Episode 2 – A Reason to Stay

Ever since that day in the parking lot, I couldn't get her smile out of my mind.

It was just a simple "Thank you."

But for me, it meant everything.

The next morning, I reached college much earlier than usual. Kiran looked at me in disbelief as I waited near the entrance.

"Don't tell me you're here because of her."

I shrugged, trying to hide my smile.

"I just came early."

"Yeah, right."

A few minutes later, she walked through the gate wearing a light blue kurti, carrying the same black backpack. She greeted the security guard with a smile before heading toward the academic block.

"There she is," Kiran whispered.

Without thinking, I started walking in the same direction.

She was only a few steps ahead when a notebook slipped from my hands.

She turned around after hearing the sound.

"Your notebook," she said, picking it up before I could.

"Thanks... again."

She smiled politely and handed it to me.

"You're welcome."

Before I could introduce myself, one of her friends called her name.

"Aanya! Hurry, the class is starting!"

So her name was Aanya.

She waved at me once before rushing away.

"Aanya..." I repeated softly.

Kiran nudged my shoulder.

"Now you even know her name. Happy?"

I smiled.

"Very."

From that day on, I noticed her everywhere.

In the library.

In the canteen.

Walking through the garden during breaks.

Sometimes we crossed paths, and she'd give me a small smile. Nothing more.

She still didn't know my name.

But somehow, those little smiles made my day.

A week later, our class was assigned a group presentation.

The professor began reading out the names.

"Arjun..."

I stood up.

"...and Aanya."

For a second, I thought I had heard it wrong.

She looked at me with the same surprised expression.

"Looks like we're teammates," she said with a small smile.

"I guess we are."

It was the first real conversation we'd had.

After class, we sat together in the library to discuss the project.

"So... you're Arjun?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"I'm Aanya."

"I know."

She laughed.

"How?"

"You friend called your name the other day."

"Oh... that makes sense."

For the next hour, we talked about the project, our favorite subjects, and college life.

She laughed often.

And every time she did, it felt like the room became a little brighter.

When it was time to leave, she packed her books and stood up.

"See you tomorrow, partner."

"See you."

I watched her walk away with a smile I couldn't hide.

Maybe destiny wasn't doing everything for me.

But it was definitely giving me a chance.

And this time...

I wasn't going to waste it.....

Preview : Working on the project brings Arjun and Aanya closer than ever. For the first time, they spend hours talking, laughing, and discovering each other's worlds. But just when Arjun thinks he's making progress, someone from Aanya's past unexpectedly returns—leaving him wondering if he has already lost his chance.

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