Monday morning.
Karthik stepped into class feeling like every step echoed. Like his shoes were somehow louder. Like his very existence had become... brighter?
He hated it.
"Hey!" Vikram jogged up beside him, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "Library boy returns. How was the study session?"
Karthik deadpanned. "Productive."
Vikram grinned. "You mean romantic?"
"Get lost."
But his ears turned pink.
Before Vikram could tease more, Shruthi popped up behind them, eyes sharp. "She kissed you, didn't she?"
Karthik choked. "What—who told you that?!"
Shruthi held up her phone. "This blurry CCTV-looking photo from someone in the library."
It showed him and Ananya near the gate, just after she kissed his cheek.
He groaned. "This school is insane."
"She looks happy," Shruthi said, softening. "So do you."
Karthik didn't reply, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
---
Ananya entered moments later. Heads turned. People whispered.
She ignored all of it.
Except him.
Their eyes met.
A tiny, secret smile passed between them.
---
Later that day, during chemistry, the teacher scribbled equations on the board while Karthik struggled to focus.
A note landed on his desk.
He opened it.
> "Next time, it will be a date."
He looked over.
Ananya didn't look at him.
But she was smiling at her textbook.
---
End of Chapter 37