Another Day With You | AnunKamol

Chapter 4: The Beginning

The university campus was alive with the buzz and excitement. Freshmen scurried across the quad, clutching maps and schedules, their faces a mix of excitement and nervousness. Among them was Lily, a diligent pre-med student with her nose buried in a thick biology textbook. She navigated the crowded pathways, her focus entirely on her studies.

As she approached the student union, she heard a commotion. Glancing up, she saw a small crowd gathered around a young woman who seemed to be putting on an impromptu performance. Curiosity hit her, Lily walked closer.

"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!" the young woman called out, her voice filled with theatrical flair. She had a bright smile that lit up her entire face and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Prepare to be amazed by the incredible, the fantastic, the one and only... Ayden!"

Lily couldn't help but smile as she watched Ayden juggle three brightly colored balls, her antics growing more elaborate with each passing second. She was clearly enjoying herself, her laughter infectious.

As Ayden finished her routine with a dramatic bow, the small crowd applauded and dispersed, leaving Lily standing there, still smiling.

"Impressive," Lily said, stepping forward.

Ayden looked up, her eyes widening as she took in Lily's presence. For a moment, she seemed starstruck, her usual confidence wavering. "Oh, thanks! I'm Ayden," she said, extending her hand. "And you are?"

"Lily," she replied, shaking Ayden's hand. "Nice to meet you. Do you always entertain strangers in the middle of the campus?"

Ayden chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Only when I'm trying to avoid thinking about how overwhelming this place is. What about you? Are you always this focused?"

Lily shrugged, her smile softening. "I'm pre-med. I kind of have to be."

"Pre-med, huh? That sounds intense. I'm an art major, so I guess I get to have a bit more fun," Ayden said, her eyes twinkling. "You should try it sometime. Take a break from all those books."

"Maybe," Lily said, amusement dancing in her eyes. "But I'm not sure juggling is my thing."

"Oh, there's more to life than juggling!" Ayden exclaimed, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "Like... food! Are you hungry? I'm starving."

Before Lily could protest, Ayden grabbed her hand and led her towards the nearest food truck, which was serving an array of colourful street food. Ayden's excitement was contagious, and Lily found herself laughing as Ayden animatedly described each dish.

"This one," Ayden said, pointing to a particularly delicious-looking plate of Pad Thai. "It's my favourite. You have to try it."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're not just saying that because it's the most expensive item on the menu?"

Ayden pouted, folding her arms dramatically. "Are you questioning my culinary expertise, Lily? I'm offended."

Lily laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, alright. I'll trust you. One Pad Thai, please," she said to the vendor.

As they sat down to eat, Ayden continued to entertain Lily with stories of her childhood, her dramatic flair evident in every tale. Lily was captivated by Ayden's zest for life, her bright smile and silly antics a refreshing contrast to the seriousness of her own studies.

"You're really something, Ayden," Lily said, taking a bite of the Pad Thai. "I don't think I've laughed this much in a long time."

Ayden beamed, her eyes sparkling. "I aim to please. But seriously, Lily, you should take a break more often. Life's too short to be serious all the time."

Lily nodded, her heart warming at Ayden's sincerity. "Maybe you're right. It's nice to have a little fun now and then."

As they finished their meal, Ayden suddenly turned serious, her gaze fixed on Lily. "You know, I think you're really beautiful, Lily. I've never seen anyone like you."

Lily felt a blush creep up her cheeks, Ayden's candidness catching her off guard. "Thank you, Ayden. That's very sweet of you to say."

Ayden smiled, her usual playfulness returning. "Just stating the obvious. So, what do you say? Friends?"

"Friends," Lily agreed, feeling a sense of excitement she hadn't felt in a long time.

From that day on, their friendship blossomed. Ayden's silly antics and bright smile became a regular part of Lily's life, and in turn, Lily's calm presence provided Ayden with a steady anchor. They were an unlikely pair, but together they balanced each other perfectly.

Back in the present, Lily sat beside Ayden's hospital bed, the memories of their first meeting playing in her mind. She wondered if they could ever return to that place of simple joy and effortless connection.

As Ayden stirred and opened her eyes, Lily smiled, a flicker of that old excitement returning. "Hey, you," she said softly. "Do you remember the first time we met?"

Ayden's eyes brightened with recognition, a small smile tugging at her lips. "How could I forget? You looked so serious, and I thought, 'I have to make this girl laugh.'"

Lily chuckled, squeezing Ayden's hand. "You succeeded. And you've been making me laugh ever since."

Ayden's smile widened, a hint of their old connection resurfacing. "Here's to more laughter, Lily. One day at a time."

"One day at a time," Lily echoed, feeling a renewed sense of hope.