The next few days was complete torture for me. I was having a hard time keeping my thoughts straight. I was wondering what I could do to fix everything. I wished Priya would speak with me. But I didn't hear anything from her. She didn't even turn up for our usual weekend session. And I was too scared to call her.

For the first time in my life, I was having trouble concentrating on my studies.

Another week went by before I finally heard from Priya. She wanted to meet me. I met her at the place where we usually have our study sessions.

We both sat in silence, unsure how to start.

Finally, Priya decided to break the silence.

"I'm sorry if I behaved weirdly. But what you said came completely out of the blue. Thinking back, I think I might have sent some mixed signals. So I think I might be to be blamed as well for what happened.”

"No. I'm the one who has to say sorry. I shouldn't have said what I said. I'm not even sure why I did what I did. I was not thinking straight.”

We both sat in more uncomfortable silence.

"Jacob. I don't think we would be a proper match.”

"I know. You are from a very different background and religion. I agree with you.”

"Come on. That's not what I'm talking about it. I think you are getting the wrong idea here. I'm not talking about religion or background.”

She was actually confusing me a bit now.

"Then? What do you mean?”

"I mean, you are so much better than me. You are so organized and concentrated on your goals. Anyone who knows you knows that it is just a matter of time before you achieve success in life. I'm sure you will be an accomplished person and rich as well. What I'm trying to say is that I'm not like you. I'm very spontaneous and very quick to change my mind. I'm only interested in living my life the way I want to and fully enjoying it. Sometimes the way I live tends to hurt the people around me as well. In short, what I'm trying to say is I think you deserve someone much better than me.”

The conversation was going in a very different direction than how I had imagined in my mind.

"Priya, if that's your only concern, I don't mind it. I frankly believe it’s the opposite and think you deserve someone better. Even though you say I might be successful in the future, I don't have anything to show for myself right now. But I would still like to be with you if you would have me. “

"Are you sure about this, Jacob?”

"I am. I have never been so happy in my life as when I'm around you. I love you. Even though it's something new for me. I believe I'll be the happiest person ever if I could have you with me always. “

"Wow. That is touching. “

"So. What do you think?”

I was really nervous waiting for her reply.

"Well, the truth is I do admire you but never thought much about it before. I also feel happy around you, and I would like to give us a try. “

Suddenly I was smiling like crazy, that it almost hurt my cheeks.

I could also see Priya was blushing a bit, and she got up to leave.

"Ok. I have to leave now. But I will call you later. Take care “

Even after she left, my mind was all over the place. I felt like l was among the clouds. It felt like heaven. Like anything was possible, and I would achieve anything. At the same time, I promised myself I would work much harder in life because Priya deserved a perfect life, and I would work hard to make it a reality for her.

Life changed overnight for me. If there was a heaven on Earth, I felt like I was in it. I never knew I could be this happy. It was like when colour was first introduced in black and white life. I never knew I was missing until I experienced it. I was on top of the world.

An outsider wouldn't notice any significant change in my life, except maybe the constant smile on my face and the time I spent with Priya every day in the evening. But considering that we used to spent the same time together earlier for studies, it didn't stand out much.

I never knew you could talk so much to one person and still not run out of things to say. I wouldn’t even remember what we talked about later except that I had enjoyed every bit of it.

The only thing I was worried about was whether this would distract me from my studies. But turns out I was concerned for nothing.

I found that even though the time I spent studying had come reduced a bit, I was learning a lot more efficiently. The thought that I had a bigger purpose and goal in my life was helping me a lot.

The next couple of months was the best time of my life.