episode 5
374 Words
The bell rang loudly, echoing through the corridors.
Chairs screeched.
Students rushed out.
Bags unzipped, laughter spread, gossip started instantly.
Meera stayed seated for a second, gathering her courage.
Her hands trembled slightly as she hugged her sketchbook.
Arnav swung his bag over one shoulder and stepped out of his row, clearly planning to leave without saying a single word to her.
Say it, Meera. Just say it. He’s your partner… you have to talk.
She swallowed.
“Uh… Arnav…?”
He stopped mid-step.
But he didn’t turn around.
He just stood there, one hand on the strap of his bag, waiting.
Very slowly, he tilted his head just enough to show he heard her.
Meera’s voice came out soft.
Almost too soft.
“Um… so… since we have to… do the science project… I thought…”
She clasped her fingers nervously.
“Maybe we can… m-meet in the library? It’s quiet there. And… peaceful… so we could… work properly…”
Arnav finally turned, raising one eyebrow slightly as he looked at her.
He didn’t look impressed.
Or interested.
Or even polite.
Just… annoyed.
“Library?” he repeated, like the word itself was boring. “Right. Because that’s where all the toppers live.”
Meera blinked, hurt flickering in her eyes.
She hadn’t meant anything bad.
She was just trying to be helpful.
“Sir said we need to plan soon…” she whispered.
Arnav huffed under his breath.
“Fine.”
He looked away, jaw clenched.
“Whatever. I’ll come. Just don’t expect me to sit there all day.”
Meera nodded quickly.
“O-okay…”
Arnav didn’t say anything else.
He walked out of the classroom, not holding the door, not glancing back, leaving the scent of grass and sweat from his football match trailing behind him.
Meera exhaled shakily.
He agreed… but he doesn’t want to… He really doesn’t like me.
She gathered her books slowly and stepped out of class.
But someone else had heard the whole exchange.
Leaning against the wall, hands in pockets, expression unreadable—
Kartik watched Arnav leave and Meera follow behind him.
There was something in Kartik’s eyes.
A spark.
A question.
A warning.
He wasn’t sure why it bothered him.
But it did.
- Writer
