The classroom still echoed with applause for a while after the presentations ended. Slowly, everyone drifted into their own groups, chatting away. But Aarav, Bhavya, Meera, and Megha stood quietly in one corner, a calm silence surrounding them.
"You all did really well," Sanjana Ma'am said with a warm smile. "Aarav, the way you led your team—it was truly commendable."
Aarav nodded humbly and thanked her. A quiet confidence gleamed on the girls' faces. Dressed in elegant sarees, their beauty felt more radiant, not just because of their appearance, but because of the self-assurance they carried now.
From a distance, Priya watched everything. Her group's presentation had been good, but the level of praise Aarav's group was receiving left a slight ache in her heart.
"Your presentation was great too, Priya," Meera said kindly, walking up to her.
"Thanks," Priya replied with a forced smile, but her eyes involuntarily sought Aarav, who was deep in discussion with Megha.
Aarav caught Priya's gaze and gave her a faint smile. For a moment, her heart skipped a beat. It was a smile of friendship, but behind it lay a history that wasn't so easy to forget.
---
The next day, the college atmosphere felt light. With the presentations done, classes were more relaxed—filled with casual discussions instead of intense lectures. Bhavya gestured for Aarav to take the seat beside her.
"Aarav, you seem to have a good grasp on business. Have you worked with your dad in his business or something?" she asked curiously.
"No, I've mostly just learned through books... and a bit from the internet," Aarav replied honestly.
"But your idea was so practical and real," Megha chimed in. "Actually, I was wondering... do you think we could take it forward and make something real out of it?"
"If we get the right team, why not?" Aarav replied, chuckling. "But first, let's graduate."
All three girls burst into laughter. From across the room, Priya watched them again. There was a flicker of restlessness in her eyes—one she tried hard to hide.
---
After class, as Aarav was walking toward the library, Priya suddenly stepped in front of him.
"Aarav, do you have a moment to talk?" she asked.
He looked into her eyes. There were questions in them, echoes of old memories.
"Yeah. Let's go outside," Aarav replied.
They sat together in the college garden. A gentle chill hung in the air, and flowers around them swayed in the breeze.
"You've changed a lot," Priya said softly.
Aarav smiled. "Maybe time changes everyone."
"Or maybe… after breaking apart, we try to rebuild ourselves," she murmured.
They both fell silent. And in that silence, much was said, much was heard—without a single word spoken.
"Take care of yourself, Priya," Aarav said as he stood up.
Priya simply nodded.
Aarav walked away, and as he did, a soft shimmer of tears welled up in Priya's eyes.