A Story Without You

Chapter 1- The Beginning of Hope

Chapter 1: The Beginning of Hope

Aarav had always been the quiet one in his group of friends—never the type to chase after attention or throw himself into the chaos of college life. But on that one fateful day, he found himself in the middle of the annual cultural fest, half-listening to the music pounding from the main stage, when he first saw her.

Siya stood by the book stall, flipping through a novel with an expression so serious it was almost comical given the festivities around her. Her eyes, deep and curious, moved across the page like she was absorbing a secret only she was privy to. It was the way she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear that caught Aarav’s attention; it was such a simple gesture, yet it felt impossibly endearing.

“Are you going to keep staring or actually say hi?” Neeraj’s voice broke through Aarav’s daze, a mischievous smirk on his lips.

“I wasn’t staring,” Aarav said defensively, feeling a sudden flush rise to his cheeks. But even as he said it, he couldn’t help but glance back at her. There was something about the way she stood, so confident and oblivious to everything around her, that made Aarav feel both drawn in and intimidated.

Neeraj raised an eyebrow. “Sure, and I’m not hungry. Come on, I dare you to go talk to her.”

Aarav rolled his eyes. “You know I’m not good at these things.”

“Which is why you need the practice. Go!” Neeraj gave him a gentle shove, sending Aarav stumbling a few steps forward, just close enough that Siya glanced up from her book and noticed him.

“Oh, hi there!” she said, eyes brightening as she closed the book. Her smile was warm, and Aarav felt his heart do an awkward flip.

“H-hey,” Aarav stuttered. He wanted to kick himself for sounding like an idiot. “I, uh, noticed you were reading that book. It’s... one of my favourites,” he lied, not even glancing at the title.

“Oh, really?” Her eyes widened, and Aarav could see the genuine interest in them. “What did you think about the ending? I found it so bittersweet.”

Aarav swallowed, the lie threatening to unravel. But something in her gaze made him want to try, to impress her, even if it meant risking embarrassment. “Yeah, it was... complicated, I guess. The kind of ending that makes you think, you know?”

A grin spread across her face, and she nodded. “Exactly! I’m Siya, by the way. Psychology major.”

“Aarav. Computer Science.” He felt a bit steadier now, as if just knowing her name had somehow balanced him. The conversation flowed from there, surprising Aarav with how natural it felt. She talked about her love for stories, not just in books but in the people she met every day. Aarav found himself laughing more in that half-hour than he had in weeks.

It was the start of something that felt almost magical. Days turned into weeks, and Aarav and siya became inseparable. They’d study in the library, share jokes in the canteen, and even sneak out for late-night walks around campus. And then there were those moments when siya would lean close, her voice soft, as she said, “You know, Aarav, you’re special. You’re the only one who really understands me.”

Each time she said it, Aarav’s chest would swell with warmth. He didn’t care if he sounded foolish; he wanted to believe her. After all, she was siya—full of life, laughter, and all the things he’d never known he needed.

But life had a way of playing tricks when you least expected it, and Aarav’s fairytale was no exception.

Continued....