only her

Setting: College garden, late afternoon. The campus is buzzing with life. Flowers blooming. Birds chirping. Laughter echoing in the distance.

> But for one person, the world fades into soft focus — as soon as he sees her.

---

🎬 Scene opens:

Aarif walks out from the library, his bag slung over one shoulder, headphones dangling, half-lost in thought.

As he rounds the corner near the garden—

He stops.

His breath catches.

---

There she is.

Aahi.

Laughing, radiant, playful — standing with Tina and Snow near the college fountain.

They're building something... a banger decoration piece for the upcoming art fest — ribbons flying, music playing, voices bubbling over with joy.

---

But for Aarif, the noise dims.

His gaze rests only on her.

---

🪨 Aarif's Thoughts (Voiceover-style):

> "She's different when she laughs like that.

Like the world has never disappointed her.

Like she trusts it'll always be kind."

> "How can someone be so... unbothered by shadows?"

---

He sits on the far bench, pretending to scroll his phone — but his eyes don't move.

They stay on her.

The way the sunlight slips into the reddish strands of her brown hair.

The little paint stain on her cheek.

The way she pouts when Snow ties the ribbons wrong.

The way her laugh rings like wind chimes.

---

> He smiles to himself.

---

🪨 Aarif (inner voice):

> "I've seen beautiful girls.

I've even dated a few.

But none of them looked like... home."

---

Suddenly, Aahi turns. Her eyes scan the benches casually.

Aarif panics and looks away quickly — too late.

She saw him.

She raises a brow playfully and gives a small wave.

He raises a stiff hand in return — awkward, tight smile.

She giggles softly and turns back to the decoration.

---

🪨 Aarif (inner monologue):

> "I probably look like an idiot."

> "And yet... I wish she'd come over.

Say something.

Anything."

---

Tina throws confetti in the air. Aahi throws her head back laughing.

Something tugs inside him.

A warmth… an ache.

He doesn't even realize he's still watching.

---

🪨 Aarif (quietly, aloud to himself):

> "Why are you always the center of my storm?"

---

> Just then, Snow accidentally knocks over the glitter jar. Aahi tries to catch it and stumbles backward — nearly falling — only to be caught by Tina. They all burst into laughter.

---

Aarif chuckles quietly to himself, eyes softening.

---

🪨 Aarif (smiling slightly):

> "Clumsy... and perfect."

---

Class bell rings.

People begin to pack up.

Aahi tosses her bag over her shoulder and waves goodbye to Tina and Snow.

As she walks off, her hand brushes against a low-hanging flower, and she smiles at it like it's a secret friend.

---

Aarif doesn't move.

Even long after she's gone.

---

🪨 Aarif (closing his eyes, whispering):

> "What are you doing to me, Aahi…?"

---

> Scene ends with Aarif alone in the garden.

Birds fly overhead. The wind rustles the leaves.

And one quiet heartbeat… begins to change its rhythm.