Which was unusual.

Sleeping was her favorite hobby.

But every time she closed her eyes, she heard Aaradhya's voice.

"You look lonely even when you're joking."

Nobody had ever said something like that to her before.

Nobody had looked closely enough to notice.

And that irritated her more than it should have.

---

The next morning, Nila arrived at college surprisingly early.

Divya nearly dropped her coffee.

"Who are you and what have you done with Nila?"

"Shut up."

"No seriously. The real Nila comes after lunch."

Nila rolled her eyes.

Before she could answer, Divya's expression changed.

"Oh."

"What?"

"Aaradhya."

Of course.

Nila hated how quickly her eyes searched for her.

Aaradhya stood near the library entrance reading something on her phone.

The morning sunlight reflected softly against her hair.

She looked peaceful.

Untouchable.

Nila immediately looked away.

"You're staring," Divya whispered.

"I'm observing."

"That's what stalkers say."

---

The first class dragged endlessly.

Nila sat near the window as usual.

Half asleep.

Half alive.

Completely bored.

Until the professor suddenly announced a group assignment.

A collective groan filled the classroom.

"Partners will be selected randomly."

The professor began reading names.

Students exchanged nervous looks.

Then—

"Nila."

Nila lifted her head.

"Aaradhya."

The classroom became suspiciously interested.

Divya nearly laughed herself to death.

Nila closed her eyes.

The universe clearly hated her.

---

After class, Aaradhya approached with her notebook.

"We should start today."

"You say that like you're preparing for war."

Aaradhya sighed.

"It's an assignment."

"Same thing."

For a second—A tiny smile escaped Aaradhya.

A real one.

Small.

Beautiful.

Gone instantly.

But Nila saw it.

And somehow that smile felt more dangerous than all their arguments combined.

---

Later that evening, they met in the college library.

Nila arrived fifteen minutes late.

Aaradhya looked exactly as annoyed as expected.

"Late."

"I came, didn't I?"

"That's not the point."

"Then what's the point?"

Aaradhya stared at her.

"The point is that people depend on you."

Nila laughed softly.

"No one depends on me."

The answer came too quickly.

Too honestly.

Aaradhya noticed.

Of course she did.

She noticed everything.

For a moment neither spoke.

The atmosphere changed.

Less teasing.

More vulnerable.

Then Aaradhya quietly asked,

"Why do you always act like nothing matters?"

Nila looked down at the table.

Her fingers traced random lines across the wood.

Because caring hurts.

Because losing people hurts.

Because expectations hurt.

But she didn't say any of that.

Instead she shrugged.

"Easier."

Aaradhya's eyes softened.

And somehow that softness scared Nila more than anger ever could.

---

The library closed at eight.

When they finally walked outside, the campus was nearly empty.

Streetlights glowed across the pathway.

The air felt cool.

Comfortable.

For once, neither seemed eager to leave.

They walked side by side in silence.

Then suddenly—A small dog ran across the road.

Startled by a motorcycle.

The puppy yelped loudly.

Before Nila could react, Aaradhya rushed forward and carefully picked it up.

The frightened puppy immediately relaxed in her arms.

Nila watched quietly.

The way Aaradhya held it.

The way she spoke softly.

The way her entire expression changed.

Beautiful.

Not because of her face.

Because of her heart.

Aaradhya noticed Nila staring.

Again.

"What?"

Nila looked away immediately.

"Nothing."

"You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Looking at me like that."

Nila smiled lazily.

Maybe she was.

Maybe she couldn't stop.

For the first time in a very long time...

Someone had become interesting.

And that was becoming a problem.