During my college days, I used to have the best time with my friends. As soon as classes got over, we would rush to the canteen, laugh, gossip, and make small plans to hang out. I loved singing, dancing, and talking endlessly with my friends. My laughter and my friendships were my identity back then.
Then one day, I met Aarav. At first, we were just friends, but slowly our bond grew deeper. I felt like life finally had a new meaning. I got so lost in him that he became my whole world. Hours of talking, going out for coffee or shopping together—my entire life started revolving around Aarav.
Gradually, I started distancing myself from my friends. Whenever they called, I would say, “Yaar, no time right now, I’m with Aarav.”
The girl who once was always surrounded by friends had suddenly disappeared. I thought love was everything that nothing else mattered. I started dressing the way Aarav liked, watching his kind of movies, and even changing my habits for him. But then one day, everything crashed.
It was Aarav’s birthday. I had worked for weeks to plan a surprise party. I was so excited, thinking he’d love it. But when I told him, he said coldly, “This is such childish behaviour. I don’t like how over-excited you get. Can’t you be a little more mature?”
In that moment, it felt like my whole world shattered. I had forgotten myself just to make him happy and even that wasn’t enough.
That night, when I looked in the mirror, tears rolled down my cheeks. I asked myself, “Where did I lose me? Why did I forget who I am just to please someone else? Is my identity now only that I’m Aarav’s girlfriend?”
That night, I made a decision. I will find myself again.
Slowly, I started reconnecting with my old friends. Maybe you’ve also had that moment when you patch up with college buddies after a long time that’s what I did. I was scared they’d be upset, but instead, they hugged me and said, “We were always here. You just drifted away.”
That moment changed me. I rejoined my dance classes, started singing again, and most importantly, began spending time with myself. I was no longer someone’s shadow. I had become me again.
Aarav was still around, but he didn’t control my life anymore. I learned that losing yourself in love is not love at all. Real love is when you love yourself just as much as you love someone else.
A few months later, when I was laughing with my friends again, I realised life was mine once more. Relationships are a part of life, not your whole life.
Now when I look back, I smile. That pain taught me the most beautiful lesson, like the famous line from Jab We Met:
“Main apni favourite hoon!”
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