The day after the event brought whispers in the corridors—not just about the show, but about them.
Karthik noticed it first during English period. Two girls sitting in front of him giggled and whispered while glancing back. He sank a little lower in his seat. By lunch, even his usually oblivious benchmate nudged him and asked, "Dai, nee Ananya-va date panra?"
Karthik turned beet red. "Illa da! We're just… friends."
"Seri seri," the boy smirked. "'Just friends' who hold hands in the rain and feed each other curd rice!"
He couldn't even deny it.
Later, as they walked toward the cycle stand, Ananya joined him with her usual cheer, but even she was unusually quiet. They walked a few steps before she said, "They're talking about us."
"I know."
"Do you… mind?"
Karthik looked at her. "I used to. A lot. But now? Not really."
She glanced at him. "That's new."
He smiled. "You made me care less about people's opinions… and more about my own truth."
She paused, then grinned. "What's your truth then, Mr. Iyer?"
"That… I like being around you. That you make me better. That I'd rather face 100 rumors than lose this friendship."
Her expression softened. "That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all day."
"But…" he added, eyes serious, "if this ever makes you uncomfortable, I'll back away. I don't want you to be caught in my shadow again."
She looked at him, deeply moved. "You never were the shadow, Karthik. Maybe we're just… light and dark, balancing each other."
They reached their cycles, the breeze gently ruffling Ananya's hair. She adjusted her helmet, then added playfully, "Besides, a little drama makes school interesting."
He chuckled. "You're impossible."
"And you're learning to keep up," she winked.
And just like that, even amidst the rumors and teasing, their bond deepened—something quiet, resilient, and wonderfully real.
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End of Chapter 83