Love at First Step : How we found each other

Lila felt her best in the soft glow of early mornings, when she resisted the allure of the snooze button and stepped out of bed with purpose. Each visit to the gym was a victory, a reminder of how much her life had changed since the day she first signed up. "This really is the best decision I've ever made," she thought, a small smile playing on her lips.

She wasn’t one for makeup or flashy styles. Her charm lay in her authenticity—completely at ease in her own skin. Staring at her reflection before leaving to gym, she whispered, "Self-acceptance is the purest form of love," the words feeling more real every time she said them.

The best part of the gym in the morning was the peace—no crowds, no waiting for equipment. But Lila wasn’t just another face among the few who shared the space. She carried an infectious energy that lit up the room, her positivity drawing others to her, Like sunflowers turning towards the sun. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone, yet real hearts couldn’t help but admire her, captivated by the way she owned her space with confidence and joy.

Lila was on a mission to push her limits, to feel the burn and intensity she craved. Today wasn’t just another workout—it was WAR. Determined to challenge herself, she loaded the leg press with a staggering 100kg, a weight she never imagined attempting in her wildest dreams.

The first few reps were smooth, almost too smooth, like butter melting on a hot pan. But by the sixth rep, her legs began to betray her, trembling under the strain. She tried to push harder, to lock the machine, but her strength was slipping away. Panic crept in as the weight inched closer to her body. "Who's smashing whom now?" she muttered with a bitter laugh, her voice laced with sarcasm. Sweat trickled down her brow as she fought against the unrelenting pressure, her mind racing between regret and determination.

Just as life had a way of proving, magic always found its path. Lila believed in magic—not just around her, but within her. And if I'm magic, this isn't my breaking point. Lila declared to her by closing her eyes.

Lila felt the weight shifting, and when she opened her eyes, she saw it—magic in the form of a massive arm, lifting the 100 kgs with ease. It had to be made of iron, Lila thought. But the arm wasn’t the only thing that caught her attention. She needed to see the man behind it.

His arms were so powerful, they could hold the earth itself. His presence was undeniable. Then, his voice broke through. "Are you okay?" His tone was deep, steady, and impossibly calm.

Lila turned her gaze from his arms to his face. He looked like a living sculpture—perfect features, a jawline so sharp it could pierce her heart. His eyes were an ocean, vast and inviting. A crease on his forehead made him look even more irresistible.

Standing tall at 6 feet, his presence commanded attention. His arms were sculpted perfection, strong enough to carry the world yet gentle enough to cradle dreams. His hair caught the light was mesmerizing. But it was his traps that stole my breath, rippling with strength, a silent declaration of power.

There was something superhero-like about him, not just in his physique but in the way he moved—each step purposeful, every lift telling a story. My attraction wasn’t just to his strength but to the mystery he carried, like a quiet storm hidden behind his gaze. As I gripped the dumbbell, I couldn’t help but steal glances.

He checked on me briefly, then returned to his workout, not sparing another glance my way for the rest of the session. I tried everything to catch his attention, but he was too focused, lifting weights with a single-minded determination.

The next day, he wasn’t there. Lila thought maybe it was just a one-off. But he didn’t show up for three days straight. Frustrated and disappointed, Lila decided to leave for her hometown. A week away from the gym felt like a much-needed escape.

Days gone by, It had been ten long days without seeing him. When Lila finally returned to Bangalore, her best friend Sia was there, always ready to lift her spirits. Sia could tell something was off with Lila and, knowing how much she loved to dance, she surprised Lila with two tickets to a dance event. Lila didn't hesitate—she said yes immediately.

At the event, the energy was electric. Each performer danced with such grace, it was impossible not to be captivated. But Lila had no idea that the most graceful of them all was yet to come.

As the lights dimmed, he appeared—dressed in a classic white shirt and black pants, blending perfectly with the night. The crowd went wild as he performed a solo, his movements smooth and precise. His expressions? Effortless.

Lila felt an irresistible pull, her heart racing, as every move he made seemed to invite her to join him on the floor. His arms were pure artistry—sculpted and powerful.

Unable to contain her excitement, Lila cheered louder than anyone else, feeling like his biggest fan.

After the performance, she rushed to meet him, hoping to share her appreciation for the magic he just created. But the crowd was crazed, and in the chaos, she missed her chance to meet him.

I stood there, feeling low, unable to share my sorrow with Sia. For about thirty minutes, we remained silent, as the event slowly wound down and people began to leave.

Sia turned around to greet one of her friends, turned me around to introduce her friend. And there He Was!!!

My Man, standing right in front of me, and he was best friends with Sia. The world suddenly felt so small. My heart fluttered with excitement, like butterflies taking flight.

He was a sight to behold. The way he wiped the sweat off his forehead with his index finger—sweat somehow looked good on him.

Honestly, he looked just as surprised to see me. In that moment, I could tell he was just as excited as I was.

Am I imagining all of this?

Sia casually mentioned his girlfriend to me, unaware of my feelings for him. I could feel a tight knot in my chest as she spoke. I hated hearing about her, especially from Sia. I tried to stop her, begging myself not to hear more about his story. For a moment, I almost gave up on him entirely.

But Sia didn’t stop. She kept talking, saying the girl he met at the gym caught his eye. That rang a bell. I couldn’t help but think, "He and I go to the same gym." Who is his girlfriend? I didn’t want to know, but I was already too far gone to turn back.

Sia continued, describing how his love for her was pure, how he fell for her the moment they met. She was confident, unique, and effortlessly herself. Her presence was magical—no, she was magic.

Sia added, "He spoke to her just once, and after that, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He even missed her when she didn’t show up last week."

What? Is Sia narrating my feelings? Lila thought.

As Sia went on about his girlfriend, he blushed, a shy smile carving onto his face. "I hope she comes back to the gym soon," he said. "Maybe we'll find love in each other."

But Sia couldn’t help but notice—she’d never seen him act this way about anyone before. The girl truly must be magic.

Lila, caught up in the moment, found herself blushing too.

Sia asks, “When do you think you’ll meet her again to express your feelings?” He shifted his gaze towards Lila, stepping closer. Without saying a word, he took her hand.

Sia froze, clearly surprised by the sudden move.

He leaned in, his voice barely a whisper in her ear. “I saw you cheering for me during my performance. I saw you rush to meet me.”

Lila's heart raced. “Sorry for the crowd,” he murmured, his apology carrying a hidden meaning.

"I ran all the way just to see you," he said, his voice full of longing. "Where have you been all my life, Lila?"

He took another step closer, spinning her around with ease, and asked with a smile, "Would you be my dance partner for life, Señorita?"

He sealed the moment with a warm, tight hug.

In that embrace, their hearts seemed to whisper in unison. Everything comes to you at the right time.