The school day dragged on, but Aarya’s thoughts refused to settle on lessons. Every glance at Hiten, every small interaction, lingered in her mind. She caught herself smiling at little things: the way he laughed quietly to himself, how he offered half of his snack without saying a word, the faint crease in his brow when he focused on the notebook, and even the little way he pushed his hair back from his forehead absentmindedly. Each detail tugged at her chest in ways she didn’t fully understand.

Hiten, sitting a few rows away, wasn’t any better at concentrating. He kept replaying the morning’s moments — her laugh, the slight tremble of her hand when he steadied her after the horn, the way her hair fell in damp strands over her shoulder. Even the quiet moment at the cafeteria, sharing bits of food, echoed in his mind. He couldn’t help but feel a warmth spreading quietly through him, even as he tried to solve the math problems in front of him.

During lunch, they gravitated naturally to each other. Sitting side by side at the cafeteria table, they shared bites of food and exchanged soft, almost shy smiles. Their conversation was minimal, but the silence between them wasn’t awkward — it was comfortable, like two people learning the rhythm of each other without trying.

“You always seem to know the right thing to do,” Aarya murmured quietly, her voice low enough that only Hiten could hear.

Hiten looked at her, surprised. “I don’t know if I do. I just… do what feels right at the moment,” he said, shrugging slightly. “Guess I got lucky this morning.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Lucky? Maybe… or maybe it’s just timing.”

He caught her gaze and held it for a second longer than usual, a small smile tugging at his lips. Neither needed to say anything more — the comfort of the moment was enough.

After lunch, they walked back to class together. Occasionally, their hands brushed against each other, small and fleeting touches that sent tiny jolts of warmth through both of them. Their chatter was light — jokes, teasing remarks about teachers, playful complaints about homework — but even in the mundane, there was a spark, a quiet energy that neither could ignore.

During the afternoon, they were paired for a project. Sitting across from each other, exchanging ideas and suggestions, Aarya noticed the way Hiten listened intently, nodding at her thoughts and offering subtle encouragement. He, in turn, found himself captivated by her focus, the way her eyes lit up when she explained a point, the tilt of her head, the small gestures that made her presence impossible to overlook. Every shared laugh, every subtle glance, was weaving something neither could name yet.

As the bell rang to end class, they walked out together, still talking about random things — the cafeteria menu, a funny incident from last week, or a classmate’s odd behavior. The familiarity between them had grown silently but undeniably stronger over the day.

Even in the quiet of parting, as they waved goodbye outside the school gate, both were aware of something shifting. It wasn’t dramatic or overwhelming — just a steady, gentle feeling of closeness, a recognition that their bond was growing in ways neither had fully noticed until now.

They walked home in near silence, the city buzzing around them. Occasional soft laughs and quiet smiles punctuated the air. Aarya’s mind wandered again: Why does it feel like I can finally breathe when I’m with him?

Hiten’s thoughts mirrored hers, though he kept his calm exterior. We’re close… maybe too close. But it feels right.

As they reached the corner near the park, a sudden sound of skidding tires cut through the calm. Before either of them could react, a small car swerved unexpectedly toward the curb. Hiten’s instincts took over — he grabbed Aarya’s wrist, pulling her back in a split second. Their hearts thumped as they stumbled back, pressed together for just a fleeting moment, adrenaline running hot through their veins.

Aarya’s breath hitched, her eyes wide with shock. “That… that was close,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Hiten’s hand lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary, his grip firm yet protective. “Yeah… too close,” he said quietly.

As they caught their breath, standing side by side, both realized something: the world outside could be unpredictable, messy, even dangerous, but somehow, together, they felt steady. Yet beneath the surface, an unspoken tension remained — one that neither could ignore.

And just as they were about to continue walking, Aarya noticed something strange: the car had stopped a few meters ahead, and a familiar figure stepped out of the driver’s seat, their eyes fixed on them with an unreadable expression.

Aarya and Hiten exchanged a tense glance.

Who could it be? And what do they want?

The answer was about to change everything.

Click Next to see what happens next?

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