A week had passed, and Alekhya and Athreya had buried themselves deeper into their studies. Both of them were here to fulfill their dreams and promises made to their elders.
The CSE- A section was running smoothly, with the laboratory sessions progressing according to a strict timetable. The classroom was packed with students, each from diverse backgrounds and carrying their unique experiences. Alekhya, along with Julia and Jasmine, were above-average students who had managed to balance both their academics and their social lives. They studied hard but also enjoyed the college experience to the fullest. Meanwhile, Viraj was struggling to adapt. He missed Athreya. He longed to switch sections, desperately wishing he could be with Athreya. In contrast to CSE - A, where things were more disciplined, CSE - B had its own challenges. Although the labs were conducted well, the class was far from full on any given day. Attendance was inconsistent, with toxic students often distracting the class and creating an environment where good students and lecturers kept their distance. The lack of cohesion made it hard for anyone to fully concentrate.
Abhiraj was a standout, excelling in everything he did, while Athreya followed closely behind, consistently ranking second. Nakul, though cold at first glance, had a sweet and approachable side. Jethin, on the other hand, was the class clown, always pulling crazy stunts. Satwik had a deep interest in romantic stories, constantly daydreaming about love. Then there was Riyan, the innocent soul of the group, who had a knack for getting himself into trouble. Despite the chaotic environment, these students were disciplined, excelling academically, and managed to adjust to the situation, even if they had to convince themselves to do so every day.
Alekhya, despite her focus on studies, was starting to notice the growing attraction she felt toward Athreya. It wasn’t something she could easily dismiss.
Athreya, on the other hand, was lost in thoughts of his first love. His past had shaped his views on relationships; having witnessed the struggles his parents went through due to their interfaith love marriage, he was hesitant to get involved with anyone. Falling for a girl now was out of the question, or so he told himself. He wanted to keep his focus on his studies, telling himself that this newfound attraction toward Alekhya was nothing more than a fleeting feeling. He believed in destiny. If she were meant to be in his life, fate would bring her to him. If not, it wasn’t meant to be.
In just a week, they had crossed paths three times—at the bus stop, the canteen, and in the corridor. Every time their eyes met, Alekhya would smile, and Athreya would blush, overcome with both excitement and fear. Despite these chance encounters, they knew nothing about each other, not even their names. Yet, their friends had begun to pick up on the subtle signs that something was brewing between the two. Athreya, however, resisted the urge to dig deeper into her identity, telling his friends not to look into it. He left it all to destiny, focusing solely on his studies. All he knew about Alekhya was that she was a senior who had ragged him on his first day of college. He kept this little detail to himself, not even sharing it with Viraj, though he wasn’t sure why. Something held him back from telling his best friend.
Meanwhile, Alekhya wasn’t as passive about her curiosity. She confided in Jasmine, asking her to dig up some information on Athreya. “Just in case I find out something bad before things get serious,” she joked, but her curiosity was genuine.
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As Athreya and his friends were sitting in the canteen, Viraj came over, clearly exasperated.
“You know, I just can’t deal with section A. I want to be with you in your section,” he announced, flopping down beside Athreya.
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“Awww, but you can’t just leave. You have to sit in your section only,” Athreya replied, trying to console him. “We can meet during break times like this.”
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“Bromance alert!” Nakul teased, grinning at them from across the table. Viraj rolled his eyes, clearly in no mood for jokes.
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“Hey, come on. I’m sorry about the way I talked to you the other day,” Nakul said, flashing an apologetic smile.
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“Honestly, I forgot all about it,” Viraj responded, brushing it off.
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“Well, since you’re Athreya’s friend, we’re all friends now. From today, we’re a group, the whole lot of us!” Nakul declared with enthusiasm.
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“I’d still rather be in your section. I don’t want to sit with people I don’t vibe with,” Viraj mumbled, glancing around the busy canteen.
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“Hey, come on, how are your classes going anyway?” Nakul asked, trying to change the subject.
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“They’re good,” Viraj replied with a small smile, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.
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“Did you try calling me twice last night?” Alekhya asked as she took a seat.
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“Yeah, I did! But you were fast asleep, weren’t you? You didn’t pick up,” Jasmine replied, laughing.
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“Why were you calling me, though?” Alekhya asked, curious.
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“Well, you told me to find out more about that guy you’ve been curious about. I’ve got the details,” Jasmine said, a teasing grin spreading across her face.
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“What? Really?” Alekhya’s eyes widened in excitement.
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“Yup. His name is Athreya Thomas. He’s a Christian. He’s in our branch, but he’s in CSE - B. He’s 22 years old and completed his undergrad at NIT. He’s a topper, by the way. His best friend is Viraj Verma, the quiet guy in our class who sits in the middle row. They’ve been friends since intermediate. That’s all I’ve got so far, but I’ll dig up more, maybe some social media details soon,” Jasmine said.
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“So, should I start imagining myself as a Christian girl now?” Alekhya joked, striking a dramatic pose while looking at Julia, who was also Christian.
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“Perfect! I can see you in a white wedding gown already, Ms. Soon-to-be-Christian!” Julia teased, laughing along.
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“Stop it! I was just kidding!” Alekhya said, flipping her hair playfully. But deep down, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like.
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As the days continued, the lives of these students intertwined in subtle ways. Athreya remained steadfast in his commitment to focusing on his studies, though his thoughts would often drift back to Alekhya. He convinced himself that it was nothing more than a passing fancy, a distraction he couldn’t afford. Yet, he couldn’t deny the way his heart raced every time he saw her. He kept telling himself that if it were meant to be, it would happen naturally, without any interference from him.
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YOU ARE READING
When Hearts Align
Fantasi♡ Alekhya and Athreya have gone from love to hate, but what if everything tries to unite them?
