The sun had long set when Karthik sat at his desk, a soft breeze fluttering the edge of his notebook. His room was quiet, save for the occasional hum of a passing auto from the street below. But inside his mind, a storm of thoughts brewed.
He stared at the blank page before him.
He wanted to write about her—Ananya. Not just her beauty or smile, but the way she made him feel when the world seemed too loud. She was his anchor, his mirror, and sometimes… the voice he wished he had.
He scribbled a sentence.
"I see myself more clearly when you look at me."
Then he paused.
Would she ever know how deeply she'd changed him?
---
The next day in school, Ananya was already in class when he walked in. She looked up and offered a small smile. It wasn't her usual bright grin, but something softer—more private. Just for him.
"Good morning," she said.
"Morning," he replied, slipping into the seat beside her.
They exchanged no more than that. But between them, there was a quiet understanding. Things didn't need to be loud anymore.
During the break, Ananya passed him a note—folded neatly into a triangle.
He blinked and opened it.
"Do you believe in destiny?"
He smiled to himself and scribbled back:
"Only since I met you."
When she read it, her ears turned slightly pink.
She didn't say anything then, but after school, as they walked toward the school gate, she nudged him gently with her elbow.
"You're getting smooth, Iyer," she teased.
Karthik laughed, a sound that felt freer than before. "Guess I had a good teacher."
They stopped near the gate, watching younger kids chase each other down the street.
"You know," she said, "I've always hated the idea of needing someone to feel complete."
He nodded. "Me too."
"But… with you, it's not about needing," she added. "It's about… choosing."
Karthik looked at her, unsure if she meant what he thought.
And then she said it—so softly that only he could hear.
"I'm choosing you, Karthik."
His heart didn't race. It settled.
Like it had found home.
---
End of Chapter 87