From the morning after Aarav met Anaya at the café, a new habit had taken root between them.
"Good morning."
"Did you have lunch?"
"Don't skip dinner."
"Good night."
Every few hours, Aarav messaged her, simple words carrying deep care. And Anaya… she replied every time.
He could feel the wall between them slowly softening. Every message she sent, every little laugh she shared made him breathe easier.
But deep down, Aarav knew — he didn't want just friendship anymore.
He wanted her.
So, remembering his friends' advice, he decided to confess his feelings properly. A small plan started brewing in his mind — a night date and a special gift.
One evening, Aarav and his friend headed to the city mall. Aarav was nervous, glancing at every store window, trying to imagine what would suit Anaya — something simple, soft, elegant… like her.
Finally, after what felt like hours, he chose a beautiful dress. A light peach color, soft fabric, flowy but not too flashy — perfect.
While Aarav stood at the counter paying, someone watched him from a distance.
It was Nitya.
She had spotted him accidentally while shopping with her friend. Seeing Aarav choosing a dress sent her mind spinning — she was convinced the dress was for her.
A wide smile crept across her face as she imagined Aarav confessing his feelings to her. Dreams of dating him flashed before her eyes, and she couldn't wait for the moment he would surprise her.
Meanwhile, Aarav, unaware of her presence, made another plan.
Since Anaya's college wasn't far from the mall, he decided he couldn't wait until Sunday. He called her and asked if she could meet him for a few minutes.
Anaya was confused but agreed.
When she saw Aarav waiting outside the campus gate, her heart skipped a beat.
Without a word, she led him toward the small garden nearby — a quiet place where old wooden benches sat under flowering trees.
They talked lightly for a few minutes. Then Aarav, his hands a little shaky, handed her the neatly wrapped gift bag.
"I want you to wear this," he said softly. "Come to Pearl Restaurant this Sunday at 7 PM. Please… don't make me wait too long."
Anaya looked at the gift, then at him — stunned, nervous, and something else she hadn't felt in a long time: hope.
Aarav smiled and stood up.
"It's getting late. I should go. But remember… I'll be waiting for you that night."
He walked away, leaving Anaya sitting there, heart pounding wildly.
Anaya was thinking "Does he really still care?" "Am I dreaming?
Later that night, unable to contain herself, Anaya messaged her private girls' group — the one she shared with Miti, Meera, and Nyra.
Anaya: "You won't believe what just happened..."
Within seconds, her friends flooded the chat with congratulations, heart emojis, and teasing hints.
Meera: "Something beautiful is coming your way, Anaya. Just trust it!"
Nyra: "Get ready to glow, girl!"
Miti: "We always knew... it was written in the stars."
Anaya clutched the dress close that night, falling asleep with a soft smile she couldn't wipe off her face.
But the next morning…
Nitya waited impatiently. She kept wondering when Aarav would approach her with that "special gift." Her excitement had no bounds.
Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, she decided to find out the truth.
She casually approached Aarav's friend — the one who had gone shopping with him.
With a sweet smile and fake innocence, she asked,
"So... heard you guys went shopping? What was Aarav buying? Anything… special?"
The friend hesitated for a moment, then smiled teasingly.
"You'll see soon," he said. "It's going to be a big night."
Nitya's heart soared. She was convinced now more than ever — the night was going to be hers and Aarav's story.
But little did she know...
the gift wasn't meant for her.
And when the truth finally unfolds —
what will happen when Nitya finds out the gift, the date, and even Aarav's heart... were never meant for her?