Manav couldn't stop thinking about her.
Ananya.
Even her name felt different. Soft. Calm. Yet powerful enough to stay in his mind the whole day.
He checked the notice board again.
Class: B.Sc – Room 204
"That means… same class?" he smiled.
His heart started racing again as he walked toward the classroom.
The class was already half full. Students were talking, laughing, trying to make new friends.
Manav stepped inside slowly, his eyes searching.
And then…
He saw her.
Ananya was sitting near the window, sunlight falling gently on her face. She was looking outside, lost in her own thoughts.
For a moment, Manav just stood there.
"Bro, will you sit or just stare?" someone joked behind him.
Manav snapped back to reality.
He quickly walked in and looked around. Most seats were filled.
Only one empty seat remained…
Right beside her.
His heartbeat doubled.
"Should I…?" he hesitated.
But something inside him pushed forward.
He walked up to her desk.
"Can I sit here?" he asked softly.
Ananya looked at him, slightly surprised.
"Oh… you?" she recognized him from the morning incident.
"Yeah… paper guy," Manav smiled nervously.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Yeah, sure."
That was it.
A simple "yes"…
But for Manav, it felt like a big win.
The lecture started, but Manav couldn't focus.
Not because he didn't want to…
But because she was sitting right next to him.
He could hear the soft sound of her pen moving.
He could feel her presence.
It was distracting.
"Focus, Manav," he whispered to himself.
But then suddenly—
"Excuse me, what's the answer?" Ananya whispered.
Manav froze.
She was talking to him.
"Huh?"
"Third question… I didn't get it," she said.
Manav looked at the notebook.
"Oh… it's… uh… 12," he replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Maybe… 90% sure," he smiled.
She laughed softly.
That laugh…
It hit differently.
"Okay, I'll trust your 90%," she said.
After class ended, students started leaving.
Manav packed his bag slowly.
He wanted to say something… but didn't know what.
Before he could think—
"Thanks… for the answer," Ananya said.
Manav looked up.
"Oh… yeah, anytime."
A small silence followed.
"Which school were you in?" she asked.
Manav was surprised.
She started the conversation.
"City High School," he replied.
"You?"
"St. Mary's."
"Nice."
Again, silence.
But this time, it wasn't awkward.
It felt… comfortable.
As they walked out of the class together, Manav gathered courage.
"Friends?" he asked, extending his hand.
Ananya looked at his hand.
For a second, she didn't respond.
Manav thought maybe he messed up.
But then—
She smiled.
And shook his hand.
"Friends."
That one word changed everything.
From strangers…
To something more.
Days started passing.
Classes, canteen, library…
Manav and Ananya were slowly becoming close.
They started sitting together daily.
Sharing notes.
Laughing at small things.
Even fighting over silly topics.
"Chocolate ice cream is best," Manav said.
"No way, it's butterscotch," Ananya argued.
"You have bad taste."
"You have no taste."
And then both laughed.
One day in the canteen—
"Why are you always so quiet?" Manav asked.
Ananya looked at her coffee.
"I'm not quiet… I just don't talk much."
"Why?"
She stayed silent for a moment.
"Not everyone likes to share everything," she replied.
Manav noticed something.
There was a hidden sadness in her eyes.
But he didn't ask more.
Not yet.
Weeks turned into months.
Their bond grew stronger.
Manav started realizing something.
This wasn't just friendship anymore.
He was falling for her.
Slowly.
Deeply.
Without even noticing.
One evening, Manav was sitting alone in his room.
He looked at his phone.
Ananya's chat was open.
He typed…
"Do you believe in love?"
He stared at the message.
Then deleted it.
"Too early," he sighed.
Next day in college—
Manav reached early.
He was waiting for her near the gate.
Minutes passed.
She didn't come.
"Maybe she's late," he thought.
But then…
He saw her.
She was walking toward the campus.
But she wasn't alone.
A guy was with her.
They were talking.
Laughing.
Comfortably.
Manav felt something strange.
A pinch in his chest.
"Who is he…?" he murmured.
As they came closer, Ananya saw Manav.
Her smile faded slightly.
"Manav… hi," she said.
"Hi," he replied, forcing a smile.
"This is Rohan," she said.
"He's… my school friend."
Rohan extended his hand.
"Hey, bro."
Manav shook it.
"Yeah… hi."
But inside…
Something had already started breaking.
For the first time…
Manav felt scared.
Scared of losing something…
He never officially had.
And Ananya?
She looked confused.
As if she knew something was about to change.
That day…
The story took a turn.
Because love…
Is never simple.