Episode 3 – Getting Closer

The project had become my favorite excuse to spend time with Aanya.

Every afternoon after class, we met in the library. At first, we only discussed the presentation, but slowly our conversations began to wander beyond textbooks and notes.

"So, what's your favorite food?" I asked one day.

She looked up from her notebook and smiled.

"Chocolate cake."

"That's a dessert."

"It still counts."

I laughed. "Fine. I'll let you win."

"And yours?"

"Anything my mom cooks."

"That's a safe answer."

"It also happens to be the truth."

She giggled, and once again, I found myself smiling without even realizing it.

The more we talked, the more I discovered how different we were.

I loved noisy places, road trips, and trying new things.

She preferred quiet evenings, books, soft music, and rainy days.

Yet somehow, our differences never made conversations awkward.

Instead, they made them interesting.

One evening, while we were practicing our presentation, the lights in the library suddenly went out.

A collective groan echoed through the room.

"Power cut," someone muttered.

Aanya sighed.

"I guess we'll have to continue tomorrow."

As we walked outside, dark clouds gathered above the campus.

Within minutes, heavy rain began to pour.

Students rushed toward the parking area, trying to avoid getting soaked.

"We're stuck," Aanya said, standing under the corridor roof.

"I don't think the rain will stop anytime soon."

I looked at my backpack.

"I have an umbrella."

She raised an eyebrow.

"One umbrella?"

"Yes."

"And two people."

I scratched the back of my head.

"We'll have to share."

She laughed softly.

"I guess we don't have another choice."

We stepped into the rain together.

The umbrella was barely big enough for both of us.

Every now and then, our shoulders brushed against each other.

Neither of us said anything.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

It was peaceful.

Halfway to the gate, a speeding bike splashed muddy water across the road.

"Oh no!" Aanya looked down at her shoes.

"They're ruined."

Without thinking, I took out the small handkerchief from my pocket.

"Here."

She looked at it, then at me.

"You carry a handkerchief?"

"My mom insists."

She smiled.

"Then thank your mom for me."

For the first time, she didn't just smile politely.

She smiled warmly.

When we reached the bus stop, the rain had become lighter.

"My bus is here," she said.

She climbed the first step, then suddenly turned around.

"Arjun."

It was the first time she had called my name.

"Yes?"

"Thank you... for today."

Before I could answer, the bus doors closed.

I stood there watching it disappear down the road.

Kiran's voice suddenly came from behind me.

"Why are you smiling like an idiot?"

I laughed.

"Because today... she remembered my name."

As I walked home through the drizzle, I realized something.

I wasn't trying to make Aanya fall in love with me anymore.

I simply wanted to be someone who could make her smile, even on the rainiest days.

And maybe...

That was where every beautiful love story truly began.

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