The day after the cultural fest, Raghu found himself restless.
He had spent the night reflecting on Reena’s performance, the emotions her song had stirred in him, and his hesitation to engage with her.
He couldn't shake the image of her singing so effortlessly, yet so deeply, her voice lingering in his thoughts.
Despite the connection he felt, Raghu had kept his distance, unsure of how to navigate the emotions she had unintentionally awakened.
Curious and wanting to understand more about her, Raghu spent his night scrolling through social media, hoping to find Reena’s profile.
However, no matter how many times he searched, he couldn’t find her.
Her social media presence was virtually nonexistent, adding another layer of mystery to her quiet, reserved demeanor.
This left him both intrigued and somewhat frustrated.
The next morning, Reena stood outside her classroom, laughing and chatting animatedly with her new friends, discussing the various courses they were taking.
She had made a few connections, and it felt good to finally be part of the group.
Her excitement was contagious, and her friends seemed genuinely interested in her thoughts.
As the group broke up to head to their next classes, Reena caught sight of Raghu walking past, deep in thought.
Without missing a beat, she smiled at him, her usual warm, genuine smile.
To her surprise, Raghu returned the smile, his expression softening.
“Hey, Reena,” Raghu called out, his voice calm but sincere.
“I’ll wait for you after your classes in the library.”
Reena, still smiling, nodded enthusiastically. “Sure! I’ll be there.”
Her friends looked at her curiously, and Raghu, noticing the curious gazes, smiled politely at them before continuing on his way.
In the library, Reena arrived a little later, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the conversation she’d just had with her friends.
She was surprised to see Raghu already there, sitting with a stack of books in front of him.
His usual air of mystery was still intact, but there was something different today—an openness in his eyes that made her feel more at ease.
Raghu looked up as Reena sat down across from him. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Reena, I owe you an apology,” he began, his tone uncharacteristically vulnerable.
“I didn’t mean to be harsh when I distanced myself earlier. I guess I was just… hesitant about starting a new friendship.”
Reena blinked, surprised by his words. “Oh, you don’t have to apologize, Raghu. I understand.”
Raghu continued, a hint of sincerity in his voice.
“The thing is, I usually try to keep things casual with juniors. I like helping them with what I know, but I don’t get too involved. But you’re different. You have a… unique way about you. It made me rethink whether I should give our friendship a chance.”
Reena listened intently, still smiling as she absorbed his words.
“I can help you with Maths and Accounts, if you’re ever having trouble with anything,” Raghu added.
“I’ve always found those subjects easier, and I’m happy to share what I know.”
Reena nodded, her smile widening. “That sounds great! I could definitely use some help with Accounts.”
Raghu smiled back, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. “Alright then. We can start whenever you’re ready. And Reena… thank you for being patient with me.”
Reena’s smile didn’t fade as she replied, “No need to thank me. I’m happy to be friends.”
Raghu felt a sense of calm wash over him.
He knew this was just the beginning of something new, something genuine.
And while it would take time to build the trust he longed for, he couldn’t help but feel hopeful about the road ahead.
As they continued talking about the subjects and how to approach their studies, Reena couldn’t help but feel grateful.
She had finally found someone at college who, despite his guarded exterior, was willing to open up and help her succeed.
And for the first time, she felt like she wasn’t alone in her journey.
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