"Haan Badalti Bahaare Hain
Tere Intzaar Ke Sahaare Hain
Kahan Ho Tum Haan Gujarte Sitaare Hai
Na Jaane Khoye Hain Ya Wo Humare Hain
Kahan Ho Tum"
~ Kahan Ho Tum – Prateek Kuhad
We stayed on the balcony longer than I'd planned.
Kashvi had slowly started to relax—her shoulders dropping, her grip on the railing loosening. She'd even laughed once, a soft sound that made something warm bloom in my chest.
"So, a prince," she said, looking out at the city. "That must be... surreal."
"Sometimes. Mostly it just feels normal because it's all I've known." I paused. "Does it bother you? The whole royal thing?"
"Should it?"
"Some people get weird about it. Either they treat me like I'm not human, or they try too hard to act like it doesn't matter."
She considered this. "I don't really know how to treat a prince. I barely know how to treat regular people."
I laughed. "That's probably the most honest thing anyone's said to me in a while."
"I'm not good at lying." She finally looked at me. "Or pretending. I tried for a while, but I'm terrible at it."
"I don't want you to pretend. I like..." I stopped, realizing how that was going to sound.
"You like what?"
"I like that you're real. That you don't put on an act."
She looked away, but I caught the hint of a smile. "You barely know me."
"So let me get to know you."
The words hung in the air between us. I could see her tensing again, walls going back up.
"Kashvi—"
"We should probably head back inside," she said quickly. "People will wonder where we went."
She was running. I could see it happening. But pushing would only make it worse.
"Yeah, okay." I opened the door for her. "But for what it's worth? I'm glad you came tonight."
She paused, looking up at me. "Me too. I think."
It wasn't much. But it was something.
~
Back inside, the party had picked up. More people had arrived—I didn't recognize most of them—and the music was louder.
My chest immediately tightened again.
"Hey." Aadya appeared at my side, as if sensing my discomfort. "You good?"
"Yeah. Just... a lot of people."
"Want to hang out in the corner with us? We're playing Cards Against Humanity. It's inappropriate and stupid, which is exactly our vibe."
Despite myself, I smiled. "Sure."
The next hour passed in a blur of laughter and terrible card combinations. Vihaan had the worst sense of humor I'd ever encountered. Ritika was ruthlessly competitive. Shivansh played with strategic precision. Aashika kept trying to cheat. And Aadya was chaos personified.
I found myself actually enjoying it. Actually laughing. Actually feeling like maybe I could belong here, with these people.
Aadyant sat across from me, and every time I looked up, he was watching me. Not in a creepy way—more like he was checking to make sure I was okay. Making sure I was still there.
It should've annoyed me. Instead, it made me feel... seen. Cared for.
I didn't know what to do with that feeling.
"Kashvi's turn!" Vihaan announced, sliding the black card toward me.
I read it aloud: "What's that smell?"
Everyone threw in their white cards. I shuffled them and started reading.
"What's that smell? Dead parents." I tried not to laugh. Failed.
"Dark," Ritika commented, grinning.
"What's that smell? Kamikaze pilots."
"Oh my God," Aashika muttered.
"What's that smell? A windmill full of corpses."
"That's disturbingly specific," Shivansh said.
I kept reading through them, finally choosing the one that made me laugh the hardest. "Winner is: 'A disappointing birthday party.'"
"Yes!" Aadya pumped her fist. "That's mine!"
"That's not even the worst one," Vihaan protested.
"But it's the funniest," I said, surprising myself with how comfortable I sounded.
The game continued for another round before someone suggested moving to the roof.
"The roof?" I asked.
"There's a terrace up there," Aadyant explained. "Better view. Less crowded. You want to check it out?"
I hesitated, then nodded.
~
The rooftop terrace was stunning. String lights crisscrossed overhead, creating a canopy of warm light. Comfortable outdoor furniture was scattered around, and the view of the city at night was breathtaking.
A smaller group had migrated up here—just the core friend group plus a few others. The vibe was more relaxed, intimate.
Kashvi found herself sitting on one of the outdoor couches, Aadya on one side, Aadyant on the other. She felt boxed in, but not in a bad way. More like protected.
"So, Kashvi," Aashika started, settling into a chair across from them. "What made you choose Westridge? Besides the scholarship program?"
Kashvi tensed slightly. She hated this question. Hated explaining her choices because it always led to more questions she didn't want to answer.
"The fashion program has a good reputation," she said carefully. "And I wanted to be in California."
"Where are you from originally?" Ritika asked. "If you don't mind me asking."
"India. Punjab."
"Oh, same!" Aadya lit up. "Well, we're from Rajasthan, but still. Do you miss it?"
Kashvi's hands tightened around her drink. "Not really."
Something in her tone made everyone pause. Aadyant glanced at her, and she could see the question in his eyes. But thankfully, he didn't ask.
"California's definitely different," Vihaan said, smoothly changing the subject. "The weather alone is insane. I'm from Mumbai, and I thought that was warm, but this is something else."
The conversation shifted, and Kashvi felt herself relax again. She was grateful for Vihaan's redirection, grateful that no one pushed.
As the night went on, she found herself actually enjoying the conversation. Found herself participating without being prompted. Found herself... almost happy.
It was terrifying and wonderful at the same time.
Around midnight, people started leaving. The party was winding down. Kashvi knew she should go too—had stayed far longer than she'd intended.
"I should probably head out," she said, standing up.
"Are you sure?" Aadya looked disappointed. "You could stay a bit longer. We're just going to watch a movie or something."
"I really should get back. Bua will worry."
"Let me walk you to your bike," Aadyant said, already standing.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to."
Kashvi looked at him, saw the genuine offer in his eyes, and nodded.
~
The elevator ride down to the parking garage was quiet. Not awkward, just... peaceful.
"Thank you for coming tonight," Aadyant said as we walked toward where I'd parked my bike. "I know it probably wasn't easy."
"It wasn't. But it was... good. Your friends are nice."
"They liked you too. Aadya's already planning the next hangout."
I smiled despite myself. "She's very determined."
"That's one word for it." He stopped as we reached my bike. "Kashvi, can I ask you something?"
My stomach tightened. "Okay."
"Earlier, when Ritika asked about India... you looked like you wanted to disappear. I'm not trying to pry, I just... if there's stuff you don't want to talk about, that's okay. I'll make sure the others don't push."
The kindness in his voice made my throat tight.
"Thank you," I managed. "There's just... things I'm not ready to talk about. With anyone."
"That's fair. And for what it's worth? Whatever happened, it doesn't change the fact that you're here now. That you're talented and strong and—" He stopped himself. "Sorry. I'm doing that thing where I say too much."
"No, it's... it's nice. Hearing that." I looked up at him. "Even if I don't really believe it."
"Maybe one day you will."
We stood there for a moment, the fluorescent parking garage lights harsh overhead, but somehow the moment felt soft. Gentle.
"I should go," I said finally.
"Yeah. Text Aadya when you get home? So we know you made it safe?"
"Okay."
I started to put on my helmet, then paused. "Aadyant?"
"Yeah?"
"Tonight was... it was really nice. Thank you."
His smile was warm, genuine. "Anytime, Kashvi. Really. Anytime."
I rode home with his words echoing in my head, and for the first time in a long time, the silence didn't feel quite so lonely.
~
~Sunday Morning~
I woke up to seventeen texts from Aadya.
Aadya: Did you make it home okay?
Aadya: You did make it home right? Please tell me you're not lying dead in a ditch somewhere
Aadya: Okay that was dark sorry
Aadya: But seriously text me
Aadya: KASHVI
Aadya: Aadyant is also freaking out btw
Aadya: Okay he's pretending he's not but he keeps asking if I've heard from you
Aadya: It's honestly adorable
Aadya: But also, TEXT ME BACK
Aadya: Okay I'm going to sleep now but when you wake up PLEASE let me know you're alive
The messages were timestamped from 1 AM to 3 AM. I checked the time now—9:47 AM.
Shit. I'd forgotten to text.
Me: Sorry! I made it home fine. Fell asleep as soon as I got in. I'm alive, I promise.
The response was immediate.
Aadya: THANK GOD. You scared the crap out of me!
Aadya: Also, good morning! How are you feeling? Not too hungover? Wait you didn't drink never mind
Aadya: Anyway, we're getting brunch at 11 if you want to come. Nothing fancy, just the group
Aadya: No pressure though! Only if you want to
I stared at the messages, my stomach doing that complicated twist thing again. Part of me wanted to say yes. Wanted to see them again. But another part—the louder, more familiar part—was screaming at me to pull back. To not get too close. To protect myself before I got hurt.
Me: I have a lot of homework to catch up on. Maybe next time?
It wasn't a lie. I did have homework. But it was also an excuse, and I had a feeling Aadya knew it.
Aadya: Okay! But seriously, next time. We're not letting you disappear on us
Aadya: Aadyant says hi btw
My heart did a stupid little flip at that.
Me: Tell him I said hi back.
I set my phone down and stared at my ceiling.
What was I doing? Getting involved with these people, letting them in, pretending like I could have a normal life with normal friendships?
Nothing about me was normal. Nothing about my situation was normal.
But the thought of going back to being completely alone felt suffocating in a way it hadn't before last night.
~
"She's not coming," I said, reading over Aadya's shoulder.
"She has homework. That's fair."
"She's pulling away."
"Or she actually has homework." Aadya looked up at me. "You need to relax. She came last night. She had fun. That's progress."
"I know, but—"
"But nothing. Kashvi's not going to magically become comfortable with all of this overnight. She needs time. Space. You pushing is only going to make her run faster."
I knew she was right. But that didn't make the frustration any easier.
I'd seen Kashvi start to relax last night. Seen her smile, laugh, participate. Seen glimpses of who she was under all those walls.
And then this morning, she was right back to keeping her distance.
"I'm not pushing," I said. "I'm just... concerned."
"You're obsessed."
"I'm not—"
"Aadyant. You checked your phone six times during breakfast. You asked me three times if I'd heard from her. You're literally reading her texts over my shoulder right now." Aadya raised an eyebrow. "That's obsession, bro."
"I just want to make sure she's okay."
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?"
"I mean, why do you care so much? You barely know her."
That was the question, wasn't it?
Why did I care? Why couldn't I stop thinking about a girl I'd only really talked to a handful of times?
"I don't know," I admitted. "There's just something about her. Something real. And I feel like... like she's drowning and everyone's just walking past, not noticing."
Aadya's expression softened. "That's very poetic and also very concerning. But okay. I get it. You want to help."
"Is that so bad?"
"No. But you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Or who isn't ready yet." She patted my shoulder. "Give her time. She'll come around. And if she doesn't... then at least you tried."
~
~Monday~
Monday arrived with the usual chaos. Classes, assignments, the overwhelming noise of a campus full of students who all seemed to know exactly what they were doing.
Kashvi moved through it like a ghost. Headphones in, eyes down, invisible.
She'd perfected this routine over the past three years. Keep moving, don't make eye contact, don't give anyone a reason to notice you.
But something had shifted after Saturday night.
People noticed her now.
"Hey, Kashvi!" A girl from her fashion design class—Maya, she thought?—waved as she passed. "Love your jacket!"
Kashvi nodded, mumbled thanks, kept walking.
In the dining hall, she saw Vihaan and Shivansh at a table. Vihaan waved enthusiastically. She waved back but didn't join them.
Between classes, she spotted Aashika in the library. Aashika smiled and mouthed "hi." Kashvi returned the greeting and promptly found a different study corner.
She wasn't being rude. She just... needed space. Needed to remember who she was before Saturday night had made her forget.
By the time her last class ended, she was exhausted. Not from the work—from the effort of maintaining distance while also not completely alienating the first people who'd been genuinely kind to her in years.
She was heading to the parking lot when she heard her name.
"Kashvi! Wait up!"
She turned to find Ritika jogging toward her, looking polished and put-together even after a full day of classes.
"Hey," Kashvi said, already planning her escape route.
"Hey! I was hoping I'd run into you." Ritika smiled. "So, I know Aadya probably already invited you to brunch yesterday, but we're thinking of doing a study group thing on Wednesday. For those of us who are drowning in first-week assignments." She laughed. "You interested?"
"I... I usually study alone."
"Oh, totally get it. I'm the same way usually. But I figured since we're all kind of struggling with the same stuff, it might help to commiserate together?" Ritika's expression was genuinely friendly, not pushy. "Plus Vihaan always brings snacks, which is honestly the main selling point."
Kashvi wanted to say no. Should say no.
But Ritika was looking at her with such genuine warmth, and the thought of another week of complete isolation felt heavier than usual.
"Where?" she asked before she could stop herself.
"Library, third floor. That quiet corner by the windows? Wednesday at six?"
"I'll... think about it."
"Cool! No pressure. But it would be great to have you." Ritika's phone buzzed. "Shit, I have to run. But seriously, hope you can make it!"
She jogged off, leaving Kashvi standing in the middle of the pathway, torn between relief and regret.
~
~Wednesday Evening~
I told myself I wasn't going.
Told myself all day Wednesday that I had too much work, that I studied better alone, that getting more involved with these people was a bad idea.
And yet at 5:55 PM, I found myself walking into the library with my backpack and a knot of anxiety in my stomach.
The third floor was quiet—the serious study floor, where people actually worked instead of socializing. I made my way to the corner by the windows and froze.
They were all there. Vihaan, Shivansh, Aashika, Ritika. And Aadyant.
Of course Aadyant was there.
"Kashvi!" Aadya—who I hadn't seen behind a bookshelf—popped up and waved. "You came!"
Everyone looked up, and I suddenly felt like running.
"Hey," I managed, approaching the table slowly.
"Grab a seat!" Vihaan gestured to the empty chair—conveniently between him and Aadyant. "We've got Economics, Business Law, and some architecture crisis that Aashika keeps dramatically sighing about."
"It's not dramatic if it's real," Aashika protested. "This project is going to kill me."
"Everything's going to kill you according to you," Shivansh said mildly, not looking up from his textbook.
I sat down carefully, very aware of Aadyant next to me.
"Hey," he said quietly, just for me. "Glad you made it."
"Yeah. Me too. I think."
He smiled, and something warm unfurled in my chest.
The study session was... surprisingly productive. Vihaan did bring snacks—an alarming amount of chips and candy. Ritika was a surprisingly good tutor for anyone struggling with concepts. Shivansh worked in focused silence but would answer questions when asked. Aashika provided comedic relief with her increasingly dramatic reactions to her architecture readings.
And Aadyant... Aadyant was just there. A steady presence beside me. He didn't try to force conversation, didn't push me to participate more than I was comfortable with. Just occasionally caught my eye and smiled, like he was happy I was there.
Two hours passed before I realized it.
"Okay, my brain is officially dead," Vihaan announced, closing his textbook with a dramatic thud. "Who wants to get dinner?"
"I'm in," Aashika said immediately.
"Same," Ritika agreed.
Everyone started packing up, and I knew this was my chance to escape. To go home, be alone, not push my luck.
"Kashvi?" Aadya looked at me hopefully. "You coming?"
I should say no. Should make an excuse.
"Where are you going?" I asked instead.
"Just that Thai place off campus. Super casual."
I looked around at their faces—all friendly, all genuinely hoping I'd say yes. No pressure, no judgment. Just... invitation.
"Okay," I heard myself say. "Yeah, I'll come."
Aadya's grin was blinding. "Yes! This is going to be fun!"
And as we all headed out together, Aadyant falling into step beside me, I thought maybe—just maybe—she was right.
~
She came.
She actually came.
I tried not to look too pleased about it, but from the knowing look Aadya shot me, I was failing miserably.
The restaurant was crowded and loud, but somehow, we managed to snag a table big enough for all of us. Kashvi ended up between me and Aadya again—I was starting to suspect my sister was orchestrating the seating arrangements.
"Okay, important question," Vihaan said once we'd ordered. "What's everyone's most embarrassing college moment so far? And before you say you don't have one, literally everyone has one. It's only been a week."
"I walked into the wrong classroom and sat through fifteen minutes of an advanced physics lecture before realizing," Ritika admitted. "I'm pre-law. I don't need physics."
Everyone laughed.
"I called Professor Chen 'Mom' yesterday," Aashika said, her face reddening. "In front of the entire class."
"Oh no," Kashvi said, but she was smiling.
"What about you, Kashvi?" Vihaan asked. "Any embarrassing moments?"
She hesitated, and I could see her starting to shut down.
"She doesn't have to share if she doesn't want to," I said quickly.
But Kashvi surprised me. "I... I got lost trying to find the fashion building on the first day. Ended up in the maintenance area somehow. A janitor had to escort me back to the main campus."
The table erupted in laughter, but it was warm, not mocking.
"That's amazing," Vihaan wheezed. "How did you end up in maintenance?"
"I have no idea. I just kept following signs that I thought said 'Arts' but apparently said 'Parts.'"
Even she was laughing now, and the sound did something to my chest.
This was what I wanted. This ease, this warmth, this version of Kashvi who wasn't constantly looking for exits.
The dinner continued with stories and jokes and the kind of comfortable chaos that came from people who genuinely liked each other. Kashvi didn't talk as much as the others, but she listened. Smiled. Participated.
She was here. Really here.
And I couldn't help but hope she'd keep choosing to be here.
When we finally left the restaurant, it was dark. The campus was quiet, most students already back in their dorms or apartments.
"I'm parked over there," Kashvi said, gesturing toward the side lot.
"I'll walk with you," I said automatically.
"Yant, we're literally parked in the same garage," Aadya pointed out, smirking.
"Then I'll walk both of you."
Kashvi looked like she might protest, but then just nodded.
We said goodbye to the others and headed toward the parking area. Aadya, bless her, hung back, giving us space.
"Tonight was nice," Kashvi said quietly as we walked.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Your friends are... really good people."
"They're your friends too, you know. If you want them to be."
She was quiet for a moment. "I'm not very good at friends."
"Could've fooled me. You seemed pretty good at it tonight."
"That's because I was pretending."
I stopped walking, turning to face her. "Kashvi, you don't have to pretend with us. With me. Whatever you think you need to be, you don't. We like you as you are."
She looked up at me, something vulnerable and uncertain in her eyes. "You don't even know me."
"So let me." I stepped closer, not crowding her, just... closer. "Let me know you. The real you. Not whatever version you think you need to be."
For a second, I thought she might say yes. Thought I saw something in her expression shift, open.
But then the walls came back up.
"I should go," she said. "Bua's expecting me."
"Yeah. Okay." I stepped back, giving her space. "Text Aadya when you get home?"
"I will. Promise."
She started to walk away, then paused. Turned back.
"Aadyant?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For tonight. For all of it."
"Anytime, Kashvi."
She smiled—small, but real—and then she was gone, disappearing into the parking garage.
I stood there for a moment, watching her go, and felt that familiar pull in my chest.
"You've got it bad," Aadya said, appearing beside me.
"Shut up."
"I'm just saying. This is either going to be really beautiful or really heartbreaking."
"Thanks for the optimism."
"Hey, I'm rooting for beautiful. But she's got walls, Yant. Big ones. This isn't going to be easy."
"I know."
"And you're still going to try?"
I watched Kashvi's bike pull out of the garage, her red taillight disappearing into the night.
"Yeah," I said quietly. "I'm still going to try."
FOLLOW ME!! 😄
COMMENT....
💌Today's question: -
What are your thoughts on Kashvi so far?
Write a comment ...