Chapter 4: Canteen Chaos & Hidden Feelings
The college canteen was full of noise, laughter, and energy.
Students crowded around tables, sharing food and stories.
Aditi rushed in first.
"Finally! FOOD!"
Priyanka laughed,
"You didn't even wait for us."
Swati and Poonam followed, smiling.
They found a table and sat down together.
"Today's treat is mine!" Aditi announced proudly.
"Why?" Priyanka asked.
"Because… first day and reunion!" she said dramatically.
Everyone laughed.
Just then—
"Only you can make a simple day this dramatic."
A voice came from behind.
Aditi turned—
"LAVESH?!"
A tall boy stood there, smiling.
Lavesh.
"Miss drama queen," he teased.
Aditi rolled her eyes,
"Excuse me? You're the drama here."
They kept arguing playfully.
Priyanka whispered to Swati,
"Something is definitely going on."
Swati smiled,
"Obviously."
"Sit with us," Aditi said.
Lavesh pulled a chair and sat beside her.
"Only because you insisted," he said.
"Please, I didn't," Aditi replied—but smiled anyway.
Meanwhile…
At another table—
Abhi and Ayush sat with their friends.
Ayush noticed the girls' table.
"Look there… your 'collision girl'," he teased.
Abhi looked.
Swati.
Laughing with her friends.
Something felt… peaceful.
His inner voice:
"Stay close to her…"
Back at the girls' table—
Poonam quietly glanced toward Ayush.
Their eyes met for a second.
Ayush smiled casually.
Poonam quickly looked down, blushing.
Aditi noticed everything.
"OHHH… love stories everywhere today," she said dramatically.
"Stop it!" Poonam said shyly.
Lavesh leaned closer to Aditi,
"You haven't changed."
Aditi raised an eyebrow,
"And you have?"
"Maybe… a little."
For a second…
They just looked at each other.
At the same time—
Shreya and Aishwarya entered the canteen.
Their eyes scanned the room.
And stopped at Swati… Abhi… and the group.
Shreya smirked,
"Too much happiness."
Aishwarya replied,
"Let's break it."
Back at the table—
Aditi suddenly stood up.
"Let's take a group photo!"
"Now?" Priyanka asked.
"Yes now!"
They all stood together.
Lavesh stood next to Aditi.
Swati stood in the middle.
Poonam slightly behind… but smiling.
As the photo clicked—
Abhi looked from far.
And smiled… unknowingly.
The moment looked perfect.
But…
Not all stories stay perfect for long.