The next day, Tara walked into college like usual but something was different.
There was a quiet happiness on her face.
Her project had finally been accepted.
As she entered the campus, Nora was already waiting for her. Elena stood beside her, but Tara barely looked in her direction.
"Hey!" Nora smiled. "Congrats again!"
Tara smiled back and started talking to her, completely avoiding Elena. Every small movement didn't go unnoticed Elena watched silently, her chest tightening.
After classes, Tara went to her part-time job at the supermarket.
To her surprise, her professor was already there.
"Good evening, Tara," he said with a smile.
"Good evening, sir."
They started talking casually near the billing section.
And then
Advik walked in.
His eyes instinctively found her.
He stopped for a second.
Tara..?
She was standing close to the professor, talking comfortably.
Something inside him shifted.
Who is he…?
He took a step forward, then paused.
Should I listen to what they're talking about…?
A moment later, he shook his head slightly.
What am I doing…? Why am I even thinking like this?
She's no one to me.
But even as he told himself that
His eyes didn't leave her.
At the same time, Tara noticed him.
Her heart skipped slightly.
He's here.
Her mind immediately started working.
This is my chance…
She stayed calm, acting normal.
As Advik approached the billing section, Tara quickly grabbed a few small papers.
"Sir," she said politely, "could you please write your name and address here? We're selecting a few customers for an offer."
It sounded natural.
Convincing.
Advik looked at her for a second… then nodded.
"Okay."
He took the paper and started writing.
Tara tried to stay calm but inside, she was focused on every movement.
Finally…
He handed the paper back.
For a split second, a small, unusual smile appeared on her face.
A victorious one.
Advik noticed it.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Why does she look like she just won something…?
At that time, the soft music playing in the head phone lowered slightly and , he caught a fragment of her thoughts.
I got it… his name.
Advik froze internally.
…What?
Something about this felt… strange.
Too strange.
He took his bill and walked away but his mind was no longer calm.
Outside, the evening air felt heavier than usual.
Advik saw his usual bus arriving.
But instead of getting in
He slowed down.
Then stopped.
The next bus… she'll come in that one.
He didn't know why he made that decision.
But he did.
He walked to the bus stop and sat down.
After a while, the professor also arrived and stood nearby.
Then, almost half an hour later
Tara reached the bus stop.
She paused for a moment.
Both of them were there.
Advik.
And her professor.
Oh… perfect, she thought.
She walked toward them casually.
"Sir, you're still here?" she asked, smiling.
They started talking about college, projects, and small things.
But Tara's attention wasn't fully there.
And neither was Advik's.
From a distance, he watched her.
Every expression.
Every word.
Every movement.
Without realizing it
They were both doing the same thing.
Watching each other.
Trying to understand something… neither of them could explain.After a few minutes, the bus finally arrived.
The professor stepped in first, followed by Advik.
Tara entered a little later, moving toward the women's section.
Inside, the bus was crowded but there were a couple of empty seats near where the professor was sitting. He noticed them immediately and waited, expecting Tara to come and sit there.
But before anything could happen
Advik quietly slipped into the seat beside him.
The professor glanced at him, slightly annoyed.
A moment later, Tara entered and stood near them, holding onto the rail.
The professor stood up instantly.
"Tara, you can sit here."
Before she could respond, she looked at Advik.
"Can you move a little?" she asked politely, gesturing toward the window side.
For a brief second, Advik didn't react.
Then, without a word, he shifted.
As Tara sat down, a strange thought crossed his mind.
What am I even doing…?
This is getting… weird.
The professor remained standing beside her, continuing their conversation as if nothing had changed.
But Advik wasn't paying attention to the words anymore.
He was watching.
Carefully.
After a moment, he noticed an empty seat a little further ahead.
"Sir," Advik said calmly, "there's a seat there. You can sit."
The professor glanced at it but didn't move.
"I'm fine here," he replied shortly.
He clearly didn't want to leave.
Tara noticed the tension and spoke gently,
"Sir, you should sit. It's okay, I'll manage."
There was a slight pause.
Reluctantly, the professor nodded and moved toward the empty seat.
As he walked away, he murmured under his breath
Who is this guy…?
A faint irritation crossed his face.
He just ruined my plan…
If I stayed near her, I could've gotten closer… and then…
His thoughts trailed off, but his expression hardened slightly.
Back near the window, silence settled between Tara and Advik.
Not a comfortable silence.
Something… heavier.
Unspoken.
Advik leaned back slightly, his gaze shifting toward her.
Why does everything feel strange around her…?
And beside him
Tara sat still, her mind already racing ahead.