Chapter 3

For Naina, Mumbai was as much a mystery as it was a refuge. She had grown up in one of its quieter neighborhoods, her only companions the books on her shelves, her parents, and the occasional stray cat that wandered onto their balcony. An only child, Naina was used to her own company. She preferred it, actually—less noise, fewer expectations.

Now, she stood on the sprawling campus of St. Xavier's College, watching as clusters of students filled the pathways, their laughter ringing in the humid afternoon air. The iconic vintage-style buildings towered over them, their archways and windows framed by creeping vines that seemed to whisper stories of students past.

Naina adjusted her sweatshirt, the familiar fabric giving her a sense of security. She wasn't one to wear tight dresses or flashy accessories like the other girls. She had her caramel- highlighted hair in a braid, with black cargo pants underneath. Her neck was adorned with a simple necklace, with an N pendant - a birthday gift from her parents.

Her tiny friend group consisted of two people: Meera and Ananya. Meera was her opposite in every way—confident, loud, and endlessly persuasive. Ananya, meanwhile, was the classic nerd, armed with a quick wit and an uncanny ability to make them both laugh.

The three of them were huddled under the shade of an old banyan tree during their lunch break, Meera scrolling through her phone while Ishaan balanced his plate of samosas on his lap.

"You know, I don't get why you're always hiding in that sweatshirt," Meera said, eyeing Naina critically. "You have such a nice figure, and those caramel highlights? Girl, they're a vibe. If I had your hair, I'd be flaunting it every chance I got."

"Yeah, because you're you," Naina replied, stuffing her hands into the cargo's front pocket. "I don't need people staring at me. I'm perfectly fine staying invisible."

"Except for one guy," Ananya teased, raising an eyebrow.

Meera's eyes lit up. "Oh, yes. Let's talk about him."

"Can we not?" Naina groaned, already regretting telling them about her not-so-little crush on Ayaan Malhotra—the heartthrob of the university. Six feet tall, lean but fit, with a quiet confidence that commanded attention, Ayaan was a walking magnet for every girl on campus. He was on the university cricket and football teams, and he performed with the college, she preferred blending into the background rather than standing out. Her shy nature made her retreat into herself even more, a trait her small circle of friends found both endearing and frustrating.

"Naina, stop standing there like a statue and come on!" Meera called out, her voice cutting through the crowd.

Meera was the complete opposite of Naina—bold, confident, and unafraid to speak her mind. She was also Naina's closest friend since their first day at college. Beside her was Akriti—Meera's friend and so Naina's mutual friend, a chatterbox with an endless supply of gossip and a knack for pulling Naina into every social gathering she would rather avoid. Together, the three of them made up an unlikely trio: Meera, the fearless leader; Akriti, the social butterfly; and Naina, the quiet observer.

"What are you even looking at?" Meera asked, linking her arm with Naina's as they walked toward the shaded benches near the central courtyard.

"Nothing," Naina replied, shaking her head. "Just... the crowd."

Akriti plopped down beside them, her bangles jingling as she adjusted her dupatta. "You mean the hot guys in the crowd?" she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Akriti, please," Naina groaned, pulling her hoodie tighter around herself.

"Oh, come on, Naina! There's no harm in appreciating the scenery," Akriti said with a laugh, scanning the passing students. Her eyes lit up suddenly. "Speaking of scenery, did you hear? Ayaan's performing today!"

The mention of his name made Naina freeze.

Ayaan Malhotra. The heartthrob of the university. He was everything she wasn't: popular, confident, magnetic. Ayaan was known for his charm, his effortless good looks, and the way he seemed to excel at everything—be it academics, cricket, football, or music. With his lean, athletic build, sharp jawline, and that infuriatingly perfect smile, he was the guy everyone wanted to know.

And Naina had been quietly harboring a crush on him since her first year.

Not that he'd ever noticed her. Why would he? To him, she was just another face in the crowd, an unremarkable girl in sweatshirts and hoodies. And she was fine with that. Or at least, she told herself she was.

"Earth to Naina!" Meera snapped her fingers in front of her face.

"Huh?" Naina blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought.

"I said, we're going to watch him perform," Meera said, grinning mischievously.

"No way," Naina said quickly, shaking her head. "You two go. I'll stay here."

"Oh, no you don't," Akriti said, grabbing her hand. "You've been moping around this campus for weeks. You're coming with us, and that's final."

Naina sighed, knowing there was no arguing with Akriti when she got like this. "Fine," she muttered.

"Good," Meera said, standing up and brushing off her kurti. "The auditorium's already packed, so we need to hurry if we want decent seats."

As they made their way to the auditorium, Naina felt her nerves tightening. She wasn't sure why, but the thought of seeing Ayaan perform made her stomach flip. It wasn't like it was her first time watching him sing—he was a regular at all the university events. But something about today felt... different.

The sound of chatter grew louder as they approached the auditorium. The massive hall was buzzing with energy, students filling every corner, their excitement palpable. Meera and Akriti pushed their way through the crowd, dragging Naina along until they found a spot near the middle.

Naina sank into her seat. But even as she tried to blend in, her heart raced. Because soon, the lights dimmed, the crowd hushed, and Ayaan walked onto the stage.

He was dressed casually in a white shirt and blue jeans, his guitar slung over his shoulder. His tall frame commanded attention, and the way he smiled—confident yet effortless—sent a ripple of excitement through the audience.

Naina tried not to stare, but her eyes betrayed her, locking onto him as he adjusted the microphone. And then, as he began to play, his voice deep and smooth, it happened.

For a fleeting moment, his gaze swept across the crowd—and landed on her.

Naina's breath caught.

He held her gaze, just for a second, his expression unreadable. And then he looked away, his focus shifting back to the song.

But that one second was enough to send her mind spiraling.

She sank deeper into her seat, her pulse racing. "Great," she muttered under her breath. "Just great."

And as Ayaan continued to sing, effortlessly captivating the crowd, Naina wasn't able to look at him anymore. She felt a gaze on her - not to mention, she was extremely nervous and shy that she had made eye contact with him. As if her intrusive thoughts won, she looked up to see him singing with his eyes closed for a minute.

When he opened them, his brown eyes met hers again, and her heart seemed to skip a beat, while his gaze lingered for more than a few seconds.

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