After their conversation in the garden, things between Riya and Aryan slowly returned to normal.
The awkward silence that had grown between them in the past few days finally disappeared.
Aryan began talking to her the same way he used to before.
They met again in the library after classes, sat together during lunch breaks, and sometimes walked home from college together.
But something had changed.
This time, both of them were more honest with each other.
One evening while they were studying in the library, Riya looked up from her notebook.
"So… what did your parents say?" she asked.
Aryan closed the book in front of him.
"They were surprised," he admitted.
"Why?"
"Because I've never asked them to stay in one place before."
Riya smiled softly.
"That means this place must be special."
Aryan looked at her for a moment.
"Yes," he said quietly.
"It is."
Riya felt a warm feeling in her chest.
The silence between them wasn't awkward this time. It felt comfortable.
Outside the window, the sun was slowly setting, turning the sky orange.
After a few minutes, Aryan suddenly said something unexpected.
"Riya… can I ask you something?"
She looked at him curiously.
"What?"
"Do you ever think about the future?"
Riya thought for a moment.
"Sometimes."
"And when you think about it… do you see me in it?"
The question surprised her.
For a few seconds, she didn't know what to say.
Then she smiled.
"I think I do."
Aryan laughed softly.
"Good."
"Why?"
"Because I was hoping you would say that."
Both of them laughed.
For the first time, they both felt hopeful about what was coming next.
But neither of them realized that life was about to test their feelings once again.
Because sometimes, just when everything starts to feel perfect…
something unexpected happens.