INVISIBLE STRINGS // SARAJ

visitors

"Wouldn't dream of it," she said, nudging his shoulder lightly.

The bus rolled to a stop in front of the land filling a few meters from the rural town, and the students began gathering their bags. Savi stretched, groaning as she stood.

"Finally," she muttered. "I thought this ride would never end."

Rajat grabbed his bag and stepped into the aisle. "Careful what you wish for. I heard they're making us hike again tomorrow."

"Oh, joy," Savi deadpanned.

As they descended the steps, Savi caught sight of Aashka standing by the entrance, her face lighting up as soon as she saw Rajat.

"Aashka?" Rajat's mouth hung open, it mirrored Savi and Arjun's as well. Who all seemed confused on how she was here. 

He hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Savi as if he wanted to say something.Before turning to walk towards Aashka. 

Savi watched as Aashka greeted him, her enthusiasm almost infectious. "I decided to surprise you! I know it's a weird setting as it's a leadership camp, but I was actually visiting family just an hour away and decided to stop by once I found out you guys would be helping here"

"Oh that's..." Rajat motioned with his hands to say something, he still seemed pretty shocked at her arrival. "Great! and so nice of you"

"Of course" She linked arms with him as they walked away. 

"Looks like she's finally going to confess," Arjun said, appearing at Savi's side. "Like I mean why else would she show up at a rural village. Looks like she's desperate to do it too"

"What?" Savi asked, tearing her gaze away.

"Aashka," Arjun said, motioning toward the pair. "It's obvious. She's been dropping hints for weeks. Rajat's probably clueless as always, but she'll spell it out for him eventually. She's in love with him, I guess."

Savi didn't respond. Instead, she looked back at Rajat and Aashka, a strange heaviness settling in her chest.

Her mind began replaying all their moments together—the banters, the tension during their dances, the quiet comfort as she shared her worries and he always seemed to find a solution for her. She thought about the way he had carried her through the forest, the warmth of the firelight on his face, the way he had tucked her hair back so gently.

And yet, as she imagined him with Aashka—laughing, sharing secrets, building a life—something inside her twisted uncomfortably.

She didn't like it.

With a sharp intake of breath, Savi shook her head. No. She couldn't let Rajat matter so much to her. Not when it was so clear where his feelings lay.

Savi stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets as she walked beside Arjun, the gravel crunching under their feet. The rural town ahead shimmered faintly in the early afternoon sun, nestled between green hills and golden fields. Around them, the other students chatted in groups, but Savi and Arjun had drifted to the back.

"So," Arjun started, a teasing lilt in his voice, "you didn't look too happy seeing Aashka waiting for Rajat."

Savi shot him a glare. "I wasn't unhappy. It's just... unexpected. I didn't know she'd come all the way here."

"Please," Arjun laughed. "She didn't come just for the scenic view, Sav. She's here for him."

"Yeah, I got that," Savi muttered, scuffing her shoe against a rock.

Arjun leaned closer, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "Be honest. Doesn't it bother you even a little? I mean, you two have been weirdly attached at the hip this entire trip."

She whipped her head toward him, scandalized. "Attached at the hip?! Arjun, you've lost it. Rajat and I can barely go a minute without arguing."

"Arguing," Arjun said with a knowing smirk, "is just another form of chemistry."

"There's no chemistry!" Savi hissed, although the heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her.

Arjun only chuckled, hands behind his head as he strolled along. "Sure, sure. But you're still thinking about them, aren't you? Aashka and Rajat. Bet your mind's racing, wondering what they're talking about right now."

Savi clenched her jaw, refusing to respond. He wasn't wrong. Her thoughts had been spiraling since the camp, and Aashka's sudden appearance only made things worse.

"Fine," she snapped, "what's your great insight? If she's here for him, then what? They'll ride off into the sunset together?"

"Could be," Arjun said with a shrug. "She's not exactly subtle about it. And Rajat..." He trailed off, glancing at her meaningfully.

Savi raised a brow. "What about Rajat?"

"I don't know," Arjun said. "He's hard to read. But I think he likes her too, even if he's clueless about what to do with it. It's classic Rajat—overthinking everything until someone spells it out for him."

Savi stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the dirt path ahead. She didn't want to picture Rajat and Aashka together, but the image kept creeping into her mind, unwanted and persistent.

***

When they reached the village, the chief and a few other elders were waiting to greet them. He was a wiry man with a warm smile and bright, curious eyes. The instructor introduced the group, and the chief welcomed them with open arms.

"Thank you for hosting us," the instructor said. "We're looking forward to learning about your community and working together on the projects."

The group spent the next half hour discussing the week's plans—helping with local construction, teaching at the school, and participating in cultural exchanges. Despite her earlier mood, Savi felt a spark of excitement. This was why she had come: to make a difference, however small, and to learn from people whose lives were so different from hers.

As the meeting concluded, the students began the trek back to their campsite. Savi found herself walking with Arjun again, though her thoughts kept drifting.

"So," Arjun said, breaking the silence, "what's the verdict?"

"What verdict?"

"Rajat and Aashka," he said, grinning. "You've been awfully quiet. I know you're dying to say something."

Savi let out an exasperated sigh. "I don't have anything to say, Arjun. If they're happy, good for them. I couldn't care less."

"Why are you so invested in their lives?" Savi snapped as she saw him open his mouth to say something else, tossing a blanket onto the ground.

"Because I enjoy watching drama unfold," Arjun said with a grin.

"Well, find another show to watch," she muttered, before brightening up. "how about a new cast of how embarrassingly obvious it is that you have feelings for Priyanka! I heard the first episode captures all of your most pathetic moments!"

"Point noted" Arjun scratched the nape of his neck, a grin still drawn up on his lips. "Ouch"

She just shook her head, continuing to find firewood to start the camp fire tonight, for the rest of the evening, Savi stayed on the outskirts of the group, avoiding both Rajat and her own tangled thoughts. 

***

sorry for the long break, but I've had exams! hope you can understand but I'm on a break so I will be updating daily and maybe even double updates !!!

lots of love and please vote and comment !!