The buzz of an upcoming event always carried an electrifying energy across campus. Posters were pinned up on every notice board, whispering promises of an unforgettable night. The Freshers' Party, the most awaited event of the semester, had officially been announced.
The group had gathered at their usual spot in the university's playground after classes. The cool breeze rustled through the trees as they sprawled across the benches, excited murmurs filling the air.
"Okay, so what's the plan for the Freshers' Party?" Siddarth asked, leaning back with his arms stretched out.
"We're obviously going," Komal answered, flipping through the event details on her phone. "It's a university tradition. We can't miss it."
"But it's being organized by them," Sneha pointed out, crossing her arms. "Taniya, Karan, and their entire entitled squad."
The group fell into a thoughtful silence. Everyone knew the seniors wouldn't let the event go by without stirring up some sort of trouble.
Shumaila scoffed. "Let them try something. I'm not scared of them."
"Yeah, we saw that when you roasted Taniya in the debate competition," Rudra teased, grinning. "She's probably still recovering."
"She deserved it." Shumaila shrugged nonchalantly.
"Should we even worry, though?" Akansha asked. "It's an official event. They can't really cause a scene."
"People like them don't need a big scene to ruin someone's night," Aarav muttered. "They just need an opportunity."
"I say we go, enjoy ourselves, and stay alert," Siddarth suggested. "If they try anything, we'll deal with it."
The tension settled slightly, and the conversation steered towards more lighthearted topics.
"More importantly," Rudra smirked, "who's dancing with who?"
That instantly caused chaos.
"Oh, I know you're not talking about dancing, Rudra," Sneha shot back. "You can't even walk in a straight line without tripping."
"Excuse me, I am a fantastic dancer," Rudra declared dramatically. "You'll see."
Komal laughed. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Hamza, who had been silent for most of the conversation, scoffed. "This whole thing is ridiculous."
Shumaila immediately turned towards him, raising an eyebrow. "Let me guess, mister too-cool-for-everything is above social events?"
Hamza sighed, clearly not in the mood for an argument, but he wasn't one to back down. "I just don't see the point in dressing up, pretending to care about a party filled with people I don't like."
"Wow, such enthusiasm," Shumaila deadpanned. "Must be exhausting being this cynical all the time."
Before Hamza could retort, Sneha cut in. "Enough, you two. Can't go one conversation without bickering, can you?"
Hamza and Shumaila huffed but dropped the matter, though neither looked particularly pleased.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the university, Taniya sat in the lounge of the Business department, scrolling through her phone while Riya leaned against the wall beside her.
"I still can't believe that girl beat you," Riya muttered, eyeing Taniya carefully.
Taniya's grip tightened around her phone. "Shumaila got lucky. She's going to regret ever thinking she could humiliate me."
Riya smirked. "And what about Sneha?"
Taniya rolled her eyes. "She's just another problem waiting to be dealt with. One thing at a time."
Riya, sensing an opportunity, decided to earn some favor. "Want me to handle something for you at the party?"
Taniya's lips curled into a slow smirk. "Just make sure it's subtle. I don't want my name attached to anything... yet."
Later that day, Shumaila was on her way to the library when she spotted Karan leaning against a pillar near the entrance. He was scrolling through his phone but looked up when she passed by.
"You seem to be everywhere these days," Karan remarked casually.
Shumaila rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately, the campus isn't mine alone. Otherwise, trust me, I wouldn't choose to run into you."
Karan chuckled. "You've got a sharp tongue. No wonder you put Taniya in her place."
Shumaila raised an eyebrow. "Is this where I say thank you?"
"Not at all." Karan smirked. "Just an observation."
Shumaila didn't waste another second entertaining him and walked past without another word, though she couldn't shake the feeling that Karan's interest wasn't purely casual.
Meanwhile, in the Computer Science department, Hamza was in the lab, working on an assignment when Rudra plopped down beside him.
"You really live here, huh?" Rudra joked, stretching his arms.
"Some of us actually work," Hamza replied dryly.
Rudra laughed. "You should try having fun sometime. It won't kill you."
"I'll pass."
"Dude, come on. Why are you always so closed off?" Rudra asked, leaning forward. "It's not like you hate all of us. Right?"
Hamza paused for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without looking up from his screen, he said, "I don't hate you."
Rudra grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
A comfortable silence settled between them as they worked, an unspoken understanding forming between the two.
Later that night, Aarav and Akansha sat in the library, books sprawled between them. They had come to study, but somehow the conversation had drifted away from academics.
"You know," Aarav said, staring at the pages in front of him, "I don't really get the point of all these grand gestures people do for relationships."
Akansha tilted her head. "Like what?"
"Like… I don't know. Chocolates, flowers, public proposals. It all feels so over the top."
She nodded slowly. "I get what you mean. But for some people, it's about feeling special. Feeling wanted."
Aarav was silent for a moment. "I guess I just don't see the point if it's all temporary."
Akansha glanced at him, sensing something deeper in his words. "Not everything is temporary, Aarav."
He let out a soft chuckle. "We'll see about that."
As the day came to an end, the group was more excited than ever for the upcoming party. But beneath the surface, a storm was brewing—one that none of them saw coming.