then?"

Then he picked up his laptop and answered the video call. In fact, this was the kind of collage that actually included all the good moments: little pieces from their calls stitched one by one, pictures of places they talked about visiting, and most important, encouraging messages.

She started crying right as the video began. She seemed a little teary-eyed watching him and was overwhelmed by the emotions; she started to smile with one or two tears. Warmth and love surged in waves.

"That's so beautiful, Arjun."

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

She could only whisper; she was choked full-voiced with emotion.

"Thank you always for making me feel special.".

She gazed up into his face with pleasure. "You belong with all of the people that love and care for you, Ayesha. For myself, I am just glad for this chance to be here for you."

She felt pre-lyrically invigorated for parting for the first time, soulfully filled with hope and strength in this lifetime of such a one that she never wished to feel. Arjuna was boundlessly helping her, underpinning in the position of a lighthouse for all these pivotal happy moments of common tenderness in her life.

The preparations for the contest made her work every day and really fought with eagerness to contest in it. She updated Arjun on such matters, and such talks went on to the night. His encouragement and the newfound determination in her flowed like a perfect symphony, where the love for one another grew a tad bit stronger day by day.

By the time the 9th Episode came to an end, the bonding between Arjun and Ayesha was much stronger and much richer than what was thought about it before. It was just a love ballad in which two souls make each other brawny by sharing common hopes and dreams. Their relationship was braving life with hope and élan like the bright star that had to dare to struggle and the tumult of life.