The unexpected fire drill sent the whole school into chaos. Students scrambled out of classrooms in a mix of excitement and confusion. Most were thrilled to get a break from their lessons, but Karthik was too focused on keeping his distance from Ananya.
Ever since she read his notebook, he had avoided being alone with her. He wasn't sure if it was fear, shame, or just the old habit of retreating—but today, that wasn't going to work.
Because fate had other plans.
In the rush, Ananya and Karthik ended up separated from their classmates and stranded on the empty back staircase of the science block.
Alone.
"You've been avoiding me," she said, not bothering to sugarcoat it.
He looked away. "I didn't mean to."
She crossed her arms. "You wrote pages about how much you feel, and now you're silent?"
"I'm not good with words when I'm looking at you," he admitted.
That made her blink.
"Do you even realize how much you've changed, Karthik?" she said, stepping closer. "You're not that boy in the corner anymore. You talk to people. You laugh. You… let people in."
"Because of you," he said quietly. "You were the first one who saw me. And I didn't know what to do with that."
"You hold yourself back like you're still living in the dark," she said, eyes softening. "But you're not. Not anymore."
The fire alarm finally stopped. Distant voices echoed, calling students back to class.
Neither of them moved.
"I'm scared," he admitted, barely a whisper. "What if I lose this—whatever this is?"
Ananya smiled. "Then don't."
She reached out and gently touched his hand, just like he had once done for her.
Simple. Warm. Honest.
He didn't pull away this time.
---
End of Chapter 85