The applause still echoed in Tina's mind as she exited the auditorium, her mind buzzing from the adrenaline of the debate. She wasn't used to this kind of limelight—especially not the kind that ended with a stranger reading her thoughts aloud with unnerving clarity. Ishaan M. Silva. She'd remember that name.
"Hey, Rathod!" Mira's voice cut through the haze as she jogged up to her, excitement bubbling. "You were electric on stage! Like… cyber thunder!"
Tina rolled her eyes with a small laugh. "Please don't ever say 'cyber thunder' again."
"I make no promises," Mira replied, looping her arm through Tina's. "So, what's the story with Mr. M. Silva? He was watching you like he knew your soul."
Tina shrugged, but her lips twitched at the edges. "He was just a good opponent."
"Mm-hmm. That's not how he looked at you when he quoted your argument before you even made it."
Before Tina could reply, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number:
Ishaan Silva: 'Sometimes, the most logical mind hides the most poetic heart. Want to prove me wrong over coffee? – Ishaan.'
Mira read it over her shoulder. "Oh, my God. He got your number?"
"I hate charming people," Tina muttered.
---
Later that Evening – Campus Café
Tina sat across from Ishaan, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Ishaan, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair like he had all the time in the world.
"I didn't steal your number," he said, holding up his hands. "Mira posted a story tagging you. You can blame your enthusiastic roommate."
Tina raised an eyebrow. "So, you stalked me?"
"Cyber-researched," he corrected with a grin. "Besides, I thought you of all people would appreciate diligence."
She couldn't help but smirk. "You have five minutes to impress me."
Ishaan leaned forward. "Okay. Why do you want to build a cybersecurity firm?"
Tina blinked. She hadn't expected him to go straight for the core.
"My mom's email was hacked a few years ago. She lost a huge amount of money from a fake banking scam. I was sixteen. I tried everything to get it back. I failed."
"That's… intense," Ishaan said softly.
She nodded. "It made me realize that awareness isn't enough. People need accessible tools and strong systems. I want to build those systems."
Ishaan was silent for a moment. "You don't just speak like a debater. You speak like someone who's already decided her path."
Tina looked at him. "And you?"
"I write poetry in binary," he said with a sheepish grin. "Joking. I build tools that help people create digital art without needing to code. My mom's a painter. I wanted her to build her own website once, and she cried because she didn't understand HTML."
Tina smiled. "That's sweet."
"It's purpose-driven. Like yours."
There was a pause, long and comfortable. The kind that felt like an invitation.
"Okay, you've impressed me," Tina said, standing up.
"Wait, seriously?"
"I didn't say I was going to marry you. Just that you're not a creep."
"Oh, I'll take that as a compliment," Ishaan said, standing too.
---
Back in the Dorm – That Night
Mira peeked from her laptop screen. "You're smiling. Was it the cake or the boy?"
Tina changed into her hoodie, brushing her hair. "Just a decent conversation."
"Which ended with him sending you a digital drawing of a girl holding a firewall as a shield?" Mira asked, pointing at Tina's phone.
Tina looked. Ishaan had sent a sketch.
> 'Every knight deserves armor. – IS.'
She smiled.
"I like him," Mira said firmly.
"I don't even know him."
"You're going to."
---
Elsewhere – Rooftop of the Boys' Hostel
Aarav was lounging on a beanbag when Ishaan appeared.
"So? How'd it go?"
Ishaan handed over the leftover chocolate pastry. "She's a fortress with poetry etched on the walls."
Aarav grinned. "That's either romantic or weirdly Shakespearean."
"She's going to change everything," Ishaan said, looking at the city lights.
Aarav shook his head. "You're in trouble, buddy."
From the shadows, a figure watched the pair through binoculars.
Dev Malhotra narrowed his eyes.
"Tina Rathod," he whispered. "You're exactly who I've been waiting for."