Aanya's POV
Posters for the Annual College Fest were everywhere — walls, notice boards, even stair railings.
The whole campus buzzed with excitement. Auditions, planning committees, costume chaos—everything had begun.
Meher was already in full energy mode.
"Guess who's dancing with Vedant this year?" she grinned, eyes twinkling.
Aanya blinked. "You are?"
She nodded dramatically. "Dance duo for the Bollywood mashup competition. Chemistry, drama, and some full-on filmy lifts."
Aanya laughed. "You sure you won't drop him?"
Meher rolled her eyes. "Very funny. What about you? Singing solo again this time?"
"I wasn't planning to perform this year," Aanya said softly. "But…"
But something inside her felt different. Restless. Alive.
Maybe it was the dream.
Maybe it was him.
Later, in the music room…
Aanya sat alone with her guitar, strumming softly, lost in a melody she hadn't played in months.
She didn't hear the door open.
"Didn't expect to see you here."
She looked up — Aarav.
He leaned against the doorframe casually, arms crossed.
"I didn't know you sing," she said, surprised.
He stepped inside, picking up a mic casually. "I don't tell people unless I feel like showing off."
She raised an eyebrow. "So… are you going to show off now?"
He smirked. "Only if you sing with me."
She hesitated. "You haven't even heard me sing."
"I don't need to," he replied, sitting on the edge of the piano bench. "I just know. You've got that... voice energy."
Aanya laughed softly, cheeks tingling. "Voice energy? That's a thing now?"
"Yeah," he nodded seriously. "It's a vibe."
Something about him made her feel lighter. Like she didn't have to hold back so much.
She started singing.
And halfway through the verse—he joined in.
Perfect harmony. Unrehearsed. Natural.
When the song ended, neither said anything for a moment.
Then he turned to her.
"We should perform together."
She blinked. "What?"
"For the fest. You and me. Singing duo. I think we'd kill it."
She hesitated.
But inside… her heart already said yes.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let's do it."
As they walked out of the music room, their shoulders brushed gently.
Neither of them moved away.
Behind them, Meher waved at Aanya with Vedant standing beside her.
Two pairs.
Two beginnings.
And one fest that was about to change everything.