The courtyard behind the school was quiet. The distant buzz of students and the rustle of leaves in the breeze barely touched the moment unfolding between them.
Karthik's chest rose and fell as he stared at her.
"I like you, Ananya."
His voice was low but steady.
Ananya didn't move at first. Her eyes softened, her playful armor slipping away inch by inch. The teasing glint in her gaze faded into something... warmer. Calmer.
Karthik's hands trembled. He stuffed them into his pockets.
"Say something," he muttered, barely able to breathe.
Ananya blinked, then took a step forward.
"Took you long enough," she said with a smile.
Karthik blinked. "That's it? That's what you're going with?"
Ananya crossed her arms, shrugging dramatically. "What? Were you expecting a dramatic monologue? A tearful confession?"
He groaned. "I poured my heart out!"
"You mumbled it and looked like you were about to pass out," she teased.
But then she tilted her head slightly, the corners of her smile softening.
"But I liked it."
She stepped even closer, close enough for Karthik to smell the faint trace of jasmine from her hair.
"You're not the only one who's been holding things in, Karthik."
He raised his eyes to hers. "You mean—?"
Ananya rolled her eyes, but her voice was soft now.
"Every time I waited for you after class… every time I walked beside you, listened to your rants, laughed at your stupid sarcasm… that was me saying I liked you."
She took a slow breath.
"I just didn't say the words. I was waiting for you to get there on your own."
Karthik felt a lump rise in his throat. "I thought I wasn't good enough for you."
Ananya reached up and flicked his forehead lightly.
"Idiot. You were good enough the whole time. You just didn't see it."
Silence settled between them again—but this time, it was peaceful. Not heavy.
She reached out and took his hand. Her fingers were warm.
"I like you, Karthik. I like you so much that it scared me a little."
Karthik's breath hitched. He looked at their joined hands, then up at her.
"So what now?" he whispered.
Ananya leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Now, we make this awkward, confusing, and beautiful."
Karthik chuckled, his chest loosening. "That's our specialty."
A gentle breeze blew through the courtyard, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Karthik didn't feel like he was hiding in the shadows.
He was standing in the sunlight—with her.
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End of Chapter 31