Some moments don't stay clearly—
they just pass, like everything else.
After that—
days continued in the same way.
Classes.
Notes.
Practical work.
Nothing really changed.
Aarvika followed her routine quietly.
She came to class.
Sat in her usual place.
Opened her notebook.
Wrote what was needed.
Sometimes she listened carefully.
Sometimes her mind drifted for a few seconds—
then came back again.
Rhea and Meher were still the same.
Talking.
Laughing.
Sharing random things.
Now Aarvika was more comfortable with them.
She didn't stay completely silent anymore.
If they asked something—
she answered.
If she noticed something—
she said it.
Not a lot.
But enough.
That made things easier.
During practical sessions—
they worked together.
Sometimes they divided work.
Sometimes helped each other.
Once—
Rhea made a small mistake.
Aarvika pointed it out quietly.
Rhea looked at it and laughed.
"Good you saw it, I would have left it like that."
Meher added,
"She notices everything."
Aarvika just smiled a little.
She didn't respond.
But she felt it.
A small shift.
Not big—
but real.
In between all of this—
everything else stayed the same.
He was still there.
Not close.
Not far.
Just somewhere in the same space.
Aarvika didn't look for him.
But sometimes—
she still noticed.
Only for a second.
Then she looked away.
Like it didn't matter.
One day—
there was an event in the institute.
Different groups had to set up stalls.
Students were busy preparing things.
Talking loudly.
Moving around.
Calling each other.
Aarvika was with Rhea and Meher.
They set up their stall together.
Aarvika made sandwiches.
Simple—
but arranged neatly.
Rhea prepared chaat.
Meher helped both of them.
Fixing plates.
Adjusting things.
Making it look better again and again.
At first—
there were only a few people.
Then slowly—
students started coming.
Looking around.
Stopping.
Buying things.
Aarvika noticed—
some people came back again.
For the sandwiches.
Rhea smiled,
"Your sandwiches are actually good."
Aarvika gave a small smile.
She didn't say anything.
But it felt nice.
After some time—
he came there too.
With a few others.
Just like any other student.
He looked at the stall.
Took a sandwich.
"Thanks."
That was it.
No conversation.
No pause.
He moved ahead.
The moment passed.
Like everything else.
Later—
everything ended.
Things were packed.
Students started leaving.
Another day—
there was a group visit.
Students gathered together.
Some in groups.
Some walking around.
Some talking loudly.
Aarvika stayed with Rhea and Meher.
They moved together.
Talking.
Laughing.
Sharing small things.
At one point—
they stopped at an activity.
Tried it.
Failed once.
Then laughed about it.
Aarvika felt lighter that day.
More present.
Because she wasn't alone.
In between—
she noticed him once.
Then again later.
Not close.
Just passing.
At one moment—
they were near the same place.
Not together.
But close enough to notice.
No words.
No eye contact for long.
Then people moved again.
And it ended.
Nothing stayed.
Nothing stopped.
Everything kept moving.
When the day ended—
everyone went back.
Different directions.
Different conversations.
Later—
Aarvika sat quietly.
Thinking about the day.
Not everything.
Just parts.
Her friends.
The conversations.
The laughter.
And somewhere—
those small, passing moments too.
Not important.
Not something she held on to.
Just something she noticed.
And let go.
Because not everything needs to stay.
Some things just pass.
And maybe—
that's how they are meant to be.