The night lingered in Aarav's mind like an unfinished sentence.
He sat on the hostel rooftop, watching the early morning light crawl across the sky.
Did Nitya mean it? Or was it just the alcohol talking?
He couldn't decide.
She'd been vulnerable, heartbroken… and drunk.
Still, the words rang in his ears: "I like you. I want to be yours."
But he told himself it didn't count. She wouldn't remember it anyway.
And even if she did—how could she like him?
---
Nitya's Hostel Room – Morning
Nitya stirred under her blanket with a pounding headache and swollen eyes. She blinked at the ceiling, trying to recall the previous night.
Everything was fuzzy.
Her roommate, Tanya, entered with a glass of water and a worried look.
"You okay?"
"My head…" Nitya groaned, clutching her temples. "What happened last night?"
Tanya hesitated. "You… called Aarav. From the bar."
"What?" Nitya sat up instantly. "I… called him?"
"Yeah. He came and took care of everything. Got you home safe."
A chill passed through her. "Did I… say anything stupid?"
Tanya raised an eyebrow. "Well, you were crying about nobody loving you. Can't say what else you told him."
Nitya's face turned pale. Oh god… did I confess?
She wrapped her arms around her knees, dread rising in her chest.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
Aarav: "Come downstairs. I brought you breakfast and hangover rescue."
---
Outside the Hostel
Nitya walked slowly, her nerves flaring.
Aarav stood by the gate with two paper bags and a drink bottle. He smiled awkwardly when he saw her.
"I thought… you'd need this," he said, handing her a sandwich and the drink.
"Thanks," she whispered. Then hesitated. "Aarav… last night… did I say anything… weird?"
He paused, looking at her tired eyes.
"Nah," he lied gently. "Just the usual drunk talk. Don't overthink it."
Relief washed over her face, but also a subtle disappointment.
She nodded. "Thanks… for being there."
Aarav gave her a small smile and turned to leave, his mind heavier than before.
---
Back at Anaya's College
Anaya walked out of her lecture, heading toward the library. She was late submitting a report.
Just as she turned a corner—
"Boo!"
Anaya gasped and dropped her notebook. "Ishaan! Are you five?"
He grinned, crouching to help her pick it up. "Some say I'm emotionally six. Physically? Flawless twenty."
"God, you're exhausting," she muttered.
"Then stop giving me energy," he teased.
She raised an eyebrow. "Why are you everywhere these days?"
Ishaan shrugged with a smirk. "Coincidence. Or fate. Or maybe... I joined that common elective just to see your ghostly face."
"You're stalking me?" she said playfully.
"Not stalking—just... shadowing," he said with mock innocence. "You have a calming energy. Like chaos, but bottled."
She laughed despite herself. "You make no sense."
He walked beside her, falling into her pace. "You're fun when you laugh."
She glanced at him, catching the sincerity behind the joke.
That made her pause—for a moment too long.