Freshers Day

The next morning, Nila woke up early and went straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She was making dosa when Arjun finally walked in, looking half asleep. She looked at him and laughed. “You look like you just fought with your pillow.” Arjun pulled out a chair and sat down. “My pillow won.” Nila placed his breakfast in front of him. “Eat before you start complaining.”

While they were eating, Nila checked her phone and suddenly frowned. Arjun noticed her expression. “What happened?” Nila showed him the message from their college group. Freshers Day was going to be held the following week, and there was a traditional dress code. The girls had to wear sarees, while the boys had to wear dhoti or veshti with a shirt.

Nila stared at the message for a few seconds. “I have a problem.” Arjun immediately looked concerned. “What happened?” She pointed at the message. “I have to wear a saree. I don't know how to wear one.” Arjun couldn't help laughing. Nila immediately glared at him. “Don't laugh. I'm serious.” He tried to control his smile. “Sorry. Ask Amma.” Nila shook her head. “She can't come here just to help me.” Arjun thought for a moment. “Maybe Meera can help.” Nila shook her head again. “She's with Anna. I don't want to disturb them.” Arjun nodded. “Then we'll figure it out.” Nila looked at him suspiciously. “How are we going to figure it out when neither of us knows how to wear one?” Arjun smiled confidently. “We'll learn.” Nila laughed. “You're too confident for someone who doesn't even know how to cook.” Arjun looked offended. “I'm improving.” “That's debatable,” she replied with a smile.

After college, they stopped at a shop to choose Nila's saree. She took her time looking through different designs before finally choosing one she liked. She held it up and looked at Arjun. “What do you think?” Arjun looked at the saree and then at her. “This one is nice.” Nila smiled. “Will it suit me?” Arjun paused for a moment before nodding. “Yeah. I think it will.” Nila smiled and bought it while Arjun carried the shopping bag for her.

On their way home, Nila suddenly stopped walking. “I'm hungry.” Arjun looked at her in disbelief. “We just had lunch.” Nila shook her head. “I'm still hungry.” Arjun already knew what she wanted. “Biryani?” Her face immediately brightened. “You know me too well.” They stopped at a nearby restaurant and ordered biryani. Nila happily started eating while Arjun watched her with an amused smile. “You really love biryani.” Nila nodded. “Very much.” Arjun laughed. “If I ever don't know what to buy you, I'll just get biryani.” Nila smiled. “That's actually a good idea.”

That evening, Nila spread the saree across her bed and stared at it helplessly. Arjun walked into the room and noticed her expression. “Still thinking about it?” Nila sighed. “I don't know what to do.” Arjun took out his phone. “Don't worry. We'll learn.” They watched a tutorial together, but Arjun looked more confused with every passing minute. Nila started laughing. “Are you sure you're learning?” He looked at the phone seriously. “I'm trying.” She shook her head. “That's what I'm worried about.”

After several attempts, they finally managed to arrange the saree properly. Nila stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. “It actually looks okay.” Arjun looked at her through the mirror. “It looks really good.” Nila turned toward him. “Really?” He nodded. “Yeah.” For a moment, Arjun simply looked at her. He had seen Nila in school uniforms, casual clothes and countless messy mornings, but seeing her dressed like this felt different. Nila noticed his expression. “Why are you staring?” Arjun quickly looked away. “I'm just checking if the saree is properly arranged.” Nila smiled knowingly. “Sure.”

A few days later, Freshers Day finally arrived. Arjun came out of his room wearing a white shirt and veshti. Nila looked at him and smiled. “You actually look good.” Arjun smiled proudly. “I told you.” Nila looked down and noticed that his veshti wasn't folded properly. “Wait.” Before he could ask what was wrong, she stepped closer and carefully fixed the fold for him. Arjun stood quietly while she adjusted it. When she finished, she smiled. “There. Now it's proper.” Arjun smiled back. “Thanks.” Nila looked at him for a moment. “You look different.” Arjun looked at her. “So do you.”

A few minutes later, Nila came out wearing the saree they had practiced with. Her hair was neatly arranged, and she looked completely different from the girl Arjun usually saw at home. Arjun was sitting on the sofa when he looked up and suddenly became silent. Nila noticed his expression. “What?” He shook his head. “Nothing.” She looked at him suspiciously. “Then why are you staring?” Arjun smiled awkwardly. “I've just never seen you dressed like this.” Nila looked down at herself. “Does it look bad?” Arjun immediately shook his head. “Not at all.” He looked at her again and quietly said, “You look beautiful.” Nila became silent for a moment. She hadn't expected that answer. “Thank you,” she said softly. Arjun quickly picked up his keys. “We should leave before we're late.” Nila nodded, still smiling.

When they reached college, the campus was already filled with students dressed traditionally. Several classmates complimented Nila, and she thanked them politely. Karthik, one of the boys from their assignment group, came over and smiled. “Nila, you look really nice today.” She smiled. “Thank you.” Arjun stood beside her quietly. Karthik looked at both of them and laughed. “You two actually look like a couple.” Nila immediately shook her head. “We're just friends.” Arjun smiled slightly but didn't say anything.

As they walked toward the hall, Nila suddenly struggled with the edge of her saree. Arjun noticed and immediately caught her hand to steady her. “Careful.” Nila looked at him and smiled. “Thanks.” For a moment, he continued holding her hand before realizing what he was doing. He slowly let go, and Nila didn't say anything, but a small smile remained on her face.

The Freshers Day celebrations continued with games, performances and music. Nila enjoyed herself more than she expected, especially because Arjun stayed beside her throughout the event. At one point, she looked at him and laughed. “You know, I was really worried about today.” Arjun smiled. “And now?” Nila looked around the hall and smiled. “Now I'm glad I came.” Arjun nodded. “Good.” She looked at him for a moment before adding, “I'm glad you're here too.” Arjun smiled. “Where else would I be?” Nila laughed. “True.”

After the event ended, they walked toward the college entrance together. Nila suddenly noticed a decorated area where several students were taking pictures. She looked at Arjun and smiled. “Let's take a photo.” Arjun looked at her. “Now?” Nila nodded. “We're dressed like this only once.” They stood together and took a selfie, but when Nila checked it, she immediately shook her head. “No, I don't like this one.” Arjun laughed. “What's wrong with it?” She shook her head. “I look weird. One more.” They took another picture, and this time Nila smiled brightly while Arjun stood beside her. When they looked at it, Nila smiled. “This one is good.” Arjun looked at the picture and nodded. “Yeah. This one is nice.” Nila held out her phone. “Send it to me.” Arjun smiled. “Okay.”

They walked home together, talking about everything that had happened during the day. Neither of them thought much about the picture after that.

Later that night, Nila sat on her bed and opened the photo again. She looked at it for a few seconds, remembering how nervous she had been that morning and how much fun she had eventually had. A small smile appeared on her face. Without thinking too much about it, she set the picture as her phone wallpaper.

At almost the same time, Arjun was lying on his bed looking at the same photo. He smiled quietly before setting it as his wallpaper too.

Neither of them knew that they had both chosen the same picture.

For Nila, it was simply a beautiful memory of their first Freshers Day together.

For Arjun, it meant something more.

Every time he unlocked his phone from that night onward, the first thing he would see was Nila smiling beside him.

And somehow, he didn't want it any other way.

To be continued...

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