Vikram arrived at the university, the familiar campus unfolding before him as he gracefully stepped out of the auto-rickshaw. He scanned the surroundings and his eyes were drawn to someone with a familiar back. Without hesitation, he walked towards her.
"Aria!"
Hearing her name, Aria turned around, her eyes meeting Vikram's gaze. In that moment, time seemed to pause, and Aria found herself captivated by the undeniable handsomeness standing before her. The morning sunlight played upon Vikram's features, casting a glow that made him seem almost ethereal.
Vikram's sharp jawline and dark, expressive eyes held a depth that hinted at hidden stories. Aria couldn't help but acknowledge the effortless way he carried himself, each step exuding a blend of confidence and approachability.
As Vikram stood before her, Aria felt a momentary loss in admiration. The surprise encounter left her heart fluttering, a feeling she tried to push aside, aware that such reactions were not common for her.
Vikram looked at Aria. He could sense the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. "Aria, you looked beautiful today."
Surprised by his compliment, Aria's thoughts began to jumble. She had never been called beautiful before, and the unexpected praise cast her into a whirlwind of embarrassment. The color rushed to her cheeks, creating a rosy hue that was hard to ignore.
Vikram, smirking mischievously, remarked, "Well, well, Aria, look at that blush. Did I catch you off guard?"
Aria couldn't believe that she was being teased by him. "No, Vikram. I'm not blushing. It's just... um, warm in here."
Seeing her attempting to deflect, Vikram continued his playful banter, "Warm? Or is it the effect of my irresistible charm?"
Rolling her eyes, Aisha couldn't resist a comeback, "Your charm is more like an annoying mosquito. Nothing irresistible about it."
Vikram, with a playful smirk, added, "Mosquito? Ouch! That stings, Aisha. I thought you'd appreciate my wit."
Aria, maintaining her cool, responded, "Wit? More like sarcasm. Your so-called charm isn't fooling anyone."
Vikram, still smiling, playfully acted hurt. "Oh, Aisha, you wound me with your words."
Aria, while observing Vikram's exaggerated hurt act while looking at him with disdain, unintentionally looked cute to him. Despite her attempt to project disdain, Vikram couldn't help but find her adorable. Ignoring his antics, Aria carried on with her own thoughts, leaving Vikram to contemplate the playful banter he had just initiated.
Vikram sighed as he watched Aria walk away, captivated by her beauty. The whispers of curious onlookers surrounded them, and Vikram, accustomed to the attention he received for his looks, paid them no mind.
Ignoring the hushed conversations around him, Vikram decided to catch up with Aria, sensing her discomfort. As he ran towards her, Aria, feeling uneasy under the scrutinizing gazes, quickened her pace towards her dorm.
"Look, because of you, people are talking about us," Aria scolded, her frustration evident.
Not easily deterred, Vikram stuck close to Aria with a playful grin. "Well, I am too handsome. It's a sin to be too handsome."
Aria, torn between annoyance and amusement, couldn't help but roll her eyes at Vikram's unabashed confidence. The duo continued their journey through the campus, their interactions becoming the subject of speculation among their peers.
...
Vikram arrived at his dorm room and began unpacking his bag when a notification popped up in his mind
[Ding~]
[New Daily Mission available
Description: Get Fit
Requirement:
Running: 0/5km
Squat: 0/100
Pushup: 0/100
Time Limit: 24 hrs
Reward: none
Failure: none ]
"Oh, a daily mission," Vikram mused, glancing at the mirror and noting his slender frame with minimal muscle definition. "I guess I'll start after my afternoon class." Determined to take on the fitness challenge, he planned to incorporate the mission into his routine as a step toward a healthier lifestyle.
As Vikram made his way towards his classroom, unaware of the brewing storm, Aria found herself facing an unexpected challenge on her way to the same class. She encountered her best friend, Priya Sharma, known as the social queen of the university. Priya's friendly and approachable nature had made her popular among their peers, but her loose tongue was equally notorious for getting carried away with gossip.
Priya approached Aria cautiously. Aria looked at her knowing that her friend had a knack for extracting information and turning it into juicy stories. Priya, with a sly smile, looked at Aria and couldn't contain her excitement. There was a certain gleam in her eyes that hinted at a potential gossip goldmine.
"Hey, Aria! Heard something interesting about you and Vikram. Tell me everything, girl!" Priya's words were laced with anticipation as she leaned in and whispered, ready to catch every detail.
Aria, feeling a bit trapped and shy, hesitated before responding, "Priya, there's nothing to spill. We're just friends."
Priya, raising an eyebrow and not easily convinced, teased, "Oh, come on! I know there's more to it. Don't tell me the campus heartthrob is just a 'friend' to you."
Aria, realizing the potential consequences of Priya's loose tongue, tried to downplay the situation. "Priya, seriously, it's not like that. We're just classmates."
But Priya wasn't one to let go easily. She grinned mischievously and said, "Aria, my dear, I've seen the way he looks at you. There's definitely something more."
Aria, caught in the whirlwind of Priya's teasing, couldn't help but blush at the mere thought of Vikram looking at her specially. The idea seemed too good to be true, considering she never saw herself as particularly beautiful. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, she decided to make a quick escape from Priya, not wanting to entertain the conversation any further.
In her haste, Aria ran through the crowded hallway, her mind preoccupied with the unexpected turn of events. Unfortunately, her focus on the internal turmoil led to a literal collision. Unaware of her surroundings, she inadvertently smashed her head into someone and stumbled, letting out a small, "Ouch, ouch."
Priya, calling out to Aria, tried to stop her from fleeing, but it was too late. Aria, in her attempt to escape the gossip-filled conversation, collided with none other than Vikram himself.
Vikram, who had been contemplating plans for creating an MP3 player, was taken aback by the sudden impact on his back. As he turned around to see what had happened, his eyes lit up in surprise.