The final exams had begun, and the entire school was consumed with last-minute revisions and silent prayers for good grades. Anaya was no different. She spent late nights with her books, determined to secure a place in one of the top architecture colleges. Meanwhile, Aarav focused on his dream—getting into a reputed institute for computer science, where he could work on artificial intelligence, a field he had been passionate about for years.
Days passed, and one by one, the exams were completed. The last day of school arrived faster than anyone had expected. The classrooms that were once filled with the chaos of laughter and complaints about homework now felt empty. There was excitement about the future, but also a quiet sadness.
On the final day, emotions ran high. Friends hugged, promises were made to stay in touch, and nostalgia filled the air. That was when their group of friends came up with an idea—a short trip to a peaceful village before everyone moved on to different colleges. It was a way to make one last memory together.
Anaya hesitated for a moment. A trip meant spending time near Aarav, something she had trained herself to avoid. But then, she reminded herself—she had moved on. She wasn't the same girl who waited for him anymore. With that thought, she agreed.
The Journey Begins
The trip was filled with excitement. They traveled by train, laughing over silly games and taking endless pictures of the countryside. The fields stretched far beyond the horizon, the air smelled fresh, and for the first time in months, it felt like they could all breathe.
Aarav and Anaya didn't interact much. Their conversations were limited to the group, and yet, there were unspoken moments—small, fleeting instances where their eyes met and quickly looked away.
The village was beautiful, with its narrow pathways, lush green fields, and a peaceful river flowing nearby. The group stayed at a cozy homestay owned by an elderly couple, who welcomed them with warm smiles and delicious homemade food.
A Bonfire of Dreams
On their second night, they sat around a bonfire, roasting marshmallows under a sky full of stars. The air was filled with laughter and warmth, but as the conversation drifted, someone asked, "Where do you all see yourselves in the future?"
One by one, everyone shared their dreams.
"I want to become a software engineer and work on artificial intelligence," Aarav said confidently.
Anaya glanced at him, a little surprised. She had always known he was interested in tech, but hearing him talk about it with such passion made her realize how little they had spoken in the past few months.
"I want to design beautiful buildings," Anaya admitted when it was her turn. "Something that will stand tall for years to come."
"I want to be a journalist," Mira said, her eyes sparkling. "I love storytelling, and I want to write about things that truly matter."
"I just want to travel the world," Karan laughed. "Maybe I'll find a job that lets me explore new places and meet new people."
"I want to be a doctor," miti said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've always wanted to help people."
Rohan grinned. "And I want to be a chef. You guys can come to my restaurant one day."
Everyone laughed, teasing him about giving them free food, but there was a sense of excitement in the air. They were no longer just high school students. They were young adults, standing at the edge of their futures, ready to step forward.
For a brief moment, something shifted between Anaya and Aarav. But before either of them could say anything, the conversation moved on, and the moment passed.
To be continued...