episode 10
637 Words
Riya was still poking at her rice, muttering things about Arnav’s temper and Kartik’s ego, when Meera gathered enough courage to speak again.
“Umm… Riya?” Meera said softly.
“Hm?” Riya looked up.
Meera fiddled with the corner of her sketchbook, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Teacher… um… teacher made Arnav my project partner.”
Riya froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her mouth opened.
Her spoon fell onto the tray with a loud clink.
“WHAT?” Riya whisper-yelled.
Meera shrank a little. “Y-Yes… the science project. She said… something like… Arnav needs someone who actually studies so he can learn manners…”
Riya pressed both hands to her face dramatically.
“Oh my god, Meera… you just entered this school like—” she held her hand low, “—a scared kitten… and now you’re doing projects with ARNAV SINGH RATHORE?!”
Meera blushed, shaking her head quickly.
“N-No! It’s not like that! I just— I was just standing in class and the teacher—”
But Riya was on a roll.
“No, girl, listen. Arnav is smart, okay? But he doesn’t study. He plays football, hangs out with seniors, and gets into fights. Teachers keep trying to tame him.”
Meera blinked.
“Oh…”
“And now she paired him with YOU?” Riya sighed heavily. “This is like putting a firecracker next to a candle.”
Meera frowned cutely. “I’m the candle?”
“Yes,” Riya said immediately. “A tiny, soft-spoken, innocent candle who says ‘sorry’ even when someone else makes a mistake.”
Meera pouted. “I don’t do that…”
“You literally apologized twice while telling me this story,” Riya deadpanned.
Meera looked down, embarrassed.
“Sorry— oh…”
Riya laughed and reached across the table, touching Meera’s hand reassuringly.
“But hey… it might not be that bad. Arnav… he’s angry most of the time, but he isn’t cruel. He’s just… stubborn. And hurt. And short-tempered. And allergic to the word ‘study’.”
Meera swallowed.
She remembered his cold tone in the hallway.
The way he ignored her.
How he made her feel invisible.
“I asked him to meet in the library,” Meera said quietly. “For the project.”
Riya choked on her drink.
“You invited HIM?! Alone?! Girl, your bravery is underrated!”
Meera shook her head desperately.
“No! I just thought… it’s quiet there… and he likes football so he might not concentrate anywhere else… I just…”
Riya softened, smiling warmly.
“You’re doing good, Meera. You’re trying. And honestly… sometimes, people like Arnav need someone calm in their life. Someone patient.”
Meera didn’t know what to say to that.
Riya continued, leaning closer.
“But just be careful, okay? Arnav isn’t the trusting type. And Kartik? He’s even harder to understand. They both have walls around them.”
Meera nodded slowly.
“And now,” Riya added dramatically, “you are walking straight into their drama triangle.”
Meera blinked.
“T-Triangle?”
“Yes, triangle. Because—”
Riya lowered her voice and smirked playfully,
“—Arnav is your partner… and Kartik clearly noticed you this morning.”
Meera’s face turned pink instantly.
“No!! He didn’t— I mean— he just— he looked angry!”
Riya lifted an eyebrow.
“Trust me. He wasn’t angry. He looked… surprised. And confused. And maybe a little—”
“Stop!” Meera squeaked, covering her cheeks.
Riya laughed, amused.
“This year is going to be interesting for you, Meera.”
Meera stared at her tray, heart pounding.
Interesting.
The one thing she never experienced in her old school.
And somewhere inside her…
she wasn’t scared of it anymore
- Writer
