Monday mornings usually carried a heavy gloom, especially for someone like Karthik Iyer, who once found joy in solitude and silence.
But this morning felt… different.
There was a spring in his step, subtle but undeniable. His school bag didn't feel like a burden. His shirt was neatly ironed (thanks to Amma), and he'd even bothered to comb his hair—twice.
It wasn't for anyone in particular.
Or maybe it was.
When he reached school, Ananya was already at the gate, chatting with a group of friends. Her laugh rang through the air, familiar and free. For a moment, Karthik hesitated, his old instincts whispering: She's still out of your league.
But then she turned, saw him, and smiled—genuine, warm, like it belonged only to him.
"Good morning, Mr. Dark and Deep," she said, walking up to him.
He smirked. "Morning, Miss Popular and Glowy."
"You forgot 'graceful' and 'impossibly patient'."
"Oh, I thought that was implied."
They both laughed, and for once, it didn't draw attention. No whispers. No teasing. Just two classmates talking like they were supposed to.
Like it was normal.
Like it was okay.
As they walked together toward the corridor, Ananya slid her hand into his for the briefest moment. Just long enough to let him know: We're real now. No more hiding.
He didn't say anything, but he didn't need to. His quiet grin said it all.
During break, their usual bench under the neem tree became their spot. Karthik sat sketching lazily in his notebook. Ananya leaned over, peeking at his drawing—a quiet corner of the school, with two tiny figures under a tree.
"That us?" she asked.
He nodded.
"We look peaceful."
"We are," he said, more to himself than to her.
After lunch, Ananya nudged him. "You're getting better at being around people."
"Or maybe I just stopped caring what people think."
"Is that because of me?"
He looked at her, serious. "It's because of us."
There was something healing in that sentence. Not you, not me. Us.
Later that day, in the computer lab, they typed beside each other in silence. But before the bell rang, Ananya sent a quick message through the local chat network—visible only to him.
> You know what's wild? I used to be afraid you'd never notice me as more than a friend.
Now I'm just afraid I'll fall for you more than you'll fall for me.
Karthik didn't reply immediately. Instead, he turned, met her eyes, and whispered:
"You already did. And I'm still trying to catch up."
She smiled.
He smiled back.
And the world, for once, didn't feel so heavy.
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END OF CHAPTER 125