Ananya needed to escape.
The moment she got home, she locked herself in her room and screamed into her pillow.
Why—WHY—had she said that?!
Of all the things to blurt out, she had basically challenged Karthik to consider dating her.
And the worst part?
He had looked at her differently.
Like… he was actually thinking about it.
Her heart wouldn't stop racing, and she had no idea how to face him again.
So she made the only logical decision.
Avoid Karthik at all costs.
---
Step One: Avoid Eye Contact
The next day, Ananya walked into school with a plan.
No eye contact with Karthik.
Minimal conversation.
Act like nothing happened.
Simple. Easy. Foolproof.
Except… Karthik wasn't making it easy.
The second she walked past him without saying anything, he frowned. "Oi, you okay?"
"Yep!" she replied, speed-walking away.
"…Why are you running?"
"I'M NOT!"
---
Step Two: Avoid Sitting Near Him
At lunch, Ananya strategically sat between Shruthi and Vikram, putting as much space between herself and Karthik as possible.
But halfway through lunch, Vikram got up to get a snack.
And Karthik immediately slid into his seat.
"Alright, what's going on?" he asked, looking directly at her.
Ananya did not look at him. "Nothing."
"You're acting weird."
"I'm always weird."
"True, but this is different."
She stuffed a huge bite of food into her mouth, hoping he would drop it.
He didn't.
"Ananya."
Her heart skipped a beat. He only used her full name when he was serious.
Slowly, she glanced at him—BIG MISTAKE.
Because Karthik was staring at her with that same look from yesterday.
The one that made her stomach do stupid flips.
The one that made her wonder—
Was he actually considering it?
Panic. FULL PANIC.
She choked on her food.
---
Step Three: Run Away (Again)
Coughing and red-faced, Ananya grabbed her water bottle and stood up. "I—I have to go!"
"Go where?" Karthik asked, confused.
"SOMEWHERE THAT ISN'T HERE!"
And before he could say anything else, she ran.
She actually ran.
---
Karthik's Realization
Karthik stared at Ananya's retreating figure, completely baffled.
Shruthi smirked. "So… you're finally seeing it, huh?"
Karthik frowned. "Seeing what?"
"That Ananya might actually like you."
He froze.
What?
That couldn't be true.
Could it?
Shruthi just laughed. "Think about it."
And for the first time, Karthik actually did.
---
End of Chapter 21