Falguni's POV:
The party was at Ananya's house, a modest two-story home tucked in a busy neighborhood. The living room had been cleared for dancing, colorful streamers hung across the walls, and fairy lights twinkled softly above. The faint aroma of homemade snacks drifted from the terrace, blending with the perfume and laughter around me, giving the evening a cozy, lively feel. The wooden floors felt smooth under my heels as I tiptoed past a few faces I recognized from school and some college friends I hadn't seen in months.
The hall was buzzing. Ananya had gathered quite a crowd, her cousins were mingling, her brother popping in and out, and of course, some of us from school and college. Everyone was chatting, laughing, and posing for photos, the kind of chaos that made me smile despite the faint twinge of engagement thoughts lurking in the back of my mind.
Sanya spotted me first, grabbing my hand. "Gunnu! Over here!" she called. Isha waved wildly from the other side, while Ritika doubled over laughing at something only she seemed to understand. I couldn't help laughing too, letting the excitement of the evening sweep me along.
We caught up with classmates, teasing each other about music choices and sharing small gossips. Ananya, glowing in a soft lilac dress, came running toward us. "Gunnu! Sanya! So glad you came!" she exclaimed, hugging us tightly.After the hugs, she motioned to someone standing a little apart.
"This is my friend Aarush," she said casually. We met at a photography workshop recently, he's new in the city and thought he might enjoy joining tonight."
I turned toward him and offered a polite "Hi," and that's when I truly noticed him. He was of average height, lean but strong, his movements calm and effortless. His tanned skin glowed softly under the fairy lights, black hair slightly tousled, black eyes quietly observing the room. Something about the way he watched without needing attention made him different from everyone else.
As I slipped back into the crowd, my thoughts kept wandering. Why do I feel like he's… noticing? Not me, just everything, the small moments I'm laughing at with my friends, the way Ritika's hair kept falling in her face, the way Sanya waved her arms like she was conducting an orchestra. I shook my head, smiling. Stop overthinking, Gunnu. It's just a party.
Throughout the evening, I danced, laughed, and teased with Sanya, Ananya, Isha, and Ritika. Every now and then, my eyes drifted to him, Aarush, calmly standing at the edge, observing without joining the chaos. Occasionally, our gazes met for a fraction of a second, and my heart did a little skip, though I told myself it was just curiosity.
When it came time for a group photo, everyone scrambled into place. Sanya grabbed my hand again. "Gunnu, come closer! Don't hide behind Ritika this time!"
I rolled my eyes but shuffled forward, inwardly grumbling, Ritika, stop fluffing your hair like it's a magazine cover. Isha whispered something ridiculous, making Ritika nearly double over laughing. Ananya's brother photobombed yet again, smirking as if he knew some private joke only he could get.
And Aarush? He stayed at the edge, silently taking in the scene, framing the moment with his eyes rather than a camera. There was a calm, steady aura about him, almost magnetic, and I couldn't stop sneaking glances at him, wondering why someone could stand apart from chaos and still somehow pull your attention.
As the camera clicked, I caught myself stealing glances at him again. Nothing had happened between us, not a word, not a smile directed at me specifically, but somehow, just seeing him there made this simple party moment feel a little… different.
The evening continued with laughter, music, and stories. I danced until my legs ached, joked until my cheeks hurt, and for the first time in days, I forgot the looming engagement countdown. But even as the party carried on, a small flutter of curiosity lingered in my chest, a sense that tonight, something ordinary had already started shifting, something I couldn't quite name… yet.
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By the time I returned home, the evening had settled into the familiar, cozy chaos of our little house. Dinner was comforting as always, with my brother teasing me about my stationery obsession, Mom fussing over Dad's plate, and the quiet rhythm of our small family life wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I smiled politely, nodding along, but a small flutter of anticipation lingered in my chest, a tiny voice whispering that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow wouldn't be completely ordinary.
After dinner, I changed into something soft and comfortable, a pale pastel pink lounge set, perfect for sinking into my bed without worrying about colors or frills. Coco tucked under my arm, I let myself sink into the familiar comfort of my room. My mind wandered… to Devansh and the short, confusing meeting we had, to the whirlwind of college classes, and the constant chatter of my friends that somehow always left me smiling.
I thought about the party tonight, about Ananya leaving, the laughter, Ritika's dramatic poses, Isha's never-ending jokes and the quiet, observant presence of someone new, standing just on the edge. Who was he? Why did it feel like he noticed things everyone else missed? My mind replayed the little moments, little glimpses of him in the crowd, and I found myself smiling at the thought.
And then, my thoughts drifted further. About life in general, about choices I didn't fully understand yet, about what it meant to feel excitement and curiosity in the middle of ordinary days. About the strange tug of possibility, that maybe some things were quietly shifting, even if I couldn't name them yet.
Just as my eyelids grew heavy and I was about to drift off completely, a faint ping lit up my phone screen. I picked up my phone, still half-lulled by sleep. I blinked, squinting at the notification and my heart skipped. A message from… someone new.
My brow furrowed slightly. Who was this? I scrolled back no saved contact, no clue.
Unknown:
"Hey, I don't even know you, but I have to say… you have the kind of smile that makes people forget everything else for a second. Had to tell you."
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure whether to reply, but curiosity won over caution.
I froze, Coco pressed tightly against my chest. What? My smile? And from a stranger? Who even… My mind briefly flicked to Devansh. Maybe he was trying to be thoughtful? No… Devansh would never notice something like that, and definitely not text it like this, so casual, so daring, yet strangely kind.
Curiosity nudged me forward, and I typed:
"Um… hi? Thanks, I guess. Who's this?"
Almost immediately, the reply appeared:
"Just someone who notices the little things that matter. Don't worry, nothing weird… promise."
I tilted my head, Coco pressed to my cheek. Noticing little things… a stranger texting me at night… Not Devansh. And yet… it feels like he actually sees me, really notices me.
I typed back cautiously, a mix of amusement and hesitation:
"Well… thanks. Not used to strangers complimenting me at this hour."
Seconds later, the reply appeared:
"Not just a compliment… a little reminder that some things are worth noticing. You seem like someone who'd understand that too."
"Okay… not to freak you out, but your smile? Criminal. Like, if smiles were candies, yours would be the chocolate everyone fights over. Just had to say it."
I froze, blinking at the screen. Chocolate? Smile? Who even texts like this at midnight? My mind flicked briefly to Devansh...no way. He would never, ever, compare someone's smile to chocolate like that.
I hugged Coco tighter, mind swirling. A reminder? Noticing details? This isn't normal. And yet… it feels like he already sees pieces of me I haven't shown anyone. Not Devansh… definitely not him. So… who is this?
''Also, you seem like the kind of person who'd notice little things… like me noticing your smile. Don't worry, it's an entirely safe obsession."
I raised an eyebrow. Safe obsession? This is insane… but also… kind of nice?
"Safe, huh? Okay… I guess. But you're making this sound like I have superpowers or something," I typed back.
"Exactly! You noticed. Your smile is basically a superpower. Handle with care, Gunnu."
I hugged Coco tighter, heart fluttering in a strange mix of amusement and curiosity. Gunnu? How does he know my nickname? And… why do I feel like he's not just some random stranger?
I set the phone aside, letting the quiet hum of my room settle around me. Thoughts of the day, the party, college, and this bold, observant friend lingered in my mind. And just as sleep began to claim me, a small flutter of curiosity stayed, a feeling that tonight might not be as ordinary as it seemed.
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