She startles, then relaxes into a smile.
Ananya (smiling):
"Nidhi."
The hands drop.
Nidhi beams at her, carefree and full of energy.
Nidhi:
"Knew it—you still remember my signature move."
Ananya:
"How could I forget? You used to sneak up on everyone back in school."
Nidhi (laughing):
"Debates, sports, festivals—you name it, I was there. I'll have this place running like my old stomping grounds in no time."
She winks and bumps Ananya's shoulder.
Ananya laughs, but her gaze flicks back toward the old-path entrance.
Nidhi (noticing nothing):
"You looked super serious a second ago. Everything chill?"
Ananya (quickly):
"Yeah. Just zoned out."
Nidhi:
"Good—because I'm not letting you sulk on a Friday evening!"
She hooks her arm around Ananya's and pulls her along, chatting animatedly about orientation highlights.
Voiceover (Ananya):
"Nidhi, the storm in sneakers—brings chaos and laughter wherever she goes. And Meher, the quiet one who sees right through me."
How is it that I'm always the one being figured out?
---
INT. GIRLS' HOSTEL – ROOM 206 – NIGHT
The door opens onto dim light spilling from the corridor. Ananya steps in, suitcase in hand, followed by Nidhi, who practically bounces in behind her.
Nidhi (excited):
"Wait—has Meher reached already?"
Ananya (smiling):
"Yeah, she's here. You're still the only one fashionably late—did you fight a ghost on the way?"
Nidhi pauses, her carefree grin flickering for a heartbeat.
Nidhi (recovering, teasing):
"Actually… it was because of you!"
She tosses her bag onto the bed and starts unpacking.
Ananya kneels beside her suitcase, methodically organizing her things—anything to ground herself.
Ananya (softly):
"I got here before both of you… I was excited. But you two seem so chill, like this is no big deal. Doesn't it feel a bit like… destiny? Like all of this was planned?"
Nidhi's hands slow mid-unpack, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face before she masks it.
Nidhi (lightly):
"Yeah… destiny."