Episode-3

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Chapter 3: The Unspoken Words

The following week felt like a blur to Aanya. Between her classes, the never-ending college assignments, and the days spent trying to adjust to her new life, there were moments when she caught herself thinking about Arjun. There was something undeniably magnetic about him. It wasn’t that he tried to be, but the way he existed — in his quiet, thoughtful world — made Aanya feel like he held secrets, a thousand stories waiting to be told.

And it wasn’t just the way he looked at her or spoke to her. It was the way he made her feel. Comfortable. Understood. Like she could just exist without the need to impress.

Every time they crossed paths, whether it was on their walks home or when she bumped into him at the grocery store, Aanya felt the connection between them deepen. It was subtle — small glances, shared smiles, quiet conversations about books and life. Each interaction left Aanya with a sense of longing, like she wanted to know more, but was too hesitant to ask.

It was on another rainy afternoon, when the sky was a dull gray, that Aanya found herself standing at her front door, looking across the street at the familiar house next door. Arjun had become a part of her daily routine without even realizing it. Sometimes, she would catch a glimpse of him through the window, lost in his thoughts or reading a book, and wonder what was going on behind those calm eyes.

She didn’t know why she was waiting. Maybe it was the rain, or maybe it was the fact that she had already been thinking about him all day. But something made her step outside, her umbrella in hand.

“Hi, Arjun,” she called out as she reached the gate.

Arjun was sitting on the front steps, a book resting in his lap. He looked up, surprised to see her. His face lit up with a small smile, the kind that felt like a secret shared between them.

“Hey, Aanya,” he said, his voice low but warm. “What’s up?”

She hesitated for a second, unsure of why she was here. But then, as if the question had already been answered in her mind, she spoke. “I was just wondering… if you’d like to come over for coffee? I’ve been thinking about our conversation the other day and thought maybe we could talk more.”

There was a moment of silence as Arjun looked at her, his brow furrowing slightly, as if considering her words. He seemed surprised, but also genuinely interested.

“I would like that,” he said after a beat, closing his book and standing up. “I’ll be over in a minute.”

Aanya’s heart skipped a beat as she stepped back into her house, the soft sound of her shoes against the wooden floor echoing in the quiet space. She had invited him over. It wasn’t a big deal, but for some reason, it felt like one. It was a step forward — one she wasn’t entirely sure she was ready for, but it felt right.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Aanya opened it, her breath catching in her throat when she saw him standing there, slightly damp from the rain. He smiled, his eyes warm and soft.

“Hey,” he said, his voice easy, as if they had known each other for years.

Aanya stepped aside to let him in. “Come in. It’s warm inside.”

As Arjun entered, Aanya led him to the kitchen, where a steaming cup of coffee was waiting for him. She had brewed it just before he had arrived, unsure of what to do with her hands or her nervous energy.

“So, how’s everything going with college?” Aanya asked, trying to ease the tension in her chest.

Arjun smiled as he took the cup from her, his fingers brushing against hers for a moment. “It’s going fine. A bit overwhelming at times, but it’s manageable.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Aanya said, her voice quiet. “I still feel like I’m figuring everything out.”

“You will,” Arjun replied confidently. “It just takes time.”

They sat in the kitchen, sipping their coffee, the conversation flowing more easily than Aanya had expected. She found herself talking about her life in the new town, about the little things that had surprised her, and about how different everything felt from what she had imagined.

But as they spoke, Aanya couldn’t help but notice the way Arjun listened to her — really listened. His attention never wavered, his gaze steady as he absorbed everything she said. It wasn’t the kind of attention that felt overbearing or intense. It was subtle, gentle — like he was allowing her to unfold at her own pace.

It was during a lull in their conversation that Arjun spoke again, his voice quieter than before. “Aanya… I’m glad we’re doing this. It’s nice to get to know you.”

She looked up at him, her heart doing an unexpected flip. “Me too.”

There was an unspoken connection that lingered in the air between them, one that neither of them dared to name. Aanya could feel it — the pull. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it was there, like a soft, steady beat in the background of everything they said, everything they shared.

Arjun set his coffee cup down and met her gaze, his expression serious yet gentle. “I’m not the best with words,” he began, his voice low and hesitant. “But I feel like there’s something here. Between us.”

Aanya’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding slightly faster. She wasn’t sure what to say. Was he talking about friendship? Or something more?

Before she could respond, he smiled again, breaking the tension in the air. “I don’t know what it is exactly, but I want to find out.”

Aanya smiled, feeling something light and hopeful stir inside her. “I’d like that too.”

For the first time since they’d met, Aanya felt like the quiet bond between them had shifted into something more. Something deeper. And for the first time, she wondered if she could really trust the feeling that had been growing inside her since the day they met — that maybe, just maybe, there was something real between them, something worth exploring.

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