As I remove my VR headset and return to the real world, I feel sadness wash over me. Although our adventure was virtual, the memories we created are very real, and I know that our connection will only grow stronger with every new adventure that we embark on together. And yet, I find myself a little worried. Everything felt perfect in the virtual world, but will it feel the same way in the real world too? Is there even a remote possibility of us sharing a future together when our present circumstances are so different? Would I be able to go live in the US with Kiana? Will she ever come back to India? Will we be able to sustain a long-distance relationship? Will choosing to be with her mean choosing love over ambition? And then there’s that niggling feeling at the back of my mind about Kiranjeet. Why is it that being with Kiana constantly reminds me of Kiranjeet? The way she talks, the kind of things she says …. even their names sound the same; it’s like Kiana is the Americanized version of Kiranjeet. And then when Kiana said that her weirdest fantasy is to make out inside a bus, it felt like my heart had dropped all the way down to my stomach. If this is all a strange coincidence, then fate’s playing a really sick, cruel joke on me. And if it’s not, then I don’t know what to think. Should I just go with the flow instead and not overthink things? Should I make the decision now so that it doesn’t hurt me later on?

Should Kiana and I be together or not?

Please Don’t Break My Heart!

Kiana

Monday, 16 January 2023
Josie’s Cafe, Downtown Chicago

‘Stop waiting to be loved, to be wanted, to be cared for by someone else. You should do yourself that favour first.’

I’ve decided to take the day off for myself after a long, long time. Yesterday was so beautiful that I want to bask in its glory for a few more hours. It’s the most unusual thing for me to do because I love Mondays. There’s mostly nothing for me to do on the weekends, so I love to rush to the office on a Monday and immerse myself in work.

I leave for Josie’s after taking a quick shower. I really want to tell Zayn everything, but to my surprise, he’s still not back in town, and his phone is still switched off. ‘Fuck this digital detox!’ I sigh. I really needed a friend today!

‘But Neer, please don’t break my heart!’ I whisper to myself. I hope I’ve found the love of my life this time.