Then one day all of a sudden, as I was in the company of other colleagues, he walked over and told me that he wants to be my friend. It almost sounded like a joke to me. I mean, I thought he perceived me as someone more than a friend. Now I’m in a quandary as to what to tell him. I don’t wish to be rude either. Who knows if we can take the relationship one step further and spend our lives together. Or maybe I’m dreaming. I must be a fool for sure!
—Shona

Illustration/ Amit Bandre