LovestruckTale

She loved him for years. He never noticed—until it was too late.

Anaya had only one secret: her love for Aarav, her childhood best friend. But when her diary is discovered by classmates, her feelings are exposed to the entire school. Aarav ignores her. The teasing, the stares, the heartbreak—she endures it all, still holding on to the hope that he might love her back someday.

Until one night… something breaks inside her, and she walks away.

In college, Anaya is ready to move on. That’s when Aarav comes back—this time through a dare. A cruel game that makes her believe he might finally feel the same... until the truth shatters her again.

But fate has other plans.

Enter Ishaan—the campus basketball captain with a cocky smile and a heart that sees Anaya for who she truly is. He falls for her fire, her strength, her scars. As love blossoms again, Aarav realizes his mistake—but is it already too late?

Two boys. One girl. A past full of pain and a future waiting to be claimed.

Will Anaya choose the boy who broke her or the one who helped her heal?

The Love I Never Expected

College life had picked up its pace, dragging everyone along with it.

What had once been a group of inseparable school friends was now scattered across different cities and countries, chasing dreams with both excitement and exhaustion.

Later that night, Anaya sat by the window of her hostel room, phone in hand, staring at Aarav's unread message.

For a second, her eyes shifted to an old group chat on her phone. The last message was from over a month ago. A simple "Happy weekend guys!" from Miti, left on 'seen' by everyone.

Mira, now deep in her journalism course, spent most days outside the classroom—chasing stories, learning how to report from the ground, her life now full of people and places Anaya had never heard of.

Karan and Nyra were still together—but not together. Studying game development in the same college, coding late into the night, brainstorming in cafés, and tiptoeing around the feelings they both silently carried.

Miti, oceans away in her med school hostel, barely had time to breathe between labs, rounds, and relentless schedules. Dating wasn't even a thought. Her phone stayed quiet most days.

Anaya put her phone down, curling into her blanket.

On the other side of campus,Aarav's team was still riding the high of their victory. Laughter echoed through the corridors, teasing and backslaps exchanged like currency. Their department director, thrilled with the attention the win brought, decided to host a celebration party for all students that weekend.

The announcement spread quickly. Posters went up. Music plans were made. Lights, themes, dress codes—everything was set.

Aarav tried to smile with the group, tried to feel what they felt, but his mind kept slipping somewhere else. Someone else.

Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, Anaya's department gathered in the studio. Their professor stood at the front, eyes kind but firm.

"Don't let one missed trophy define your worth," he said. "You were brilliant. And next year, we're not just going to participate. We're going to win."

There were cheers, even smiles. A little hope stitched into tired hearts.

Nitya stepped out of a boutique with bags swinging in both hands and a subtle smirk on her face. She had tried on almost every dress in the store, selecting the one that would hug her just right, sparkle just enough under the lights, and catch Aarav's attention the moment she walked in.

In her head, a plan had already begun forming.

I'll show up looking like everything he wants.

I'll stand beside him the whole night.

And if she's there... even better.

Nitya knew how to win. She always had. It wasn't about playing fair—it was about playing smart.

Distant Threads