The lecture hall was already half full when Nisha glanced at the door for the fifth time. Professor Arvind was in his usual early-bird mood, adjusting the projector with the kind of serious focus usually reserved for bomb defusal. A few more minutes and he'd start roll call. And Anaya? Nowhere in sight.
Nisha sighed, sliding her notebook a little to the left to keep the seat beside her clearly "taken." She didn't know what had held Anaya up today—maybe her bus was late again, or maybe she'd stayed up too long watching K-dramas and hit snooze one too many times. Either way, if Professor Arvind noticed her walking in late, he'd launch into one of his infamous "time is a river" speeches.
Then, just as the professor cleared his throat and the lights dimmed for the presentation, the lecture hall door cracked open.
Anaya slipped in like a guilty cat, bag clutched tight to her chest, hair slightly tousled from a rushed walk—or possibly a run. Nisha subtly raised her hand as if asking a question, drawing the professor's gaze for just a moment. It worked. Anaya darted down the steps, sliding into the seat next to her with the stealth of a trained ninja.
"You're a goddess," Anaya whispered, barely catching her breath. "I owe you my life."
"Just don't make me a martyr next time," Nisha whispered back, hiding a smile behind her palm.
The projector whirred to life, casting a faint blue glow as the topic of the day—something about postcolonial frameworks—began crawling across the screen. Anaya tried to follow along, but her mind was still recovering from the mini sprint across campus. Nisha, being a model student, was already scribbling down notes at a speed that Anaya admired and feared simultaneously.
Midway through the lecture, Nisha passed her a sticky note:
"K-drama or alarm fail?"
Anaya scribbled back:
"Both. I deserve detention in a drama class."
They stifled their laughter, focusing just enough to not get called out. When the class finally ended and the lights flickered back on, students began shuffling out, stretching and yawning like a slow-motion wave.
"You really need to stop cutting it so close," Nisha said, slinging her bag over one shoulder as they walked out together. "One day, Professor Arvind will actually spot you and then we're both doomed."
"I know, I know," Anaya groaned. "But between this party chaos and Meera crashing into my weekend with Vogue-level expectations, my sleep schedule is dead."
"Your sister's here?" Nisha's eyes lit up. "Wait—is she the one who basically banned ruffles from your wardrobe?"
"The one and only. She arrived last night and has already threatened to 'curate' my entire look for the fresher's party. Whatever that means."
They were just about to exit the building when someone called out, "Hey, Anaya!"
They both turned to see a tall guy jogging up to them. Light stubble, well-fitted shirt, casual backpack hang—and a slightly hesitant smile.
"Amit," Nisha muttered under her breath. "Satiya's cousin."
Anaya raised her eyebrows slightly in greeting. She'd seen Amit around—a little too charming for his own good, but harmless.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said, flashing a polite grin. "Do you guys know the final deadline for that sociology group survey thing? I missed the last announcement."
"It's tomorrow evening," Nisha answered quickly. "But you have to submit through that weird online form the TA emailed."
"Oh, great. Thanks." He looked at Anaya now, as if trying to gauge whether she recognized him. "You were in the library group the other day, right?"
"Yup, trying to avoid an existential crisis over my GPA," Anaya said with a small smirk.
Amit laughed. "Same boat. I'll let you two escape now. See you around."
As he walked away, Nisha nudged her. "He's been asking people about you, you know."
Anaya blinked. "Me? Why?"
Nisha shrugged. "Rumor is he's fishing for a group to tag along with at the party. Maybe trying to make a few... strategic friendships."
"Strategic friendships," Anaya repeated, amused. "You make it sound like we're forming alliances in a survival game."
Nisha grinned. "Campus is a game. You're just now realizing?"
Anaya couldn't help but laugh. "Great, now I need to strategize. Should I ally with the guy who knows how to get the good Wi-Fi password, or the one who always brings snacks?"
"I vote for snacks," Nisha teased, nudging Anaya's shoulder. "Who knows? You might need a few extra friends for the party anyway. I'm not sure about Amit, but he's harmless. Just... don't let him charm you into giving up your secrets."
Anaya smiled. "Too late. I don't have secrets left. Meera's pretty much made sure of that."
As they reached the exit, Nisha paused, glancing at the door as though deciding something. "Hey, speaking of the party, I'm kind of excited. But also stressed. Meera's been freaking out about everyone's outfits, huh?"
"I know, right?" Anaya groaned, sinking into one of the campus benches. "I swear, this isn't supposed to be a fashion show, but she's acting like it's the Met Gala."
"Sounds like fun," Nisha said with a knowing smirk. "Okay, not really. But, seriously, don't stress. It's just a party. You'll be fine."
Anaya was about to respond when she got a notification on her phone. She opened it, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the name: Pradeep.
She quickly unlocked her phone, eager for the distraction. The message was short, but it immediately drew her attention.
Pradeep: So... you all really going to that party?
Anaya smiled, her fingers already typing out a reply before she could stop herself.
Anaya: Obviously. It's the event of the century. According to Riya anyway.
Nisha raised an eyebrow. "What was that? Pradeep?"
Anaya grinned, typing as she kept one ear open. "Yeah, he's checking in on my plans for the party."
Pradeep: What's your plan? Saree and high heels to kill your feet?
Anaya chuckled, remembering the countless times she and Nisha had discussed their plans for the party. She was ready to pull the trigger on something simple and comfortable, but Meera's standards had shifted everything.
Anaya: Tempting. But I might just wear a curtain and call it vintage. Meera is on a mission to stop me.
She sent the message, then added one more.
Anaya: What about you? Any plans to show up at all?
She raised her head just in time to see Nisha's eyes twinkle with curiosity.
"Well, I think he's just not into the whole campus-party thing," Nisha said with a laugh. "Which I get. I'd rather sit at home and read too."
Before Anaya could respond, her phone vibrated again.
Pradeep: Not sure. Too much noise, too many people. Not my thing.
Anaya felt a pang of understanding. Pradeep had always been a little reserved when it came to these big, social events. But then, the next message came, and it was a little different.
Pradeep: If I come... I'm staying near the snack table.
She smirked, shaking her head as she typed back.
Anaya: Deal. I'll bring you a plate and defend your introvert bubble.
After sending the message, she felt oddly light. Maybe it was the thought of meeting Pradeep at the party. Or maybe it was just the relief of knowing she could talk to him freely, no pretenses.
"Looks like you'll have company by the snacks after all," Nisha teased.
Anaya laughed. "Pradeep's the king of snacks. We'll see if he makes it. But even if he doesn't, I'm pretty sure I can survive the party with some food and good company."
Nisha nodded, an amused smile tugging at her lips. "I'm looking forward to seeing you survive Meera's vision of perfection, though. That should be entertaining."
Anaya rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me. If I have to wear heels, I'll be hobbling around by the end of the night."
That night, as Anaya lay in bed, she stared at the ceiling, replaying everything in her mind. The laughter, the messages, and the way Pradeep had made her feel understood in just a few simple words. It felt like everything was falling into place, and maybe—just maybe—this party was going to be exactly what she needed to clear the air and breathe a little easier.
With one last glance at her phone, Anaya drifted into sleep, the quiet glow of her screen lighting up one final time with a message from Pradeep:
Pradeep: See you there. Near the snacks, of course.
---
To be continued....