Days passed like the wind, and somehow, we became good friends. He poked me less on my thoughts now, and instead of dismissing them, he started calling them "different perspectives."
On his birthday, Di told me. But I couldn't wish him—not in front of everyone.
Then something unexpected happened. Everybody left the classroom, including him, and went to the art room. I was still busy with my work when he returned.
"Kriti, when are you coming?"
"In a minute."
"Sir is calling everybody, and as Head Boy it's my duty to make you work accordingly."
"Huh, nice. And btw, ha… happy birthday." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Thank you." His reply was soft, almost careful. And then, like he was escaping the weight of it, he suddenly switched topics.
"What's the meaning of nerd?"
"Uh… someone who is engaged only in studies," I answered confidently.
"But then what about sport nerds?"
"I never heard of it."
That's when my laces came undone. My heart sank—he'll leave now, I thought. Why would he wait for me?
But he didn't. He stood by the staircase, still talking, still waiting. My hands trembled so much I couldn't tie the knots properly. And yet… he stayed. Patient.
When we entered the art room, Di pounced.
"Akaay, you haven't distributed chocolates!"
"You dumb, you don't know I'm vegan. But I ordered 55% dark chocolate for everyone—they're just late." (He hadn't ordered anything, I knew.)
"But for you, Di, I ordered 99% dark chocolate."
"Oh wow, you care for me so much," Di teased.
"Because 99% is so much bitter—like you," he shot back.
"Ouch!" Di winced, and laughter filled the room. I laughed too, quietly, just watching their silly back-and-forth.
Later, he went to the canteen and came back with chips. Everyone pounced, snatching them off the table. I didn't move. I don't have rights on his things, I told myself.
"Kriti has nothing. Akaay, you haven't given her anything," Di said, her tone almost protective.
"You didn't let me distribute." He grabbed a packet from her hands and tossed it to me. "Catch."
Me—the worst catcher alive—somehow caught it. Miraculously.
Then came another project. Since we'd won last time, sir gave us a new challenge. But this time, the groups were shuffled. Me, Shree, and Shubh in one. Akaay and Vayu in the other.
We'd brought glory to the school before. And yet… they didn't even post about us on social media. They posted about others, sure. But not us.
That stung more than I wanted to admit.
Planning began. Teachers guided us, but when it came to real work, it was mostly Akaay and Vayu carrying the weight. We three just stood there, watching, while one person—him—did most of it.
And in those days, Shree and Shubh were often absent. It was mostly me, Akaay, and Vayu in between.
Then one day, he turned strange. Talking to Shubh, but his eyes are flickering toward me.
"My life is not mine anymore. I mean… who is she to take control of my life?"
I froze. I didn't know who he meant. But somehow… deep inside… I knew it was connected to me.
And I didn't know whether to feel guilty, angry, or terrified of what it meant.