Episode-2

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Chapter 2: The Quiet Connection

The next few days seemed to pass by in a blur of settling in. Aanya found herself adjusting to the rhythm of her new life — finding her way around the college campus, meeting new people, and familiarizing herself with the neighborhood. But despite the hustle and bustle of the new surroundings, her mind couldn’t help but wander back to one thought, one person.

Arjun.

She hadn’t expected him to linger in her thoughts so much, but there was something about him that stayed with her — his quiet demeanor, the way he seemed to live in a world all his own, and the way he had made her feel so welcome in his home. She could still hear the soft sound of his voice, the way his smile seemed genuine without being forced.

It wasn’t like she was in love with him — she barely knew him. But something about their brief interaction had sparked something in her. Curiosity. Wonder. A feeling that there was more to Arjun than met the eye.

It was a rainy Thursday afternoon when Aanya found herself walking home from college, her umbrella swaying gently in the wind. The streets were wet, reflecting the muted gray of the sky above. She pulled her jacket tighter around her body, wishing she had thought to bring a scarf. As she walked down the street, she couldn’t help but notice the house next door, its windows glowing softly in the rain.

And there he was again. Arjun.

He was standing under the bus stop, his face buried in a book as always, oblivious to the rain that was now coming down harder. The pages of his book fluttered in the wind, and Aanya could see that he was completely absorbed in whatever he was reading.

Aanya hesitated. Should she keep walking? Should she go home, like she usually did? But there was something pulling her toward him — something about the way he seemed so lost in his own world, as though nothing else mattered. It was a feeling that reminded her of the calmness she had felt when they had spoken earlier that week.

She couldn’t resist.

“Arjun?” she called out, her voice cutting through the sound of the rain.

He looked up in surprise, blinking as if he had just realized he wasn’t alone. For a moment, he seemed slightly flustered, quickly closing the book and tucking it under his arm. “Oh, Aanya. Hey. Didn’t see you there.”

“I couldn’t help but notice you were out here in the rain, reading your book,” she said, half-laughing. “Isn’t that a little dangerous for your book?”

Arjun chuckled, adjusting his glasses. “I guess I lost track of time. I don’t mind getting wet.”

Aanya raised an eyebrow, eyeing the book with concern. “Well, I mind for you,” she teased. “I’d offer you my umbrella, but…”

“Are you offering?” Arjun interrupted, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Aanya blinked, caught off guard by his playful tone. “Well, I guess I can’t leave you standing here. You’ll get soaked.”

Arjun smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting just slightly. “I guess I’m lucky then. Thanks.”

They both stood under the umbrella, walking side by side in silence for a few moments. The rain pattered softly around them, and for the first time since she had arrived in this new place, Aanya felt a sense of peace.

“So,” she said, breaking the silence. “What are you reading?”

Arjun hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the book. “It’s a novel I’ve read a million times. But I can never get enough of it.”

Aanya smiled. “A bookworm, huh?”

He shrugged slightly, a bashful grin on his face. “I guess you could say that.”

The walk was quiet, but in the best way possible. The kind of quiet that felt comfortable, not awkward. With every step, Aanya felt more at ease in Arjun’s presence, as though they had known each other far longer than they actually had.

When they reached the end of the lane, Aanya stopped at her gate and turned to him. “Thanks for walking with me. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”

“No problem,” Arjun said, his voice warm. “It’s nice to have company. I spend most of my time with books, so it’s a nice change.”

Aanya smiled, feeling a small flutter in her chest. She didn’t know why, but something about his words made her feel like they were connected in a way that was different from anything she had experienced before. It wasn’t love, but it was something deeper — something unspoken.

“Well, I’ll see you around, Arjun,” Aanya said, trying to keep her voice casual.

“Yeah, for sure,” Arjun replied, his smile lingering.

As he turned and walked away, Aanya stood there for a moment, watching him go. She didn’t know what it was about him, but she had a feeling — a feeling that something was about to change.

That she was about to find out what those stories in his eyes really meant.

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