The cafeteria was alive with noise — trays clattering, voices overlapping, and laughter spilling from every corner. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, warming the long row of wooden tables.
At one of them, Aryan and Maya slid into their usual seats. Across the table, Aveed sat with Tara, who was talking animatedly, her eyes shining as she explained something from class.
"So then," Tara was saying, hands flying, "the professor actually asked me to explain it back to the class — like I'm some assistant or something!"
Aveed chuckled softly. "Well, you are good at it."
Maya stirred her coffee slowly, spoon clinking against the mug. Her eyes flicked toward Aveed, catching the curve of his smile. It wasn't much, just a small shift, but enough to twist something deep inside her. She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the steam rising from her cup.
Aryan, noticing, leaned closer and stole a fry off her plate. "Careful," he whispered with a grin, "your eyes are going to burn holes in him."
Maya shot him a glare. "Shut up, Aryan."
He smirked wider. "What? I'm just being a good friend. Besides…" he raised his voice a notch, loud enough for nearby students to hear, "don't get any ideas, people. Maya's basically married to me."
The group at the next table burst into laughter. Maya groaned, covering her face with her hand. "You're impossible."
"And you love me for it," Aryan said smugly.
Tara giggled, glancing between them. "Are you two always like this?"
"Always," Aryan answered smoothly. Then, with mock seriousness, he added, "She'd be lost without me."
Maya smirked, finally leaning back. "More like I deserve a medal for putting up with you."
Aveed's lips curved into the faintest smile at their banter, but he didn't join in. His eyes stayed on his coffee, expression calm, unreadable.
Tara, still smiling, nudged him lightly. "See what I mean? They're hilarious."
Aveed gave a small nod. "Yeah. They are."
Maya's heart tugged at his quiet voice, but she masked it with a practiced laugh. "Don't encourage him, Tara. He already thinks he's the star of the show."
Aryan leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Correction — I am the star of the show. And you?" He pointed at her dramatically. "You're my unwilling sidekick."
Maya rolled her eyes, but her laughter slipped out anyway, soft and genuine. For a moment, the jealousy stirring in her chest eased — though it didn't vanish.
By the time their coffees were done, the four of them headed back toward the lecture hall, the late-morning sun warm against the tiled campus pathways. Tara walked beside Aveed, laughing at something he had just said, while Maya and Aryan trailed a step behind.
Aryan leaned close to Maya, whispering, "Look at them — they're already acting like they own the place."
Maya gave him a side glance, her voice cool. "They're just talking. Don't overthink."
Aryan grinned. "Me? Never. But you? You're thinking plenty."
Maya didn't reply, her eyes flicking briefly to Aveed, who was tilting his head toward Tara, explaining some inside joke about their school days. Tara laughed, brushing his shoulder lightly in amusement. Maya straightened her back, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as if nothing had happened.
Inside the lecture hall, the four found their usual spot — Aveed slid into his corner seat, Tara took the one next to him, and Aryan nudged Maya into the row behind them.
"Great view," Aryan whispered dramatically as he stretched out in his chair. "We get front-row seats to the Aveed & Tara Show."
Maya smirked faintly. "Stop being ridiculous."
The professor began the lecture, his voice echoing through the hall, but the quiet undercurrent between the group carried on. Tara leaned closer to Aveed, pointing at his notes.
"You still write like this?" she teased, her voice just low enough for him to hear.
Aveed chuckled softly. "Some things don't change."
"Hmm," Tara said with a grin, "guess I'll just have to keep decoding your handwriting like old times."
Maya's pen paused mid-scribble, her jaw tightening. Aryan, noticing the tension, leaned toward her with a smirk.
"Want me to 'accidentally' drop my book on them? Break the cozy bubble?" he joked.
Maya shot him a sharp look, though a tiny laugh escaped. "You're impossible."
The lecture dragged on, filled with equations and explanations, but the little dynamics around their desks hummed with more energy than the professor's words. At one point, Tara leaned so close to Aveed their shoulders brushed, and he angled his notebook so she could see better.
Behind them, Aryan muttered under his breath, "And the plot thickens."
Maya rolled her eyes but kept her expression composed, scribbling notes with extra precision, though her ears caught every quiet laugh in front of her.
Finally, the class ended. Students filed out, some stretching and chatting. Aveed stood, offering Tara a small smile. "Come on, I'll show you the quickest way back to the hostel."
"Perfect," Tara said brightly, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
Aryan clapped his hands together dramatically. "And thus ends episode one of 'Campus Chronicles.' Can't wait for tomorrow's drama."
Maya shot him a glare, though the corner of her lips curved. "You're seriously the worst."
"And yet, your favorite," Aryan said with a wink.
The four of them spilled out of the lecture hall together, but Maya hung back slightly, her thoughts restless. Tara and Aveed walked a step ahead, comfortably side by side, while Aryan hummed some ridiculous tune to lighten the mood.
By the time they reached the courtyard, the group split — Tara and Aveed heading toward the hostel.
"See?" Aryan said, bumping her shoulder playfully. "You survived. Totally fine."
After class, Aveed walked Tara to her hostel. She chatted away, telling him funny stories from their childhood that made him smile despite his usual calm exterior. Their easy rhythm was natural — years of knowing each other made silence comfortable and words flow without effort.
"Thanks for walking me," Tara said, giving him a little wave before heading inside. "Same time tomorrow?"
Aveed nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Sure."
He turned, adjusting his bag strap, only to spot Maya and Aryan sitting on the library steps nearby. The sound of Maya's laughter carried in the air, clear and unguarded. Aryan was saying something with his usual dramatic flair, making her shake her head while still grinning.
Aveed slowed. He didn't interrupt — just watched from a short distance, his chest tightening.
"Come on, Maya, admit it," Aryan teased, holding up her notebook. "Your sketches are world-famous in the category of accidental comedy."
Maya reached for it, laughing. "Give it back, idiot!"
"Not until you say Aryan is the most talented, most handsome, most charming guy in this entire college."
She rolled her eyes but was still laughing. "You wish."
"Fine, at least admit I saved your shading disaster." He puffed up proudly. "Without me, your drawing would've looked like a potato."
Maya finally snatched her notebook back. "Happy now?"
"Not really," Aryan grinned. "I take payment in… coffee. Or hugs."
Maya groaned, but Aryan leaned closer, his grin daring. After a moment, she gave him a quick, light hug — playful. Aryan exaggerated the gesture, throwing his arms up. "Victory!"
Aveed's jaw tightened. He didn't say anything, but the sight stung more than he cared to admit.
When Maya stood, dusting off her bag, Aveed walked up. "I'll drop you home," he said evenly, his tone casual but his eyes firm.
Before Maya could answer, Aryan jumped in with a grin. "Oh, come on, man. That's my department today. I already promised her. Isn't that right, Maya?"
Maya glanced between them, sensing the tension but keeping her voice light. "Yeah, Aryan's right. Let's go."
Aryan slung his arm around her shoulders for a second, playful and careless. "See? She knows who the real hero is."
Maya slung her bag over her shoulder, already smiling at Aryan's ridiculous story about a professor tripping on the stairs that morning. When Aveed quietly offered to walk her home, she hesitated for a second—before turning toward Aryan.
"I'll go with him," she said lightly, nodding at Aryan. "He helped me with my sketches earlier, so… fair reward."
Aryan puffed his chest dramatically. "See that? Good deeds do get noticed. Take notes, Aveed."
Aveed stood still for a moment. His expression didn't change, but inside, something twisted quietly — a mix of jealousy, unease, and a thought he couldn't shake: Maya had chosen Aryan's company over his..
Maya chuckled, shaking her head, while Aveed's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "We can all go together," he said, his tone calm but a little too firm. And just like that, the trio set off down the buzzing street, Aryan already running his mouth.
"So, Maya," Aryan said, swinging his bag as if it weighed nothing, "since you've officially chosen me, does this mean I'm your favourite now?"
Maya smirked. "Don't push it. I said thank you for the drawing help, not that you're my favourite."
"That's just denial talking." He leaned closer, whispering theatrically, "It's okay, you don't have to admit it in front of Aveed. I understand."
Maya burst into laughter, nearly bumping into Aveed, who stayed silent on her other side. He glanced at them from the corner of his eye, his expression unreadable.
Aryan grinned wider, sensing victory. "Also, I'd like to announce my official new title: 'Maya's Hero.' Saving her assignments one pencil stroke at a time."
Maya rolled her eyes but laughed again. "Fine. Hero. Happy now?"
"Ecstatic." Aryan placed a hand on his chest, pretending to swoon. "Finally, recognition for my talents. I've been waiting for this moment my whole life."
Maya elbowed him lightly. "You're insufferable."
"Insufferably charming," he corrected instantly.
Aveed, walking beside them, kept his gaze ahead. He didn't interrupt, but his silence was louder than words. Every laugh Maya gave Aryan, every playful shove, made the knot in his chest tighten.
Aryan smirked, leaning closer. "So basically, if I keep helping you, I get more time with you. Good deal, right?"
Maya laughed, trying to stay cool. "You make it sound like I signed a contract."
"Don't worry, I'll draft one up tonight," Aryan shot back.
Aveed, walking steadily on Maya's other side, didn't say a word. He just slid his hands into his pockets, his face calm but his eyes sharp, watching Aryan's antics.
Aryan wasn't done. "By the way, did you know I'm actually a great singer? Should I serenade you on this walk?"
Maya chuckled. "Please don't. The last thing I need is people staring."
"Trust me," Aryan said, lowering his voice in mock seriousness, "if I sing, they won't stare at me. They'll stare at you, wondering how you managed to land such talent in your life."
That made Maya laugh out loud, and she gave him a playful shove. "You're impossible."
"Impossible to ignore," Aryan corrected instantly, grinning ear to ear.
Aveed glanced at the shove, his jaw tightening for just a moment. But Maya kept walking, still smiling, still indulging Aryan's endless chatter.
When they reached a narrow stretch of road, Aryan stepped slightly in front of them and spread his arms. "Careful, Maya. Dangerous path ahead. Stick close to your personal bodyguard."
"Oh please," Maya said, but she did step a little closer.
"See?" Aryan winked. "Actions speak louder than words."
Maya shook her head, laughing again, and Aveed exhaled slowly, eyes fixed ahead, saying nothing.
By the time they reached Maya's lane, Aryan was still spinning some exaggerated story about how he once "almost got discovered" for a shampoo commercial. Maya was giggling, shaking her head, while Aveed finally stopped at the corner.
"Goodnight," Aveed said softly, before walking off, leaving Aryan and Maya standing together, still smiling, still caught up in their easy, teasing rhythm.