The singing competition venue was buzzing with energy. Students and participants filled the hall, their excited chatter echoing through the large auditorium. Bright lights illuminated the stage, casting a warm glow on the elegant decorations.
Anaya arrived at the venue with Riya and her friends, her heart racing with anticipation. She adjusted her new dress, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Riya nudged her playfully. "So, are you more excited about the competition or meeting him?"
Anaya shot her a sharp glance but didn't reply.
-----
Meanwhile, outside the venue, Ayaan and Dev stepped out of the auto. Ayaan's expression was unreadable, but Dev noticed something unusual.
"You seem... different today," Dev remarked.
Ayaan glanced at the grand entrance of the auditorium, his grip tightening slightly. "Let's just go inside."
As fate would have it, their paths were about to cross again.
----
Inside the venue, the excitement of the competition filled the air. Anaya had just completed her registration and was now looking around, scanning the sea of participants and audience members. Her fingers lightly tapped against the registration desk, betraying her nervous anticipation. The grand auditorium was packed, yet her eyes were searching for someone—someone she wasn't even sure would come.
A few steps away, Riya and their friends observed Anaya closely. They had been whispering among themselves, exchanging curious glances. "She's acting strange today," one of them muttered. "Could it be that she already knows someone here?" Riya, who had been with Anaya for a long time, folded her arms and smirked. "It's not just the competition making her nervous. There's definitely something more." They exchanged knowing looks, determined to uncover the truth.
At the same time, outside the main hall, Ayaan and Dev had just secured their tickets. As they made their way inside, Dev noticed something was off about Ayaan. His usually composed friend seemed distracted. "You're acting weird today," Dev commented, nudging him. Ayaan didn't respond, his gaze fixed ahead as if searching for someone.
Just then, fate took its turn.
As Anaya continued looking around, she was suddenly intercepted by Ajay. A confident smile played on his lips as he extended a bouquet of fresh flowers toward her. "Anaya, I've been meaning to tell you something," he began, his voice filled with anticipation. Before she could react, he took a deep breath. "I like you. Will you go out with me?"
At that exact moment, Ayaan, standing a few feet away, spotted Anaya—and more importantly, he saw her being proposed to by a tall, handsome man. His brows furrowed, a strange feeling tightening in his chest.
Their eyes met.
Anaya's heart skipped a beat when she noticed Ayaan standing there. Without thinking twice, she grabbed the bouquet from Ajay and, to everyone's shock, threw it right back at his face. Her expression turned fierce. "Are you out of your mind?" she snapped, glaring at Ajay. Then, without wasting another second, she turned and dashed toward Ayaan.
A radiant smile bloomed on her lips. "Finally, we meet again," she said, her voice filled with happiness.
The scene left everyone in stunned silence. Riya and her friends stood frozen, jaws slightly open. Dev, who had been teasing Ayaan just moments ago, was utterly speechless. And Ajay, the rejected suitor, clenched his fists in anger, his face darkening with disbelief.
The second meeting had finally happened—but it was far from ordinary.