"Why are you late today, Deeksha?" Professor Shah inquired, his eyebrows raised.

Deeksha squirmed under his gaze, her eyes scanning the classroom, trying to find a suitable seat. "Sorry, sir," she mumbled, "Got caught up in some work."

"Alright, take a seat," he sighed.

Deeksha settled down beside Arjun, a tall, boyish figure with a light stubble, the epitome of a Bollywood protagonist, yet hiding an introverted soul. Two years into their engineering program, Deeksha noticed him for the first time.

"How far in the syllabus is Sir today?" she whispered, nudging him.

Arjun, startled, jumped a little. "Uh... what?"

"I asked what we've covered so far," she repeated, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

He fidgeted with his notebook, blush creeping up his neck.

"Oh! You weren't really here, were you? Daydreaming, I suppose. Happens to the best of us!" She tried to control her laugh.

"I know, but this engineering stuff? Not exactly my forte. Honestly, I'd rather be anywhere else. This whole college thing feels pointless. I just want to escape and breathe." Arjun rushed.

"Exactly!" Deeksha exclaimed, a shared frustration bonding them. "But what choice do we have? It's not for ourselves, but for our families."

They chuckled, the absurdity of their situation sinking in. "Isn't it ironic?" Deeksha mused. "We're in the best college in the state, yet plotting our escape."

"Funny you mentioned that," Arjun mumbled, surprised by his own voice.

"Well, Arjun, I never thought you could talk so much." Deeksha's grin widened.

"Oh, I can. I just prefer not to waste my wit on uninterested ears." Arjun explained.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, oblivious to the class ending around them.
As they parted ways at their respective hostels, a spark had ignited within Arjun. He, the silent observer, couldn't get the vision of her out of his mind: Her black cargos, ruffled hair, silver hoop earrings, and a chunky black wristwatch, made her appear no less than a shero. He longed to talk more, to explore this unexpected connection.

The next day, he woke up with a newfound purpose, a reason to step into the bustling college grounds. His eyes found a new job - of searching for someone.

"Hey Arjun! Looking for someone?" Deeksha's voice echoed through the hallway, her smile mirroring the warm sunshine. She plopped down beside him, as casual as ever.

"Ah, not at all," he stammered, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. "Just enjoying the fine weather, that's all."


Their friendship blossomed, each day painting a new brushstroke on their canvas. From shared lunches to whispered secrets, from playful chatter to quiet understanding, they built a world within their world. Days turned into weeks, weeks into semesters, semesters into years.

The inevitable graduation loomed, casting a bittersweet shadow. Phones were still a luxury, reserved for the privileged few. On their last day, standing under the familiar archway, they made a promise. Twice a year, they would visit their ‘adda’, a quaint tea stall that held their memories captive, no matter life's detours.


Time, however, proved to be a relentless sculptor. They found themselves busy in their jobs, the memories of college slowly fading in their hearts. The promise of the ‘adda’ remained unfulfilled, kept alive only by one soul. Every half-year, Arjun would sit at the worn-out table, a mug of ‘chai’ warming his hands, a flicker of hope illuminating his eyes.

Five years passed in this melancholic rhythm. Then, one day, something happened.

"Sir, someone named Deeksha is here to see you."

Arjun's heart leaped like a startled antelope. "Deeksha? Is that…?"

Before he lips could complete the thought, she stood before him, her fiery presence filling the room. "How could your company do this?" she fumed, her voice laced with indignation. "We've been working on this project for a year, and just because…"

Her sentence died mid-air, replaced by a gasp. "Arjun?" she whispered, her eyes widening. "Oh my God! Arjun? Is that you?" Deeksha stammered, her surprised face slowly blooming into a smile. The essence of the boy she knew, the shy kindness lurking beneath the surface, remained untouched.