The weeks following Amaan and Tanvi’s confession were a whirlwind of emotions, study sessions, and a deepening bond that neither had anticipated. The weight of their unspoken feelings had been lifted, replaced by a new closeness that made everything feel more vibrant and alive. They were still the best of friends, but now there was something more—a shared understanding that they were partners in every sense of the word.

Their relationship, however, was still a secret, known only to the two of them. They hadn’t told anyone, not even Pranjal or Radha, who were their closest friends. It wasn’t that they were ashamed or uncertain of what they had; rather, they wanted to keep it just between them for a little while longer, to savor this new phase without the pressures or expectations of others.

One crisp autumn morning, as the leaves were just starting to turn shades of orange and gold, Tanvi and Amaan found themselves in their usual spot by the lake. It had become their refuge—a place where they could talk about anything and everything without interruption. Today, however, their conversation had taken a more serious turn.

“Have you thought about telling your parents?” Amaan asked, his tone gentle but curious.

Tanvi sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “I have, but I’m not sure how they’ll react. You know how they are—they’ve always been so traditional, so focused on what’s expected of me.”

Amaan nodded, understanding her hesitation. Tanvi’s parents had always been more conservative, and while his own parents were open-minded and supportive, he knew that Tanvi’s situation was different.

“We don’t have to rush into anything,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “We can take it one step at a time, see how things go. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

Tanvi smiled up at him, her eyes reflecting the warmth she felt in her heart. “Thank you, Amaan. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’d be just fine,” he replied, his tone teasing. “But I’m glad I’m here anyway.”

They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the peace and quiet of the early morning, the only sounds around them the rustling of leaves and the occasional bird call. It was moments like these that made all the stress and uncertainty of law school worth it—the simple, quiet moments where everything felt just right.

As the sun began to rise higher in the sky, they reluctantly stood up, knowing that their responsibilities were calling them. Today was going to be a busy day, with classes, study groups, and a meeting with the Moot Court Society to prepare for their upcoming competition.

They walked back to the campus hand in hand, their fingers intertwined, a silent promise that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

Later that day, as Amaan sat in the Moot Court meeting room, surrounded by his teammates, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. The competition was only a few weeks away, and the pressure was mounting, but he was ready. He thrived in these high-stakes environments, where every word, every argument, every gesture mattered.

As they discussed their strategy and assigned roles for the competition, Amaan felt a renewed sense of determination. This was what he had come to NLS for—to push himself, to learn, to grow, and to make a difference. And now, with Tanvi by his side, he felt more motivated than ever.

The weeks flew by, filled with a blur of study sessions, late-night practice debates, and moments stolen away with Tanvi whenever they could find the time. Their relationship continued to grow, each passing day strengthening the bond between them. But they still hadn’t told anyone, and the longer they kept it a secret, the more it felt like a precious, fragile thing they wanted to protect.

One evening, after another grueling day of classes and Moot Court practice, Amaan and Tanvi found themselves once again at their spot by the lake. The air was cool, the sky a deep shade of indigo, and the stars were just beginning to twinkle above them.

“I’ve been thinking,” Tanvi began, her voice soft and thoughtful.

“About what?” Amaan asked, glancing over at her.

“About us. About telling our friends. I think it’s time, don’t you?”

Amaan considered her words, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. He had been thinking the same thing, but part of him had been hesitant to take that step. But now, hearing Tanvi voice it, he knew it was the right time.

“Yeah, I think so too,” he replied, his tone steady. “They’re going to be happy for us, I know it.”

Tanvi smiled, leaning into him. “I hope so. I just don’t want anything to change between us and our friends. I like what we have now.”

“Nothing’s going to change,” Amaan assured her. “We’ll still be the same, just… with a little more love in the mix.”

Tanvi chuckled, her heart feeling lighter. “You always know just what to say.”

They decided that the following weekend, they would gather their friends and share the news. It wasn’t going to be a big announcement—just a quiet conversation with the people who mattered most to them. Amaan felt a sense of calm settle over him as they walked back to the hostel, knowing that whatever happened, they were in this together.

The days leading up to the weekend passed quickly, and before they knew it, Saturday had arrived. Amaan and Tanvi had invited Pranjal, Radha, and a few of their other close friends to a small café near the campus. It was a cozy place, with warm lighting and a relaxed atmosphere, the perfect setting for the conversation they were about to have.

As they sat around the table, chatting and laughing, Amaan couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building inside him. This was it—the moment they would share their relationship with the people who had been there for them through thick and thin.

Finally, as the conversation lulled, Amaan cleared his throat, catching everyone’s attention. “So, Tanvi and I have something we want to tell you all.”

Pranjal raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin on his face. “This sounds serious. What’s up?”

Tanvi glanced at Amaan, and he gave her a reassuring nod before she continued. “We’ve been…seeing each other. For a while now.”

There was a brief moment of silence as their friends processed the news, and then Radha broke into a wide smile. “I knew it! I knew there was something going on between you two!”

Pranjal laughed, shaking his head. “About time you guys made it official. We were starting to wonder when you’d figure it out.”

Amaan felt a wave of relief wash over him as he saw the genuine happiness on his friends’ faces. They were supportive, just as he had hoped they would be.

“Thanks, guys,” Tanvi said, her voice warm with gratitude. “We just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a little while, but we’re glad you know now.”

“Of course,” Radha said, reaching across the table to give Tanvi’s hand a squeeze. “We’re happy for you. You two make a great couple.”

The rest of the evening was spent in celebration, with their friends teasing them good-naturedly, offering advice, and generally being the supportive, loving group that they were. Amaan couldn’t have asked for a better reaction, and as the night wore on, he found himself feeling more at ease than he had in a long time.

As they walked back to the hostel later that night, Tanvi slipped her hand into Amaan’s, a content smile on her face. “That went well.”

“Better than I expected,” Amaan agreed, squeezing her hand gently. “I’m glad we told them.”

“Me too,” Tanvi said, her voice soft. “It feels…right. Like everything’s finally in place.”

Amaan nodded, feeling the same way. For the first time in a long time, he felt like everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. The challenges of law school, the uncertainty of the future, and even the pressures of their families—all of it felt more manageable now that they had each other and the support of their friends.

As they reached the hostel, Amaan pulled Tanvi into a gentle embrace, his heart full. “I love you, Tanvi.”

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with emotion. “I love you too, Amaan.”

And as they stood there in the quiet night, holding each other close, they knew that whatever the future held, they were ready to face it together. Their journey was just beginning, and they were excited to see where it would take them, hand in hand, side by side.