The campus was louder than usual that morning — banners, laughter, flashing phones. Overnight, their film had gone viral within the university's circle."The Rising Trio," the headline read.And just like that, everything changed.
Aarav walked through the main hallway, his usual confident stride now matched by whispers that followed."That's him.""He wrote that script!""He's brilliant."
He smiled, pretending not to notice — but he noticed everything. Every camera turned toward him. Every handshake. Every voice calling his name.
Rhea followed a few steps behind, clutching her books to her chest, trying not to drown in it all. Fame — even this small taste — felt like standing in the middle of a storm made of light.She wasn't sure she belonged in it.
Kabir trailed beside her, quiet, steady, invisible in the noise. When she stumbled on a loose tile, his hand caught her elbow instinctively."Careful," he murmured.Rhea looked up, smiled softly. "Thanks."He only nodded. "Always."
The Spotlight Splits
By afternoon, Aarav was everywhere — interviews, photoshoots, the student newspaper's feature team. His energy filled every corner.When Rhea walked past the media lab, she saw him on camera, speaking with fire in his eyes.
"It wasn't luck," he said, voice steady. "It was teamwork — and truth."
She smiled faintly. Teamwork.
But the lens lingered on him, not them. The story was already rewriting itself, and she didn't know how to stop it.
Kabir watched the scene from the doorway. The applause for Aarav echoed like a reminder — of where he stood, and where he didn't.
Later, he found Rhea sitting on the campus steps, camera beside her, staring at the setting sun."Hey," he said gently. "You okay?"She sighed. "It's just… a lot. Everyone's suddenly watching us. Watching him."Kabir followed her gaze. Aarav was at the far end of the field, surrounded by fans and journalists."He was made for this," Kabir said quietly.Rhea looked down. "Yeah. I guess he was."
Flashbulbs and Shadows
The celebration dinner that night was crowded — laughter, toasts, cameras flashing like stars. Aarav stood in the middle of it all, telling stories, charming the crowd.
Rhea sat at the edge of the table, her drink untouched. She should've felt proud — she was proud — but somewhere between the cheers, something felt lost.
When Aarav finally made his way over, his eyes lit up."There you are! Everyone's asking where our genius editor disappeared to."
Rhea laughed softly. "I'm just… watching."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Don't. This is your moment too."
The sincerity in his tone made her heart skip. For a second, everything else faded — the crowd, the noise, the cameras.
Then someone called his name. He turned away, smile already back in place.
Rhea exhaled, quietly. The moment vanished like smoke.
Across the room, Kabir watched her expression, his chest tightening with something wordless — the quiet ache of seeing someone drift toward a world that might never make space for him.
Anchors and Airplanes
When the party ended, the three of them found themselves back on the terrace — the same spot where their journey began.
The city stretched before them again, shimmering, indifferent.
Aarav was still buzzing with energy. "We did it. This is only the start. Next stop — Mumbai Film Fest!"
Rhea smiled, but her voice was softer. "And after that?"
"After that?" Aarav laughed. "We take over the world."
Kabir leaned against the railing, gazing at the skyline. "Just don't forget where you started."
Aarav turned, grinning. "You kidding? I can't make a film without you two."
Rhea laughed, but Kabir caught the flicker in her eyes — a flicker of doubt she didn't voice.
Because fame changes people. Slowly, invisibly, at first.
A Quiet Promise
When Aarav left to answer another call — a real producer this time — Rhea and Kabir stayed behind.
The night was calm, the noise of the world below muted.
Rhea whispered, "I'm happy for him. I really am."
Kabir nodded. "I know."
"But sometimes," she added, voice trembling, "I feel like I'm watching him fly away, and I don't know if he'll look back."
Kabir's jaw tightened. "Then I'll make sure he never forgets where home is."
She looked at him, eyes glistening. "You're too good to us, Kabir."
He smiled, but there was sadness in it. "Someone has to keep you both grounded."
Rhea's gaze lingered on him — longer than she meant to — before she looked away.