Aadhya's POV
"Great," I muttered under my breath, clutching my flashlight like a holy relic.
"Just me and the guy who literally named the dance team after me to ruin my life. Wow. Amazing. Love that for me."
Vivaan didn't even look at me. Of course not. Mr. Attitude just adjusted his flashlight like some CID officer and pointed toward the most ominous-looking structure on campus.
"We're checking the Section A building," he announced with that annoying 'I'm-the-boss' tone. "Thieves are most likely to hide there."
"Of course," I whispered, my voice trembling just a tiny bit. "Or ghosts. Or blood-sucking monsters. Or my bad luck waiting inside."
He just rolled his eyes and started walking. No reaction. Nothing. I followed, keeping a very specific, very calculated three-foot distance between us. Not too close—because dignity. Not too far—because I'd like to stay alive, thank you.
The building was pitch black, the kind of darkness that feels like it's trying to swallow you whole. Every shadow looked like a crouching assassin. Every tiny sound felt suspicious.
"Just saying," I muttered behind him, gripping my flashlight tighter, "if something jumps out, I'm pushing you first. Survival of the fittest."
Still no response. Rude guy.
Suddenly—
CLANG!
—a table fell over right behind us.
My soul left my body. No warning. No goodbye. Just gone.
My survival instincts immediately decided that Vivaan was now a human shield. I lunged forward and hugged him from behind, burying my face into his jacket and squeezing him like my life depended on it—which, honestly, it did. My heart was beating like a full Bollywood drum set inside my chest. This is it, I thought.
Section A ghosts have finally come to claim my soul.
I knew I shouldn't have come today. I should've stayed home and eaten pani puri in peace.
"Let me go!" Vivaan snapped, sounding more irritated than scared.
Excuse me?? Sir?? We are about to die and you're worried about personal space??
I jumped back instantly, fixing my hair like I wasn't just clinging to him for survival.
"I was just… checking if your spine was still intact. Safety first."
We kept walking, but now the silence felt ten times worse. Like even the building was holding its breath. To keep myself from panicking again, I started humming softly. Yes, coping mechanism. Don't judge.
It was Phir Kabhi by Arijit Singh. Very soothing. Very emotional. Very needed.
I gathered some courage. "Hey, Vivaan? Do you think we could play that for Band Blitz? It's actually a really good song."
He just shrugged, his flashlight beam cutting through the dust. "I'll ask the others. Maybe."
"Wow, such enthusiasm. Don't hurt yourself with all that excitement," I muttered sarcastically.
We reached the end of the hall and stopped in front of a heavy wooden door. Vivaan pushed it open, and we stepped inside.
The moment the door creaked shut behind us, the air felt ten degrees colder.
No. No no no. This is how horror movies start.
Vivaan froze. His flashlight stopped on something in the corner.
I slowly turned my head, already regretting every life decision that brought me here. My eyes widened—like actually widened—because there, in the shadows, was a figure in a flowing white sari.
No face. Just… white.
My soul packed its bags.
"BHOOTTTTTTTTT!!"
(Ghost)
we both screamed at the same time.
Perfect harmony. 10/10 coordination. Would scream again.
Dignity? Gone. Bravery? Never heard of her. We turned and ran out of that room so fast I'm pretty sure we broke some kind of speed record.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Day 3
The auditorium was packed to the rafters. It was Wednesday, and the energy for "Band Blitz" was insane. Like full chaos.
Like if someone sneezed, ten people would scream. I had my phone out, ready to record like a responsible audience member, but Avi snatched it from my hand.
"I'll shoot the video, Adi. You just stand there and look pretty," he said with a grin.
Excuse me?? Since when did I sign up for being decoration?
I rolled my eyes but let it go, my attention already shifting to the stage. I was actually excited. Not that I was going to admit it out loud. Never.
The host walked out, cracking the same old jokes.
"So much crowd! Looks like the whole city decided to show up today!"
Wow. Revolutionary humor. I almost clapped. Almost.
He announced the first act: Saanvi's Sonic Storm. And okay—fine—she was amazing. Her voice was smooth, controlled… like melted chocolate. Even I had to admit it.
But the real drama? Standing right next to me.
As the host said, "What a stunningvocalist," Avi completely lost his mind.
"She's mine! Don't you dare flirt with her!" he shouted, nearly charging the stage like some angry hero from a low-budget action movie.
Neel and Samar had to physically hold him back. I was this close to disowning him publicly.
The Embarassment.
The host looked terrified and immediately moved on. Smart man. Survival instinct.
"Alright! Next up, representing Section E… The One and Only!"
I snorted.
The One and Only?
Seriously?
That's the best name they came up with?
They could've done so much better. The Screaming Squirrels. Or
The Handsome Hooligans. Or
The Tone-Deaf Tigers.
Creativity clearly died here.
But then… they stepped out.
And okay—fine—I'll say it once. They looked good.
Matching black shirts, confident walk, full attitude like they owned the stage.
And before I could judge further—
Vivaan casually unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.
…
I blinked.
The entire front row of girls went CRAZY.
Like actually screaming.
"VIVAANNN!!"
"OH MY GOD!!"
" Handsome"
"So hot 🔥"
Excuse me?? He opened TWO buttons, not performed a miracle. Relax. Please.
I rolled my eyes.
But… okay… just for one second… my eyes did pause.
Annoying. Very annoying.
And then—
My traitor eyes stayed there.
The way he held his guitar, the confidence in his stance… it was irritating how naturally good he looked up there. Like he belonged there. King of Absolute Lunatics.
Then the music started.
It was Phir Kabhi.
Wait.
Hold on.
My brain literally stopped working.
"🎶Yeh lamha jo thehra hai, mera hai ye tera hai…
Ye lamha main jee loon zara…🎶"
( This moment that is paused here .
It's mine yeah...and it's yours...
Let me live this moment)
I blinked. Once. Twice.
He actually chose my song.
That threw my off completely.
His voice was deep, smooth, perfectly tuned… and I hated how good it sounded.
If only his personality were half as decent as his vocals, I thought.
I crossed my arms, pretending to be unimpressed. Failed. Miserably.
I closed my eyes for a second, letting the song sink in. Just for a moment… it felt like he was singing only to me.
Stupid thought. Ignore. Ignore immediately.
"🎶Tujh mein khoya rahun mein
Mujhe me khoyi rahe tu khud ko dhoondlenge phir kabhi...
Tujh se milta rahu me mujhe se milti rahi tu khud se hum milenge phir kabhi..haha phir kabhi..🎶…"
(Let me be lost in you..
And you be lost in me..well search ourselves later sometime..
Let me keep meeting and you keep meeting me... we'll meet ourselves later sometime...yeah ..later sometime)
Around me, Section E had turned into a full concert crowd—hands in the air, swaying like we were at some world tour. Avi was yelling, Dj was vibing, someone behind me almost hit my head with their excitement. Absolute chaos.
And me?
I was just… standing there. Listening. Feeling it more than I wanted to admit.
"🎶Dil pe taras aa raha hai ...
Pagal kahi ho na jayein..
Wo bhi mein sunne laga hoon jo tum kabhi keh na paye...
Yeh ..subh phir aayegi..
Yeh shayme phir aayegi..
Yeh nazdikiyaan phir kahan..
Tujh mein khoya raha hun...🎶
(I'm feeling bad for the heart
I hope it doesn't go mad
I have started hearing even that
Which you were never able to say
These mornings will come again ..
These evenings will come again
Will this closeness will ever come again?)
The tension in my chest was tightning. Every note felt like a thug of my heartstrings. Suddenly I thought about how he annoys me, how he was such a jerk, but then now i suddenly had a thought
His girlfriend will be the luckiest girl in the world.
But still annoying jerk.
Then I opened my eyes.
And my breath hitched.
I was stunned.
Vivaan was looking straight at me.
Not at the crowd.
Not at the judges.
—at me.
He flashed a small knowing smile and before I could stop myself, my lips betrayed me smiling back at him. He seemed to enjoy my reaction, his eyes twinkling with mischief and something softer. My heart started beating dangerously.
Oh no,I realised with a sinking feeling....
I'm falling for this idiot. ❤️
When the song ended the applause was deafening. We all sprinted backstage. I hung back, feeling..shy..for the first time..
Nikansh was the first one to reach me " Did you like it, Adi?" He asked. I nodded, still dazed.
Others were crowed around Vivaan all praising.
"Bro that was legendary."
"You just nalied it bro".
"Offcourse will be the winners "
Suddenly I looked at Vivaan and immediately looked away, because he staring at me. My heart was running a marathon.
Vivaan approached us. Meanwhile me and Nikansh were still talking.
"Vivaan said you suggestwd the song " he said, his voice was gentle.
" Yeah that's my favourite song..so"
I admitted looking at my shoes.
"We played your song...won't you say thankyou" he teased, that familiar smugness returning. Leaning slightly.
I looked away instantly. I can't look him eyes god. Please my heart can't survive this trial. I stared at a random spot on the wall " T-Thankyou" I muttered.
He leaned in —way too close.
And followed my gaze on the wall "who exactly are you thanking over there " he asked, his breath warm against my ear. 😳
DAMN my heart.
I jumped back, I can feel my face burning "I-i was t-thanking you .." I squeaked nervously.
My heart was thumping so loudly I was sure he can hear it.
Realising i couldn't handle another second, i blurted out..
"h- Hey we're getting late for Night duty.." and ran off before he could see how much he was affecting me...