As the days went by, Anaya's feelings for Vicky quietly deepened, sinking further into her heart with each passing moment. With each passing day, Anaya found herself falling a little more and more for Vicky like softly, silently, and deeply.
One chilly night, while the hostel was quieter than usual, Anaya and Rose were in their room, chatting like they often did. They had finished their assignments, their books lay scattered across the bed, and the faint yellow glow from their bedside lamp made everything feel a little softer.
They started talking about random things like about food,or about their funny things how they imitated their professors, like something.
Then, out of the blue, Rose asked, "Hey... what do you think about your class Cr Vicky?"
Anaya paused, caught off guard. She didn't look up immediately. "Why are you asking that?" she said, trying to sound casual, though her voice was a little higher than usual.
Rose laughed lightly. "No reason. Just curious. Well, I've another question for you?well, do you… like anyone?"
Anaya hesitated, then gave a vague answer. "No, not really."
Rose raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "really! You've never been in a relationship at all these years..?"
Anaya sighed. "There's nothing at all like that Rose... Seriously..."
Rose nodded slowly and asked. "Okay, okay. But just out of curiosity what do you think of your class CR, Vicky? Like, as a person."
Anaya looked down at her hands and muttered, "Why are you suddenly asking about him?"
"No reason! I just wanted to know," Rose said innocently. "He's kind of… well, girls in our class seem to talk about him a lot these days. Like he is kinda popular in our class"
Anaya smiled a little, then finally gave in. "He's… okay, I guess. I mean, he's good. Not just in behavior but in character too.."
Rose said, "well, i just thought he is like a kinda play boy. That's iasked you. Isn't he is your friend aswell."
Rose chuckled. "True. He's kind of popular among the girls, not just in our class but all over the campus."
Anaya nodded. "Yeah. I've heard that too."
There was a pause. A quiet understanding hung in the air, but neither of them pushed the conversation further. Instead, they stayed up talking a little more, then slowly drifted off to sleep, the room silent except for the soft whirring of the fan overhead.
Over the next few weeks, Anaya found herself becoming more aware of her feelings. She tried to brush it off, focus on her classes, her small group of friends, and her daily routines. But somehow, Vicky was always there in the corridor, or helping someone in class, answering questions confidently or in her thoughts, even when she wished he wasn't.
One evening, while walking back from the library, she saw him standing near the main gate, talking to someone. He was laughing, that familiar easy smile on his face. Something about that moment made her heart ache in the sweetest way. She didn't know what it was admiration, maybe. Or something deeper.
She wanted to tell someone. Maybe Rose. But every time the thought crossed her mind, she pushed it away. What if it was just a phase? What if she was wrong about everything?
And yet, despite all the doubts, her heart knew.
February approached, and with it came a wave of anticipation. The campus buzzed with plans like Valentine's Day, birthday celebrations, mini cultural events. Amid all this, Anaya learned from one of her classmates that Vicky's birthday was on February 10.
The date stayed with her.
She didn't know what came over her, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like doing something bold something entirely unlike her usual quiet self.
She thought about it for days.
What would she say?
What if he laughed?
What if it changed everything?
But then she thought about what would happen if she said nothing at all, if she let it pass like any other day, carrying her feelings quietly like always.
And so, after many sleepless nights, Anaya finally made up her mind.
Then, she decided to confess her feelings towards Vicky on his birthday.
The morning of February 10 felt different.
She woke up early, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird. She had written a small note the night before nothing dramatic, just a few simple lines. She had folded it carefully and tucked it inside a greeting card.
As she got ready, she kept glancing at the mirror, wondering if she looked too nervous, too plain. She reminded herself this wasn't about looking perfect. It was about being honest for once being dared..
She reached the campus and waited. Her hands were cold despite the warm sun. Every passing second made her more unsure.
Then she saw him.
Vicky was walking toward the building, wearing a navy-blue shirt and carrying his usual bag. He looked relaxed, greeting people as he passed.
Anaya's heart pounded.
"Now or never," she whispered to herself.
She walked up to him slowly, almost unsure if her legs would carry her.
"Vicky," she called softly.
He turned, surprised to see her. "Hey, Anaya. Good morning."
"Um… happy birthday," she said, her voice small but clear.
"Thanks!" he smiled warmly.
"I… I have something for you , oh! Just something like a little wishing for you on your birthday." She handed him the greeting card.
Vicky looked curious. "What's this Cr? Did you make this for me?"
Anaya smiled nervously. " Yeah! Just something I wrote. You can read it later."
He nodded, his smile still kind. "Oh! okay. Thanks, Cr."
She nodded back, then turned and walked away before she could second-guess herself.
Oh well, what she wrote in that note is, "Cr, I've been struggling with some outer emotions. I don't know anything about these emotions. But, I'm really.. its just that I can't take it anymore. I've something to tell u. Can u meet me in the library at our usual spot. Okay! I'm waiting for you.."
She didn't know if he had read the note or not. She didn't know what his thoughts.. are those really misunderstandings..
But for the first time in a long time, she felt light, like she had finally going to let go of something that had been silently weighing her down.
Finally, the college ends..
All students are on their own things. Some are on their way to home...
While some are headed to playground..
Like that..
Ananya, is on her way to the library...