The corridors of college had begun to feel familiar now—the rush of students, the clatter of footsteps, the soft hum of laughter and lectures blending into a strange, comforting rhythm.
Aanya walked beside Vedant toward the cafeteria, her bag hanging loosely off her shoulder, a lazy breeze playing with the ends of her hair.
"You really think you'll finish the assignment tonight?" Vedant asked with a slight smirk.
Aanya raised an eyebrow. "You doubt me?"
He chuckled. "No, no. I just think Netflix might win again."
She rolled her eyes but laughed anyway. The ease between them had grown—gentle, natural, like pages turning slowly in a book you didn't want to rush.
As they reached their usual table, Meher was already waiting, sipping a cold coffee and watching them approach with a grin that spelled trouble.
"Well, well," Meher said, leaning back dramatically. "Look who arrives together like a campus couple from a cheesy college movie."
Aanya groaned. "Meher…"
Vedant blinked in confusion, half amused, half unsure if he should say something.
"Relax, Vedant," Meher added, nudging Aanya playfully. "She's been like this since school—pretending to not care while secretly writing poetic diary entries."
Aanya's cheeks flushed. "I do not write poetry."
"Oh please," Meher said, pretending to quote, "His eyes were the shade of stormy skies, and my heart, a helpless feather in the wind."
Aanya burst into laughter despite herself, covering her face. "You're impossible."
Vedant just shook his head, laughing softly.
But as the teasing faded and their food arrived, Aanya went quiet for a moment. Watching Vedant and Meher laugh over something silly, she felt a strange stillness rise within her.
She was happy, but not complete.
Present, but still searching.
Later that evening, she sat in her room, scrolling through songs. One tune—soft, old, and haunting—made her pause. She didn't know the words, but her heart recognized the melody.
Tears welled up without warning.
Not because of Vedant.
Not because of Meher.
But because of something far older—something tied to her soul.
She closed her eyes, whispering silently:
"Where are you?"
No voice answered. But somewhere deep within her chest, that ache returned.
And Aanya knew...
The stars hadn't finished guiding her yet
Vedant's POV – Later That Night
Vedant sat at his desk, pretending to study, but his eyes weren't reading the lines on the page.
He thought about the day—about Aanya's quiet laugh, the way her eyes sparkled when she argued with Meher, how she looked away when someone complimented her, as if unsure how to accept it.
She was different from anyone he'd met.
Not loud. Not attention-seeking. But there was something in her silence… something that pulled him in gently, like gravity.
He smiled to himself, remembering how flustered she got when Meher teased her.
And for a fleeting second, he wondered:
"What if she's more than just a friend?"
He shook his head, brushing the thought away.
It was too soon. Maybe just a phase.
But still…
That night, as he finally turned off his light and lay in bed, one image stayed with him her smile .