Anuj stood at the crossroads, talking quietly on his phone. He wasn't paying attention to anything else until his eyes landed on a girl nearby. Something about her seemed familiar.
He stopped and looked more closely — then remembered. She had been in his class back in school. Maybe even his old crush.
"Yasti?" he thought to himself. "Is that really her? What is she doing here?"
She stood near a building with some luggage beside her. Anuj's head filled with questions. Should he talk to her? Would she even remember him?
After a moment of hesitation, he gave himself a push.
"If I don't speak to her, how will I ever know?"
He walked up to her and, keeping his voice low, said:
"Hey Yasti, what are you doing here? Do you remember me? I'm Anuj from Arya College, class 12."
Yasti turned and smiled.
"Hello — Anuj, right? I remember you. You used to be Ravi's friend."
Anuj felt nervous; his crush on Yasti had always made him awkward.
"Haha… yeah, that's me. Thank God you remember. By the way, how are you here, and what's with the luggage?"
"First, how are you here at this time?" Yasti asked.
"My home is just nearby," he said. "I'm just returning from the temple."
"Oh, I see. I've just moved here. I'm settling in."
"If you don't mind, I can help you," Anuj offered.
"You don't have to," she replied. "I can manage."
Yasti tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. When Anuj saw her, it felt like a breeze had brushed past, scattering flowers across her face. His heart beat faster; he found himself staring.
"Hey Anuj, are you daydreaming?" Yasti teased. "Where did you disappear to?"
"Nothing," Anuj said, struggling for words. "I was just… wow. You were so cute in school, like an innocent child, but now you've changed. You look mature — and very beautiful."
"Yes," she said. "Time changes everyone. I need to finish setting up the room now, so I'll get back to it."
"I'll help," Anuj insisted. "I can't sleep tonight if I leave you struggling. Please — don't say no."
"Okay, fine," she replied. "But when the time comes, don't refuse to help me."