The next visit felt slightly different—
even before it began.
Maybe because it wasn't a new place.
Or maybe because she already knew how these days went.
Students gathered again.
Small groups forming—
just like before.
Rhea and Meher found Aarvika quickly.
"Today we're not getting lost," Rhea said jokingly.
Meher added,
"Last time you stopped in the middle of nowhere."
Aarvika smiled faintly.
"I didn't get lost."
"You did," Rhea said, laughing.
The conversation stayed light.
Easy.
That part didn't change.
After some time—
they started moving.
This time—
they had to travel a little more.
First by bus.
Then further ahead.
Aarvika sat quietly during the ride.
Not thinking too much.
Just watching everything pass.
At one stop—
more students got in.
Among them—
he was there too.
Aarvika noticed.
Just for a moment.
Then looked away.
Like it was nothing.
The journey continued.
After getting down—
there was confusion.
The place wasn't very close.
Some students said to walk.
Some looked for another option.
The group stood there—
not sure what to do.
Rhea looked around.
"This is too far."
Meher agreed,
"I'm not walking."
Someone suggested taking a rickshaw.
Small groups started forming again.
Deciding who would go with whom.
Aarvika stood quietly.
Before she could think much—
things got decided quickly.
She ended up sitting in the same rickshaw—
with him and one more person.
It wasn't planned.
It just happened.
For a moment—
she didn't know what to say.
So she said nothing.
She sat on one side.
Looking ahead.
Trying to stay normal.
The rickshaw started moving.
The road was uneven.
Small jerks in between.
A little noise.
A little silence.
He sat beside her.
Not too close.
But not distant either.
There were no words.
No conversation.
Just the sound of movement.
At one turn—
the rickshaw shook slightly.
Aarvika held the side.
For balance.
At the same moment—
he adjusted his position.
Giving a little space.
A small gesture.
Natural.
Unnoticed by others.
But she noticed.
She didn't look at him.
But she was aware.
The ride didn't take long.
But it didn't feel short either.
When they reached—
everyone got down.
Paid.
Moved ahead.
Like nothing had happened.
Like it was just another ride.
Inside the garden—
everything felt calmer.
Open space.
Green surroundings.
People scattered again.
Some went ahead.
Some stayed behind.
Aarvika stayed with Rhea and Meher.
They walked together.
Talking.
Looking around.
Stopping at random places.
At one point—
they sat for a while.
Tired.
But still talking.
Then got up again.
Moved toward another side.
Time passed easily.
At one moment—
Aarvika stood near a path.
Her friends were a little ahead.
She slowed down.
Just for a second.
Then—
he came from the opposite side.
Walking toward her.
Not directly.
But close enough.
For a brief moment—
they were facing each other.
Their eyes met.
Not long.
Just a second.
Then both moved past each other.
No stopping.
No words.
Just movement.
Like nothing had happened.
But something had.
A small awareness.
Later—
everyone gathered again.
Some sat.
Some talked.
Some were already tired.
Rhea said,
"I don't want to walk anymore."
Meher agreed,
"Same."
Aarvika just listened.
Smiling slightly.
The day continued like that.
Simple.
Without anything big.
But not empty either.
When it was time to leave—
everyone started moving back.
The same groups.
The same noise.
The same routine.
But something felt different.
Not outside.
Just inside.
Aarvika sat quietly during the return.
Not thinking deeply.
Just remembering small parts.
The rickshaw.
The small silence.
The passing moments.
The eye contact.
Nothing important.
Nothing meaningful.
But still—
they stayed.
Not strongly.
Just lightly.
Like something that didn't ask for attention—
but didn't disappear either.
When she reached home—
everything felt normal again.
The same room.
The same silence.
But the day didn't leave completely.
It stayed—
in small, quiet pieces.
Not as a memory.
But as a feeling.
One that didn't need to be understood.
Because some days—
don't become anything.
But they still stay a little longer than expected.