Love's perfect timing

Chapter4: New Beginnings

The next day, Urvi walked into the college into her block , still replaying the events from the previous evening in her mind. She hadn't expected her awkward joke to become such a talking point, but it seemed her senior friends had other plans. As soon as she approached them, she was met with mischievous and knowing glances.

"So, how's 'Chutney' today?" one of them quipped, nudging Urvi her playfully.

"Or should we call you Mrs. Chole Bhature?" another chimed in, their eyes twinkling with mischief.

Urvi's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

"Oh, come on, guys! It was just a joke," she protested, though she couldn't help but smile.

But the teasing continued, and somewhere amidst the laughter and jokes,

Urvi noticed something surprising—she wasn't thinking about Samarth anymore. The memory of his dance, which had once occupied her thoughts so persistently, had faded into the background.

Instead, her mind kept drifting back to Daksh—

his effortless style, his curly hair, and the way he had looked at her with that teasing smirk.

Urvi had learned more about Daksh from her senior friends in the following days. He wasn't just some random guy; he was impressive in his own right.

He had played for the state in shooting, Urvi found herself intrigued by this new piece of information, her thoughts increasingly drawn to him.

It wasn't a full-blown crush, not yet,

but there was a growing sense of admiration that she couldn't quite ignore.

Yet, with that growing attraction came the familiar stirrings of insecurity and fear. Urvi's past experiences had left her scarred, and she was acutely aware of how easily she could be hurt. The idea of developing feelings for someone, even someone as intriguing as Daksh, terrified her. She tried to keep her emotions in check, to convince herself that it was just a passing fancy, nothing more.

But things took an unexpected turn when she discovered that daksh's ex was part of the same group of friends.

It was a moment that filled her with a sense of dread and awkwardness. She didn't want any drama or lingering feelings complicating her new life at college.

One afternoon, Urvi decided to talk to his ex directly. She caught her after a class and, with a deep breath, approached her.

"Hi ," she began, her voice steady but firm.

"I just found out you and Daksh were in the same group now, and I wanted to clear the air. If you have any lingering feelings, just tell me. I'll step aside because I'm not interested in getting involved in anything complicated."

His ex, to her relief, responded with surprising maturity.

"Urvi, it's fine. There's nothing left between us. If you're interested in him, you should go for him".

Her words were a weight lifted off her shoulders.

*Urvi nodded,*

feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks," she said, managing a small smile. "I just didn't want there to be any misunderstandings."

The days passed, and Urvi found herself becoming more comfortable with her feelings for Daksh.

They were still new, fragile, and uncertain, but they were there. She allowed herself to enjoy the small moments—the way her heart fluttered when he was around.

It was a strange, new experience, one that felt both exciting and terrifying.

Then, one day, a message popped up in the group chat.

**It was Daksh's birthday**

their senior friends were planning a small celebration. Urvi felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of spending time with him outside of the usual college setting.

That evening, they all went out together, the group buzzing with energy and excitement. They chose a cozy café for the celebration, where laughter and chatter filled the air.

Urvi found herself seated next to Daksh, and as the evening went on, she realized just how much she enjoyed his company.

He was funny, easygoing, and had a way of making her feel at ease despite her usual anxieties.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Urvi was truly happy.

She laughed more than she had in months, savoring the lightness that came with being around people who made her feel good. When the evening finally came to an end, she walked back to her dorm with a smile on her face, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months.

But life, as it often does, had a way of throwing curveballs when least expected.

Just as Urvi was settling into this new phase of her college life, she received a phone call that would shake her world.

It was Srishti, her voice laced with a mix of anxiety and resignation.

"Urvi, I need to tell you something," she began, hesitating slightly before continuing. "I'm going to change my course. My parents aren't okay with me doing psychology, They've been pressuring me to switch courses, and I think... I think I'm going to do it."

Urvi's heart sank. "What? But you love psychology!"

"I know," Srishti sighed.

"But they're not giving me a choice. I'm really confused, but I've been thinking about it a lot, and I think it's the right decision. I'm going to switch to another class, another block."

The news hit Urvi like a punch to the gut. Srishti was her closest friend in college, the one person who had been with her through every high and low since she'd arrived.

The thought of losing her, of facing her classes alone, was unbearable.

"I'm so sorry, Urvi," Srishti said, her voice soft.

"I know this is sudden, but I promise we'll still see each other. We can hang out after classes, and I'll come over to your block whenever I can."

But Urvi couldn't hold back the tears.

"You were the only friend I had in class," she choked out.

"What am I going to do without you?"

Srishti tried to comfort her, assuring her that nothing would change between them, but Urvi couldn't help but feel the sting of loss.

She had always been sensitive, easily affected by the changes around her, and this was no exception.

The next few days were a blur of mixed emotions. She was happy for Srishti, who had finally found clarity in what she wanted, but she couldn't shake the sadness that came with the thought of losing her closest friend's daily presence.

But true to her word, Srishti made sure to be there for Urvi. After her classes ended, she would often show up in Urvi's block, sitting with her during lunch or hanging out after lectures. It wasn't the same, but it was something. And slowly, Urvi began to adjust to the new normal.

In class, without Srishti by her side, the lectures felt longer, the days harder to get through. But she managed, finding small ways to cope with the loneliness that sometimes crept in. And outside of class, her friendship with Srishti remained as strong as ever. They still laughed together, still shared their thoughts and worries, and still found comfort in each other's company.

As the weeks passed, Urvi began to find her footing again. She made new friends, focused on her studies, and continued to enjoy her time in the dance society. And though Daksh was kinda still on her mind, she took things one step at a time, not rushing into anything.

After all, she had learned that some things were worth waiting for.