Varun had always been a leader. From his first year in college, he had actively participated in student politics, organizing protests, leading campaigns, and standing up for student rights. His popularity was undeniable, and by the time the student elections were announced for the year, he was the strongest contender for the position of Student President.
But fate had a way of complicating things.
Naina, the girl he had fallen for, the girl who had once taught him to dance, turned out to be his biggest competition.
When the announcement was made that Naina Sharma would be running for Student President, Varun had laughed. "You? In student politics?" he had joked when he met her later.
Naina had simply smiled. "Why not? I care about student issues as much as you do, Varun. And I have my own ideas for change."
It was a casual exchange, but neither of them realized how quickly their relationship would turn into a battlefield.
The War Begins
As the campaigns started, it became clear that the election would be brutal. Both Varun and Naina had strong supporters, and their ideologies clashed.
Varun had always been about practical solutions—he focused on getting things done quickly, negotiating with the administration, and using his influence to bring immediate changes. Naina, on the other hand, was idealistic. She wanted a more democratic approach, where every student had a voice in decision-making.
Their debates, once playful conversations, turned into heated arguments in front of crowds.
"Varun just wants power. He doesn't listen to students; he just imposes his decisions!" Naina declared during one of the campaign debates.
"And Naina wants to turn the student council into a never-ending discussion club! We need action, not endless debates!" Varun shot back.
Their personal history made things even more intense. Their old messages were leaked, showing their past friendship, and soon, social media was flooded with rumors. Some said Naina was running just to take revenge on Varun. Others claimed Varun was trying to sabotage Naina's campaign because he couldn't handle competition from someone he once liked.
Friends started taking sides.
"Varun, how can you fight with her like this? You guys were so close!" Akash asked one day.
Varun sighed. "This is bigger than just us. I can't let her win. She's not right for this position."
Naina had similar conversations with her friends.
"Do you still have feelings for him?" her friend, Meera, asked.
Naina hesitated but then shook her head. "That doesn't matter anymore. He's standing in the way of change."
The College Turns Into a Warzone
The campus, once peaceful, became divided. Fights broke out between supporters. Posters were torn down. Rumors spread like wildfire.
One evening, an argument between Varun's and Naina's supporters turned violent. A small scuffle outside the cafeteria escalated, leading to two students being hospitalized. The administration had to step in and warn both candidates.
But neither Varun nor Naina backed down. Their speeches became more aggressive, their rallies louder.
One particular rally turned into chaos when their groups crossed paths in the main courtyard. What started as shouting turned into shoving. Someone threw a water bottle. Someone else pushed back. Within minutes, the entire courtyard was a battlefield.
Varun and Naina, in the middle of it all, screamed at each other.
"This is happening because of your reckless campaign!" Varun yelled.
"And you think you're innocent? You've been fueling this just as much as I have!" Naina shouted back.
The faculty had to call security. Videos of their fight went viral, showing them arguing, accusing each other while chaos unfolded around them.
The Administration's Decision
The next morning, the college administration held an emergency meeting. The election was no longer just a student issue; it had become a crisis.
A notice was posted all over campus:
"Due to continuous conflicts, violence, and disruption of college activities, the Student Elections 2025 are officially CANCELLED. The student council will be appointed by the administration until further notice."
The news hit everyone like a shockwave. The students were furious. Supporters of both sides blamed each other.
Varun sat in his dorm room, staring at the notice on his phone.
"This is our fault," Akash muttered.
Varun clenched his fists. "I never wanted this to happen."
At the same time, Naina sat in her room, silent. Meera looked at her. "Do you regret it?"
Naina exhaled. "I regret losing control. But I don't regret standing up for what I believed in."
A Conversation Under Different Circumstances
That evening, as the sun set over the campus, Varun and Naina finally met—not as rivals, not as candidates, but as two people who had let things go too far.
"You know, we destroyed something that mattered," Varun said bitterly.
Naina sighed. "We let our egos take over. And now, no one gets to decide anything anymore."
Silence.
"Did we ever really hate each other?" Varun asked.
Naina looked at him. "I don't think so. But we definitely forgot how to listen to each other."
Varun nodded. "Maybe we should have had a proper conversation instead of turning this into a war."
They sat there for a while, watching the students walk by, some of them still bitter, some indifferent.
Finally, Varun stood up. "You know, despite everything, I still think you're an amazing dancer."
Naina laughed softly. "And you're still a terrible one."
For the first time in weeks, they smiled at each other—not as competitors, not as enemies, but as two people who had once shared something special.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to start over.