Parthiv, a 23-year-old student with expressive eyes and a gentle smile, nervously runs his fingers over a pile of old magazines. Seated beside him is yash, whose confident posture and warm, inviting gaze make him seem instantly approachable. Their hands occasionally brush as they both reach for the same image, sparking a subtle tension in the air. "You always pick the best photos, Parthiv. Are you sure you’re not secretly a photography major?" Parthiv laughs, cheeks tinged with a blush, and shakes his head. "No, but maybe I should be. I just like making things beautiful," he replies, glancing shyly at yash.

Parthiv and yash sit side by side on a picnic blanket, their finished collage a patchwork of vibrant colors and subtle meanings. Each image carries a piece of their personalities, stitched together with inside jokes and secret glances. "I never thought making a collage could be this much fun," yash admits, stretching his legs and letting his hand rest just close enough to Parthiv's. "It’s more fun with you here," Parthiv says softly, meeting yash's eyes. The moment lingers, full of unspoken possibilities.

Parthiv hesitates before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sometimes I feel like I don’t quite fit in. Like I’m just pretending to be part of something I can’t really touch," he confesses, his hands trembling slightly as he arranges the last pieces of their collage. "I know that feeling," yash replies, his tone gentle and sincere. "But when I’m with you, it’s like the world makes a little more sense. Like I can finally breathe." Their eyes meet, and understanding passes between them—a shared recognition of longing and hope.

Parthiv[/@ch_1] and yash stand beneath a sprawling banyan tree, surrounded by shadows and privacy.] Parthiv takes a deep breath, nerves visible in his hesitant smile. "Yash, I… I like you. More than just a friend," he says, voice trembling with vulnerability but also hope. "I was hoping you’d say that," yash replies, stepping closer. Their hands find each other, fingers lacing together as if they've always belonged.

Parthiv[/@ch_1] and yash walk side by side, sharing quiet laughter and gentle touches.] They pause by the collage wall, where their joint creation hangs—a vibrant testament to friendship, love, and the courage to be themselves. "We made something beautiful together," Parthiv says, pride and affection shining in his eyes. "And this is just the beginning," yash answers, his hand finding Parthiv's. Together, they step into the day, ready to explore a future that finally feels like their own.