2:08 PM: Day 2- Surprises, Sass & Slow Conversations
The second day of the fest brought with it a fresh buzz of energy. Competitions were underway, laughter echoed across the auditorium steps, and the sun was gentle but golden- perfect selfie light, as Mihika said every five minutes.
After grabbing iced coffees, Aradhya and Mihika walked toward the open amphitheatre, joking about the bad dance performances they'd just survived.
"I loved that one dance, that one group did bhangra on a Channa Mereya. Kya combo tha—bhangra on breakup song🤣," Mihika laughed.
"Sahi toh hai. Dard ka celebration chal raha tha," Aradhya deadpanned.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Hey!"
They turned. It was one of the guys from the charger situation last night—the sweeter one. Tall, maroon t-shirt, tired but genuine smile.
"Hey, you're the guys from midnight. Did you guys survive the food stall momos?" he asked.
"Barely. Our digestive systems have filed complaints," Mihika said, smiling.
"Was that an attempt at conversation or concern?" Aradhya asked dryly.
The guy laughed, a little caught off guard but not backing down.
"A little bit of both. I figured I owed you thanks again. You were the savior with the charger."
"Cool. You're welcome," Aradhya replied.
"Wow. That's gotta be the coldest thank you acceptance I've heard ever," he grinned.
"She warms up eventually. Just not when she hasn't eaten or if someone new tries small talk," Mihika added, laughing.
Before Aradhya could retort, Mihika's phone rang.
"Ugh. Ritvik. Probably lost again," she muttered, stepping away to take the call, leaving Aradhya standing with the guy. Aradhya internally planned Mihika's murder for forcing her into small talk.
For a few seconds, there was silence. He didn't push. She didn't speak. Just sipped her coffee, arms folded.
"You know... you don't have to try so hard to be unapproachable," he said softly.
Aradhya raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not trying. It comes naturally," she replied.
"Fair. Still, I think there's more to you than deadpan sarcasm and eye rolls," he said, smiling.
"And you're the 'stranger-who-overestimates-their-reading-skills' type?" Aradhya tilted her head.
"No, no. I'm just... curious. You have this vibe. Like you're constantly fighting a battle in your head while pretending it's all chill outside," he explained.
That made her pause. She looked at him, really looked at him this time.
"Yeah well... life hasn't exactly been subtle with me either. So I just play along," she said quietly.
"Same. Expectations vs reality ka match kabhi draw nahi hota. Reality hamesha jeet jaati hai," he nodded.
There was a pause. The mood shifted, more real now.
"People expect too much. That you'll always be sorted, or strong, or the one who holds it all together. And when you break, it's inconvenient for them," Aradhya said.
"Oof. That hit harder than last night's stale pizza," he murmured.
She gave a short laugh, surprised even herself.
"See? Told you. You smile too," he added softly, watching her.
"God, you're one of those sunshine boys, aren't you? Life is beautiful, there's always hope, 'the sky is not the limit' types?" she said, mock-sighing.
"Not really. More like... cynical, but still trying," he grinned.
Another pause.
"Also, you do realize you're kind of cute when you get defensive?" he teased.
"And you do realize flirty lines don't come with warranty," she said deadpan.
He laughed again, unbothered. For once, Aradhya didn't feel the urge to shut him down completely.
"Also, you're not that smooth. Just... a little less annoying than most people," she admitted, slightly blushing.
"I'll take it. For someone who didn't even want to talk to me 5 minutes ago, that sounds dangerously close to a compliment," he replied.
Before she could respond, Mihika returned.
"Ritvik found a stall with Maggi. I'm tempted to cancel dinner plans," she said.
"I'll let you go. But if you ever want to complain about expectations and life again, I'm usually near the chai stall," he said to Aradhya.
"Noted. Only if you don't let your phone battery die," she smirked.
They walked away, and Mihika gave her the look.
"Okay. Why were you blushing like SRK just winked at you?"
"Internal hemorrhage. Vitamin D deficiency. Mind your business," Aradhya said flatly.
Mihika didn't believe her for a second—but she let it go. For now.
6:27 PM: Girls, Gossip & That Boy with the Face
It was late evening, the second day of the fest winding down, and Mihika and Aradhya were sprawled under a tree near the open lawns. Fairy lights were flickering overhead, and a soft band was performing a live acoustic set a little distance away.
Mihika was aggressively munching on peri-peri fries, while Aradhya stared blankly at the sky.
"Tu bata... kya baat hui aaj charger guy se? I left you two for like five minutes and you were looking at him like he was SRK from Kal Ho Naa Ho," Mihika said, mouth full.
"He was annoying," Aradhya replied deadpan.
"Ohhh, toh isiliye tu blush kar rahi thi like you're in a YRF film?"
"God, Mihika. Relax. He was... fine. Nice. Sweet. Kind of chivalrous. Smart. Patient. And obviously... that face," Aradhya said, rolling her eyes.
Mihika sat up instantly. "UFFF, THE FACE?! Aru has a CRUSH?!"
"No. No I don't. It was just a 15-minute conversation, not a bloody romcom trailer," Aradhya replied, mock horrified.
"You literally listed his qualities like you were shortlisting rishtas. Sweet, patient, chivalrous, good-looking. Arey shaadi kar lo tum toh," Mihika teased.
"Tu na... full nautanki. He was just... different. Unusually kind. Actually listened," Aradhya smirked.
"Exactly! That's rare. Matlab sun bhi raha tha aur cute bhi tha. Dual SIM," Mihika grinned.
"Haan par milenge kaunse janam mein dobara? Yaha fest khatam, we would return back to our exhausting PG life and wo apne city mein. Case closed," Aradhya said.
Mihika mock gasped. "Kya yeh Aradhya Choudhary bol rahi hai?! Who usually tears apart every man who speaks more than two sentences?! And now she's actually regretting not seeing him again?"
Aradhya looked away. "Regret kaun kar raha hai? I'm just being realistic. It's not like I'm going to go around asking for his number. It was a moment. It happened. Forgettable."
Mihika, in full taang kheechayi mode, said, "Pakka forgettable tha? Isiliye tu tab se usi baat ko overthink kar rahi hai like it's a NEET PG case scenario?"
"Shut up, Mhiku," Aradhya muttered.
Mihika softened her tone. "But seriously, Aru. Agar crush hai na... toh soch. Worst case kya hoga? Vibe nahi kiya toh chhod dena. You're not marrying him. Just a conversation. Best case? You like each other. Dono ke schedules match kiye toh maybe it turns into something cute."
"And in three days fest is over. He goes back. I go back. Life resumes," Aradhya said, sighing.
"Exactly. So no pressure. No drama. No emotional liability. Bas agar mann kare toh ek baar aur baat kar le. You deserve nice moments too. Not just hospital rounds and burnout," Mihika added.
Aradhya looked at Mihika, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Kabhi kabhi I feel like tu meri therapist ho," she admitted.
"500 per session. Fries extra," Mihika said, mock proud.
They both laughed. But somewhere in that laughter, Aradhya stored Mihika's words.
Because maybe—just maybe—it was okay to feel something again.
Even if it was just a harmless, fleeting crush.
9:39 AM: Day 3 – Bhagwan bhi chahte hain ki tum dono milo
The campus was buzzing more than ever. Day 3 meant finale performances, jam-packed stalls, and that end-of-fest electric energy in the air.
Aradhya adjusted her oversized denim jacket and checked her reflection in a shop window. "I look like I haven't slept in a year," she muttered.
"No, you look like Ranveer Singh's stylist ran out of budget halfway," Mihika called from behind.
"Perfect. Broke and sleep-deprived. Just my style," Aradhya said.
They were walking past the central canteen when it happened—again.
Mystery Guy, wearing a white shirt and sunglasses, bumped into her.
"Oye! Careful—oh! You again?" he said.
"Are you stalking me? Because if yes, at least be better at it," Aradhya replied deadpan.
"Not my fault God is writing this meet-cute like a web series," he grinned.
Mihika raised an eyebrow behind her friend's back. Aradhya pretended not to care, but her hand instinctively smoothed her hair.
"Main zara stalls dekh ke aati hoon. Aru, tu chai le aana," Mihika said sweetly before disappearing. Great.
"This is the third time we've bumped into each other," Aradhya noted.
"Fourth, if you count that intense eye contact we had near the golgappa stall," he teased.
"Wow. Intense. You should write poetry," she mocked.
"I do. Bad breakup poetry and existential crisis tweets. Want a sample?"
"Pass," she said, and he chuckled. They walked side by side in comfortable silence for a beat.
"You look better today. Yesterday you had that... guarded, don't-talk-to-me vibe," he said gently.
"That's my default face," Aradhya replied.
"Well, it's very intimidating. And weirdly attractive," he added.
Aradhya rolled her eyes but was smiling now.
"You flirt with every girl like this?" she asked.
"Only the ones who threaten me with their sarcasm," he shrugged.
They reached a bench near the amphitheatre and sat for a while, watching a dance group perform in the distance.
"You ever feel like... people expect too much from you, but you're just barely holding it together?" he asked more seriously.
Aradhya looked at him, surprised. That was deeper than she expected.
"Yeah. All the time. Parents, patients, professors. Like I have to be perfect. But no one asks if I'm tired," she said softly.
"Exactly. And then when you finally break down, they say you're overreacting," he nodded.
She nodded back. And in that moment, it wasn't flirtation anymore. It was connection.
"Anyway. Sorry for the heavy talk. I just—feel like I could talk to you. Weird, right?" he said, smiling.
"Weirder things have happened," Aradhya replied, looking away, blushing.
"Like bumping into the same sarcastic girl three days in a row?" he teased.
"Definitely divine intervention," she said.
Just then, Mihika called out from behind a row of stalls.
"Aru! Come see this earrings stall!"
"Bestfriend duty calls," Aradhya said, standing.
"See you around... again?" he said softly.
"Looks like we don't have a choice," Aradhya half-smiled.
Later that day, back in the room, Mihika pounced.
"SO?! Did he finally confess he's secretly stalking you?"
Aradhya grinned despite herself. "Shut up."
"Tu blush kar rahi hai. Tum toh milte ja rahe ho like scripted destiny," Mihika teased.
"He's nice, okay? Sweet. Funny. Smart. And obviously... that face," Aradhya admitted.
"Aru has a CRUSH! Repeat after me: I have a fest crush!"
"Fine. Maybe I do. Maybe he's cute. And maybe he listens. And he wasn't scared off by my dry sarcasm. But still — kya hi point? Hum vaapas jaa rahe hain kal. End of chapter," Aradhya said, laughing.
"Maybe. But maybe not. Kabhi kabhi ek hi pal sab kuch change kar deta hai. Try karna chahiye. Worst case, cute memory ban jaayega. Best case, who knows?" Mihika shrugged.
Aradhya looked away, but her blush was giving her away.
And somewhere inside, a small part of her hoped they'd "accidentally" bump into each other again.
6:56 PM Day 3, Later in the Evening – "We Really Need to Stop Meeting Like This"
The fest was in full swing. Music blared from the open amphitheatre, the sky was painted with fairy lights, and Aradhya had just convinced Mihika to try the massive wheel.
Mihika clutched her stomach. "I'm telling you, if I throw up mid-air, you're cleaning it."
"That's what you get for eating a full plate of chhole kulche and then getting on a ride," Aradhya grinned.
They stood in line, giggling, when a voice behind them interrupted.
"You again?! Okay now it's creepy," Mystery Guy gasped dramatically.
Aradhya turned to find him standing two people behind her, his hair slightly messy, sleeves rolled up, a half-eaten candy floss in hand.
"Are you sure you're not stalking me? Because honestly, this is textbook level rom-com stalking now," she smirked.
"Rude, but since pretty girl like you is saying so, now I am wishing kaash main stalk kr raha hota," he replied.
Mihika, grinning and stepping aside, said, "Waise, Aru, I'm suddenly very scared of the giant wheel. I think I'll skip. You go ahead."
"Seriously?" Aradhya said, glaring.
"BYE," Mihika added, disappearing from the line.
And just like that, Aradhya was standing alone in the queue... with Mystery Guy moving up behind her.
"If you really wanted alone time with me, Aradhya, you could've just asked," he mock-whispered.
Aradhya narrowed her eyes. "Wait... how do you know my name?" Her heart skipped a beat. Was he seriously stalking her?
He held up his phone and smirked.
"Mutual friends. You were tagged in a post with Mihika. Social media stalking 101," he said.
"Creepy but impressive," Aradhya muttered.
"And you are?" he asked.
"Mysterious, sarcastic, emotionally unavailable," she replied with mock seriousness.
"So basically..." he trailed off, grinning.
The ride attendant called out—they were next.
"So... do we pretend this is fate and ride together? Or do you pretend you hate me and sit with that girl wearing a 'SWAG GIRL' cap?" he teased.
Aradhya rolled her eyes. "You talk too much."
"But you haven't walked away yet," he shot back.
Cut to—both of them strapped in side by side, the wheel starting to move.
As the city lights unfolded below, Aradhya glanced sideways. He was looking straight ahead, wind ruffling his hair, calm like he belonged here.
"So, you never told me your name," she said softly, finally giving in to curiosity.
"Dhruv," he replied without turning.
"Dhruv... nice name," she smiled slightly.
He finally looked at her. "So, Aradhya... Do we keep calling these 'accidental' meets? Or do we admit the universe is obsessed with us?"
Aradhya bit back a smile. "Let's see if we bump into each other again tomorrow. If we do... maybe I'll believe it."
"Deal. But tomorrow, I'm bringing a charger. Just in case fate forgets," he said, grinning.
They both laughed as the wheel took them higher into the sky, the city twinkling below, and maybe... just maybe... something new was beginning.
Day 4: Last Day of the Fest – Destiny or Mihika?
The final evening was buzzing—food stalls were packed, a band was setting up for the closing performance, and fairy lights made the whole lawn look like a dream.
Aradhya stood near the lemonade counter, sipping slowly and scanning the crowd. Mihika had disappeared again. Suspicious.
Just then, she heard her.
"Aru! Come here! Someone wants to meet you!" Mihika called out.
Aradhya frowned and walked toward where Mihika stood with Ritvik. Standing next to them, looking equal parts smug and sheepish, was Dhruv.
"You again?" Aradhya rolled her eyes.
"Excuse me, I was dragged here by your best friend," Dhruv said, mock offended.
"He looked bored and lonely, his friends ditched him. Also, he clearly likes talking to you," Mihika grinned.
Ritvik leaned over to whisper to Dhruv. "Bro, if she's giving you dry sass instead of death stares, you're already winning."
Aradhya tried to glare but ended up laughing.
They all sat on the grass, talking over golgappas and paneer tikka. Dhruv blended in way too easily—joking with Ritvik, matching Mihika's Bollywood references, and somehow always managing to end up next to Aradhya.
At one point, Dhruv said, "Okay wait, you're telling me you guys actually studied during MBBS? Like actually read books?"
"Well, we tried. But mostly we cried. Cried with books in our lap. That's called balance," Aradhya replied.
"That's probably why you're so sarcastic. Repressed trauma," he grinned.
"Sarcasm is my love language," she said, sipping her mocktail.
"Good to know. Mine's sending memes at 2am and pretending I don't care," he added.
Their friends exchanged looks and smirks. Someone was catching feelings—and everyone but Aradhya noticed.
11:10 PM: The Goodbye – Stolen Moment Before the Bus Leaves
The bus was ready. Their return tickets were booked. Mihika and Ritvik were already inside. Aradhya was dragging her suitcase when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"So... this is it?" Dhruv asked softly.
"Yep. Back to real life. Stethoscopes, ward rounds, emotional breakdowns," she shrugged.
He walked beside her slowly.
"I was thinking..." he began.
"That we probably won't see each other again?" Aradhya interrupted.
"Wow. Pessimistic much? I was going to say—that I hope we do," he smiled.
There was a silence. Comfortable, awkward, heavy—all at once.
"I know this was random. Weird even. But I liked talking to you. You're honest. And smart. And very, very sarcastic," Dhruv said.
"Still not sure if that's a compliment," she smirked.
"It is. You're kind of... hard to forget, Dr. Aradhya," he admitted.
She paused, adjusting her bag strap.
"You're not bad yourself, Mr. Random-Charger-Guy," she replied.
He pulled out his phone.
"Instagram?" he asked.
"I don't follow strangers," she raised a brow.
"Then let's change that. Hi, I'm Dhruv. I like coffee, Arijit Singh music, long campus walks, and girls who pretend they're not blushing," he said with a grin.
She rolled her eyes but handed over her phone.
As the bus engine roared, Aradhya got in, turned to the window, and saw him still standing there—waving, smiling.
She found herself smiling too.
        Â
-3k words
-End of Chapter.
-So finally male lead ki entry ho gayi, how was it.
-Till now it was just the back story and basic introduction of important characters, next I would be posting character aesthetics.
-Hereafter chapter's would mostly be from Aradhya's POV.
-Are you guys liking the story, if you do please like and comment,your every little support also means a lot and I see every comment even if I am not able to immediately reply-I would reply to each and everyone.🌸
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