In one quiet corner of the playground, Dean stood hesitantly, his eyes fixed on Sejal.
Sejal turned her face away and said coldly,
— "Say whatever you want quickly, Dean. I need to go home."
Dean's voice dropped, uncertain.
— "Are you still angry with me… about that car incident?"
Sejal gave him a sideways glare and replied,
— "Why would I be angry with someone I don't even know?"
Dean's voice trembled slightly as he spoke again,
— "I swear… I didn't hit your car on purpose. Please, believe me."
Sejal nodded slightly.
— "Fine. I believe you. Can I leave now?"
She turned to go, but in that exact moment, Dean suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back.
Sejal stumbled and crashed against Dean's bare chest.
For a second…
Everything stood still.
In that pause, something fluttered wildly inside Sejal's chest.
"This is the first time Dean ever touched me..."
Her heart thudded wildly, waves of unfamiliar warmth crashing inside her.
Dean quickly pulled away, his face serious.
— "Sorry… I just wanted to stop you. There were some things I needed to say."
Sejal gave a faint, bitter smile.
— "You don't even like me, remember? In your eyes, I'm just a little girl.
Why would a man your age talk to a child like me?"
She added sharply,
— "You're older than my brother Denny too, right?
So tell me—what exactly am I to you?"
She paused.
— "And anyway… don't you already have a girlfriend?"
Dean stood still for a moment. Then quietly said,
— "Actually… I never meant to hurt you.
You're… very beautiful. And Ken—he clearly likes you a lot."
Sejal locked eyes with him. Her voice was steady.
— "Yes, I know Ken likes me. But what about you?
Why don't you like me?"
She took a step closer.
— "You once told me I was beautiful…
Then why can't you love me?"
Dean lowered his gaze, and after a long pause, whispered,
— "I like you too… but—"
Sejal stayed silent for a moment, then let out a long breath.
— "It's okay. I don't want to know anything more.
Your path and mine… they're completely different.
I won't disturb you again."
She turned to walk away, but then Dean called out—
— "You're giving up on me? Just like that?
So quickly? Is it… because of Ken?"
— "Have you started liking him?"
Sejal turned back, her voice cold and hurt.
— "Why does it matter to you?
You love Suzy, don't you?"
Dean finally spoke—his voice low but firm.
— "Suzy is like my best friend.
We grew up together, yes…
But I've never seen her as my girlfriend."
Sejal stood frozen, her hair dancing in the wind.
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
(To be continued…)