Chapter 3 — The Unexpected Encounter

Aaradhya’s laughter echoed through the college courtyard as she walked with her friends. Sanya, Meera, Adhitya and Kabir were with her, chatting and joking as usual. Kabir was trying his best to impress Aaradhya, making her laugh at his silly jokes. He’d had a crush on her for months, but every time he tried to tell her, he would freeze, lost in her gentle presence.

Today, however, was different. Aaradhya was so absorbed in her conversation with Meera that she wasn’t paying attention to her steps. She tripped over a stone, arms flailing as she struggled to regain her balance.

Kabir, quick on his feet, lunged forward to catch her, his eyes wide with panic. But before he could reach her, another hand shot out from behind, grabbing her firmly by the waist.

Aaradhya’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up. Shaurya. The boy she had only noticed from a distance — the arrogant, self-absorbed college heartthrob — was the one who had caught her.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze.

Shaurya’s breath caught in his throat. He’d never realized how captivating Aaradhya’s eyes were. They were soft and deep, like two pools of serenity, and he felt lost in them for a moment.

Aaradhya blinked, pulling herself back and immediately pushing him away. "Thank you, but I can handle myself."

Shaurya didn’t let go. His grip tightened as he stared at her, not noticing the awkwardness of the situation. "Are you sure?" he asked softly, his voice low and almost... intimate.

Kabir, seeing the tension, rushed over, his face twisted in frustration. "Hey! She said she’s fine!" He pulled Aaradhya away from Shaurya’s hold, glaring at him. "Don’t touch her again."

Shaurya glared back, his jaw clenching. "I was just helping."

Aaradhya, sensing the rising tension, quickly stepped between the two. "Kabir, it’s okay. He was just trying to help."

Kabir glared at Shaurya one last time before turning to Aaradhya with a smile. "Let’s go."

Aaradhya nodded, offering Shaurya a polite smile. "Thanks again."

She turned to leave with her friends, but Shaurya wasn’t ready to let it go. He took a step forward and called out. "Wait!"

Aaradhya stopped, glancing over her shoulder.

Shaurya approached her, his tone casual but persistent. "You didn’t really thank me, you know."

Aaradhya raised an eyebrow. "I did, didn’t I?"

Shaurya stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Not really. A simple 'thank you' isn’t enough. How about we talk for a minute?"

Aaradhya looked at him, about to refuse, but her friends—Meera and Sanya—whispered to her, urging her to talk to him.

“Just talk to him, Aaradhya! What’s the harm?” Sanya nudged her playfully.

Aaradhya hesitated, her eyes flickering between her friends and Shaurya. “There’s no use,” she replied softly. “I don’t know him, and I have work to do.”

Shaurya smiled, his expression almost knowing. "I’m not a stranger, you know. We could be friends."

Aaradhya shook her head, her tone polite but firm. "I don’t make friends with people I don’t know." With that, she turned and walked away, her friends trailing behind.

Later that afternoon, Aaradhya was in the library, buried in her books, trying to focus. She was absorbed in her work when she heard footsteps approaching. Without looking up, she knew exactly who it was.

Shaurya stood by her table, leaning slightly against the edge. "Hey," he said, his voice warm but a little too eager.

Aaradhya glanced up, meeting his gaze for a brief moment before returning to her book. She wasn’t interested in engaging, but Shaurya wasn’t about to give up that easily.

“Are you busy?” he asked, a playful edge to his voice.

Aaradhya didn’t respond, flipping a page without acknowledging him.

Shaurya sighed, sitting down across from her. "Look, I know you’re not thrilled about me, but I think we should at least talk. Maybe even be friends."

Aaradhya glanced at him once more, annoyance flickering in her eyes. “I told you. I don’t have time for this. I don’t even know you."

Shaurya’s smile faltered. "You don’t have to know me to be friends, Aaradhya. Friendship is built on trust, and I want to get to know you."

Aaradhya bit her lip, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. She glanced around, noticing that other students were watching them. With a sigh, she shook her head. "I’m not interested, Shaurya."

Shaurya’s smile faded as she spoke. His pride pricked, and for the first time, he felt a knot of humiliation tighten in his stomach. “Really?” he said, his voice a little quieter than usual.

Aaradhya glanced up, her eyes sincere but firm. "I don’t think it’s right to offer friendship just to get something out of it. I’m sorry, but I can’t accept."

The words stung. Shaurya clenched his fists under the table, his jaw tightening with frustration. He had never been rejected like this before. Not from anyone.

And yet, there he was, feeling humiliated. His anger simmered beneath the surface, but he forced himself to calm down.

“Okay, Aaradhya,” he said coolly, standing up. “I guess I’ll respect your decision.”

As he walked away, he couldn’t help but feel an unfamiliar burning in his chest. "I’ll make you change your mind, Aaradhya. You just wait and watch."

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