The next day, Riya noticed him again.
He was laughing with his friends near the cafeteria, completely different from the calm boy she had met yesterday. Loud, energetic, confident.
She looked away immediately.
But Aarav didn't.
He saw her.
And he remembered her.
"There she is," he murmured to himself.
Over the next few days, Aarav kept noticing Riya everywhere.
Always alone.
Always quiet.
Always distant.
It intrigued him.
One afternoon, he walked into the library and spotted her sitting in the corner, surrounded by books.
Perfect.
He walked straight to her and sat down.
Riya looked up, surprised.
"You again?" she asked.
"Yeah," he smiled. "Coincidence… or maybe destiny."
Riya frowned slightly. "I don't believe in destiny."
"That's okay," Aarav leaned back. "I believe enough for both of us."
She didn't respond.
Instead, she went back to reading.
But Aarav didn't leave.
"What are you reading?" he asked.
"Something you won't understand."
"Try me."
She closed the book slowly. "Why are you talking to me?"
Aarav thought for a moment, then said honestly, "Because you're different."
Riya didn't know how to respond.
No one had ever said that to her before.