Shadows Of Darjeeling

Chapter 21

Arnav sat in the back of his car, staring out of the window as the city lights passed by in a blur. The night had been full of the usual dull conversations, empty smiles, and girls who practically threw themselves at him. It was all predictable and exhausting. But there was something that stuck in his mind, something he couldn’t shake off.

Her.

He didn’t even know her name. He barely knew anything about her, but that brief encounter had left an impression on him, something he couldn’t quite understand.

It had happened so suddenly, so innocently. One moment, he was making his way through the crowd, scanning faces, as usual. And then she had collided with him, her shoulder bumping against his chest. It wasn’t hard enough to knock him off balance, but it was enough to make him pause.

Without hesitation, she looked up at him, her voice laced with genuine concern. “Sorry,” she said, her tone soft but with a hint of hesitation. It wasn’t a typical apology—there was no flurry of awkwardness, no desperate attempt to gain his favour. It was just a quick, simple apology.

Arnav, irritated by the disruption, shot her a cold look. “Watch where you’re going,” he snapped, his voice laced with annoyance.

She flinched slightly but didn’t over-apologize. Instead, she merely nodded and took a step back, not saying another word. And just like that, the moment passed. She hadn’t begged for forgiveness, hadn’t even tried to get on his good side. She had simply acknowledged the bump and moved on.

What the hell is her problem? he thought, his annoyance growing. She’s not acting like everyone else. She doesn’t care.

And that’s what bothered him—the indifference. Every girl he knew, every girl who was interested in him, would have fawned over him, tried to apologize in a thousand different ways, and would’ve been eager to get his attention. But not her. She hadn’t seemed interested at all.

That was the thing that nagged at him. Why wasn’t she like all the others?

He wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much, but it did. And now, sitting in the back of the car, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

What’s her name? he wondered, his fingers drumming against the armrest absentmindedly. Who is she?

He didn’t know. She hadn’t said her name, hadn’t lingered long enough for him to even ask. It was a fleeting moment—a simple accident that would have meant nothing to anyone else. But to him? It was different.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Why am I even thinking about this?

As the car pulled into the driveway, Arnav’s mind was still consumed by her. It didn’t make sense. He didn’t need to waste time thinking about some random girl. There were more important things to focus on.

He stepped out of the car and walked into the house, grateful that his father was still away on his business trip. At least he didn’t have to face him and his endless questions tonight. Arnav preferred the silence, even though it felt a little too quiet in the vast, empty house.

His thoughts were still restless. What’s her name?

It was a stupid question. He didn’t know her. She was probably nothing to him. But the curiosity lingered in his mind, eating away at him. He wanted to know who she was.

He didn’t know why he couldn’t just forget about her. He didn’t care about her, not really. Yet, she had done something no other girl had managed to do: she had left him wondering.

When Arnav walked past the living room, he spotted Lily sitting by the window, her knitting needles clicking quietly as she worked. She looked up when he entered, her sharp eyes immediately assessing his mood.