Luna finally slowed to a stop, stepping off the skateboard with a breathless laugh. Her legs felt shaky but light, the thrill of skating still lingering in her chest. She turned to Nikhil, grinning. "That was fun!"
He chuckled. "Told you."
The night air was cool, carrying the fresh scent of grass and earth. As she stretched her arms, her eyes wandered across the open field, and that's when she noticed it—a massive jackfruit tree standing tall, its thick trunk sturdy and strong. Its large canopy stretched wide, casting long shadows under the moonlight. The tree looked old—maybe as old as the college itself, or even older.
"Let's sit there for a while," she suggested, already walking toward it.
They settled beneath the tree, leaning against its rough bark. The open field allowed the moonlight to illuminate everything, casting a soft glow around them. It was quiet, peaceful. The night felt still, yet something about it was aesthetically pleasing.
Luna exhaled, feeling at ease. "This place is nice," she mumbled.
Nikhil leaned back slightly. "I used to sit here a lot."
She turned to him. "Alone?"
He paused for a second before replying, "Sometimes."
Luna didn't question it. Instead, she looked up at the thick branches swaying above them. "This tree must have been here forever," she murmured.
Nikhil smirked. "There's actually a myth about it, you know."
"A myth?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," he said casually. "They say that any student who sits under this tree will definitely fail in one or more subjects."
Luna blinked, then scoffed. "That's ridiculous."
Nikhil shrugged. "Maybe, but a lot of students don't take the risk during exams."
She shook her head. "Superstitions are silly."
"They are," he admitted. "But they make things interesting."
Luna smiled before shifting the conversation. "Do you have a favorite season?"
"Winter," he said without hesitation. "It feels peaceful… quiet."
Luna thought for a moment. "I like the rain. It makes everything feel slower, like the world is taking a deep breath."
Nikhil chuckled. "That's an interesting way to put it."
They kept talking—about random things, about nothing in particular. Luna told him about the books she liked, the dramas, the movies she re-watched too many times. Nikhil shared little stories from his past—funny ones, mostly. But whenever she asked something more personal, he would skillfully change the topic.
She noticed it.
At first, she let it slide, but a small thought lingered in the back of her mind. Why does he avoid certain questions?
The night stretched on, and her body grew heavier with exhaustion. Her eyelids drooped, the warmth of the tree against her back making her even drowsier.
Nikhil's voice faded in the background, his words becoming distant and soft.
She didn't even realize when her eyes closed.
The last thing she felt was the gentle breeze… and the presence beside her.