Between the Classes(Two different worlds)

Chapter 10: Day-02

The college campus glowed brighter than ever. Strings of lights draped across every corridor, rangolis painted in bursts of color, and the air filled with the faint scent of incense and marigolds 🌸. Laughter and music echoed as students bustled about in traditional wear, the entire atmosphere alive with celebration.

Vidhu stood by her hostel mirror that morning, carefully draping her lavender and silver half saree. For the first time, her reflection stunned even herself. The soft fabric shimmered when it caught the light, hugging her gracefully yet leaving just enough innocence about her look. Akshu gasped when she entered the room.

"Vidhu! You look like... like the goddess of today's festival herself," she squealed.

Vidhu laughed nervously. "Stop exaggerating, Akshu. It's just a saree."

But Akshu wasn't exaggerating. When Vidhu stepped out of the hostel, heads turned. Her braid fell neatly down her back, small jasmine flowers tucked between strands. Her silver bangles jingled softly as she walked, the tiny bindi on her forehead glowing against her blue eyes.

And from across the courtyard, Siddharth noticed.

He was dressed simply in a silver kurta with lavender detailing—completely unplanned, yet perfectly matching hers. His friends Vishnu and Shruthi teased him for looking unusually sharp, but his eyes only followed Vidhu.

"Siddu," Vishnu nudged him with a grin, "don't stare so hard, the whole campus will know."

Siddharth blinked, quickly shifting his gaze. But his heartbeat refused to slow.

⸻

The day rolled on with prayers, cultural dances, and laughter filling the air. Vidhu kept herself busy with her friends, though she could feel Siddharth's gaze brushing her from time to time.

In the courtyard, she bent down to light the oil lamp arranged beautifully in rows. But the breeze was playful, teasing her efforts. Every time she lit it, the flame flickered and died. Frustration clouded her face.

That's when Siddharth appeared silently beside her. He shielded the lamp with his palm, steady and protective, as she tried again. This time, the flame stayed, glowing brightly.

Vidhu looked up at him, startled. His eyes softened, reflecting the tiny light between them. For a second, the noise of the festival dimmed, and all she could hear was her heart pounding.

"Now it'll stay," he said quietly, almost like a promise.

She lowered her eyes quickly, her cheeks warming, but the memory of his closeness lingered like a spark.

⸻

🌌 Rooftop, Festival Night 🌌

After the celebrations had wound down and most of the campus slipped into the quiet hum of night, Vidhu found herself wandering. Her lavender half-saree swayed softly in the cool breeze as she climbed up to the rooftop terrace, craving a moment of stillness. The college lights twinkled below like fallen stars, but the rooftop was silent—just her, the night sky, and the flutter in her chest she couldn't explain.

She closed her eyes, letting the cold wind kiss her skin. That's when she felt it—warmth behind her. A presence.

"Why do you always run away the moment the night grows quiet?" a low voice whispered.

Vidhu's eyes snapped open. Siddharth stood there, his sleeves rolled, his gaze softer than she had ever seen. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The air itself seemed to thicken, heavy with words unsaid.

Before she could step back, he closed the distance. His arm brushed past hers—not quite a touch, but enough to make her heartbeat stumble. His eyes stayed locked on her, searching, as though he was trying to memorize the way her blue eyes shimmered under moonlight.