The morning sunlight peeked through the tree leaves, casting soft shadows on the pathway. The air was cool, fresh from last night's light drizzle, and the scent of jasmine mingled with the earthy smell of wet soil. It was peaceful. one of those mornings where the world felt just a little slower, a little softer.
Anaya sat alone under the neem tree near the department block. Her notebook lay open on her lap, her pen loosely held between her fingers. She wasn't writing anything, just flipping the pages now and then. A breeze brushed her cheek, and she closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself drift.
The campus was quiet. Classes hadn't started yet. Some students walked past in pairs or small groups, chatting about the day ahead, but Anaya stayed where she was, tucked into her little corner.
She liked the quiet.
Not because she hated people but because it was the only time she could actually hear her own thoughts without the buzz of conversation or the pressure of fitting in. It gave her a kind of safety, like hiding in a shell.
She wasn't exactly expecting anyone. But then, he came.
The boy who was one of the CRs in her class. The one who often sat with their friend group and teased her lightly with a smile that confused her. She never quite knew what to make of him. He was different around the others like always laughing, always calm and smooth with his words. The girls talked about him like he was some sort of campus prince.
But with her, he acted strange.
Not mean. Just...mocking. Playful in a way she couldn't read.
"Hey," he said, approaching and sitting down beside her on the stone bench without asking. "Why do you always sit here alone?"
Anaya blinked. She hadn't expected him to talk to her this early. She shifted slightly, sitting a bit straighter. "I like the quiet," Anaya replied softly.
He stretched his legs out in front of him and leaned back against the tree. And said, "It's really nice. Like you can hear your own thoughts in this queit place."
She nodded slowly, unsure what else to say. And whispered herself. "Was this small talk? Was he just bored?"
"What are you writing?" he asked, glancing at her notebook.
Anaya quickly shut it. "Nothing. Just thoughts."
He raised an eyebrow. "Can I read?"
Her eyes widened. "No!"
He laughed like, a short, amused sound that seemed more genuine than his usual laugh. "Alright, alright. Just asking."
They sat in silence for a few moments. The sounds of birds and distant voices filled the space between them. It wasn't uncomfortable. Just unfamiliar.
Then, out of nowhere, he spoke again.
"Rhea told me she broke up."
Anaya looked at him, her heart skipping for a second. She didn't know what to say.
"I thought so," Anaya murmured. "Yeah, I know. But, She didn't talk much about it."
"She doesn't have to," he replied, still looking ahead. "But it was… messy."
He wasn't saying it like gossip. His voice was quiet, like he was thinking out loud.
Anaya murmured herself, "i forgot, there is a gossip about him that he want Reha to be his girlfriend. But, its just that he doesn't get a chance to propose and let himself to be her friend."
She continued, "then, does he think that he get a chance to propose Rhea."
Anaya stayed quiet, waiting. And after a long pause, he added, "I liked someone. Not Rhea. Someone else. well, do you really think like them that I'm taking this as a chance to propose her. But, i just want to tell you that these are all just rumors of us in the first year. But, i never loved her. She is always like a friend to me."
She glanced at him again. He was staring up at the branches, his eyes unfocused.
He continud,"I thought it'd pass. Like a phase. But it didn't."
Anaya lowered her eyes to her notebook. She didn't know why, but her heart felt heavy. Maybe because she understood that feeling of hiding emotions, of thinking things would change when they didn't.
"I think… it's okay," she said gently. "To like someone. Even if it doesn't make sense."
He turned his head toward her, a little surprised. "You think so?"
She nodded. "Feelings don't always ask for permission. They just… happen."
His gaze lingered on her, softer than before. And in that quiet moment, she felt like maybe he saw her, not the quiet girl who sat alone, not the classmate he teased. but just… her.
"Do you ever feel that way?" he asked.
Anaya hesitated. Her fingers curled around her pen.
Yes.
Yes, she did.
But she wasn't ready to say it out loud. So she offered a small, unsure smile. "Maybe."
He chuckled. "Maybe's a good start."
The bell rang faintly in the distance, pulling them back to the present.
They stood up slowly, gathering their things. The sunlight filtered through the branches above, scattering golden patterns on the ground.
"Thanks," he said.
"For what?" Anaya asked..
He answered, "For listening. And not asking too many questions."
Anaya gave a small nod. "You're welcome."
As he started to walk away, he turned back over his shoulder. And asked Anaya "Next time, I'll bring coffee. You like cold coffee, right?"
She looked surprised. "How do you know?"
He grinned. "Rhea told me. Said you always finish yours before it gets warm."
Anaya's lips curved into a quiet smile. "Okay."
He waved before disappearing down the corridor.
She stood there for a moment longer, heart warm and light.
Maybe this was how it began not with sudden confessions or dramatic moments, but with soft mornings, stolen glances, and shared silences.
And maybe… just maybe…
She was already falling for someone.
As she also made her way to the library...
As she walking towards ghe library, suddenly she got a thing in her mind and whispered herself, "but, i think something has happened now. I really don't understand ehat it is? He just started with Reha and said that she broke up with his boyfriend. And suddenly he said that he has someone he loved. Yeah, that was fine from that on..."
She continued, "but, why did he explained me that much. That he has someone he loved and its not Rhea and their thing is just a rumor and suddenly ehy did he said that he want me to understand that there is nothing between them. But, i really don't know ehat has happened..."
As she is in confusion....