The next morning came with soft golden light streaming through Yeshwanth's window.
He woke up a little earlier than usual, though he didn't know why. Maybe it was habit… or maybe, somewhere deep down, he was hoping to see someone again.
He got ready quietly — simple shirt, jeans, the same old bag, and the same tired bus card hanging around his neck. His mother handed him breakfast wrapped in a small steel box.
"Don't skip your lunch today," she said gently.
"Yes, ma," he replied with a small smile, slipping his shoes on.
As he walked to the bus stop, his thoughts drifted.
He didn't know why Jeevika's face kept coming back to his mind — that calm smile, the way she had looked out of the window the previous evening. She wasn't someone who spoke loudly or tried to grab attention. And maybe that's why she stood out.
The Crowded Morning
The college bus arrived with its usual honking sound. But something was different today.
Students were crowding near the door, pushing, shouting, and laughing.
Arjun, standing near the entrance, looked frustrated. "Bro, what's happening? Why is everyone trying to enter this bus like it's a concert?"
Yeshwanth raised an eyebrow. "Maybe they're giving free food inside?"
A senior shouted from the back, "Hey, the C-section bus broke down! Everyone from that bus is boarding ours!"
"Oh great," Arjun groaned. "Double the population, double the headache."
Yeshwanth climbed in with him, finding that almost every seat was already filled. The bus driver shouted, "Move inside! Make some space!"
The aisle was cramped. Bags were hanging from every hook, and laughter echoed from every corner.
Keerthi, already sitting near the window, waved at them. "Hey, both of you are late!"
"Don't start," Arjun said. "We're lucky we even got in."
Yeshwanth found a seat near the middle — one side was empty, maybe saved for someone, or maybe just missed in the rush. He slid in quietly, setting his bag on his lap.
That's when he saw her.
The Unexpected Seatmate
Jeevika was standing near the front, holding the handlebar, looking around for a place to sit. She looked calm despite the noise around her, one hand clutching her bag strap, strands of hair brushing against her cheek as the bus moved.
Arjun noticed her immediately and grinned wickedly.
"Oh-ho, bro, destiny just entered the bus."
"Shut up," Yeshwanth whispered, trying not to look obvious.
Keerthi joined in. "There's no seat for her. Except… the one beside you."
Arjun smirked. "Exactly. Time to be a gentleman, Mr. Silent."
Before Yeshwanth could say anything, Keerthi called out loudly,
"Hey, Jeevika! You can sit here, beside Yeshwanth!"
Yeshwanth's heart skipped. He turned red instantly.
Jeevika looked up, surprised. "Ah—it's okay, I'll stand."
"No, no," Arjun said quickly, pretending to look helpful. "You'll fall when the driver brakes. Come on, sit here!"
The students around laughed softly. Even the bus conductor smiled. Jeevika hesitated for a moment but then nodded politely.
"Thank you," she said and sat beside Yeshwanth.
The world around him suddenly grew quiet. He could hear the hum of the engine, the laughter far away, but everything else felt distant.
She was right there — her perfume faint, her notebook resting on her lap, her hand brushing against his arm by accident.
The Teasing Begins
Arjun and Keerthi were already watching with wide smiles.
"Finally!" Keerthi whispered loud enough for them to hear. "Our Yeshwanth's love story begins."
"Shut up," Yeshwanth muttered, glaring at them, but that only made them laugh harder.
Jeevika looked confused but amused. "Are they always like this?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Yeshwanth replied softly. "They find happiness in teasing others."
She smiled a little. "Then I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."
Arjun leaned over the seat. "You don't have to pretend, Jeevika! He's been waiting for this seat to be empty since morning!"
Yeshwanth groaned, "Arjun, I swear—"
Keerthi interrupted with a grin, "Don't worry, we'll keep it a secret!"
Jeevika laughed softly for the first time, her eyes bright. "You have interesting friends."
"They're idiots," Yeshwanth said, shaking his head, but his lips curved into a smile.
Small Conversations, Big Feelings
As the bus started moving through the crowded streets, they began to talk — softly at first, like two people testing how far a conversation could go.
"So," Jeevika said, looking out of the window, "you're in the second year, right?"
"Yeah," Yeshwanth replied. "CSE."
"Nice," she said. "I'm in first year — same department."
"I know," he said before realizing how it sounded. "I mean, uh—Rithesh told me."
She smiled faintly. "You're friends with your juniors?"
"Yeah. I help them sometimes with notes and stuff."
"That's nice," she said quietly. "Most seniors don't even talk properly."
He shrugged. "I was like that once too. But things change."
Her eyes softened at that, but she didn't ask why. Something in his tone told her not to.
Backgrounds and Barriers
After a few minutes of silence, Jeevika spoke again. "Where are you from, Yeshwanth?"
"Coimbatore," he said. "Born and raised here. What about you?"
"Same city," she said, smiling. "But my family is… well, they're a bit traditional. And strict."
"Strict as in…?"
"As in, they decide everything. Where I go, who I talk to, even what time I return home." She looked out of the window again. "I'm used to it now."
He nodded. "Must be hard."
She tilted her head slightly. "And you? Your family?"
Yeshwanth paused. "Not rich. My dad runs a small workshop. My mom is a homemaker. We live simple. Some people think it's funny."
Jeevika frowned. "Funny? Why?"
He smiled a little. "Because I don't have a bike, branded clothes, or fancy things. But I've learned to be okay with it."
For a second, Jeevika looked at him quietly — not with pity, but with respect. "That's not funny," she said softly. "That's real."
Her voice was gentle, and for a moment, Yeshwanth felt something warm move in his chest. No one had said that to him before. Usually, people just changed the topic.
The First Step
The conversation flowed more easily after that. They talked about classes, favorite subjects, teachers who gave too much homework, and funny incidents in college.
Jeevika had a quiet laugh that made Yeshwanth forget all the noise around them.
He found himself smiling more than usual.
When the bus slowed near the signal, Arjun leaned back again. "You both talking like childhood friends already?"
"Arjun," Yeshwanth warned.
"What? I'm happy for you!" Arjun said, pretending to wipe a fake tear. "Finally, my bro found peace after one year of drama!"
Keerthi giggled. "Yeshwanth and Jeevika — nice combination!"
Jeevika laughed shyly but didn't say anything.
The teasing didn't bother her much. It felt… innocent. Friendly.
After a while, Yeshwanth turned to her and said, "Hey, can I ask you something?"
She looked curious. "What?"
"Do you use Instagram?"
Her eyes widened slightly. "Instagram? Yeah, I do. Why?"
He hesitated, feeling oddly nervous. "Can I follow you?"
She smiled, almost teasingly. "You ask everyone this?"
"No," he said honestly. "Just you."
There was a small silence, and then she said, "Alright. But don't message weird stuff."
"I promise," he said quickly, and she laughed again.
She took his phone, typed her ID, and handed it back. "Here. Now you can follow me."
As simple as that — a small step, but for Yeshwanth, it felt like something big.
The Journey Ends, But Something Begins
The bus rolled through the final turn toward the college stop.
Students began to stand, collecting their bags and rushing toward the door.
Jeevika stood too, slinging her bag on her shoulder. "Thanks for the seat," she said kindly.
"Thanks for not making it awkward," Yeshwanth replied with a soft grin.
She laughed lightly. "See you in class then… senior."
And just like that, she was gone — walking ahead with her friends, her laughter fading into the crowd.
Yeshwanth sat for a second longer, staring at the empty seat beside him. It still carried the warmth of her presence — a faint scent of jasmine, a small trace of something that made him smile.
Arjun sat beside him, patting his shoulder. "Bro, you're gone."
"What?"
"You've fallen. I can see it in your eyes."
Yeshwanth looked out of the window and smiled faintly. "Maybe."
Keerthi leaned in from the front seat. "It's just the beginning, Yeshwanth. Be careful — girls like Jeevika come from a different world."
"I know," he said softly. "But maybe our worlds can meet… at least once."
The Evening and Nila's Sorrow
That night, as always, Nila appeared in his dreams.
She stood near the old tree, her eyes glowing faintly. But this time, she didn't smile.
"You met her again," she said quietly.
Yeshwanth looked surprised. "You were watching?"
"I always do," she replied. "You were happy today. I saw that."
He nodded. "She's nice. Kind. We talked for the first time."
Nila turned away, her voice softer now. "Humans always find someone new to talk to. That's how you move on, right?"
He frowned. "Nila—"
She smiled sadly. "Don't worry. I'm not angry. I'm just… learning what it means to fade slowly from someone's heart."
Before he could speak, her form shimmered, and the wind blew softly through the dream.
She was gone again, leaving behind only a whisper that echoed inside his chest.
Yeshwanth woke up quietly, staring at the ceiling.
Outside, the world was just waking up — but inside, his heart felt both light and heavy at the same time.