The college campus was buzzing with life.
Music was playing in the background, friends were joking around, and someone, somewhere, was trying to impress their crush.
In the college campus, Aditya was sitting with his friends.
Laughter and chatter filled the table; everyone was having a great time.
A girl sat right next to him, her hand resting on his waist.
She was playing with his hair, her fingers lightly brushing against his neck
But Aditya—
Even while sitting among his friends, he wasn't really there.
His mind was elsewhere.
On her.
The girl he had always taken lightly.
But today…
Today, for the first time, he realized that he had never truly looked at her.
Today, for the first time, he saw Niki's eyes up close.
Before, whenever he looked at her, he thought her eyes were deep black.
But today—
They were golden brown.
Light brown, deep yet luminous.
When the light fell on them, there was a different kind of depth to them.
A color he knew he wouldn't forget.
When she had glared at him, even in her anger, there was a strange calmness—
As if she was seeing everything, yet revealing nothing.
He had never paid this much attention before.
Before, when he looked at her, all he saw was a strange, overly stubborn girl.
But now...
Now, he felt as if he had never really seen her before.
Her eyes…
They weren't just eyes—
They were like a book he had never tried to open.
And now that he had truly looked at her for the first time, old memories began to resurface.
Flashback...
The school bell rang, and students rushed out of their classrooms.
Aditya slung his bag over his shoulder and started walking toward the gate with his friends.
But then—
"Oye, Aditya!"
A voice called out from behind.
He turned around.
Niki.
The girl who was always laughing and joking around with her friends.
He never thought she would come up to him and talk directly.
But there she was—walking toward him with full confidence.
"Where do you live?" she asked bluntly.
Aditya raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Oh, just asking."
When he told her the area, she made a weird expression and said,
"Oh… so we take the same route home!"
Aditya shrugged carelessly. "So?"
"So what!" she said playfully.
But then she hesitated a little.
"Listen…" she said, her voice lowering slightly.
Aditya noticed how she looked around, as if debating something.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Nothing serious," Niki smiled. "We study together, we go home the same way... we might as well be friendly, right?"
"Stop beating around the bush. Just say it." Aditya crossed his arms.
Niki looked at him, then leaned in slightly and whispered—
"I saw you taking the school terrace keys from the peon."
Aditya's mind went on high alert.
"And?"
"And… I need those keys."
Aditya immediately placed a hand on his chest. "Why?"
"Come on, just give them to me."
"First, tell me why."
"No special reason," Niki said quickly. "My group has some plan. I don't know much, they just told me to get the keys from you."
Aditya studied her carefully.
She agreed this easily?
"You came to me just because they told you to?" he asked, his suspicion clear.
Niki shrugged, laughing. "What's the big deal?"
"It is a big deal," Aditya said slowly.
He was still watching her.
Was this girl naive, or was she smarter than she looked?
"Fine," he said, "but what do I get in return?"
Niki rolled her eyes, then leaned toward him and said—
"I'll do your homework."
"Hmm…"
"And I'll also complete your project file."
Aditya smirked. "That's it?"
"Ugh, please just give me the keys!"
Aditya took a step closer.
"First, tell me—what's the actual plan?"
Niki stared at him for a few seconds, then shook her head slightly.
"I really don't know. My friends just told me to get the keys."
Aditya didn't believe her.
This girl wasn't dumb.
"Alright," he said, "then I'm coming too."
"What?"
"If I don't come, you don't get the keys."
Niki sighed deeply before saying, "Fine, I'll tell them."
Aditya smiled.
This girl...
She wasn't as innocent as she looked.
Maybe this was the first time he had truly noticed her.
But it wouldn't be the last.
Aditya – A Strange Invitation
The morning was crisp, and the streets were still damp from the previous night's rain. Aditya walked down the narrow lanes leading to the main road, hands in his pockets, lost in thought. He liked walking alone. It gave him space—away from the noise, away from people.
But today—
"Hey, Aditya!"
He barely had time to turn before Niki came jogging up beside him, slightly out of breath.
"Man, you walk so fast!" she huffed.
Aditya glanced at her, unimpressed. "What are you doing here?"
"I was trying to catch the bus," she said with a grin. "By the way, you're rich too, right? So why don't you come to school in a car?"
Aditya frowned. What kind of question was that?
Before he could answer, she laughed. "Oh, relax! I was just joking. Don't take it seriously!"
He shook his head and picked up his pace again, but she easily kept up.
"Listen," she said suddenly, "Sunday, 6 PM, come to my house."
Aditya stopped walking. "Why would I do that?"
"Because we're going to school together," she replied casually.
"At 6 PM? The school is closed then."
"Yes on Sunday, idiot," she rolled her eyes. "We'll go together on Sunday evening. It's part of our plan."
Aditya stared at her. "Whose plan?"
She grinned. "My friends' plan. Don't worry about the details—just be there."
He crossed his arms. "And if I don't?"
"Then I'll tell everyone you're too scared to come to my house."
Aditya narrowed his eyes. "Are you blackmailing me?"
"Think of it as... persuasion," she said with a wink.
He sighed. "If you need me to come, why don't you just come to my place?"
"My mom won't let me out at that time," she shrugged. "But when I get home, I'll just tell her you're Twinkle's brother."
Aditya scoffed. "You think she'll believe that?"
"Of course!" she grinned. "Moms don't question much when it comes to school friends."
Aditya didn't answer. He just kept walking.
And Niki—she kept talking.
She filled the air with random stories, jokes, and thoughts, barely giving him time to respond. He didn't mind. It was oddly... entertaining.
Then—
She suddenly stopped.
Her friends were standing across the street.
The moment she saw them, her voice faded, her steps slowed, and—
Without another word, she turned away.
Like the past ten minutes had never even happened.
"Sunday, 6 PM. Don't forget!" she called out quickly, waving over her shoulder before walking toward them.
And just like that—
She was gone.
Aditya exhaled, shaking his head.
This girl…
She was a mystery he hadn't even begun to solve.
"Here's an improved version from Aditya's POV with added details and depth:
---
Aditya – An Unusual Evening
Sunday evening.
Aditya stood in front of Niki's house, staring at the modest yet well-kept home. The warm glow from the windows spilled onto the small porch, where a potted plant swayed gently in the evening breeze. It was different from his own house—less extravagant, more… lived-in. He hesitated for a second before knocking on the door.
A woman, presumably Niki's mother, opened it. She looked at him with mild curiosity.
"Yes?"
"Uh… is Niki home?" he asked.
She glanced behind her, then sighed. "She's never on time. Come in."
He stepped inside, the scent of something freshly baked lingering in the air. The house was cozy—simple furniture, warm colors, a few old photographs on the walls. A frail-looking elderly woman sat on the sofa, adjusting her glasses as she observed him.
"You must be one of Niki's friends," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
"Something like that," Aditya replied.
"Then why are you here so late in the evening?" Her sharp gaze held him for a moment.
Before he could respond, Niki's mother handed him a glass of water and a small plate of snacks. "Have something while you wait."
Aditya nodded, taking a sip as he noticed the ease with which they spoke to him. They didn't treat him like an outsider. That was… unusual.
Just then, Niki rushed in. "I'm here, I'm here!" she announced dramatically.
She kissed her grandmother's cheek. "Bye, Dadi!"
Her mother sighed. "You could have at least been ready on time."
"Time is a social construct," Niki grinned, grabbing Aditya's arm. "Come on!"
As they stepped outside, Aditya couldn't help but glance back at the door. The warmth of that house lingered in his mind.
---
The Walk to School
They walked side by side under the streetlights, the occasional car passing by. Niki kicked a stray pebble along the road, her hands stuffed in her hoodie pockets.
"So… your grandmother stays with you?" Aditya asked.
"Yeah," she shrugged. "She's old, and old people can be a bit much sometimes, you know? Always asking questions, worrying about things that don't need worrying about."
He thought about that for a moment. "She seems nice."
Niki snorted. "That's because you met her for two minutes."
Aditya smirked. "Your mom's nice too."
"Yeah, she is," Niki admitted, then quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, do you know how to tell a good joke?"
Aditya raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because if you don't, I'm about to teach you," she declared, launching into a series of terrible puns that made him groan. But he found himself—against his better judgment—smiling.
---
The School Rooftop
By the time they reached the school, the place was eerily silent. Niki led him around the back, where the others were already waiting.
"Finally!" one of them groaned, snatching a set of keys from Niki.
The rooftop was dimly lit by the city lights in the distance. A few bottles of drinks were pulled out, snacks spread across the ground. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and chatter.
Aditya leaned against the railing, watching as Niki grabbed a burger and started eating. She wasn't drinking like the others.
Curious, he walked over. "Not drinking?"
She took another bite before answering. "Nah. I don't like it."
He tilted his head. "Why not?"
"My whole world spins when I taste it. I tried once. Didn't like it." She shrugged.
Aditya took a sip from his own bottle. "You're missing out."
Niki grinned. "Or maybe you're the one ruining your taste buds."
Someone raised a bottle. "A toast!"
"For what?" another asked.
"For classmates and togetherness!" Niki declared.
Laughter erupted as they all clinked their bottles together. The girls hugged each other, and music started playing from someone's phone.
Niki, as always, was in the center of it all—singing, laughing, dancing. But then—
"You should lose some weight, Niki," one of the girls teased.
Niki froze for half a second before turning to her, eyes flashing. "But why?"
"Guys like thinner girls," the girl said casually.
For a moment, silence. Then—
Niki burst out laughing. "Screw those guys. I'm happy."
She twirled around, arms wide, and the music carried her laughter into the night.
Aditya watched her, a strange feeling settling in his chest.
This girl…
She was completely, unapologetically herself.
And he wasn't sure if that was reckless—or admirable.