Anand walked toward the door slowly, looking back once as if making sure the two wouldn't start world war after he left.
The door clicked softly behind him.
And in the quiet that followed…
only Keya and Vyom remained in the warm, sunlit room.
---
The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the quiet neighborhood, filtering gently through the windows of Keya's house. Anand walked toward the gate, adjusting the strap of his bag. The faint aroma of brewing tea and the soft clatter of utensils came from the kitchen. Keya's mother, who had just woken up, was preparing tea.
"Eat something before you go," she said, her voice calm and caring.
"No, Aunty, I am late," Anand replied quickly, giving her a small smile before stepping out.
He left, his footsteps fading down the corridor, leaving the room quiet except for the soft hum of the evening.
Inside, Keya was already teaching Vyom. She leaned slightly over his notebook, pointing to a line and explaining with her usual patience. The sunlight from the window highlighted the edges of her hair, giving her a gentle glow. After some time, her mother returned carrying two steaming cups of tea.
"Vyom, you have come after a long time," she said warmly, placing a cup in front of him.
Keya, half-teasing, half-serious, added, "I think Vyom has forgotten us. He has found new friends. If he was not in trouble and help was available, then he would not have come even today."
"No, it's not like that. I also message you almost every day," Vyom replied, a small blush creeping over his cheeks.
"I also send messages!" Keya shot back, narrowing her eyes playfully.
Vyom went silent, unsure how to respond.
Keya's mother smiled gently and asked, "Where did Anand go? And why was he in such a hurry?"
"He had online classes," Vyom answered.
"Anyway," she said, pouring tea for herself, "Vyom, keep coming to our house sometimes. Keya talks about you most of the time."
Vyom tilted his head, feeling a strange mix of nervousness, curiosity, and a hint of fear fluttering in his chest. "What does she say?"
Keya's mother tried to imitate her daughter. "Vy—"
But Keya interrupted, her cheeks pinkening slightly. "Mom! Please go. We have a load of study, and Vyom will also go sometime later."
Her mother laughed softly. "Okay, okay… I will go."
The door clicked shut, leaving the room bathed in warm, soft sunlight.
Keya turned to Vyom. "Do you have your notes complete?"
Vyom scratched his head. "If I tell truly… I have only keynotes, books. And Anand gave me some notes."
"I have classwork and homework—two types of notes," Keya said thoughtfully. "So if you have no problem, then you can take my class book."
Vyom smiled faintly. "Thanks."
"It's okay," she said, tapping the book lightly. "But don't forget this like my photo of the homework note."
"When did I forget??" Vyom asked, frowning.
"Then why don't you tell me?" Keya asked softly, her eyes searching his face.
"A person should not be praised in his front," Vyom said quietly.
Keya raised her eyebrows. "But tell me in front of me."
(If I started praising Keya, it would go from morning to night… and maybe still not be complete) he thought.
Keya's voice softened. "What do you think about?"
"You," Vyom replied honestly, his eyes locking with hers.
"What!" Keya exclaimed, startled.
"I mean… I have been passed only for you. If you didn't help, it would not have been possible," Vyom added quickly.
Keya looked away, a faint blush rising on her cheeks as she concentrated on the notes in front of her.
For a long while, she patiently explained the lessons, her voice soft but steady. Vyom listened intently, occasionally scribbling down notes, but he also spent long stretches studying silently on his own, lost in thought.
After some time, Vyom leaned back slightly, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. His fingers drummed lightly on the table. "Maybe I should go?" he asked quietly, his voice tinged with hesitation.
Keya shook her head, a little hurt. "How long has Anand been gone? And you're leaving?"
"I study a lot," Vyom said, crossing his arms.
"When?" she asked.
"Now. And I have not studied now," he replied honestly.
Keya chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "Okay, okay! So let's play something."
Vyom's eyes brightened. "Okay! But what?"
"Badminton," she said, her tone eager.
"Let's go!" Vyom said immediately.
"Oh no… but where would we play?" Keya asked, frowning slightly.
"Where we did in the past," Vyom said nostalgically, gazing at the empty backyard.
Keya shook her head. "There was a hotel, buildings… everything. Now it's a construction site."
Vyom sighed. "Then what should we do?"
"Let's play a question game," she suggested, tilting her head.
"Question game?" Vyom asked.
"Can you forget?" she teased.
"No," he said, shaking his head.
(In this game, one person asks a question. If the other doesn't know the answer, the person who asked gives a dare. Then the turn switches.)
"Okay, let's play," Keya said, settling herself comfortably on the bed.
"But I haven't completed my books yet, so you ask me easy questions," Vyom warned.
Keya grinned. "Okay… what is the energy currency of a cell?"
"Blood," Vyom replied confidently.
"What?" Keya exclaimed.
"Am I wrong?" Vyom asked, blinking.
"Yes! The answer is ATP," she said, her voice light but firm. "Do 10 push-ups."
Vyom groaned but dropped to the floor, completing the push-ups while Keya counted with a soft giggle.
The game continued, laughter and teasing filling the room. Keya asked question after question, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Vyom struggled with most of them, his brow furrowed in concentration, and every wrong answer earned him a dare from her. When it was Vyom's turn to ask questions, Keya answered each one correctly, her calm confidence making him groan in mock frustration.
"Bring me my favorite snack."
"Make me laugh."
"Do a funny dance step."
"Say 10 English words in one minute without stopping."
"Frog jump."
"Dog voice."
"Cat voice."
Vyom performed each task with exaggerated expressions, making Keya laugh until her eyes sparkled.
Finally, Vyom asked a question. Surprisingly, Keya didn't know the answer.
She fell onto the bed, a little sad and curious, her fingers lightly touching the blanket.
"Dare me…" she whispered softly.
Vyom's eyes lingered on hers for a moment. Then, without a flicker of doubt, he said softly and casually, with a quiet boldness, "…Kiss me."
The air seemed to freeze.
Their breaths caught.
The world felt silent, as if even time had stopped.
Then, a sudden cold wind rushed through the open window.
The curtains fluttered violently.
Loose papers on the table trembled.
The chill brushed Vyom's neck and lifted Keya's hair slightly.
Neither of them moved.
Neither spoke.
The room, the world, everything… seemed suspended in that frozen moment.
The evening sun cast long shadows across the floor, and the soft rustle of leaves outside whispered through the window.
---
(To be continued...)