The one day he stayed

The day had been long and exhausting, but as Yuvi sat on a bench outside the faculty building, he couldn’t shake off the thoughts of Vanya. She had teased him so effortlessly today, and it had left him feeling a mix of embarrassment and something else... something he wasn’t ready to fully understand yet.

Pratyush, his best friend, noticed how quiet and off Yuvi seemed. Usually, Yuvi was the life of the group — charming, confident, and always the one to make others shy with just a look. But today? Today was different.

“So, what’s up with you today?” Pratyush asked, sitting down next to Yuvi and nudging him lightly with his shoulder. “You seem... off.”

Yuvi let out a deep sigh, rubbing his hand over his face. He was trying to act cool, but he couldn’t seem to shake off what had happened earlier. “Man, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I... I can’t stop thinking about Vanya.”

Pratyush raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Vanya? The same girl who barely speaks to you? The one you’ve barely talked to?”

Yuvi nodded, his mind still reeling from their interaction earlier. “Yeah. It’s... weird. I mean, usually I’m the one making girls shy, teasing them, being the confident one. But with her? It’s like the tables have turned. I get flustered every time she’s around.”

Pratyush laughed, clearly amused. “Wait, you? Flustered? You’ve always been the one making girls fall over themselves, and now you’re telling me you’re getting shy around her? That’s... funny.”

“I’m not laughing, man,” Yuvi muttered, his tone serious. “It’s just... I don’t know what she does to me. She doesn’t even try. It’s like she doesn’t even realize the effect she has. The way she moves, the way she talks to me... It’s messing with my head.”

Pratyush leaned back, his arms folded across his chest, trying to digest what Yuvi had said. “So, what happened today?”

Yuvi ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “She was wearing this kurti today, and every time she stretched or moved, I couldn’t stop looking at her. It was like... I don’t know, I just couldn’t look away. And then she noticed! And she started teasing me, making fun of the fact that I was staring.”

Pratyush chuckled, but he could see that Yuvi was genuinely flustered. “And what did you do?”

“I... I panicked! I tried to act cool, but I think she could tell. She’s not like the other girls. It’s like she sees right through me. And the worst part is... I’m not even mad about it. I like it. But it’s driving me crazy!”

Pratyush raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I get it now. So, what are you gonna do about it?”

Yuvi shook his head. “I don’t know. I feel like an idiot. I’ve never been the one who gets all shy and nervous. I’ve always been the one in control. But with her? I feel like I’m losing my grip.”

Pratyush looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. “You know, maybe that’s the point. Maybe you’re supposed to feel this way around her. It’s probably different from what you’re used to, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.”

Yuvi sighed, his head in his hands. “I don’t know, man. I just don’t get it. She’s with Shrey, right? I can’t be that guy. I can’t be the one who...”

Pratyush interrupted him. “Look, I’m not saying go after her, but maybe just enjoy the moments you have with her. She clearly likes you. And you’ve already told me how she makes you feel. But if she’s in a relationship, respect that. You’re not some player, Yuvi.”

Yuvi nodded, taking in his friend’s words. He knew Pratyush was right. He didn’t want to cross any lines. But at the same time, he couldn’t ignore how Vanya made him feel.

“I don’t know if I can just be ‘friends’ with her, though,” Yuvi confessed. “Every time I see her, I feel like my heart skips a beat. And every time she’s near me, I get all... nervous. It’s like I’m 16 again, trying to figure out my feelings for the first time.”

Pratyush patted him on the back, grinning. “Well, look at that. Yuvi, the confident guy who gets everyone to fall for him, getting all nervous. You’re in uncharted territory, buddy. But maybe that’s what makes it interesting.”

Yuvi gave a small laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, well, I guess we’ll see. It’s just... she’s different. And I don’t know what to do with that yet.”

Pratyush leaned back, chuckling. “Well, whatever happens, don’t be too hard on yourself. We all get a little flustered sometimes. And when it comes to Vanya, it looks like she has you wrapped around her finger already.”

Yuvi couldn’t help but smile, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. “Yeah, she probably does.”