The boy who never looked back

The years passed quietly.

School uniforms were replaced by college hoodies.

The childish arguments became playful teasing.

The awkward teenagers grew into confident young adults.

But one thing never changed.

Aarohi still loved Advik.

And Advik still had no idea.

⸻

The first day of college felt like the beginning of an entirely new life.

The campus buzzed with excitement as freshers wandered around searching for classrooms.

Aarohi adjusted the strap of her backpack and took a deep breath.

“This is it.”

Before she could take another step, someone snatched her water bottle.

She didn’t even have to turn around.

“Give it back, Advik.”

He twisted open the cap and took a sip.

“I was thirsty.”

“You have your own bottle.”

“I forgot it.”

“You forgot everything.”

“I remembered you.”

She glared at him.

“You’re impossible.”

“And yet you’ve tolerated me for seventeen years.”

She smiled despite herself.

“I deserve an award.”

“I’ll ask the principal.”

She laughed, and together they walked into the campus.

Around them, curious eyes followed.

“Are they dating?”

“They look so comfortable together.”

“No, I heard they’re childhood friends.”

“They’d make such a cute couple.”

Neither of them noticed the whispers.

For Aarohi, simply walking beside him was enough.

For Advik…

It was just another ordinary day.

⸻

College life settled into a routine.

Morning lectures.

Cafeteria lunches.

Late-night study sessions.

Weekend outings with friends.

Their friend group slowly grew.

There was cheerful Naina, who never stopped teasing Aarohi.

There was Rohan, the class clown.

And there was Kabir, Advik’s closest friend.

One afternoon, the group sat under a large banyan tree after class.

Kabir nudged Advik.

“So…”

“When are you two getting together?”

Advik frowned.

“What?”

“You and Aarohi.”

The entire group laughed.

Advik looked horrified.

“Have you all lost your minds?”

Rohan grinned.

“You literally act like an old married couple.”

“We argue because she’s annoying.”

Aarohi folded her arms.

“Oh, I’m annoying?”

“You absolutely are.”

“You stole my fries five minutes ago.”

“They looked lonely.”

She threw a tissue at him.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Naina secretly looked at Aarohi.

She knew that behind her smile…

Every joke hurt.

⸻

That evening, both families gathered for dinner at the Malhotra house.

It was a tradition.

Every Sunday.

Mrs. Malhotra placed hot rotis on everyone’s plates.

“Advik.”

“Hmm?”

“When are you going to stop eating like you’re in a competition?”

Mr. Sharma chuckled.

“He has always been like this.”

Mrs. Sharma smiled warmly at Aarohi.

“And Aaru still eats as slowly as ever.”

Advik looked at Aarohi’s plate.

“You’ve barely eaten.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Liar.”

“I’m serious.”

Without another word, he placed a piece of paneer from his own plate onto hers.

“Eat.”

She blinked.

“You always forget.”

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

She quietly smiled and took a bite.

Their parents exchanged knowing glances.

Mrs. Malhotra leaned toward Mrs. Sharma and whispered,

“They’re perfect for each other.”

Mrs. Sharma smiled.

“I’ve thought that since they were children.”

Across the table…

Neither Aarohi nor Advik heard them.

⸻

A few weeks later, the college hosted its annual cultural festival.

The campus was filled with colorful lights and music.

Students danced, laughed, and took countless pictures.

Naina dragged Aarohi toward the photo booth.

“Come on!”

“I don’t like photos.”

“You’ll thank me later.”

Before Aarohi could protest, Advik walked over.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking pictures.”

“I’ll pass.”

Naina crossed her arms.

“No.”

“You’re coming.”

Five minutes later…

The four friends squeezed into the tiny booth.

The camera flashed.

One picture.

Two.

Three.

On the last one…

The photographer suddenly shouted,

“Everyone look at your partner!”

Kabir looked at Naina.

Naina looked back.

Without thinking…

Aarohi looked at Advik.

And at the exact same moment…

He turned toward her.

Their eyes met.

For just one second.

One heartbeat.

One silent moment.

Then…

Flash.

The picture was taken.

They quickly looked away.

Neither said anything.

But that photograph became Aarohi’s favorite.

Because for one brief moment…

It looked like he had looked at her the way she’d always looked at him.

⸻

Later that night, the group sat around a bonfire.

Someone suggested a game.

“Truth or Dare!”

Everyone agreed.

The bottle spun.

It stopped in front of Aarohi.

Naina smiled mischievously.

“Truth.”

Aarohi nodded.

“Fine.”

“Have you ever been in love?”

Her smile froze.

The world suddenly felt quiet.

She glanced at Advik.

He wasn’t even paying attention.

He was busy scrolling through his phone.

She looked back at Naina.

“…Yes.”

The group gasped.

“What?”

“Who?”

“When?”

Rohan leaned forward excitedly.

“Tell us!”

Aarohi forced a smile.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

“He doesn’t know.”

She laughed softly.

“And I don’t think he ever will.”

Everyone assumed it was some mysterious senior from school.

Only Naina knew the truth.

Across the fire…

Advik finally looked up.

For some strange reason…

His chest tightened.

He frowned.

“Who is she talking about?”

Kabir shrugged.

“No idea.”

Advik looked at Aarohi for a second longer.

Then he looked away.

The feeling disappeared as quickly as it had come.

⸻

That night, Aarohi returned home exhausted.

She opened a small wooden box hidden inside her wardrobe.

Inside were tiny memories.

A movie ticket.

A dried flower.

The chocolate wrapper he’d once given her.

The cultural festival photograph.

And a blue diary.

She carefully opened it.

On the first page…

She had written three simple words years ago.

“Dear Advik…”

Every page after that held another memory.

Another unsent letter.

Another piece of her heart.

She picked up her pen.

Dear Advik,

Today someone asked if I’ve ever been in love.

I said yes.

I didn’t say your name.

Maybe I never will.

Because I’d rather protect our friendship than risk losing you.

If loving you quietly is my fate…

Then I’ll keep choosing silence.

She closed the diary.

A single tear landed on the page.

She wiped it away before it could smudge the ink.

Outside her window, the lights in the Malhotra house were still on.

She smiled sadly.

“So close…”

She whispered.

“…and still so far.”

⸻

Meanwhile…

Across the street…

Advik stood on his balcony.

For reasons he couldn’t explain…

He kept thinking about Aarohi’s answer.

“Yes… I’ve been in love.”

Who was it?

Why had she never mentioned him?

And why…

Why did the thought bother him even a little?

He shook his head.

“Forget it.”

“It’s none of my business.”

He walked back inside, dismissing the thought without another glance.

If only he had known…

The girl he was curious about had been standing beside him all along.

And one day…

When she finally found the courage to tell him…

His answer would become the greatest mistake of his life.

— End of Chapter 3 —

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