The sun was just rising over the campus neighbourhood, spilling golden light across the streets. Aryan tugged his jacket tighter and pushed open the door to the small grocery store nearby, deciding a quick errand would be a nice distraction from unpacking and chaos.
He didn't expect to see anyone familiar.
And yet, there was Aveed, calmly reaching for a carton of milk a few aisles over. His usual composed expression was intact, though a faint flush dusted his cheeks.
"Whoa! Hey," Aryan said, stepping closer with a grin. "Fancy seeing you here."
Aveed glanced up, maintaining his calm tone. "Yeah… just grabbing a few things," he replied, voice steady, though the slightest hint of tension lingered around his posture.
Aryan leaned casually against a shelf, smirking. "Milk and snacks, I presume?"
Aveed's lips twitched in a small smile, but he focused on the apples in front of him. "Something like that," he murmured, trying to mask the faint warmth rising in his chest.
Just then, Aryan's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at it and saw Maya's name flashing. He didn't hesitate.
"Perfect timing," he muttered, swiping to answer.
"Heyyy, Aryan!" Maya's cheerful voice rang through the speaker. "Guess what? I totally forgot my cereal… and chocolate milk. Classic me!"
Aryan laughed, holding the phone to his ear. "Classic indeed. Should I come save the day, Your Highness?"
Maya giggled. "Of course! And don't forget your best friend duties while you're at it."
"Best friend duties?" Aryan leaned lightly against the shelf, grinning. "Already in progress. Professional-grade, just for you."
Aveed, standing quietly nearby, felt heat rise to his cheeks. He tried to focus on his basket, pretending to inspect the produce, but Aryan's playful energy with Maya tugged at him in a way he refused to acknowledge. Why does it affect me so much? he thought, frowning slightly. He straightened, keeping his calm, nonchalant facade intact.
Maya's laughter was bright, filling Aryan's ear. "Seriously, Aryan… how do you always manage to be so ridiculous?"
"Ridiculous and reliable — a perfect combo," Aryan said smoothly, smirking. "You're lucky you have me."
Aveed's jaw tightened imperceptibly, lips twitching in a faint smile. He said nothing, continuing to pretend to focus on his groceries, though the playful scene between Aryan and Maya left a subtle stir in him.
The call ended with Maya promising to see Aryan later, leaving him smiling as he tucked the phone away. Aveed glanced at him, still composed, though a faint pink lingered on his cheeks.
Aryan shook his head, exhaling, letting the morning light warm his face. She's happy. Totally fine. Totally. And yet, even as he thought it, a quiet, playful energy lingered between the two friends, subtle but impossible to ignore.
They finished their shopping in near silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Aryan carried his groceries back toward his apartment, still grinning from the call, while Aveed went in the opposite direction, carefully maintaining his calm demeanour, though he couldn't entirely erase the warmth that lingered from seeing Aryan so effortlessly close with Maya.
The morning felt light, playful, and teasing — a quiet, electric beginning to what promised to be a long, complicated day.
Aryan dropped his grocery bags onto the counter, kicking off his shoes. The apartment was quiet, the kind of calm that made him feel both at ease and a little restless. He pulled out his phone and sent Maya a quick text:
"Crisis averted? Or still missing chocolate milk?"
Almost immediately, her reply came:
"Still missing. But you're officially my favourite best friend, so I'll survive "
He chuckled, typing back quickly:
"Officially? I was hoping unofficially too… but I'll take the win "
Maya's laughter practically vibrated through the text. "You're ridiculous. Can't wait to see you later. Bring snacks, genius."
Aryan grinned, slipping his phone into his pocket. He leaned against the counter, letting the warmth of her messages settle in. Her playfulness always had a way of brightening his day, of making him feel like everything was simple and fun, even with the complicated emotions threading through the campus life.
Meanwhile, Aveed was in his own apartment, unpacking his groceries slowly. He was calm, composed — the picture of nonchalance — but every time he thought of Aryan's easy rapport with Maya, he felt a subtle twist in his chest. He shook his head, keeping his hands busy with the items in front of him. Why do their voices and laughter stick in my head like this?
He muttered under his breath, almost to himself, "Just… leave it alone. It's nothing."
Aveed's calm mask stayed intact, though the warmth in his cheeks betrayed him ever so slightly. He set down a jar of jam and leaned back against the counter, letting out a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh.
Back in Aryan's apartment, he sprawled on the couch, scrolling through memes, texting Maya little jokes, laughing to himself. He felt a strange comfort in the rhythm of their friendship, the way she responded instantly with playful banter, and the way he could just… be himself.
Little did Aryan know, Aveed was quietly replaying every laugh, every casual tease, every smile that had passed between Aryan and Maya, each memory tugging at him in ways he wouldn't admit.
The morning stretched on with this quiet, invisible connection: Aryan relaxed and playful, Maya cheerful and teasing, and Aveed calm but secretly flustered. The day felt light, full of small sparks, each moment threading subtly toward something bigger.
The lecture hall was buzzing with the usual first-day energy. Rows of desks stretched across the room, and as fate would have it, the three of them found a desk with three connected seats.
Aryan, as always, slid into the middle seat with a grin. "Best spot secured," he said, stretching his arms casually.
Maya plopped down beside him, smiling faintly. "You really love the middle, huh?"
"Of course," Aryan replied, mock-serious. "Front-row charm and best friend insurance — all in one seat."
Aveed took the remaining seat at the end, calm and composed. Maya hardly glanced his way, her attention mostly on Aryan, though he caught her occasional glances and offered a faint, polite smile in return. He didn't push; the quiet energy suited him.
The lecture began, and the professor's voice filled the hall. Aryan whispered occasional comments to Maya, making her stifle giggles. Aveed jotted notes silently, his eyes flicking briefly toward Maya every now and then, but he remained focused and composed, quietly observing the dynamic between them.
By the end of the lecture, Maya felt a mix of relief and amusement. "I need coffee," she muttered, leaning back in her chair.
Aryan's grin widened. "Ah, my kind of emergency. Let's head to the canteen."
Aveed followed calmly, walking beside them. Maya hardly spoke to him, still laughing and chatting with Aryan, and he simply accepted it, hands in his pockets, a subtle blush colouring his cheeks at times but no word escaping.
The canteen was lively, the smell of fresh coffee mingling with the chatter of students. They grabbed a table near the window, sunlight streaming across it. Aryan ordered his usual coffee, Maya her cappuccino, and Aveed quietly chose a latte.
"Finally, a break," Maya said, swirling her cup. "Classes are… a lot."
Aryan laughed. "You mean my commentary on the lecture? I know, right?"
Maya nudged him playfully. "You mean the commentary that made me almost choke on my notebook?"
Aveed's faint smile appeared again as he sipped his latte silently, watching them. Aryan, oblivious to Aveed's subtle reactions, leaned back in his chair, grinning, occasionally teasing Maya.
The morning flowed into early afternoon, full of light conversation, playful laughter, and the calm presence of Aveed quietly sharing the space. The dynamics between the three were settled into an easy rhythm — Aryan lively and teasing, Maya laughing and comfortable, Aveed calm yet quietly attentive.
The first coffee break ended too soon, but the warmth and energy of it lingered, setting the tone for what promised to be many more moments together in this new chapter of college life.
And so, almost every day passed like this — laughter, teasing, coffee breaks, and quiet glances that lingered a little too long; the three of them growing closer as friends, Aryan fully letting go of jealousy, while an unspoken tension quietly hummed between Maya and Aveed.