University life had been as hectic as ever. Aria spent her days buried in assignments, design projects, and club activities, while Ethan juggled lectures, presentations, and preparations for his eventual business plans. Despite the chaos, they always made sure to keep in touch—short messages between classes, shared laughter during campus walks, and quiet moments in the library when schedules allowed.
One busy afternoon, Aria's phone buzzed. It was a message from her mother:
"Aria! Your father and I are alone at home this weekend. How about a little family trip? Pack your things—we'll go somewhere nice and quiet. ♥"
At the same time, Ethan received a similar message from his parents:
"Ethan, your dad and I thought of taking a short trip this weekend since it's been so long since we all went anywhere together. Are you in?"
Aria blinked at the message, a smile spreading across her face. She immediately called Ethan.
"Hey! Guess what?" she said excitedly.
"What's up?" he asked, a grin forming at her tone.
"Our families want to take a trip this weekend! They're all alone at home, and we thought… maybe it's the perfect chance for a short getaway."
Ethan laughed. "Well, looks like we're being kidnapped by our parents together. I'm in. Let's see if this weekend gives us some peace from university chaos."
By Friday morning, both families had arrived at a picturesque hill station resort, chosen for its serenity and scenic views. Ethan and Aria met at the lobby, each carrying a small bag, and immediately felt the familiar flutter in their hearts at seeing each other outside the campus.
"Looks like the universe wants us to spend some family time together," Ethan teased, giving her a small smile.
"I guess it does," Aria replied, brushing her hair behind her ear.
The first day of the trip was filled with laughter, family bonding, and simple joys. Aria and Ethan walked together by the frozen lake, watched their siblings and cousins play in the snow, and shared cocoa by the fireplace. Every glance and touch reminded them of how naturally their lives had intertwined, even amid the chaos of university schedules.
That evening, after a hearty dinner, Aria and Ethan wandered to a quiet balcony overlooking the valley. The sky glowed in shades of orange and pink as the sun set behind the distant hills.
Ethan leaned slightly against the railing. "You know… I've been thinking a lot about the future."
Aria turned to him, curious. "Oh? What about?"
"About work, life… us," he said softly. "I want to start my own company someday. Something big, something impactful. And… I want it to somehow intersect with your work. Maybe support a design company like yours, provide resources, funding, or clients."
Aria's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. "You mean… collaborate?"
"Yes," he said, smiling gently. "Imagine if our paths met not just in life, but in work too. Helping each other grow."
Her cheeks warmed at the thought. "I've been thinking the same. I want to start my own designer company. Something unique… something people remember. And having a strong business partner… well, you came to my mind immediately."
Ethan took her hand, their fingers intertwining naturally. "So our dreams could meet."
"Exactly," Aria said softly, squeezing his hand. "Even if it's years away, it feels… possible, somehow."
They spent the rest of the evening walking along a snowy path, talking about everything—their hopes, fears, and dreams. They laughed over childhood memories, teased each other over little quirks, and even made up mock business plans on the spot, imagining how their companies could work together.
The next morning, they joined their families for a short hike up a nearby hill. Ethan carried Aria's bag, while she playfully shoved snow at him whenever he slipped. When they reached the summit, the view was breathtaking—a blanket of white snow stretching as far as the eye could see, mountains painted in golden sunlight.
Aria leaned against Ethan, whispering, "I could stay here forever."
Ethan smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Me too. But even if life gets busy… we'll always have moments like this. And we'll always have each other's back, in work and life."
Later, as the trip came to an end, both felt a little heavier than before, in the best way. Their shared dreams, whispered promises, and quiet moments had planted a seed for their future—one where their lives and ambitions were intertwined, no matter what challenges awaited at university or beyond.
As they drove back, hand in hand in the backseat, they made a silent agreement: one day, their companies would stand together, their bond strong enough to face any obstacle, professional or personal.
Ethan glanced at Aria, his eyes soft. "No matter how far life takes us, we'll make it work."
Aria smiled, leaning her head slightly against him. "Always."
And as the campus came back into view, both knew that their hearts and dreams were more aligned than ever—ready to face university life, new challenges, and everything in between, together.