The way Jay Shah walked into the lecture hall just as she was about to leave? A sign.

The time their hands accidentally brushed when they reached for the same coffee cup? A sign.

The fact that his name popped up on her Instagram suggested list the night before? A definite sign.

She believed the universe was aligning their paths, slowly weaving her life with his. Aarav Mehta’s confession from the night before? A moment she had already tucked away, locked in a part of her mind she didn’t want to revisit.

"You're distracted," Esha Jain’s voice cut through Tanya’s thoughts as they strolled across campus.

"I'm not," Tanya said automatically, but her best friend raised an eyebrow.

"You’ve been smiling to yourself for five minutes. Spill."

Tanya didn’t need much convincing. She twirled a strand of her hair and grinned. "I think Jay likes me."

Esha stopped mid-step. "Says who?"

"Says the universe," Tanya declared confidently.

Esha groaned. "Tanya, please tell me you have actual proof and not just some Bollywood-level theory."

"Okay, listen," Tanya leaned in. "Yesterday, Jay walked past me, and I swear, he looked at me for a full second longer than necessary."

Esha blinked. "…That’s your proof?"

"Not just that! He also asked me if I was coming to the party this weekend," Tanya added, her excitement bubbling.

Esha folded her arms. "Tanya, that’s because it’s his birthday party."

Tanya huffed. "You don’t get it."

"No, I do. You’re making things up in your head," Esha shot back. "And you’re ignoring something important."

Tanya knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Aarav is my friend, Esha," she said, brushing it off. "He’ll be fine."

Esha didn’t look convinced. "You rejected him yesterday. And today, you’re running after a guy who barely knows you exist."

Tanya pursed her lips. "Jay knows I exist."

"Fine. Barely acknowledges your existence," Esha corrected. "I just don’t get why you’re so convinced that he’s the right guy for you."

Tanya sighed. "Because I feel something when I see him, Esha. My heart beats faster, my stomach flips—"

"And when you see Aarav?"

Tanya opened her mouth but hesitated. When she saw Aarav, she felt… comfortable. Safe. It wasn’t the rush of excitement Jay gave her, but that didn’t mean anything, did it?

Before she could answer, her phone buzzed. A message from Jay.

Jay: Hey, see you at the party?

Tanya grinned. A sign.

"Jay just texted me," she said proudly.

Esha sighed, but there was no stopping Tanya when she was in her own world.

And so, she let her be.

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the campus, Aarav sat on the basketball court, dribbling the ball absentmindedly.

Daksh Patel plopped down beside him. "So… you told her?"

Aarav let out a short laugh. "Yeah."

"And she?"

"She laughed," Aarav said, shaking his head. "Then she told me she doesn’t feel the same way."

Daksh winced. "Oof. That’s rough."

Aarav simply shrugged, tossing the ball into the hoop. "I knew it was coming."

"Doesn’t make it hurt less, though."

Aarav exhaled. "She likes Jay."

Daksh snorted. "Jay? That guy barely knows the difference between romance and an Instagram like."

Aarav chuckled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, well… her choice."

Daksh eyed his best friend carefully. "And what about you? Are you going to keep waiting for her to see what’s right in front of her?"

Aarav didn’t answer.

Because deep down, he already knew the answer.