After the kiss, Aanya sat down again — but something had changed.
Her heart was still racing, her cheeks warm, and she couldn't quite look Aarav in the eyes without blushing.
He noticed, of course.
And he loved it.
Aarav leaned back, smirking.
"You're unusually quiet. Did I just kiss you speechless, Miss Aanya?"
Aanya shook her head quickly, eyes widening. "No! I'm just… thinking."
"Thinking about kissing me again?" he teased, eyes twinkling.
"Aarav!" she buried her face in her hands.
He laughed softly and reached for his guitar resting nearby.
"Okay okay, I'll behave. But... now that I've stolen your heart, I want to sing for it too."
Aanya peeked through her fingers. "Seriously?"
He nodded. "Seriously. This one's just for you."
He strummed the guitar gently, then began to sing in a soft, soothing voice:
"You're the light I never saw coming,
The calm after years of storm.
You walked in without warning…
And somehow, now my world feels warm."
Aanya watched him, her heart melting with every note. She had never felt so seen… so cherished.
He finished the song and looked up.
"So… what do you think?"
She smiled, still a little shy. "I think I've fallen all over again."
He grinned. "Good. I plan on making you fall for me every day."
Later that Night – Outside Aanya's Home
The cab pulled up in front of her gate. Aarav stepped out with her, walking her to the door like a true gentleman.
"Thanks for the best night of my life," she said softly.
He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thank you... for making me believe love like this actually exists."
Just then, a voice interrupted them.
"Ooooooohhhh! sister got a boyfriend!!"
Aanya jumped, spinning around.
Her little brother stood by the gate, wide-eyed and full of mischief.
Aarav chuckled. "Nice to meet you, little man."
Her brother smirked. "So this is the guy you were humming about last week!"
Aanya gasped. "I was not!"
"Yes you were," he sang. "Aarav brother~ Aarav brother ~"
She looked mortified. Aarav was just enjoying it all.
"I like him," her brother said smugly. "He sings better than you too."
"Hey!" Aanya cried, face bright red.
Aarav bent down to the boy's level. "Mind keeping our secret, champ?"
He shrugged. "Hmm… maybe. Depends how many chocolates I get."
Aarav laughed. "Deal."
Aanya groaned. "Boys are the worst."
But as she turned to wave goodbye to Aarav, her heart was full.
Of love. Of laughter. Of something that finally felt like forever.
Aanya's POV
Tonight wasn't just special.
It was the beginning of us.
And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
Aanya lay on her bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, but her mind miles away — still dancing in the moonlight of last night. She could still hear his voice, soft and sincere, saying "I love you, Aanya," as if the words were woven into the stars themselves.
Her hand absentmindedly touched her lips, her face turning red all over again at the memory of their first kiss. It hadn't been dramatic or rushed — just warm, perfect, and filled with feelings that had been building up for so long.
The sudden creak of the door broke her thoughts.
"Aanya sister," her younger brother leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and wearing the smuggest grin. "Who dropped you home last night?"
Aanya sat up straight. "W-What?"
"I saw him. Tall, handsome, looking at you like you're some Bollywood heroine. Should I tell Mumma?"
She groaned, pulling her blanket over her head. "He's just… a friend."
Her brother chuckled. "Friend? That's not how he looked at you. And that's definitely not how you smiled."
She threw a pillow at him, making him laugh before running away. "You're in love, sister"
Her phone buzzed just then.
Aarav: Good morning, moonlight girl 🌙 Still smiling? Because I haven't stopped.
Aanya's lips curled up automatically as she read his message.
Aanya: Maybe… just a little.
Aarav: Only a little? I'll have to work harder then Can't wait to see you.
She hugged her phone to her chest, her cheeks aching from the endless smiling.
Later at College
Aanya walked into the college campus like she was floating. The same place suddenly felt brighter. Her eyes searched for him — and there he was, leaning casually against his bike, phone in hand. The moment he spotted her, his entire face lit up.
As she reached him, Aarav leaned closer and whispered, "You look more beautiful than last night."
"Stop flirting," she said, trying to act unaffected, but her blush gave her away.
"Who's flirting?" he winked. "I'm just telling the truth."
Before their conversation could continue, Meher appeared, raising her eyebrows with a knowing look.
"Aanya, come with me for a second."
Aanya gave Aarav a shy glance and followed Meher. The moment they were out of earshot, Meher turned with wide eyes.
"Okay. Spill. What's going on between you and Mr. Motorcycle?"
Aanya hesitated for a second, then whispered, "We confessed."
Meher's jaw dropped. "NO WAY. You and Aarav?! When? How?"
"Last night. He took me on a surprise date… there were candles, music, flowers—" Aanya's voice softened, "—and then he said he loves me."
Meher let out a dreamy sigh. "Ugh! That sounds like a K-drama! I'm so happy for you. But girl, you've been glowing since you entered the gate. Even the guard noticed."
Aanya giggled. "I couldn't stop thinking about it all night."
"Tell me everything. Did he kiss you?"
"Meher!"
Meher smirked. "I'll take that as a yes."
Across the Campus…
Vedant stood with his group, pretending to scroll through his phone, but his ears caught the sound of Meher and Aanya's laughter. He looked over — just for a second — and saw Aanya tucking her hair behind her ear shyly as she whispered something to Meher.
And just like that, a strange heaviness sank in his chest. His fingers gripped his phone tighter.
It didn't make sense. He had told himself he had moved on. That Aarav and Aanya were just… something passing.
But it wasn't. Not anymore.
He had seen the way Aanya looked at Aarav today — it wasn't just infatuation. It was something deeper. Something real.
Meher returned to where Vedant was sitting beside their usual bench.
"You okay?" she asked casually, noticing his stiff expression.
"Yeah," Vedant said, eyes still distant.
"You look like you bit into a green chilli."
He forced a smile. "It's nothing."
But it wasn't. Something in his chest twisted every time he saw Aarav whispering to Aanya, or the way she laughed more freely around him now.
Later That Day
Aarav walked into the canteen and spotted Aanya sitting at a corner table, sipping juice. He casually slid into the seat next to her.
"Hey, Miss Confession Queen."
Aanya rolled her eyes, "Don't call me that!"
"Why not? You're mine now, I should give you a nickname."
"Then find something less embarrassing," she said, hiding a smile.
"Fine. How about… honey?" he teased with a dramatic wink.
Aanya's eyes widened. "No! Absolutely not!"
"Okay, okay," he laughed. "But I do love watching you get flustered."
Just then, Vedant entered with his tray and paused for a second, seeing them together — Aarav leaning in, Aanya giggling. He turned away and quietly sat with a few others nearby.
Aanya noticed. Her smile faded slightly.
"He seems… off," she murmured.
Aarav followed her gaze. "Vedant?"
"Yeah. He's usually not this distant."
Aarav shrugged. "Maybe it's exam stress."
But Aanya wasn't convinced. Somewhere deep down, she felt that something had shifted… something that Vedant wasn't saying out loud.