episode 4
579 Words
The period after lunch was Science, and the entire class groaned when Mrs. Sharma walked in with a stack of papers.
“Settle down, everyone,” she said firmly. “As you all know, your annual Science Model Project begins today. You will work in pairs.”
The class erupted into whispers instantly.
“Bro, we’re partners, right?”
“Please don’t put me with that topper girl.”
“I swear I’ll drop out if I get Kartik—”
Mrs. Sharma raised a hand.
“You will NOT choose your own partners. I will assign them. I want discipline, cooperation, and teamwork this year.”
Everyone went silent.
Meera’s stomach twisted.
I don’t know anyone… who will I get?
Mrs. Sharma began reading names from the list.
“Priya and Rhea.”
“Manav and Veer.”
“Ayesha and Kriti.”
Students shuffled to sit beside their partners.
Meera clutched her sketchbook tighter, waiting.
“And now…” Mrs. Sharma said, pausing intentionally, eyes landing on the boy near the window.
“Arnav Singhania…”
The class murmured.
Arnav, lazily leaning back, looked up with mild irritation.
Mrs. Sharma continued with a sharp tone:
“Since Mr. Arnav thinks rules, manners, and studies don’t apply to him… I’m pairing him with someone who will influence him positively.”
She scanned the classroom.
Her eyes landed on Meera.
Meera froze.
“No…” Arnav muttered, sitting up straight.
“Yes,” Mrs. Sharma said with satisfaction. “Arnav and Meera.”
The entire class turned toward Meera.
Whispers started instantly:
“The new girl? With Arnav?”
“He’s going to eat her alive.”
“She’s way too soft for him.”
“Why would teacher do that to her?”
Meera’s face flushed red.
Her throat felt tight.
Arnav ran a hand through his messy hair and scoffed.
“You seriously expect me to work with—”
Mrs. Sharma cut him off sharply.
“Yes. I expect you to work with someone responsible. Meera is respectful, disciplined, and serious about studies. Exactly what you lack.”
A few boys snickered.
Arnav clenched his jaw.
He hated being lectured.
Hated being compared.
He looked at Meera for the first time since morning.
Not kindly.
Not softly.
His eyes held irritation, annoyance, and a clear “why me?” expression.
Meera lowered her gaze immediately.
Mrs. Sharma clapped her hands.
“Move to your partners, everyone. NOW.”
One by one, students rearranged their seats.
Meera stood up hesitantly, her dupatta slipping slightly from her shoulder as her nerves spiked.
Arnav didn’t move.
He stayed seated, arms crossed, glaring out the window.
Mrs. Sharma cleared her throat loudly.
“Arnav. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
He shut his eyes for a moment as if preparing himself… then reluctantly gestured toward the empty seat next to him.
“…sit.”
Not welcoming.
Not polite.
Just annoyed.
Meera walked slowly to the seat beside him, heart pounding. She sat down quietly, trying not to disturb him.
The silence between them felt thick, heavy, complicated.
He didn’t look at her.
Didn’t greet her.
Didn’t try to make it easy.
But for the first time all day…
someone was watching them from across the room.
Kartik.
His eyes flicked from Meera to Arnav, jaw tightening for a reason even he didn’t understand.
A project.
A pairing.
A forced partnership.
This was the start of something none of them expected.
- Writer
