Vani's POV:

The lecture ended.

I didn't hear the applause—but I saw it.

People stood up.

Hands clapped.

Phones were raised.

Beside me, Noor practically vibrated with excitement.

She turned to me, eyes shining, and signed quickly,

"Did you see? DID YOU SEE HIM?"

I nodded slowly.

A small smile touched my lips.

Yes... I saw him.

But my mind was still stuck somewhere else.

On the way his eyes had stopped on me.

On the way he had paused—just for a second too long.

Maybe I imagined it.

Maybe he was just looking around.

After all... why would he notice someone like me?

Noor continued signing, animated,

"He's even more handsome in real life, right?"

I smiled again, softer this time.

I didn't sign anything back.

Because how do I explain that it wasn't just his face?

It was the way he stood.

The way his presence filled the space.

The way the entire hall bent toward him.

And yet...

When his eyes met mine—

It didn't feel like he was a star.

It felt like he was just... a man.

A beautiful one.

Dangerously so.

I glanced toward the stage again.

He was still there, talking to the faculty, smiling politely.

And once—

Just once—

His gaze lifted.

Found me.

My breath hitched.

I looked away immediately, heart racing.

I don't know why... but I feel like he looked at me.

Maybe it's my misunderstanding.

Maybe I'm overthinking.

I mean—

He's Veer Singh Rathore.

And I'm just Vani Ahuja.

A girl who lives in silence.

Still...

As we walked out of the auditorium, Noor chattering beside me in signs—

One thought refused to leave my mind.

He really is... beautiful.

And somehow—

That scared me more than it should have.

Author's POV:

Veer left the college premises surrounded by security, flashes from curious students still following his path until the gates closed behind them.

The moment he settled into the back seat of the car, the door shut with a solid thud.

Silence.

The car rolled forward.

Veer leaned back, loosening the top button of his black shirt, eyes fixed on the passing city 

lights.

Then—without looking at anyone—he spoke.

"Who was that girl in the middle row?"

The words hung in the air.

Rudra, sitting in the front seat, choked on his own breath.

"—KHH—WHAT?"

The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, confused.

Rudra twisted around so fast his seatbelt almost snapped.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you just—"

Veer's jaw tightened.

"I asked a question."

Rudra blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then slowly broke into a grin.

"Oh my god."

Veer shot him a glare.

"Don't."

Rudra ignored it completely.

"Oh my GOD."

"Is this happening?"

"Veer Singh Rathore asking about a girl?"

Veer leaned his head back against the seat.

"Rudra."

"Wait wait wait—" Rudra laughed, pointing dramatically.

"Middle row?"

"You noticed ROWS now?"

Veer's eyes darkened.

"Answer the question."

Rudra raised his hands in surrender, still smirking.

"Okay okay—relax, Romeo."

"But how would I know?"

He shrugged.

"I don't attend guest lectures. I don't sit in the audience making eye contact with mysterious girls."

Veer frowned.

"She was sitting with another girl."

Rudra's brows shot up.

"Oh ho."

"Details bhi yaad hain?"

Veer didn't respond.

He stared out of the window, jaw clenched.

Why the hell do I remember that?

Rudra cleared his throat, suddenly more serious.

"Veer... this is the first time you've ever asked me about anyone."

"Usually it's contracts, concerts, damage control."

"Never—people."

Veer remained quiet.

The city lights reflected faintly in his eyes.

For a moment, even he didn't understand what was happening inside his chest.

The image of her eyes flashed again.

The way she watched him—calm, unafraid, unreadable.

Something about her didn't fit.

And it bothered him.

The car slowed at a signal.

Veer finally spoke again, voice low.

"...Find out about her."

Rudra froze.

Then turned slowly.

"Excuse me?"

Veer realized what he'd said.

His eyes narrowed.

Too late.

Rudra's lips curved into a slow, victorious smile.

"Oh THIS is interesting."

Veer snapped.

"nevermind forget it ."

Rudra laughed.

"Too late, my friend."

"Veer Singh Rathore—curious."

Veer closed his eyes briefly.

"I just want to know who she is...nothing more"

Rudra nodded exaggeratedly.

"Haan haan."

"Purely professional curiosity."

He turned back to the front seat, already pulling out his phone.

"College records. CCTV. Student lists."

"Give me a day."

Veer didn't reply.

He didn't trust his voice.

Because deep down—

He knew.

This wasn't curiosity.

Meanwhile;

Vani and Noor walked out of the auditorium, the buzz of excitement still floating in the air.

 Students were talking loudly, some replaying the guest lecture in their minds, others already posting stories and selfies.

Vani stayed quiet.

Her eyes were distant.

Noor noticed it but chose not to poke her—yet.

That's when someone stepped in front of them.

Arnav Malhotra.

He was the kind of boy people noticed without trying. Tall, well-built, always neatly dressed—

not flashy, not arrogant. His presence was calm, almost reassuring. A soft smile permanently 

rested on his face, the kind that made people feel safe.

He wasn't loud.

He wasn't a show-off.

But everyone knew him.

Popular, respected—and unlike most boys in college, decent.

While others whispered behind Vani's back, called her names, or stared at her like she was 

something odd—Arnav never did. He spoke to her like she was normal. Like she mattered.

And maybe that's why, somewhere deep inside, Vani liked his personality.

Arnav gave a small wave, making sure he had her attention before stepping closer.

Vani stopped.

Noor's brows lifted, instantly sensing something.

Arnav pulled out his phone, typed something carefully, then turned the screen toward Vani.

"How are you, Vani?"

Vani smiled faintly and signed something in response.

Noor immediately translated, grinning,

"She's fine. She's asking—how about you?"

Arnav nodded, relieved.

"I'm good," he said softly, then quickly typed again.

This time, he hesitated before showing the screen—his fingers tightening slightly around the phone.

The text read:

"Maine bas yeh puchna cha raha tha... tum meri dance partner banogi? Upcoming festival ke liye."

Vani's eyes widened.

She looked from the screen to Arnav, clearly surprised.

Slowly, she signed something.

Noor glanced at her hands, then looked at Arnav.

"She's asking—maine hi kyun?"

Arnav swallowed.

A faint nervousness crossed his face—something very rare for him.

He scratched the back of his neck, a little awkward, then typed again, slower this time, as if choosing every word carefully.

"Kyunki... umm... aise hi."

"Kya koi problem hai?"

Vani looked at the screen.

For a moment, she searched his face—as if trying to understand not just his words, but his intention.

Then she signed something, slow and clear.

Noor immediately translated, smiling softly.

"She's asking—tumhe lagta hai main dance kar paungi?"

Arnav's eyes softened.

He shook his head lightly, almost offended by the question, and quickly typed again.

He turned the phone toward her.

She lifted her hands and signed, a little hesitant this time.

Noor's expression changed as she watched, then she softly explained,

"She's saying— main toh gaana sun bhi nahi sakti... toh main hi kyun?"

Arnav looked at Vani, really looked at her.

Not with pity.

Not with confusion.

But with calm certainty.

He took a moment, then typed again, thumbs steady.

He turned the phone toward her.

"Dance sirf sunne se nahi hota, Vani."

"Kabhi-kabhi feel karna kaafi hota hai."

He paused, then added another line.

"Aur tum feel karti ho... woh dikh jaata hai."

Vani's fingers curled slowly.

For once, the world hadn't told her what she couldn't do.

It simply... believed she could.

Vani looked at the screen once more.

Then she nodded.

Slow. Sure.

She lifted her hands and signed.

Noor's face lit up instantly as she translated with a grin,

"She said... okay. She'll do it."

Arnav's eyes widened in surprise, then softened. A genuine smile curved on his lips.

"Great," he mouthed, then typed quickly again.

"Rehearsal kal se. I'll make sure you're comfortable."

Vani gave a small smile and nodded once more.

Noor squeezed her arm excitedly, already planning outfits and practice schedules in her head.

They walked away, unaware of the shift that had just happened somewhere else.