Chapter: 5
(Face to Face, in the College Corridor)
The mid-July sun felt sharper than usual today. The shadows on the road seemed to have vanished. The sun was pouring down its heat onto the asphalt, and right through that scorching brightness, Ayush walked forward. He had caught the bus a bit late today, yet his mind felt strangely detached. The crowd around him, the honking sounds, the advertisements on the bus—nothing seemed to touch him. His bag swung from his shoulder, his face carrying that familiar liveliness. Sunglasses covered his eyes, but behind them, a different kind of expectation seemed to be hiding.
Aishi had taken a little extra time getting ready today. A light blue kurti, a touch of kajal, a subtle lip tint—altogether, a calm and graceful look. Standing in front of the mirror, she had smiled to herself and said, "Why does today feel… a little special for no reason?"
As soon as she entered the college, she noticed the section allocation list. Her eyes stopped at one name—"Ayush Khan." Something inside her chest jolted.
"This name…! Ugh, is this guy in my section again?"
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind—
"Why? Surprised?"
Aishi turned around and saw him—Ayush. Sunglasses on, that same familiar smile on his lips.
"You… in this college?"
"Of course! This is my place. From now on, same college, same section. I already claimed the seat before, now I'll sit beside you in class too. Can you imagine?"
Aishi's face flushed with irritation and disbelief.
"Please don't think so highly of yourself. My life isn't that empty to make time for someone like you."
"Wow! I see fire today! But I see this fire every day now… I guess I've gotten used to it. In fact, I kind of like it."
Aishi turned away and walked off. Yet Ayush's soft laughter still echoed in her ears. She thought to herself, "Why is this guy so… so annoying? But… why does it feel like the day hasn't even started if I don't see him?"
That day, they sat together in class for the first time. Aishi had wanted to sit far away, but circumstances left her no choice but to sit beside him. Ayush casually sat next to her and said,
"I like that I get to sit beside you. Even though you're still looking away… one day, this face will turn toward me."
Aishi didn't smile. Her face showed indifference, but inside, a faint ripple stirred. No one had spoken to her like this before—so light, yet so direct. As if he truly believed every word he said.
As the lecturer entered, silence filled the classroom. But every now and then, Aishi glanced at Ayush. And Ayush? He seemed to be looking at her every moment. Whenever their eyes met, he smiled—mischief dancing at the corners of his lips. Aishi quickly looked away, but her mind stayed there.
At the end of the day, as the college bell rang, Aishi hurried out. From behind came that voice again—
"Shall we go together? Or will you show your anger again today?"
"I don't want to go anywhere with you."
"Then I'll follow you—just like we fight for seats on the bus, now I'll fight on the road too."
Aishi kept walking, muttering under her breath. Ayush walked beside her, smiling lightly,
"You know, your anger is the sweetest thing about you."
Aishi suddenly stopped. Ayush stopped too.
"Do you even understand what you say? Or do you just say whatever comes to your mind?"
"I think before I speak, Aishi. Because you're not just someone I argue with anymore… you're becoming my habit."
This time, Aishi said nothing. She continued walking, holding herself together before her eyes could betray her with tears. Behind her walked Ayush—bag on his shoulder, sunglasses on, and a strange depth in his expression. As if he had no answers, only patience.
Their beginning—started with a seat, then daily arguments, now college, and slowly, an unknown path of a relationship. Not exactly like a movie, yet not quite like any familiar story of life either. A little spicy, a little sweet, and a little sour—that was the first taste of their relationship.
To be continued…