September 6: Tuesday
Aradhya met Shant at the café after her classes.
Their routine now.
She was telling him about something funny that happened in lab.
A student accidentally knocked over a beaker. The professor's face. The scramble to clean it up.
She was mid-sentence.
And Shant zoned out.
Just for a second.
But she noticed.
"Shant?"
He blinked. "Sorry. What?"
She set down her coffee. Leaned back in her chair.
"You do that a lot."
"Do what?"
"Zone out. Like you're somewhere else."
He shifted. "I'm just tired."
"No." She leaned forward now. "It's more than that. You get this look. Like you're seeing something I can't see."
"I don't know what you are…"
"And it happens when we're together. Specific moments." She counted on her fingers. "That corridor in the psych department. At Delhi Gate when I was laughing. Yesterday when I was talking about the orchids."
Shant's chest tightened.
She'd been paying attention.
Keeping track.
"It's nothing," he said.
"It's not nothing. You said I reminded you of someone. Who?"
Pause.
He looked at her.
At the curiosity in her eyes. The way she was leaning forward. Genuinely wanting to know.
Not letting this go.
He could tell her.
Right now.
About the dreams. About seeing her for months before they met. About the breakup. About the fortune teller.
All of it.
But the words stuck in his throat.
"I can't explain it," he said finally. "Not yet. But it's not bad. I promise."
She looked at him for a long moment.
Studying his face.
Then nodded slowly.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah. But you'll tell me eventually, right?"
"Yeah. Eventually."
She picked up her coffee. "I'm holding you to that."
And then she went back to her story like nothing happened.
But Shant knew.
She wasn't going to let this go.
She was too curious.
Too perceptive.
And part of him was relieved.
Because eventually, he'd have to tell her.
And maybe she'd understand.
September 7-8
Wednesday passed in a blur of texts.
"How's your day?"
"Boring without you."
"Smooth."
"I try."
They couldn't meet. Both had classes. Assignments due.
But they texted constantly.
Photos of their coffee. Their textbooks. Random things they saw.
Thursday was similar.
Except that evening, lying in bed, Shant thought about how close he'd come to telling her.
About how she knew something was up.
About how much longer he could keep this from her.
He opened his diary.
Wrote: "She's asking questions. She knows I'm hiding something. I want to tell her. I just don't know how. The date is getting closer. I can feel it. Something is going to happen soon. I don't know what. I don't know when exactly. But it's near. All these things are happening. The patterns repeating. But I still don't know the exact date. I just know it's coming."
He closed the diary.
Stared at the ceiling.
Soon.
Friday: The Freshers Party
A Few Days Earlier (The Conversation):
It was during one of their coffee dates.
They were talking about random things.
Preferences. Favorites. Silly questions.
"Okay," Aradhya had said. "If you could see me in any outfit, what would it be?"
Shant thought for a moment. "A gown."
She blinked. "A gown? Like... a ball gown?"
"Yeah. I think you'd look stunning in a gown. Something elegant. Black, maybe. Or deep red."
She laughed. "That's so specific."
"I can picture it," he said, smiling. "You'd look beautiful."
Her face heated. "Maybe someday."
"Maybe."
They'd moved on to other topics.
But Aradhya remembered.
Friday Evening: Getting Ready
Aradhya stood in front of her closet.
The freshers party was tonight.
She hadn't been planning to go.
But then Ananya texted: "Shant will be there."
And that changed everything.
She stared at the back of her closet.
At the dress she'd bought months ago and never worn.
Black. Floor-length. Elegant.
A fitted bodice with a long lace dupatta draped over the shoulders and arms. Delicate patterns in the lace. The skirt flowing, graceful.
She'd bought it on impulse. Never had an occasion to wear it.
Until now.
She pulled it out.
Stared at it.
He said I'd look stunning in a gown.
This is stupid. It's just a college party. I'll be overdressed.
But she put it on anyway.
The fabric felt soft against her skin. The dress fit perfectly.
She draped the lace dupatta carefully over her shoulders. Let it flow down her arms.
Looked at herself in the mirror.
Hair loose. Falling in waves over her shoulders.
Minimal makeup. Just enough.
Her Jhumkas. Small, delicate - perefect with the outfit.
And then she reached for her perfume.
The one she saved for special occasions.
Light. Floral. Subtle.
She sprayed it on her wrists. Her neck.
Behind her ears.
He'll notice.
Won't he?
She took a breath.
Checked the mirror one more time.
She barely recognized herself.
But in a good way.
Her mother appeared in the doorway.
Stopped.
Stared.
"Aradhya..."
"Too much?"
"No. You look... beautiful, beta."
Aradhya smiled. Nervous.
"It's just a party."
Her mother smiled knowingly. "Is he going to be there?"
Aradhya's face heated. "Who?"
"The boy you've been seeing."
"We're not…"
"You look beautiful. He'll think so too."
Aradhya didn't know what to say.
Her mother kissed her forehead. "Have fun. Don't come home too late."
Aradhya grabbed her small clutch.
Checked herself one more time.
Heart pounding.
And left.
At the Party
Shant arrived with Rishi.
The campus lawn was transformed.
String lights hung everywhere. Music playing. Students dressed up.
Some casual. Some formal.
The energy was high.
"This is actually pretty nice," Rishi said, looking around.
"Yeah."
They headed toward the food table.
Rishi spotted Ananya near the entrance.
"There's Ananya. Aradhya's probably with her."
Shant's chest tightened.
They walked over.
Ananya waved when she saw them.
"Hey! You guys made it!"
"Where's Aradhya?" Rishi asked.
"She's coming. She texted saying she's almost here."
Shant tried to look casual.
Checked his phone.
Looked around.
Students everywhere. Laughing. Dancing. Talking.
And then he saw her.
Walking through the entrance.
And his brain stopped working.
She was wearing a black gown.
Floor-length. Elegant. Flowing.
The bodice fitted perfectly. A long lace dupatta draped over her shoulders and arms, the delicate patterns catching the light.
Hair loose. Cascading over her shoulders in soft waves.
Minimal makeup that somehow made her features more striking.
Small jhumkas catching the light when she moved.
A dot bindi.
She looked... stunning.
No.
More than stunning.
She looked like she'd stepped out of a dream.
His dream.
He couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
She was scanning the crowd.
Looking for them.
And then her eyes found his.
She smiled.
Nervous. Hopeful. Beautiful.
And walked toward him.
Shant couldn't move.
Rishi elbowed him. "Dude. Close your mouth."
Shant blinked.
Aradhya reached them.
The lace dupatta flowing gracefully as she moved.
"Hey," she said.
Her voice was soft. A little breathless.
Like she'd been nervous walking over.
"Hey," Shant managed.
His voice came out rough.
Ananya grinned. "Aradhya! You look AMAZING!"
"Thanks. Is it too much?"
"Are you kidding? You look perfect."
Aradhya glanced at Shant.
Waiting.
He was staring at her.
Like he'd forgotten how to speak.
"You..." His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "You look beautiful."
Her face lit up.
The nervous energy melting into something warm.
"Thanks. I remembered what you said. About the gown."
Shant's chest tightened.
She wore this for him.
She remembered.
She cared enough to remember.
"You remembered."
"Of course I did."
They were staring at each other.
The party continuing around them.
But they might as well have been alone.
Ananya and Rishi exchanged glances.
Rishi grinned. "Okay, lovebirds. Let's get some food before you two combust."
Aradhya blushed.
Shant laughed.
But he couldn't stop looking at her.
Music. Dancing. Laughter.
Aradhya was nervous at first.
Self-conscious in the gown.
Other students were dressed more casually.
Jeans. Kurtas. Nothing this formal.
But Shant stayed close.
Stayed by her side.
"You really do look stunning," he said quietly.
She smiled. "You said that already."
"I'll probably say it a few more times tonight."
She laughed.
And the nervousness faded.
The Dance Floor
The music got louder.
More people dancing.
Ananya grabbed Aradhya's hand.
"Come on! You can't wear a dress like that and not dance!"
Aradhya protested but followed.
Let Ananya pull her onto the floor.
The music was fast. Upbeat.
Aradhya swayed awkwardly at first.
Not much of a dancer.
But Ananya was laughing. Encouraging.
And slowly, Aradhya relaxed.
Started moving.
The dress swirled around her when she turned. The lace dupatta flowing with her movements.
She caught sight of Shant.
Standing at the edge of the floor.
Watching her.
Not talking to Rishi.
Not looking at anyone else.
Just... watching.
Her heart skipped.
The song changed.
Ananya leaned in. "He can't take his eyes off you."
Aradhya looked over again.
Shant was still watching.
"Should I…?"
"Yes. Go."
Aradhya hesitated.
Then walked toward him.
The crowd parted slightly.
She stopped in front of him.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey."
"Do you... want to dance?"
He looked surprised. "I don't really dance."
"Neither do I. But I'm doing it anyway."
He smiled.
"Okay."
They moved onto the floor together.
Not doing anything fancy.
Just swaying slightly to the music.
Facing each other.
Close.
The gown swirled around her as she moved. The lace dupatta catching the light.
And Shant couldn't take his eyes off her.
"You smell really nice," he said without thinking.
Her eyes widened. "Oh. Thanks. It's... it's perfume."
"It's perfect."
She blushed.
Looked down.
His hand hovered near her waist.
Almost touching.
She stepped closer.
And now they were really close.
Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
His hand finally settled on her waist.
The fabric of the dress soft under his palm.
They swayed.
Not really dancing.
Just existing in this moment.
The music shifted.
Slower now.
A softer song.
Other couples paired off.
Arms around each other.
Shant and Aradhya didn't move apart.
Just kept swaying.
His hand on her waist. Her hand on his shoulder.
Close enough that he could smell her perfume.
Light. Floral. Intoxicating.
"I'm glad you came," she said softly.
"I'm glad you wore this dress."
She smiled. "It was a gamble. I thought I might be overdressed."
"You're not. You're perfect."
Their eyes met.
And everything else faded.
The music. The crowd. The lights.
Just her.
Just him.
Just this.
Shant's hand tightened slightly on her waist.
Aradhya's breath caught.
They were leaning in.
Slowly.
Unconsciously.
Closer.
Her perfume wrapped around him.
Soft. Warm.
His heart pounded.
He could see the way her eyes flickered to his lips.
The way her breath hitched.
Closer.
The space between them shrinking.
Almost.
Almost uh…
The song ended.
A loud, upbeat one started.
People cheered.
The spell broke.
They stepped apart.
Awkward. Flustered.
Both breathing harder than they should be.
"I need some air," Aradhya said quickly.
"Yeah. Me too."
They slipped outside.
Outside
The night air was cool.
A relief after the heat of the crowd.
They walked to the low wall.
Sat down.
Side by side.
The music was muffled now.
Quieter.
Aradhya smoothed her dress. The lace dupatta draped over her shoulders. Nervous.
"That was..."
"Yeah," Shant finished.
Pause.
"Shant?"
"Yeah?"
She looked at him.
The moonlight caught her face.
Made her eyes look darker.
"Do you ever feel like... I don't know. Like you're living something you've already lived?"
His heart stopped.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know how to explain it." She looked down at her hands. "But sometimes when I'm with you, it feels... familiar. Like I've done this before. Been here before. With you."
He stared at her.
She was describing exactly what he felt.
Every day.
Every moment with her.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I feel that too."
She looked at him. Surprised.
"Really?"
"Every time I'm with you."
Their eyes met.
Held.
And for a second, Shant thought about telling her everything.
About the dreams.
About the breakup at Sunder Nursery.
About the fortune teller.
About seeing her face for months before they met.
All of it.
The words were right there.
On the tip of his tongue.
But then voices.
Ananya and Rishi coming outside.
"There you are! We've been looking everywhere!"
The moment shattered.
Aradhya looked away.
Shant exhaled.
The chance passed.
But it lingered between them.
Unspoken.
Heavy.
Later That Night - Aradhya's POV:
She lay in bed.
Still in the gown.
Too tired to change.
Just staring at the ceiling.
Replaying the night.
The way he looked at her when she arrived.
Like she'd stolen his breath.
Like she was the only person in the room.
The way he held her while they danced.
Gentle but firm.
His hand on her waist.
The way they almost...
Again.
Why does this keep happening?
Why do we keep almost-kissing and never actually doing it?
She closed her eyes.
But all she saw was him.
Looking at her.
Like she was everything.
She grabbed her phone.
Typed a message.
"Thank you for tonight."
Stared at it.
Deleted it.
Typed again.
"I can't stop thinking about…"
Deleted it.
Threw the phone on her nightstand.
Groaned into her pillow.
Get it together, Aradhya.
But she couldn't.
Because all she wanted was to go back.
To that moment.
On the dance floor.
When they were so close.
When it felt like he might actually kiss her.
She drifted into sleep.
Still in the gown. The lace dupatta tangled around her.
Still thinking about him.
Shant's POV:
He lay in bed.
Hands behind his head.
Staring at the ceiling.
Can't sleep.
Can't stop thinking about her.
In that dress.
The lace dupatta flowing as she moved.
The way she smelled.
The way she looked at him.
Like he was everything.
He picked up his phone.
Typed a message.
"You looked beautiful tonight."
Deleted it.
Typed again.
"I can't stop thinking about you in that dress."
Deleted it.
Threw the phone aside.
Grabbed his diary instead.
Opened it.
Wrote:
September 9th.
She wore a gown. Black. Elegant. Exactly like I imagined when I told her she'd look stunning.
How did she remember? How did she know?
We danced. We almost kissed. Again.
I'm running out of time.
The date is near. I can feel it. Something is going to happen soon.
I need to tell her. About the dreams. About everything.
But I don't know how.
How do I tell her I've been seeing her in my dreams for months? That I've watched us fall in love and break up over and over? That I'm terrified the pattern will repeat?
How do I say any of that without sounding insane?
He closed the diary.
Lay back.
Closed his eyes.
And saw her.
In that dress. The lace dupatta draped elegantly over her shoulders.
Looking at him.
Smiling.
Soon.
It's coming soon.
Whatever it is.
He fell asleep.
Still thinking about her.