The morning sun spilled across the campus, casting golden light over the sprawling lawns. The lecture hall buzzed with the usual chatter as students settled into their seats. Aveed slipped in quietly, heading straight for the desk he shared with Maya and Aryan.
Except today, there was someone new — Tara.
Tara adjusted her backpack nervously at the entrance, taking in the hum of morning chatter. It was her first day, and though she tried to act composed, her pulse quickened.
She spotted Aveed leaning casually against a railing, notebook in hand. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Hey," she called, weaving through the students.
Aveed looked up, returning her smile with that calm, effortless ease. "Morning," he said, voice steady, completely unbothered by the flurry around them.
Tara slid into the seat beside him, and their easy, familiar banter flowed naturally. Laughter spilled between them effortlessly, years of friendship evident in every gesture and glance.
From a few steps behind, Maya sat with Aryan, arms resting lightly on her desk. Her pulse skipped as she noticed the warmth in Aveed's tone and the way he smiled with Tara. She tilted her head, forcing a composed smile. "Cool… just friends," she muttered to herself, though a faint edge of jealousy lingered.
Aryan nudged her gently. "First day nerves?" he asked quietly.
Maya shook her head, keeping her voice light. "Nope. Just… observing," she replied, maintaining her calm exterior.
Aveed, meanwhile, stayed relaxed, unaware of the quiet tension brewing in Maya's mind. The morning sunlight cast long shadows across the campus, the day stretching ahead — new, exciting, and full of subtle undercurrents.
The lecture hall was already buzzing when Tara and Aveed arrived. Rows of desks stretched across the room. They spotted their usual trio of connected desks — three seats in a row — and chose the front ones. Aveed naturally took his usual end seat, Tara in the middle, chatting effortlessly with him about campus life. Maya and Aryan slipped into the seats directly behind them, quietly observing.
Maya felt a small tug of jealousy but kept her posture casual, arms resting lightly on her desk, giving a faint, composed smile. Aryan, sitting beside her, tried to nudge the mood with light teasing directed at Aveed instead.
"Hey, Aveed, you planning to lecture her on architecture all day or just share top-secret childhood stories?" he whispered, grinning.
Aveed's faint smile appeared, calm and unbothered. "Maybe a bit of both," he said quietly, his tone even, as if dismissing the teasing without offense.
Maya hid a tiny smirk, keeping her laughter soft. She sipped her coffee, pretending to focus on her notebook, though her eyes flicked occasionally toward Aveed and Tara. The dynamic was subtle but charged — Aveed relaxed and attentive with Tara, Aryan playful but testing boundaries, and Maya maintaining her composed exterior despite the flutter of tension in her chest.
By the time the lecture began, the quiet dynamics were already set. Maya caught herself glancing at Aveed and Tara, masking her feelings with a smooth, calm composure. Aryan whispered occasional jokes at Aveed, trying to ruffle his calm demeanour, and Maya chuckled along softly, enjoying the playful banter from a safe distance behind them.
The morning drifted on with light conversation, small laughs, and unspoken observations. Aveed stayed attentive to Tara, entirely unbothered, while Maya kept her cool, occasionally smiling at Aryan's teasing. It was a perfect, delicate balance — fun, playful, and charged with subtle energy that promised an interesting new chapter in their intertwined lives.
After the lecture ended, the three of them gathered their things and headed toward the nearby canteen. Aveed and Tara walked slightly ahead, chatting easily, while Maya and Aryan followed behind.
As they approached the table, Tara looked back and smiled. "Hey! Mind if I join you?" she asked, nodding toward Maya and Aryan.
Maya returned the smile, keeping her tone light and composed. "Of course. Pull up a chair," she said, gesturing to the empty spot beside Aryan.
Aryan grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Finally, someone new to endure my terrible jokes," he said, patting the chair beside him.
Tara laughed lightly. "I think I can handle it. I've survived years of Aveed's calm lectures; your jokes might be a relief," she teased.
Aveed reached the table and took a seat beside Tara, his usual calm expression in place. "You two already getting along?" he asked quietly, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips.
Maya sipped her coffee, glancing at him with a faint flicker of amusement and something else she didn't quite want to admit. "We're… getting there," she said lightly, keeping her tone casual.
Aryan leaned back slightly, grinning at both of them. "Looks like we've got a full table now. Chaos and calm — the perfect combo," he whispered to Maya.
Tara's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'll keep an eye on both of you then. Chaos or calm, I like to know what I'm getting into," she said, laughing softly.
Aveed's calm smile never wavered, but Maya noticed the subtle ease with which he interacted with Tara. She kept her composure, sipping her cappuccino, but a small flutter of jealousy tickled her chest. Aryan, meanwhile, whispered a quiet, teasing comment at Aveed, trying to get a reaction.
Aveed simply raised an eyebrow, lips twitching in the faintest hint of a smile. "I think I can handle both of you," he said calmly, clearly unshaken.
Maya chuckled quietly at the exchange, still maintaining her cool exterior. Tara laughed along, clearly enjoying the banter. Aryan leaned back, pretending to sip his coffee like a casual observer, though his eyes sparkled with mischief as he watched the subtle dynamics unfold.
The morning continued with light chatter and small bursts of laughter. Tara fit in seamlessly, Aveed stayed calm and attentive, Maya kept her composure while secretly observing, and Aryan added just enough mischief to keep things lively. It was a perfectly balanced start to a day that promised new friendships, playful tension, and the quiet thrill of subtle sparks in the mix.
By the time their coffees were finished, the four of them had settled into an easy rhythm. Tara's laughter mixed effortlessly with Aryan's playful comments, while Maya kept her cool composure, occasionally letting a smile slip when Tara said something funny.
Aveed stayed quietly attentive beside Tara, calm and composed as ever, yet Maya couldn't help noticing the subtle ease in their friendship — the kind that came from years of knowing someone. She swallowed the small flutter of jealousy, reminding herself to act cool, even as her mind raced with thoughts she wasn't ready to admit.
Aryan caught her glance and winked, saying softly, "See? Totally fine. You're handling this like a pro."
Maya smirked, leaning back in her chair, letting her composure mask the small pangs of envy. "Of course," she replied lightly. "Totally fine."
Tara waved at Maya, smiling warmly. "I'm glad we're all in this together. Looks like it's going to be fun."
"Yes," Maya said, her voice calm but her mind quietly buzzing. She watched Aveed laugh at something Tara said, the sun catching the warmth in his expression, and felt a subtle tension rise, one she couldn't quite name.
Aryan nudged her lightly. "Don't worry. You've still got me for comic relief," he whispered, and Maya laughed softly, the sound genuine, lightening her chest.
The morning faded into afternoon, filled with small jokes, shared smiles, and the beginnings of a new, delicate balance. New friendships had started, old bonds had strengthened, and unspoken feelings lingered just beneath the surface.
And so, the day ended with laughter, coffee, and quiet tension — a perfect snapshot of how their lives were intertwining, setting the stage for the days to come.