Music blasted through every corridor.

Students ran everywhere carrying decorations.

Teachers looked one inconvenience away from quitting their jobs.

And Nila regretted coming immediately.

---

"Why are we here?" she asked.

Divya dragged her forward.

"Because normal people participate in college events."

"I'm not normal."

"That is painfully obvious."

---

The campus looked completely different.

Colorful lights hung from trees.

Food stalls filled the open grounds.

Laughter echoed from every direction.

Yet Nila wasn't paying attention.

Because she was looking for someone.

Again.

---

She hated how often she did that now.

Searching.

Waiting.

Expecting.

Things she never used to do.

Things people in love probably did.

Which was ridiculous.

Obviously.

---

"Nila!"

A familiar voice called her name.

She turned.

And immediately forgot how breathing worked.

Aaradhya stood near the auditorium entrance.

Wearing a blue traditional outfit.

Her hair flowed freely over her shoulders.

Silver earrings reflected the evening lights.

Everything around her seemed blurred.

Distant.

Unimportant.

For one terrifying second—Nila could only stare.

---

Aaradhya noticed immediately.

And smiled.

A small smile.

One meant only for her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Nila swallowed.

"Like what?"

Aaradhya stepped closer.

"You've been staring for thirty seconds."

"Who's counting?"

"I am."

The answer came too quickly.

And somehow that made Nila's heart behave strangely.

---

"You look nice."

The compliment escaped before she could stop it.

Aaradhya blinked.

Surprised.

Then her cheeks turned faintly pink.

"You think so?"

Nila looked away.

Immediately.

Mistake.

Huge mistake.

"Don't make this awkward."

A soft laugh escaped Aaradhya.

"You're the one acting awkward."

Unfortunately...

She was right.

---

The evening passed in a blur.

They visited stalls.

Mocked terrible performances.

Shared snacks.

Argued over absolutely everything.

Yet somehow ended up walking together the entire time.

As if it had become natural.

---

Later, during a singing competition, they sat near the back of the crowd.

The stage lights illuminated the night sky.

Music drifted through the air.

For a while neither spoke.

The silence felt comfortable.

Safe.

Then Aaradhya suddenly asked,

"Nila?"

"Hm?"

"What do you want to do after college?"

Nila laughed quietly.

"Survive."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

The answer made Aaradhya's smile disappear.

---

"You never talk about your future."

Nila looked toward the stage.

Future.

Funny word.

People talked about it like it was guaranteed.

Like everyone reached it.

Some people didn't.

Some people just existed.

Day after day.

Trying to make it to tomorrow.

---

"I don't know."

The honest answer surprised both of them.

Aaradhya watched her carefully.

Then asked softly,

"Do you ever dream about something?"

Nila thought for a moment.

Longer than expected.

Then finally answered.

"Peace."

Aaradhya's eyes softened instantly.

Not pity.

Understanding.

And somehow that felt more dangerous.

---

The crowd suddenly cheered loudly.

A performance had ended.

The noise broke the moment.

Yet neither looked away.

For several seconds, the world seemed smaller.

Quieter.

Just the two of them.

---

Then a male student approached Aaradhya.

Confident.

Smiling.

Holding a flower.

Nila's mood immediately worsened.

---

"Hi Aaradhya."

Aaradhya looked confused.

"Hi."

The student smiled nervously.

"I wanted to give you this."

The flower extended toward her.

The meaning obvious.

Painfully obvious.

---

Nila looked away instantly.

Suddenly very interested in absolutely anything else.

The stage.

The lights.

The ground.

A random tree.

Anything.

---

But then—

"I can't accept it."

Aaradhya's voice.

Firm.

Gentle.

Certain.

The student looked disappointed.

"Oh."

"I'm sorry."

He nodded awkwardly and left.

---

Nila tried very hard not to feel relieved.

Failed immediately.

---

When she looked back, Aaradhya was already watching her.

That knowing smile appeared again.

The one Nila hated.

Because it always felt like Aaradhya could see directly through her.

---

"What?" Nila asked suspiciously.

"Nothing."

"You're smiling."

"No I'm not."

"You are."

Aaradhya laughed softly.

Then leaned slightly closer.

Just enough to make Nila nervous.

Just enough to make her heartbeat louder.

"Good."

Nila frowned.

"Good what?"

Aaradhya simply smiled and walked ahead.

Leaving Nila completely confused.

And completely captivated.

---

That night, lying in bed, Nila replayed the entire evening.

The blue outfit.

The smile.

The flower.

The laughter.

Everything.

Again.

And again.

And again.

At exactly 2:03 AM, she finally accepted a truth she had been avoiding.

She liked Aaradhya.

Maybe more than liked.

And that realization terrified her.

Because people she cared about never stayed.

But for the first time in years...

She desperately wanted someone to stay.