From a Shy Boy to Cloud Nine: My Journey of Love and Self-Discovery

They say the first day of school is unforgettable, and for me, it truly was. It was the day she walked into my life. I was the quiet, shy boy who avoided eye contact, while she was the girl who unknowingly changed my world. She sat beside me during our first class, and though I didn’t have the courage to say a word to her, something about her felt special.

As time passed, she became my first friend, and soon, my innocent admiration blossomed into a full-blown crush. Being the dramatic kid I was, inspired by movie scenes, I boldly confessed my feelings. But instead of a picture-perfect moment, she was confused. She thought I was teasing her, brushing it off as childish antics. But my feelings were anything but fleeting.

One day in the library, with a heart full of hope, I made her a promise: “Either I’ll love you, or I’ll never love anyone else in my life.” Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Yet, I meant every word.

The following year, fate played its tricks—our classes were shuffled, and she moved to a different section. That didn’t stop me from stealing glances at her during sports periods or whenever I could catch a glimpse. This silent admiration continued until 4th grade when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing with it the infamous lockdown.

Lockdown wasn’t just a physical isolation for me—it was emotional too. With no sight of her and no school to look forward to, I felt lost. My days were filled with mindless eating and hours spent on the computer. By the end of the lockdown, I looked in the mirror and barely recognized myself. That’s when it hit me—I couldn’t stay this way. I owed it to myself (and maybe a little to her) to change.

What followed was a whirlwind of determination. In just two months, I shed 14 kilograms. It wasn’t easy, but the thought of returning to school as a better version of myself kept me going. When schools reopened, I was eager to see her again, only to find out that she had left the school. My heart sank.

Yet, there was a sliver of hope. Her younger sister was still at the school. “Maybe she’ll come back,” I thought. And so, I waited. In the meantime, I worked on myself—not just physically but emotionally and mentally. I started focusing on personal growth, improving my sense of humor, and building confidence. While others came into my life, offering their affection, my heart stayed steadfast. It always belonged to her.

This year, something magical happened—I found out she was on Instagram. It took me a month to muster the courage, but I finally downloaded the app and sent her a message. Our conversations started casually, but soon, it felt like no time had passed. She was still the same girl who sat beside me on that first day of school, and I was still the boy who couldn’t stop caring.

A few days later, I took the plunge. I confessed my feelings again, and this time, it was different. She said yes. Yes! The girl I had waited for all these years, the one who unknowingly motivated me to grow, is now part of my life. We’re taking things slow, getting to know each other better before making it official.

Words can’t capture the joy I feel. It’s as if every moment of doubt, every ounce of effort, and every second of waiting led to this beautiful chapter of my life. Love, as they say, truly finds its way.

Lesson learned? Be patient, work on yourself, and never give up on something—or someone—you truly believe in. Sometimes, life has a way of bringing things full circle.

If you’re reading this, thank you for being part of my journey. And to her, if you ever stumble upon this blog—thank you for being you.