Falguni's POV:
I woke up to the soft sunlight streaming through my curtains, the faint hum of birds outside my window, and the lingering warmth of Coco pressed against my cheek. Somehow, even before opening my eyes properly, my mind went straight to last night-that message.
Who even notices a smile like that? I muttered to myself, letting Coco's tiny plush nose brush against my face. It's just... weirdly nice. And... comforting. But also kind of... unsettling?
Shaking off my thoughts, I showered and slid into a sky-blue kurta with embroidered sleeves and paired it with cream-colored pants. Comfortable enough for lectures, stylish enough to feel... me. I paused in front of the mirror for a second, twisting a lock of my black hair that shaded into brown at the ends. Maybe I should braid it? No, it'll get messy in class. Ugh, why do I always overthink hair too? Okay, anyways... I am doing braids.
Breakfast was the usual chaos. Mom fussing over whether I had enough vitamins in my diet, Aarav rolling his eyes at everything she said, and Dad calmly sipping his tea like he always did, perfectly balanced in our tiny whirlwind of a family.
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By mid-morning, I was already in college, greeted by the cheerful wave of Sanya, "Gunnu! Three days left! Can you even believe it?" she squealed, throwing an arm around my shoulder. It was my engagement but she is more excited for the day to finally come.
I giggled, nudging her, "Don't remind me! My brain is already doing cartwheels."
By the time I got to college, my mind was already buzzing-not just about assignments or lectures, but the engagement looming in three days. Three days, Gunnu... you can do this, I muttered under my breath as I slid into my seat in the lecture hall.
Yes, this engagement is happening with my consent but that doesn't mean I'm free from the storm inside me. I keep telling myself I agreed, I chose this, yet somewhere between my yes and today, a shadow of doubt lingers. It's not regret, but a quiet fear. Terrified, confused, uncertain. I can't even name what I'm truly feeling. Maybe this is normal, maybe every girl feels this way before stepping into a life that will never be quite the same again. Because this isn't just about rings and ceremonies... it's about crossing a line that reshapes who you are and the life you'll live.
Sanya plopped down next to me, a mischievous grin on her face. "Okay, spill! What's going on with you? You've been distracted all morning daydreaming, something's up!"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide a small smile. "Well... I got a message last night. From some... unknown person. Totally random. But, like... strangely sweet?" I waved my hand vaguely.
Sanya leaned in, eyes wide. "Unknown person? Ooooh, Gunnu, this sounds juicy! Tell me everything!"
I recounted the gist of the message, leaving out some of the stranger details. "He... he called me Gunnu. And said something about my smile... like it's a superpower or something. I don't even know who he is! But... something about the way he says... it feels familiar, like he might have been at the party yesterday."
Sanya practically squealed. "The farewell party? No way! Gunnu, maybe he's one of Ananya's friends or someone you didn't notice before. Ooooh, I'm dying to know!"
Ritika and Isha, who had joined our little table, were listening with rapt attention. "Wait, wait, Gunnu... is it like... someone from college? Or... a stranger?" Ritika asked, fanning herself dramatically.
"I have no idea!" I confessed, tugging at a braid I had lazily done this morning. "And I can't stop thinking about it... but also, the engagement! Three days left! And now this mysterious stranger... it's too much for my brain."
Sanya giggled and leaned closer. "Okay, okay, forget the stranger for a second, let's gossip! Did you see how Isha almost knocked over the cake yesterday? And Ritika trying to photobomb every selfie? And Ananya's brother-he was literally pretending to be the photographer for half the evening. I swear, everyone was trying to outdo each other!"
Ritika threw her head back laughing. "And your 'serious' expressions while dancing! You were flailing so much, Gunnu, it was hilarious. I can't believe you let Sanya drag you onto the floor like that!"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Hey, I was surviving the chaos... and trying not to step on anyone. Seriously, the party was like a tornado of selfies, dancing, and endless chatter. I swear, I didn't even notice half the people there until someone bumped into me!"
"And what about that guy? Ananya's new friend." Sanya added slyly, leaning in. "The quiet one, by the edge of the room... he kept watching everyone, but not really joining in. Did you see him?"
I nodded, careful not to show too much. "Yeah... I noticed. Something about the way he looked at everyone... and how calm he seemed amid the chaos. It was different... like he was actually paying attention. Made the party feel... kind of interesting, in a weird way."
Ritika tilted her head, smirking. "Hmm... you think... maybe he messaged you last night because there was no one except him who paid attention, he was noticing you quietly at the party? You know, the way he observed everything, but didn't say much?"
I blinked, My chest heaved instinctively. "Wait... you think he...? That's... possible?"
Sanya grinned, leaning closer. "Gunnu, come on! Think about it, he's quiet, he watches, and now someone mysterious texts you at night saying your smile is like chocolate... yeah, it kind of adds up, don't you think?"
A strange mix of curiosity and confusion settling over me. Could she be right? Could the quiet guy from the party really be the one behind that message?
We spent the next few minutes teasing each other over small details from the party, the ridiculous selfies, the overenthusiastic dancing, the silly games, and somehow, it made the morning lectures pass faster, even as the countdown in my head ticked relentlessly closer to the engagement day.
Every now and then, my mind wandered back to that strange, playful message. The way he wrote... it felt like he'd seen the party, noticed the little things, the smiles, the chaos. Who even notices details like that? And somehow, it made the mystery even more compelling, confusing, and impossible to ignore.
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By the time I got home, I had already started wondering: Should I reply? Should I ignore? What if it's someone weird... or Devansh checking on me?
I flopped onto my bed, Coco snug in my arms, and finally picked up my phone. My curiosity outweighed hesitation.
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