The buzz of excitement had taken over the college campus — the annual fest was just a week away, and preparation was in full swing. Banners were being painted, stage rehearsals echoed from every block, and students dashed around with props, scripts, and endless to-do lists.
Eisha was reviewing the decoration checklist when her friend Mili came running in, breathless.
"They've finalised the leads for the fest teams!"
Eisha didn't look up. "Great."
Mili beamed. "Guess who's heading the Cultural Events Committee?"
Eisha sighed. "Let me guess… not me."
"Actually," Mili grinned, "it's you."
Eisha's head snapped up. "What? But I didn't even sign up for that."
"Well, your name was recommended by three professors, apparently. And guess who your co-lead is?"
The silence that followed didn't need a name.
Ayaan.
When Eisha entered the committee room later that day, Ayaan was already sitting there, leaning back on a wooden chair, half-asleep with a notebook resting on his lap.
She cleared her throat.
He looked up—and immediately sat up straight, adjusting his messy hair. "Hey. So… we're leading this madness, huh?"
She crossed her arms. "I hope you're not planning to sleep through the planning too."
He grinned. "No promises."
Despite the initial awkwardness, they started working. Dividing roles, assigning volunteers, organizing rehearsal schedules. To anyone watching, they looked like the perfect team—balanced, sharp, efficient.
But underneath that calm surface was something brewing.
On the second day of planning, Ayaan's cousin Priya visited the campus. She was studying in another city and had come to surprise him. Tall, stylish, and effortlessly charming, Priya turned heads wherever she went.
Eisha was explaining stage prop logistics to a junior when Priya walked into the room, laughing loudly as Ayaan introduced her to everyone.
"This is my cousin, Priya," he said. "She's visiting for the week. Might help out with the fest."
Eisha barely nodded, continuing her conversation without emotion.
But Mili, ever observant, leaned in and whispered, "Jealous much?"
Eisha scoffed. "She's his cousin."
Mili smirked. "But not their eyes. Look around."
Indeed, several girls were already whispering, misinterpreting the chemistry between Ayaan and Priya. From the outside, they looked like a perfect couple — laughing together, nudging each other playfully, sharing a comfort Eisha had always thought was hers alone.
And for the first time, Eisha felt something heavy in her chest. Not anger.
Insecurity.
The fest prep got more intense as the week progressed. Late-night meetings, rehearsals, banner-making — Ayaan and Eisha found themselves together more often than ever. But now, Priya was always around too.
Eisha tried to focus. Tried to stay professional.
But it wasn't easy when Priya sat too close. When she giggled at every stupid joke Ayaan cracked. When she shared stories from their childhood Eisha had never heard.
By Friday night, during the light testing session, the dam broke.
Ayaan walked over with two cups of tea. "Here," he said, handing her one. "You haven't eaten anything since lunch."
She took the cup silently.
He noticed. "Okay. What's wrong now?"
Eisha looked away. "Nothing. Go hang out with your cousin."
Ayaan blinked. "Wait… is this about Priya?"
"You think I'm blind?" she snapped, voice barely above a whisper. "Do you even notice how you act around her? Or how people look at you both?"
"She's my cousin, Eish," he said, confused. "You know that."
"But they don't!" she hissed. "And you—you let it look like something else!"
There was silence.
Then Ayaan stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "Why does it bother you so much?"
Eisha didn't answer. Her throat tightened.
"Is it because you feel what I feel?" he asked, more softly now. "Because if it is, I need to know."
"I don't know," she whispered. "I just… hate the way it feels."
Ayaan exhaled slowly, setting his cup down. "Then let's figure it out. Together."
She looked up at him — eyes brimming with unshed emotions. Maybe she still wasn't ready to confess. Maybe neither was he.
But for now, their silence had said enough.
The college fest was just around the corner.
And the stage wasn't the only place where fireworks were about to happen.