The faint hum of voices and the rhythmic scratch of pencils filled the art studio, blending into a symphony of creativity. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden streaks across paint-splattered tables and well-worn easels. Amid the chaos, Arya sat quietly, her brush gliding across the canvas with steady precision.
She was painting a field of wildflowers. Vibrant yellows, deep purples, and splashes of crimson danced across the canvas, their delicate forms swaying in an imagined breeze. It was a scene she had never seen in real life but one that lived vividly in her dreams. Arya often found herself lost in her work, the outside world fading into the background as she brought her imagination to life.
"Arya!"
The sharp voice jolted her out of her focus. She blinked, startled, as Rohan's familiar figure emerged between the easels. He was waving something in his hand, his ever-present grin stretched across his face.
"Rohan," she sighed, setting her brush down reluctantly. "What is it now?"
"You've got to see this," he said, practically bouncing on his heels as he weaved through the maze of art supplies to reach her. "It's my new project! Just finished it this morning."
Arya arched an eyebrow, already half-amused by his excitement. Rohan was her closest friend on campus, though they couldn't have been more different. She was the quiet, introspective type, content to let her art speak for her. Rohan, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of energy, a tech genius from the computer science department who always had a new gadget or idea to share.
He thrust a sleek tablet into her hands, the screen lit up with a 3D model of a futuristic building. Its elegant curves and glowing panels exuded innovation, yet there was something clinical about it that didn't quite sit right with her.
"Well?" Rohan asked, his grin widening.
"It's...impressive," Arya said slowly, tilting the tablet to get a better view. "The structure flows well, but it feels a little...cold. Maybe add some greenery? Plants or a water feature to balance it out."
Rohan clapped a hand on her shoulder, his grin turning into a full-blown beam. "That's exactly what I needed to hear. You've got the eye, Arya. Always do."
She smiled despite herself. "Glad I could help. Now, can I get back to my painting?"
"Not so fast," he said, plopping down on the stool next to her. "You've been cooped up in this studio all day. Come on, let's grab some coffee. My treat."
Arya hesitated, glancing at her half-finished canvas. "I don't know, Rohan. I really need to finish this piece. Professor Naik is expecting it by Monday."
"Exactly why you need a break," Rohan countered. "You can't paint wildflowers all day without caffeine. Besides, it's not like Naik will fail you. You're his favorite student."
Arya rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a laugh. "Fine. But if I miss my deadline, you're taking the blame."
The café near campus was alive with chatter and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Arya stirred her cup absentmindedly as Rohan launched into an animated explanation of his next big project.
"You're not even listening," he said, feigning a hurt expression.
"I am!" Arya protested, though her gaze had wandered to the abstract painting on the café wall. "It sounds...complicated."
Rohan snorted. "It's not that bad. Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you something."
Arya looked at him warily. "What now?"
"Come to my place this weekend," he said, leaning forward as if sharing a secret. "It's nothing fancy, but my dad's been wanting to meet some of my friends. He's...interesting. You'd like him."
"Interesting how?" she asked, suspicious.
"You'll see," Rohan said cryptically. "Just say yes. It'll be fun, I promise."
Arya sighed. "Fine. But if this turns out to be one of your weird schemes, I'm never listening to you again."
The weekend arrived faster than Arya expected. As the taxi pulled up to Rohan's house, she couldn't help but gape. It wasn't a house; it was an estate. The sprawling mansion sat behind a high iron gate, surrounded by tall, ancient trees that whispered in the wind.
"Wow," she murmured as Rohan opened the gate with a quick swipe of a key card.
"It's just a house," he said nonchalantly, leading the way up a cobblestone path.
"Just a house," Arya echoed, shaking her head. "Right."
The interior was just as grand, with polished wooden floors, towering bookshelves, and artwork that looked expensive enough to fund her entire education. Arya tried not to feel out of place as Rohan led her through the maze-like halls.
They stopped at a large door that Rohan pushed open with a flourish. "Dad, I'm home!"
The study they entered was a room out of a storybook. Walls lined with books stretched to the ceiling, and a roaring fireplace bathed the room in a warm glow. By the window stood a man, tall and lean, dressed in an immaculate suit. His face was hidden behind a simple black mask, the kind that left only his eyes visible.
"Dad, this is Arya," Rohan said. "Arya, meet my dad."
The man turned slowly, his gaze sharp and assessing even through the mask. "Welcome, Arya," he said, his voice smooth and calm. "I've heard much about you."
Arya managed a polite smile, though the intensity of his gaze made her uneasy. "It's nice to meet you, sir."
"Please, call me Mr. Veer," he said. "Make yourself at home."
As the afternoon unfolded, Arya couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. Veer was more than he seemed. He carried an air of authority, but there was a sadness in the way he spoke, a heaviness that hung around him like a shadow. She found herself watching him more than she intended, wondering what stories lay hidden behind the mask.
"Alright, that's enough staring," Rohan teased as they left the study. "He's not a superhero, you know."
Arya flushed. "I wasn't staring."
"You totally were," Rohan said, smirking. "Don't worry. Everyone does at first."
Arya rolled her eyes but didn't argue. She couldn't explain it, but something about Mr. Veer lingered in her mind long after she left the mansion that evening.
And somewhere deep inside, she knew that meeting him was only the beginning.