Silent Vows

Chapter 5

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the campus, and students dotted the courtyard, either lounging with coffee, rushing to their first classes, or chatting in tight-knit groups. Karan strolled through the main courtyard with Sameer, who was recounting last night’s antics in excruciating detail, right down to his questionable dance moves.

“And then, dude, she threw her drink at him! Out of nowhere, the guy had no idea it was coming.” Sameer burst into laughter, nudging Karan’s shoulder to elicit some reaction, but Karan was only half-listening, his gaze scanning the area almost on autopilot.

As they passed by the benches, his attention settled on a familiar figure seated under a tree, almost tucked away from the crowd. She was perched on the edge of the stone bench, completely absorbed in a book, her black braid resting over her shoulder. A rare sight in the busy campus: someone so content on her own, the world around her seeming not to exist.

Meera.

He hadn’t expected to see her outside their usual project meetings or classes. And despite his earlier impressions, he couldn’t help but find her intriguing in this unexpected setting. While everyone else moved in groups, laughing and sharing stories of the weekend, she sat there alone, her posture calm, her face serene. Something about that quiet confidence captured his attention, no matter how he tried to shake it off.

Sameer’s laughter trailed off when he noticed Karan’s distraction. He looked in the same direction and smirked knowingly. “What’s this? Getting distracted by someone other than yourself?”

Karan didn’t look away. “It’s not like that. She’s just my project partner.”

Sameer laughed, raising an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. And I’m just your friend who hasn’t seen you look this focused on anyone in years. She’s…different, huh?”

“Different?” Karan repeated, unable to find the right words. Meera didn’t fit into any category he was familiar with. She didn’t have that overt charm that usually drew his attention, nor did she try to impress him. She was polite but distant, and that indifference was starting to make her stand out in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

“So why are we just standing here? Let’s go say hi,” Sameer said, already stepping forward.

Karan hesitated but quickly decided to follow, hoping it looked casual.

As they approached, Meera glanced up, and for a brief second, surprise flickered across her face before her usual calm expression took over. She closed her book, marking her place with a small piece of paper, and looked up at them expectantly.

“Hey, Meera,” Karan said, giving her a nod. “Didn’t expect to see you out here.”

“It’s a good spot to read. Quiet,” she replied, her voice steady as she studied him.

Sameer, always one to break the ice with ease, extended a hand, grinning. “Hey, I’m Sameer. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Karan threw him a look, but Sameer only smirked. Meera shook his hand briefly, her expression unreadable.

“Nice to meet you, Sameer,” she said, her voice neutral.

“So, what are you reading?” Karan asked, nodding toward her book, genuinely curious.

She held up the cover of a classic novel, the kind he vaguely remembered from high school literature classes. “Just some light reading,” she replied, her tone as reserved as always.

“Classics, huh? Leaning into that whole introvert vibe?” Sameer joked, chuckling.

Meera gave a small, polite smile but didn’t respond, simply looking at Karan with that same calm patience, as if waiting for them to finish so she could return to her book.