The bus ride home was unusually quiet.
Aanya sat by the window, her fingers resting against the glass as the city blurred past. Vedant's words echoed in her mind again and again.
> "I'm not talking about Meher. I'm talking about me."
She hadn't meant to drift away from Vedant. He had always been around—loyal, gentle, safe.
But now… something had changed. Something inside her.
She reached home, greeted her mother with a tired smile, and went straight to her room. The door closed behind her, and the world outside faded away.
She sat on the edge of her bed, knees pulled to her chest, her mind spinning with everything—Aarav's teasing, Vedant's gaze, the way her heart had reacted.
Aanya's POV
Vedant's words hurt. Not because he was angry—but because he wasn't. Because he sounded like someone who had already let go.
But it made me ask myself the question I had been avoiding.
Why was I drifting?
And only one name came to my mind.
Aarav.
Every time I think about him...
The way he smiles. The way his voice softens when he talks about music. The way he looks at me like I'm the only thing in the world that makes sense.
My heart... it beats faster.
Like it's afraid. Or maybe... maybe it's finally waking up.
Maybe we're meant for each other.
Maybe... I'm falling in love with him.
That night, sleep came slowly. But when it did—it brought something unexpected.
The Dream
She stood under the moonlight, barefoot on soft grass. The stars stretched endlessly above, glowing gently like they were blessing the night.
And there he was. Aarav.
Walking toward her with that soft smile that made her forget how to breathe.
"Do you ever think," he whispered, taking her hands in his, "that some people are written in the stars long before they meet?"
Her voice trembled. "I think... I was waiting for you before I even knew you existed."
He cupped her face gently. "Aanya... I think I'm in love with you."
She smiled, tears shimmering in her eyes. "I think I'm in love with you too."
And under the stars, beneath the moon's soft light, they kissed—slow, gentle, and full of everything their hearts had ever tried to say.
Morning
Aanya jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest. Her face felt warm, her lips tingling from a kiss that had only existed in a dream.
She buried her face into her pillow, blushing uncontrollably.
> "Why did it feel so real?"
"Why does he make my heart feel things I can't explain?"
Her phone buzzed. A message.
Aarav
"Hey sleepyhead, you not coming to college today? It's already late 👀"
Her blush deepened.
She typed quickly:
Aanya
"On my way! Just got... a bit late."
And as she got ready for college, she couldn't help but smile.
Because even if it was just a dream...
It felt like her heart had finally spoken the truth.
The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter, papers shuffling, and the professor's distant voice writing something on the board.
But Aanya wasn't hearing a word.
She sat with her chin resting on her hand, her eyes half-closed, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Her heart was still caught somewhere under the moonlight… where Aarav had whispered, "I'm in love with you."
Where his lips had touched hers like they were meant to meet all along.
Meher leaned in, squinting suspiciously.
"Okay. What's going on with you?"
Aanya blinked. "What? Nothing."
"Don't give me that innocent face," Meher narrowed her eyes. "You've been smiling like an idiot since you walked in."
Aanya tried to suppress her grin but failed miserably.
"I'll tell you after class," she whispered.
Meher groaned. "No, I can't wait that long—tell me now!"
"Shhh!" the professor shot them a warning glance.
Aanya sighed, then scribbled a quick note in Meher's notebook:
"I had a dream about Aarav."
Meher's eyes widened, and she almost screamed before covering her mouth. She mouthed WHAT?!
Aanya nodded shyly, face burning.
After class, they both rushed out and stood by the corridor near the window.
"Okay," Meher demanded, "start from the beginning. I want every detail."
Aanya looked around quickly, not realizing someone else was nearby.
"I dreamt we were under the stars… and he confessed his feelings. He said he loved me. And… then we kissed."
She bit her lip, blushing at just the memory.
Before Meher could squeal again, a familiar voice spoke behind them.
"Wow."
They froze.
"I didn't know I was starring in your dreams now."
Aanya turned slowly.
Aarav stood there, arms crossed, smirking like he had just won a game she didn't know they were playing.
Her eyes widened in horror. "Y-You heard that?!"
Aarav leaned closer. "Under the stars, huh? That's romantic."
"Aarav!" she covered her face, completely flustered.
Meher burst into laughter. "I'm leaving. This is way better than any movie."
As Meher walked off giggling, Aanya turned to Aarav, who was still enjoying every second of her embarrassment.
"You're impossible," she muttered, still not meeting his eyes.
Aarav gently pulled her hand away from her face. "You're adorable when you're embarrassed."
She looked up, caught in the softness of his gaze.
"Was it a good dream?" he asked, voice lower now.
Aanya nodded, whispering, "Too good."
He leaned in slightly, their faces inches apart. "Let's make it come true sometime."
Her breath caught.
"Aarav—"
He grinned. "Relax. I won't kiss you in the college hallway… unless you ask nicely."
She pushed him playfully, trying to hide her smile.
Aanya's POV
This isn't a dream.
This is real.
And maybe… just maybe… I'm ready for it now.
After that They sat quietly on the college bench, golden light washing over everything.
Just as Aarav finally found the courage to open his heart, Aanya's phone buzzed. She looked down and smiled.
"Ma," she whispered, and stepped a little to the side to take the call.
Aarav leaned back, listening to her voice drift in the breeze.
> "Yes, Mom I had lunch." "No, I'm not skipping meals." "Don't worry, I'm doing well."
She giggled softly, and Aarav's heart clenched — not out of jealousy, but something deeper. Something hollow.
Aarav's POV
It's funny how something so simple could feel so far away.
A mother checking in.
Not with a business query or a reminder to maintain reputation, but just to ask — "How are you?"
My parents don't ask that.
They ask about meetings. About progress. About what I'm doing to uphold the 'family legacy.'
They've never asked if I'm happy.
I didn't even know I missed it… until I heard her say "I love you too, Mom"
Aanya returned, smiling like sunshine.
"Sorry, my mom never lets me end a call without reminding me about fruits and sleep," she laughed, sitting beside him again.
Aarav smiled faintly and said quietly,
"So… families do get time for their kids, huh?"
Aanya looked at him — really looked.
He wasn't joking. Not fully.
She gently asked, "You don't talk to your mom much?"
He shook his head slowly.
"She talks to everyone. Clients. Lawyers. My sister. The staff. The world. But somehow... not me."
Aanya didn't speak. She just slid her hand over his.
No pity. Just warmth.
"You're not alone," she said softly.
And for the first time in a long time, he believed her.
---
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