Love's perfect timing

Chapter3: unexpected encounter

A week has passed since classes started*

Urvi had finally settled into the routine of college life. The memories of Samarth's performance, once a constant distraction, had faded into the background as she focused on her studies and her burgeoning friendship with Srishti.

However, just as she thought she had moved on,

a notice popped up on her phone, sending her mind spiraling back to that moment.
(Universe sign!?)

The message was from the college dance society, announcing auditions for new members. Urvi felt a familiar pang in her chest as the memory of Samarth's performance flashed before her eyes. She had pushed those feelings aside, convinced herself they didn't matter, but now they threatened to resurface. She was about to swipe away the notice.

when a thought struck her—Srishti also loved to dance.

"Srishti, did you see the notice?"

Urvi asked her friend as they walked to their class.

Srishti glanced at her phone, then back at Urvi, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Yes! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Urvi hesitated for a moment, the old fears and insecurities bubbling up inside her.

But Srishti's enthusiasm was infectious, and Urvi found herself nodding. "Yeah, let's do it."

They both decided to give it a shot, adding their names to the audition list without a second thought. For the next few days, every spare moment was spent practicing. Urvi and Srishti pushed each other, perfecting their moves, critiquing each other's performances, and laughing together when things didn't go as planned.

But as the day of the audition approached, anxiety began to creep in.

Urvi could feel it gnawing at the edges of her confidence, whispering doubts into her ear. What if she wasn't good enough? What if she made a fool of herself?

The familiar tightness in her chest returned, and she considered backing out.

The morning of the audition, Urvi sat on the bench, her heart racing. She wanted to tell Srishti that she wasn't feeling well, that maybe it was better if she just skipped the audition. But before she could say anything, Srishti burst into class, full of excitement.

"Come on, Urvi, we've practiced so hard for this! You can't back out now," Srishti said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to her feet.

Urvi tried to smile, but her mind was elsewhere. As they headed to the audition, she found herself scanning the crowd, looking for a familiar face. But Samarth was nowhere to be seen.

A mix of disappointment and relief washed over her—disappointment that she wouldn't see him, and relief that she wouldn't have to confront her confusing feelings for him.

"Why am I even looking for him?" Urvi scolded herself internally. "He's just a little crush, nothing more. Focus on the dance, on the moment."

She shook off the thoughts and concentrated on the task at hand. When their turn came, Urvi and Srishti stepped onto the stage. The room was filled with fellow students, some watching intently, others barely paying attention. Urvi took a deep breath, steeling herself. The music started, and with it, the world around her seemed to fade away.

They danced with everything they had, pouring their energy and passion into every move. Urvi's earlier nerves melted away as she lost herself in the rhythm, letting the music guide her. By the time they finished, the room erupted in applause, but all Urvi could feel was a strange mix of exhilaration and exhaustion.

Afterward, as they waited for the results, Urvi couldn't help but feel a flutter of anxiety. What if they didn't make it? What if all that effort had been for nothing? But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside. They had done their best, and that was all that mattered.

A few days later, a message from the dance society coordinator popped up on her phone. With trembling hands, Urvi opened it and read the words she had been hoping for: *"Congratulations! You've been selected."*

She immediately called Srishti, who answered after just one ring.

"Did you get the message?" Urvi asked, excitement bubbling up inside her.

"Yes! We did it, Urvi!" Srishti squealed, her voice filled with joy.

They were officially members of the dance society, and for the first time in a long while, Urvi felt a genuine sense of accomplishment. The weeks that followed were a blur of dance practices, new routines, and getting to know their fellow society members. The satisfaction of being part of something she loved was enough to push thoughts of Samarth to the back of her mind.

As time passed, she found herself thinking of him less and less, until one day, she realized she hadn't thought about him at all.

It was during one of these busy weeks that Urvi noticed someone new.

She was walking back to her dorm after a late practice when she saw him— a tall guy with an effortless sense of style, his clothes perfectly curated in a way that made him stand out.

There was something about him that caught her eye, and she found herself slowing down, watching as he walked ahead of her.

Later, she learned from her psychology friends—seniors she had befriended —

he was in his second year and had recently gone through a breakup. The information intrigued her, but she kept her thoughts to herself, focusing instead on her studies.

A few days later, Urvi found herself hanging out with some of these seniors when they spotted the guy she had noticed earlier. Her friends called him over, and before Urvi knew it, she was face-to-face with him.

He was even more striking up close—his height, his style, the way he carried himself with an air of nonchalance. Urvi felt a flutter of nerves as they introduced her to him.

"What's your name?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The guy smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Chole Bhature,"he said without missing a beat.

Urvi blinked, taken aback. "What?"

she blurted out, feeling her face flush with embarrassment.

Without thinking, she shot back, "Well, I'm Chutney, then."

There was a moment of silence before everyone burst out laughing. Urvi felt a wave of mortification wash over her. She hadn't interacted with any guy like this since her last breakup, and now here she was, making a fool of herself in front of someone she found attractive.

She managed to laugh along with the others, but inside, she was cringing. When the laughter died down, she quickly excused herself. As she walked away, her mind raced, replaying the interaction over and over again. She couldn't believe she had said that.

What must he think of her now ??

That night, as she lay in bed, Urvi couldn't stop overthinking the entire scenario. She felt embarrassed, but more than that, she felt a pang of something else—something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time. Attraction. It was a strange, unsettling feeling.

Urvi tried to push it aside, telling herself it was just a silly moment, that it didn't mean anything. But deep down, she knew it was more than that. For the first time since her breakup, she had let her guard down, even if only for a moment. And that realization scared her.

She rolled over, burying her face in her pillow, determined to put the whole incident out of her mind and she drifted off to sleep.