The skies above Chennai darkened unexpectedly that morning, casting long shadows over the school campus. Thunder rumbled faintly in the distance as students filed into their classrooms, clutching umbrellas and muttering about the approaching storm.
Inside the classroom, tension hung heavier than the monsoon clouds outside.
"Midterm exams begin tomorrow," their class teacher reminded them, tapping the board. "No distractions. No nonsense. Focus."
Karthik tried. He really did. But his pencil wouldn't stop tapping, his foot wouldn't stop bouncing, and his mind kept drifting.
Ananya sat one row ahead, scribbling neatly into her revision notebook. Every now and then, she tilted her head as if sensing his gaze, but didn't turn around. Karthik wished she would.
Something felt… off.
---
During the lunch break, he found her standing alone near the library window, watching the rain begin to drizzle.
"Hey," he said, brushing hair from his eyes. "You alright?"
She nodded, slowly. "Yeah. Just… distracted."
"You? Miss 98 percent is distracted?" he joked, nudging her shoulder.
She didn't laugh.
"Ananya?"
She finally looked at him. Her eyes were calm, but distant. "My dad… he's flying back from Delhi tonight. He wants to talk."
"Okay? Is that bad?"
She hesitated. "It might be. He's been... getting stricter lately. About everything. Especially boys."
Karthik's heart sank. "Does he know? About us?"
"No," she said quickly. "But I think… he suspects. My phone's been getting random checks. Last night, he asked why I was smiling at my screen."
Karthik stayed quiet. He could feel the storm outside echoing inside his chest.
"I can lie, Karthik," Ananya said softly. "I can hide things. But I don't want to. Not about you."
"You don't have to choose," he said, stepping closer. "Not yet. Not ever, if it can be helped."
She met his eyes. "I just… don't want to lose you. Or him."
He swallowed. "You won't lose me."
A loud crack of thunder made both of them jump. Rain lashed at the windows now.
"Come," he said, gently pulling her hand. "Let's get back. You'll fall sick before the exam."
She let him lead, but her grip lingered in his.
---
That night, the rain poured harder.
Karthik sat at his desk, trying to focus on physics. But he couldn't stop glancing at his phone.
No texts.
He waited.
Still nothing.
10:47 PM.
Just as he was about to switch off the light, his phone buzzed.
> Ananya: He's home. We talked.
> Karthik: And…?
> Ananya: He doesn't know for sure. But he warned me. About "distractions."
> Karthik: I'm sorry…
> Ananya: Don't be. I told him something tonight.
I told him I want to choose my own life.
Karthik stared at the message.
> Karthik: That's brave.
> Ananya: No. That's love.
He didn't know what to say back. So he just sent:
> Karthik: I'm here. Always.
Her reply came with a single heart emoji.
The storm outside didn't let up.
But inside his chest, something calmed.
---
End of Chapter 42