Love is often unpredictable, and sometimes, it remains unspoken, lingering in the shadows of friendship. This is the story of my friend Rijam and his one-sided love for another friend of mine, Nimisha. Both of them were my companions during our bridge course days, yet their tale unfolded in a way none of us anticipated. While Rijam harbored deep feelings for Nimisha, she, in turn, loved someone else. But fate had its own plans, leading both love stories to unexpected and bittersweet endings.

It all began during a seminar we attended as part of our bridge course. Rijam had initially been reluctant to go, but our friend Ankit persuaded him, eager to introduce him to his own love interest, Simran. After the seminar, a lunch program was organized, and in the crowded hall, a single vacant seat became the subject of a playful yet competitive scuffle between Rijam and Nimisha. In the midst of their friendly battle, they accidentally knocked each other's napkins to the ground. They laughed, exchanged new napkins, and, in that lighthearted moment, an unlikely friendship was formed. At the time, however, Rijam had a crush on another girl named Sachi.

As days passed, Rijam and Nimisha grew closer. They conversed effortlessly during classes and, soon after, a mutual friend confided in Rijam that Nimisha was going through a painful breakup. Moved by her sadness, Rijam took her to Mangalbazaar to lift her spirits. This outing marked the beginning of a deep and meaningful friendship. They talked daily, both in person and on Facebook, finding solace in each other's company. However, the bridge course eventually came to an end, and with it, their frequent interactions faded.

Then, on April 25, a devastating earthquake struck. In an effort to check on everyone, Rijam sent a mass message to his Facebook friends. Among the many responses, Nimisha's stood out, rekindling their conversations. As days passed, Rijam became actively involved in voluntary relief work with United Disaster Relief. When they needed more volunteers, he reached out to Nimisha, who readily joined. During this time, their bond strengthened once again.

However, just days later, another close friend, Sanjan, who had only recently met Nimisha, proposed to her. Much to Rijam's relief, she declined. This incident inadvertently deepened their friendship. Nimisha began confiding in Rijam about everything - her thoughts, her worries, and her dreams. Rijam, in turn, found himself falling deeply for her. Yet, he chose to remain silent, fearing that confessing his feelings might jeopardize their precious friendship.

In time, Rijam learned that Nimisha had fallen for someone else - a boy named Sanish. Although he was consumed by jealousy, he kept his emotions to himself, convincing himself that her happiness mattered more than his own. When he later heard rumors of Nimisha and Sanish's breakup, he rushed to console her, only to discover that it had been a misunderstanding. However, this incident revealed just how deeply he cared for her.

Eventually, Nimisha and Sanish truly did part ways. Their relationship faded into the past, just as another friend, Rohan, also distanced himself from Nimisha. This, Rijam realized, was the difference between fleeting attraction and true love.

Love, when genuine, does not vanish with time. It does not waver or fade away at the first sign of hardship. What often masquerades as love may merely be infatuation - transient and ever-changing. But real love, the kind that Rijam carried in his heart, is steadfast. It asks for nothing in return yet remains unwavering.

"Love is thoughtless, yet it is the purest truth one can ever experience."