First love is often a blend of excitement, uncertainty, and cherished memories. This is the story of my friend Riju and her first love - a love that blossomed unexpectedly but lasted only for a brief period. The beginning of her journey was as amusing as it was surprising.

It all started when Riju was in grade eleven. She had a close friend, Manita, who was infatuated with a boy named Raman from Omega Higher Secondary School. However, Manita was too shy to approach him, so she asked Riju to initiate a conversation on her behalf. Wanting to support her friend, Riju began chatting with Raman on Facebook. Over time, she arranged to meet him along with his friends to watch the movie Jerry. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the tickets and ended up watching Action Jackson instead. During the movie, Riju and Raman playfully teased each other, engaging in lighthearted tickling and banter. Later, the group went to a restaurant for pizza. As the evening progressed, Raman's friends conveniently left, leaving Riju and Raman alone. Though she could sense his gaze on her, she chose to ignore it, and soon, they all departed for home.

After that meeting, Riju and Raman continued talking regularly via phone and social media. Riju took time to learn more about Raman's background and found him to be a good person. When she shared this with Manita, she discovered that Manita had already moved on and entered a relationship with someone else. Despite this, Riju and Raman remained in close contact, meeting frequently. Since Raman attended morning classes and Riju had a day shift, their meetings often turned into peaceful night walks. As their trust deepened, they began sharing personal stories and past experiences.

About two to three months later, just two days before Christmas, Raman confessed his feelings and proposed to Riju. She was taken aback - both surprised and shy - so she didn't respond immediately. The following evening, they went for another walk, and under the twinkling night sky, Riju finally accepted his proposal. It was Christmas Eve, and she unknowingly gifted Raman the most beautiful present - her love. By the time they finished their walk, Riju was running late, and they sprinted hand in hand toward her home. Raman walked her to the alley near her house, and they spent the rest of the night talking over the phone, cherishing their newfound love. Their tradition of nightly walks continued, strengthening their bond with each passing day.

On New Year's Day, the couple decided to celebrate in Bhaktapur. It was only Riju's second visit there and Raman's first. Enthralled by the beauty of the ancient city, they wandered through its labyrinthine streets, only to realize they had lost their way. After much effort and some help from locals, they eventually made it to the bus park. That evening, despite the exhaustion, they still met for their routine night walk. As they sat in a park in Chakupat, deep in conversation, Raman leaned in and kissed Riju for the first time. She was utterly stunned into silence. That night, back at home, she found herself overwhelmed with emotions - too shy to eat, sleep, or even text him.

Ordinarily, their conversations never took place in the morning, given their different class schedules. But the very next day, Riju woke up to a simple yet special message from Raman - 'Good morning.' It was their first-ever morning conversation. That day, after her classes ended, she rushed to meet Raman, who was waiting for her outside Prasadi Academy. Still in her uniform, she felt self-conscious as the eyes of passersby seemed to linger on them. She hesitated to hold Raman's hand in public, but when he playfully claimed his hands were cold and reached out for hers, she gave in. Though initially uncomfortable, deep down, she felt warmth and happiness. Their afternoon walks soon became a ritual, increasing from once a week to daily strolls filled with laughter and shared moments.

One day, while on one of these walks, Riju suddenly spotted her father nearby. Convinced that he had seen them holding hands, she panicked and immediately let go. Her heart pounded in fear of what her father might say. However, upon reaching home, she realized it had all been in her head - her father hadn't noticed anything at all. It was merely her fear getting the better of her.

As their relationship continued, Riju and Raman went out with his friends to a Chinese restaurant in Kathmandu. For the first time, she saw Raman smoking hookah with his friends. Concerned, she pleaded with him to stop, but he dismissed her worries. Frustrated and upset, Riju refused to eat and insisted on leaving early, using a headache as an excuse. She remained silent on the way back, her anger growing as she felt ignored. However, Raman, unaware of her disappointment, assumed she was simply unwell.

Love is a paradox - both beautiful and unpredictable. Riju's journey with Raman was filled with joy, discovery, and heartache.

"Don't seek love; let love find you. That's why it's called 'falling' in love - you don't force yourself to fall; you just do."