Parallel Lines: a story of memory, silence, and first love

Finally

Act 5.1 – After the Storm

The storm was over. Exams were finally done.
Somewhere in the crowd, a kid screamed with joy — loud enough to make even the tiredest students smile.

Emotionally drained and mentally exhausted, the campus split into scattered celebrations.
Some students crashed into 15-hour naps. Others ran off to party like the semester never happened.
And some simply collapsed onto beanbags with their closest friends — no words needed.

Kabir was one of the first to text Kiara.

"Come celebrate? I'm throwing a pool party this weekend. You in?"

Kiara replied almost instantly:

"Only if I can drag Arvind along."

Kabir stared at the name for a second.

He had always imagined Tiara's childhood friend Arvind as someone loud, confident, larger-than-life — based on how she used to talk about him.

Certainly not the quiet guy he'd heard about from Kiara.

He shrugged.

"Arvind's a common name. Probably not the same guy."

And with that, he didn't think twice.

Arvind's Hostel Room – Early Morning

Sahil tossed a biscuit toward Arvind, grinning.

"Try this Oreo. It's new."

Arvind, hesitant at first, took a bite. Chewed.
Then nodded slowly.

"Got any more?"

Sahil blinked — then tasted one himself.
His face contorted instantly.

"Bro. That was the toothpaste prank Oreo."

They looked at each other — and burst out laughing.

Moments like this had become more frequent lately.

"Come to the party, man," Sahil said, still chuckling.

Arvind shook his head.

"Not my thing."

Just then, Kiara walked in — chai in one hand, puppy-dog eyes at full power.

"Pretty please? For me?"

He didn't stand a chance.
After several dramatic pleas and theatrical guilt-tripping, he finally caved.

"Fine. I'll come. But only for the samosas."

Kiara threw her hands up in triumph.

"YAY!"

Later That Day – Cooking Together

With Sahil off to visit his parents, Kiara and Arvind decided to stay in and cook dinner together.

The kitchen descended into chaos fast — flour flying, onions over-fried, and Arvind somehow burning the curry. Twice.

But they laughed. Hard. Until their stomachs hurt.

They didn't even notice when noon became evening.

For once, it didn't feel like they were trying.
It just was.

Mall Trip – Evening

Kiara had one mission: Fix Mr. Hoodie's entire wardrobe.

By the end of two hours, Arvind had tried on five shirts, three types of swim trunks, and even a pair of sunglasses he absolutely did not need.