The Garden.
Black fairy lights lined the path, petals scattered like breadcrumbs. The garden glowed in a surreal way—gothic yet beautiful.
Every student wore black.
Masks on.
Mystery alive.
The senior host stepped forward. "Now… for the real twist."
He raised a hand and black cotton blindfolds were passed around.
"One song. Eyes closed. Let the music guide your steps… and maybe, your fate."
Laughter and whispers followed. Curious, amused, and nervous, the crowd played along.
Ananya tied the cloth slowly. Meher adjusted hers with calm precision.
Then Nidhi felt it.
A hand—warm and certain—took hers. Not forceful, but familiar.
Her breath hitched.
He didn't speak.
The music started—slow, hauntingly beautiful.
They danced.
Steps in rhythm, breaths in sync. Nidhi didn't know why, but her chest ached. It felt like… like something she had once lost was holding her again.
Then the music stopped.
"Remove your blindfolds," the senior announced.
The garden shimmered under soft lights as cloths dropped.
Ananya looked around and giggled. "He was sweet."
Meher nodded. "Mine talked about AI between twirls."
Nidhi turned slowly.
And froze.
The boy in front of her smiled gently.
The one from the library window.
Her lips parted in disbelief.
He whispered, "Told you I'd find you."
She laughed softly—then without a word, hugged him tightly.
Like she'd been waiting too long for this exact moment.
As the music slowed and lights dimmed to a dreamy glow, Vihaan leaned in.
"Come with me," he whispered.
Before Nidhi could ask why, he gently took her hand and led her away from the crowd.
Through the arches of hanging lanterns…
Past the fairy-lit trees…
Down a quiet stone path that twisted behind the main garden.
The sounds of music faded.
No one noticed them disappear.
At the end of the path stood an old fountain, forgotten but still graceful under the moonlight. A circle of stone benches surrounded it, covered in soft moss and ivy.
Nidhi looked around. "You've been here before?"
Vihaan nodded. "When I want silence."
He turned to her, his eyes calm but intense. "And when I need to remember."
Nidhi tilted her head. "Remember what?"
Vihaan's gaze didn't waver. "Why I came back."
A breeze passed between them. The night held its breath.
Nidhi opened her mouth to speak, but Vihaan gently placed a hand over hers.
"Before you ask anything… just sit. Please."
His voice held something else now—something deeper.
And Nidhi, without knowing why… sat.
But suddenly, as if a switch flipped, Nidhi's smile faded.
She stepped back, her eyes narrowing.
Her voice, low but sharp—"Wait…"
Vihaan looked confused. "What is it?"
Nidhi stood, something flashing in her memory. Her tone shifted—accusing, hurt. "You were the one who didn't show up that night. You left without a word!"
Vihaan stepped forward. "Nidhi—"
"No!" she snapped, backing away. "You don't get to do this. You don't get to walk back in and act like nothing happened."
He reached out, gently holding her wrist. "Please… stay for a while."
She yanked her hand free. "Stay? After what you did?"
Her eyes burned. "You were the one who didn't—" Her voice cracked, the pain catching up. "Didn't even say goodbye."
Vihaan looked down. Silent. Guilty.
But his next words—soft, trembling—carried weight.
"I left… because I had no choice."