After dinner, the group strolled toward the soft grass patch between the boys' and girls' hostels, letting the cool night breeze wash over them. The campus looked serene under the dim glow of the streetlights, their long shadows stretching over the well-maintained pathways. The rhythmic hum of cicadas in the distance only added to the peaceful atmosphere.

Ansh(stretching his arms): “Man, this campus looks even better at night.”

Yashika (nodding): “Yeah! It’s so peaceful.”

As they walked, laughter and casual conversation flowed easily among them. It was the first night of their new journey, and despite the initial awkwardness of meeting as strangers, they already felt like a close-knit group.

At some point, they decided to exchange contact numbers. Phones were passed around, names were saved, and jokes were made about who would text first.

Ansh, ever the mischief-maker, noticed Kartik quietly saving Aarya’s number.

Ansh (raising an eyebrow): “Now no excuses, Kartik. You can’t say you don’t have anyone to talk to.”

Kartik, in his usual composed manner, gave him a blank look but didn’t bother replying. That, of course, only made Ansh grin wider.

Meanwhile, Prerna and Yashika were already debating potential names for a group chat.

Sahil (thinking): “Hmm… Coolest Batch Ever?”

Ansh (laughing): “Bro, that sounds so lame.”

Yashika (excitedly): “What about Campus Chronicles?”

Everyone groaned.

Prerna (shaking her head): “We’re not writing a novel, Yashika.”

Aarya, pretending to focus on saving numbers, couldn’t help but steal a quick glance at Kartik. He looked completely unbothered quietly put his phone in his pocket and glancing around, hands in his pockets. Unknown to her, Kartik had already saved her number with a simple name— Aarya. No emojis, no fancy nicknames. Just her name. And for some reason, it felt enough.

After much debate, endless teasing, and Yashika suggesting at least five overly dramatic names, they finally settled on a name for their group chat—"Squad Chronicles."

Ansh (grinning): “Sounds cool enough, right?”

Aarya rolled her eyes but smiled, while Kartik just silently watched as his phone buzzed with the new group notification.

As the night came to an end, Aarya stretched her arms slightly and gave the group a small smile.

Aarya (softly): “Good night, guys. See you tomorrow.”

Everyone responded with their own goodnights, but as Aarya turned and glanced up- and met Kartik’s eyes.

His deep brown eyes held nothing obvious in his stare just calmness. She felt both shy and flustered under his silent stare because of the earlier embarrassment. Gathering herself, she met his eyes and whispered a soft "Good night."

After a brief pause, he gave a slight nod.

Kartik (quietly): “Good night.”

Without another word, she turned and walked towards her hostel, trying to shake off the odd fluttering feeling in her stomach.

Meanwhile, Kartik stood there for a moment longer, his gaze unconsciously following her retreating figure before he finally looked away. Unknown to both of them, their simple exchange hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Ansh (smirking, whispering to Prerna): “Did you see that?”

Prerna (grinning): “Oh, I definitely saw that.”

.

.

Girl's hostel - Room 333

As soon as Aarya reached her hostel room, Prerna wasted no time. She turned to her with a knowing smirk, arms crossed. She nudged her lightly.

Prerna (teasing): “Feeling special, Aarya? Got the genius topper’s number now.”

Aarya shot her a glare but didn’t say anything.

Prerna (teasing): “Accha yh chor…..tell us about moment just had .”

Yashika, who had been brushing her hair, turned around, completely clueless.

Yashika (frowning): “Wait, what happened? What are you guys talking about?”

Prerna’s grin widened as she dramatically placed a hand on her chest.

Prerna: “Oh, Yashika, you missed it! Our dear Aarya and Mr. Topper had a moment.”

Yashika blinked, processing the information. Then, her eyes widened in realization, and she practically jumped onto Aarya’s bed.

Yashika (excitedly): “WHAT?! Kartik and Aarya? What did I miss? Tell me everything!”

Aarya, who was casually setting her phone on the bedside table, frowned.

Aarya (being clueless): “What moment?”

Prerna (grinning): “Oh, don’t play dumb! That little good night exchange? you—madam—looking all shy and flustered?”

Aarya scoffed sitting on the bed comfortably “You’re imagining things.”

Prerna dramatically keeping her hands on her waist: "Yes Yes, I'm hallucinating and you being impressed from who "HAWA."

Aarya groaned, throwing a pillow at Prerna, who easily dodged it, laughing.

Aarya (grumbling): “There was no moment. He just said good night.”

Prerna (raising an eyebrow): “Oh really? Then why did you whisper it like it was some secret romance scene?”

Yashika gasped "HAWWWW", now fully invested.

Aarya grabbed another pillow, aiming it at Yashika this time.

"Go to sleep, both of you!” as she pulled the blanket over her head, she let out a frustrated sigh, trying to ignore their giggles.

But despite her best efforts, she could feel the heat creeping up her face.

Prerna and Yashika exchanged mischievous glances.

Yashika (grinning): “Oh, someone’s blushing.”

Prerna (smirking): “Aarya, yaar, should we call Kartik and tell him how red you are right now?”

Aarya shot up from under the blanket, face still slightly pink, and threw another pillow at them.

Aarya (grumbling): “I swear, if you two don’t shut up—”

But her flustered face only made them laugh harder.

.

.

Boys’ Hostel – Room 334

After their walk, the boys returned to their room, ready to wind down for the night. Kartik and Sahil changed into their nightwear, setting their books and uniforms neatly for the next day. Sahil climbed onto his bed, scrolling through his phone, while Kartik simply lay down, pulling the blanket over himself, clearly ready to sleep.

But Ansh had other plans.

Ansh (grinning mischievously): “Oye Kartik, don’t sleep yet.”

Kartik (without opening his eyes): “Go to sleep, Ansh.”

Ansh, of course, ignored him completely.

Ansh (smirking): “You’re a terrible liar, you know that? The way you were staring at Aarya back there—”

Kartik (opening one eye, deadpan): “I wasn’t staring.”

Ansh (mockingly serious): “Oh, of course. You were just… deeply analyzing the space around her, right?”

Sahil, who had been quietly enjoying the show from his bed, let out a chuckle.

Sahil (teasing): “I noticed it too, bro. You’re busted.”

Kartik (sighing, turning away): “You both are delusional.”

Ansh wasn’t going to let it slide so easily. He smirked before grabbing a pillow and whacking Kartik with it.

Kartik (grumbling): “Ansh.”

Ansh (laughing): “That’s for pretending not to care.”

Kartik took a deep breath, picked up the pillow, and calmly placed it back, trying to ignore him. But Ansh wasn’t done yet.

Suddenly, he jumped onto Kartik’s bed, shaking him dramatically.

Ansh: “Come on, admit it! You find her interesting, don’t you?”

Kartik let out an exasperated sigh, refusing to react.

Kartik (firmly ): “Go. To. Sleep.”

Sahil, now completely invested in the fun, set his phone aside and sat up.

Sahil (grinning): “He’s persistent, Kartik. Just say it so we can all sleep in peace.”

Kartik stayed silent, refusing to give them the satisfaction and his back on them. Ansh and Sahil were far from done. Kartik might have turned his back to them, but that wasn’t enough to shut them up.

Ansh (grinning): “You know, the more you avoid answering, the more obvious it gets.”

Sahil (nodding in agreement): “Exactly. Just say it, bro. We know you noticed her.”

Kartik sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. He knew they weren’t going to stop unless they got something out of him.

Kartik (flatly): “Fine. Yes, I noticed her. Happy?”

Ansh and Sahil exchanged a look, then smirked.

Ansh: “Not enough. How did you notice her?”

Kartik shot him a blank look.

Kartik: “You’re acting like I wrote a research paper on her.”

Sahil, still grinning mischievously, casually grabbed his phone and unlocked it, pretending to scroll through his contacts. With a completely straight face, said in a flat tone, "Just admit it, or I’m calling Aarya right now."

Kartik let out a slow sigh and sat up, resting his back against the headrest. His expression remained calm, but ears turned a light shade of red. The way Sahil and Ansh were eagerly staring at him made it obvious—they weren’t letting him sleep without an answer. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaled, and then, without any drama or hesitation, simply said—

"Yes Aarya is beautiful.”

For a second, there was silence. Then, Ansh and Sahil exploded. Ansh leaned closer, his eyes widening.

Ansh (mock gasping): “Kartik… blushing? I never thought I’d see this day.”

Kartik immediately turned his head away, pretending to adjust the blanket.

Kartik (grumbling): “Shut up.”

Sahil (laughing): “No, no, we need to appreciate this moment. This is once in a lifetime!”

Ansh leaned closer, inspecting Kartik’s face like a scientist examining a rare specimen.

Ansh (teasing): “Should we call Aarya and tell her how flustered you are?”

Kartik immediately sat up, glaring.

Kartik: “Try it, and I’ll throw you both out of the window.”

But the fact that his ears were still very much pink completely ruined the threat. Ansh and Sahil burst into laughter, completely enjoying Kartik’s rare moment of weakness.

Sahil (smirking): “Don’t worry, Kartik. We won’t tell her…”

Ansh (grinning): “For now.”

Kartik rolled his eyes, finally lying back down and pulling the blanket over his face.

Kartik (muttering): “Idiots.”

But under that blanket, despite his frustration, he couldn’t help but smile just a little.

.

While Kartik was too busy admitting, Sahil had secretly recorded the moment Kartik admitted-

"Yes Aarya is beautiful.”

Keeping his expression neutral, Sahil casually glanced at his phone screen, ensuring the recording is saved properly. A satisfied smirk appeared on his face as he locked his phone before tucking his phone under his pillow, acting as if nothing had happened.