Karthik was losing his mind.
Ever since last night's text conversation, he couldn't shake this weird feeling in his chest.
He had convinced himself that Ananya was the one acting different—
That she was the one struggling with feelings.
But now?
Now he wasn't so sure.
---
A Completely Normal Morning (That Was Not Normal at All)
The next morning, Karthik saw Ananya at the school gate.
His brain instantly screamed: Ignore her! Act normal!
So, naturally, he did the exact opposite.
"Oi." He walked up to her.
Ananya blinked, startled. "Uh… hi?"
Karthik opened his mouth to say something cool—
Something casual—
Something that would prove he was totally fine.
Instead, he blurted out:
"Did you eat breakfast?"
…What.
What?!
Ananya gave him a confused look. "Uh, yeah? Why?"
Karthik had no answer. Zero.
"No reason. Bye."
And then he turned and walked away.
HE WALKED AWAY.
---
What Was Happening to Him?!
Shruthi and Vikram found him sitting at his desk, looking like he had just seen a ghost.
"What's with you?" Vikram asked, dropping into the seat beside him.
Shruthi raised an eyebrow. "You look like you just failed a math test."
Karthik groaned. "Worse."
Vikram leaned forward. "Oho. Tell us everything."
"No."
Shruthi smirked. "So it's about Ananya."
Karthik choked. "I DIDN'T SAY THAT."
Vikram and Shruthi exchanged knowing looks. "Bro," Vikram said, grinning, "I think you're in trouble."
Karthik slumped forward on his desk.
Yeah.
He really, really was.
---
Meanwhile, Ananya Was Struggling Too
On the other side of the classroom, Ananya was frantically whispering to her best friend, Diya.
"I think Karthik is acting weird," she said, stealing a glance at him.
Diya smirked. "Oh? You mean he's finally noticing you?"
Ananya flushed. "I—I don't care about that!"
"Mmm-hmm."
"I don't!"
Diya just smiled. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that."
Ananya groaned. Why was everything so complicated?!
---
The Realization Hits Like a Train
By lunchtime, Karthik had one goal: avoid Ananya.
(Which was ironic, considering she had been the one avoiding him first.)
But somehow, they both ended up reaching for the same juice box at the canteen.
Their fingers brushed.
Both of them froze.
Ananya snatched her hand away first. "Ah—sorry—"
"No, my bad—"
They stood there, staring at each other like complete idiots.
Karthik's heart was racing.
And in that moment, he knew.
This wasn't normal.
He didn't just see Ananya as a friend anymore.
And that realization scared him more than anything.
---
End of Chapter 24