━━━━━━━━━ ⋆✦ Ayaan

The auditorium buzzed with the excited voices of the first timers and the sound of keyboard tapping by the seasoned pros for whom it was just another hackathon.

I wouldn't put myself in either of the categories. I’m just an average guy with appreciable coding skills. But yeah, our team won the TechTonic 2024. Easy, right?

I've been participating in various hackathons since freshman year at my university, the LiLac University of Science and Technology.

And today, I'm here, at the popular rival university of Lilac, the Crimson University of Science and Technology. The rivalry between them has been for years and no one really knows why this rivalry actually started. But, I actually do have a reason for why I have some tension with Crimson.

Shreya.

The coordinator finally arrived and the welcome session started. “A round of applause to all the participants who have made it to the TechTonic Hackathon 2025, conducted by the Crimson University of Science and Technology. We warmly welcome you.”

As he continued talking, my eyes were not on the stage but was searching for something. Or rather, someone.

After a moment which felt like a whole eternity, my gaze finally found her. There she was, listening intently to the welcome address. With shoulder-length hair and specs which had slipped down her nose, she radiated nothing but a simplistic, nerdy vibe.

The rivalry between us started last year when there happened to be a nip and tuck between our teams. But just because of a minute error in their code, we got the upper hand. And not to forget, one of her teammates literally blamed us for their mediocre performance at the end.

“Over the next 48 hours, you’ll build solutions to real-world problems, showcasing your innovative skills. But remember…” the coordinator paused, looking at the participants, “this is not just a competition, but an opportunity and a celebration of your ideas. And yes… a little bit of chaos!”

A ripple of laughter passed through the room.

The coordinator raised his hands for silence. “Before we begin, a quick rundown of the rules. A list of problem statements will be displayed on the screen. You’ll have 48 hours to code, prototype, and pitch your solution. Your solution will be evaluated based on creativity, functionality, and feasibility. And yes, we’re watching for teamwork as well.”

My gaze involuntarily fell on Shreya, again. But this time, our gaze met. She was already looking at me. She had a fierce glint in her eyes. It was as if she wanted to say out loud that ‘this time we are going to be the winners’. I simply rolled my eyes and shifted my gaze to the stage, letting her continue her daydream.

“Before we begin, kindly register your team names once again at the registration desk,” the coordinator said as he concluded the welcome session.

“I'll go and register for our team,” I said as I pushed myself up from the chair, adjusting my jacket.

“Way to go, Codebreakers,” Afreen, one of the teammates and my best friend, cheered with a big ass smile spread across her face. I rolled my eyes upon hearing the team name. I was against this clichéd name but couldn't say no to my very dear best friend.

“Why did you have to choose such a clichéd name?” Anuj rolled his eyes. He's the other member in our team. I’ve been putting up with these two idiots since my freshman year. We three clicked together as soon as we met. Honestly, my university life would have been boring without these two.

“Oh please. Shut your pretty mouth. It's a nice name. It implies that we could solve any type of problem,” she replied.

Anuj and Afreen are the human versions of Tom and Jerry. Sometimes, I feel like I'm a third wheel between them.

“Also, you better stop looking at Shreya as if you are going to eat her alive,” Afreen muttered in my ears with a teasing smile.

How can I ever forget that there really isn't a single thing she doesn't notice?

I forced a smile at her as I went to join the queue for registration. It was a pretty long queue ahead of me.

⋆✦

I stepped back a little to stand more comfortably in the line only to find myself stepping on someone behind.

“I’m sorr-” my words stopped the moment I turned around. Out of all the people here, did I have to step on her? Seriously? Shreya?

“What are you doing here?” I asked stupidly.

“Oh. I'm here to participate in the beauty pageant,” she replied sarcastically.

“I'm sorry to tell you this but you have a lesser chance of winning a beauty pageant than winning the hackathon,” I taunted. If looks could kill someone, then I’m sure I would have become a corpse by now.

“Thanks for enlightening me with your comment. But I’d rather go deaf than hear your opinion on me,” she replied with a forced smile.

“Hmm,” I hummed, a little happy that I got her on her nerves. “Also get ready to aim for the runner up position. The first position is ours anyway.”

“Get your ass ready for the challenge. A real challenge,” she shot back. Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp defiance. “This time we are taking the first spot, no matter what.”

“Let's see,” I shrugged, shooting a taunting grin.

I turned back as I reached the registration desk and got our team registered. As I was about to go back to my team, I halted upon hearing her.

“Don't get too ahead. I can already imagine you crying like a baby once you lose. Sometimes, it's the empty vessel that makes the noise.”

I didn't turn back. I didn't want to. I already knew she was good at daydreaming and imagining things that could literally never ever happen. Nothing new.

I continued my stride towards my team. Once I reached our table, both Afreen and Anuj had a teasing glint. My eyebrows furrowed upon seeing that look over their face.

“So?” Afreen raised her eyebrow teasingly.

“So?”

“I think you had a good time at the registration desk,” she said, making me roll my eyes.

“Shut the fuck up,” I replied, putting a full stop to their crazy-ass assumption.

Good time? My foot.

🎓🎖️🍬🩶

a/n: i guess, this one will be having quick updates.