As the bus drove away leaving behind a trail of smoke, Tuli remained standing in the middle of the road like a shattered soul. Ariyan's harsh words were still ringing in her ears. The person she had waited ten long years for, the person she had asked for in her prayers every night, was treating her like a stranger even after coming face to face.
Tuli whispered to herself, "Ariyan Bhaiya, do you even know how much your neglect is burning me? Can't you see that the blue note you gave me is still intertwined with my very existence?".
That night, Tuli opened the most secret drawer of her wardrobe. There, kept in a velvet box, was that old blue note she had received from Ariyan during their childhood. Today, she compared them—the handwriting on the note in Ariyan's bag and the one she held were exactly the same. There was no longer any doubt; this cold, distant Ariyan was indeed her soulmate.
The next day, Tuli appeared at the university in a new light. There was no more hurt in her eyes, only a stubborn determination. She would bring Ariyan back.
Ariyan was sitting in a secluded spot behind the library. He knew Tuli would come. Even seeing her arrive, he didn't take his eyes off his laptop.
Tuli spoke in a calm voice, "Why are you hiding your identity? Why are you punishing me like this?".
Ariyan shut his laptop and stood up. A melancholy smile played on his lips. "What would have happened if I revealed my identity, Tuli? Today you are the pampered daughter of Mr. Arman, and I am a boy from a family struggling to make ends meet. The insulting words your father said to my father while we were leaving the village are still piercing my ears like molten lead".
Tuli tried to hold Ariyan's hand, but he moved away.
Ariyan began to speak again, "Do you know why my father died? After your father's insult, he fell ill, and due to lack of money, I couldn't even show him to a good doctor. Since that day, I have made a vow—not love, my first goal is to achieve power and dignity. So that your father can never belittle me again".
Tears were streaming down Tuli's face. She sobbed, "Why are you punishing me for my father's mistake, Ariyan Bhaiya? I never looked down on you. I am still that same little Tuli".
Ariyan said sternly, "No, you are not that Tuli. There is a wall of status around you now. And I don't want to break that wall. I want you to be happy in your royal life. There is no place for you in my life of struggle".
Wiping her tears, Tuli stood very close to Ariyan. Her voice was now firm. "You're pushing me away, right? Fine. But remember Ariyan, the status you speak of is like dust to me. If you want to grow based on your own merit, then do it. But I will be right behind you like your shadow. Let's see how far you can push me away!".
Ariyan looked at Tuli in surprise. In the restless girl he once knew, he now saw a strange inner strength. Without a word, Ariyan walked away quickly. But his subconscious mind was saying—it won't be easy to turn this girl away. Because, just as lava remains hidden beneath a volcano, an ocean of love for Tuli still remains buried deep within Ariyan's heart.