Chapter 1: The First Misunderstanding
School mornings always felt the same to Aanya.
The noise.
The rush.
The feeling of being surrounded, yet strangely alone.
She took her usual seat by the window, resting her bag beside her, eyes drifting outside as the bell rang. She liked this spot — not because it was special, but because it kept her unnoticed. And being unnoticed felt safe.
"Attendance!" the teacher called.
Aanya answered softly when her name came. No one noticed. No one ever did.
Except him.
"Why is she always so quiet?" someone whispered from the front benches.
Arjun leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. He hadn't meant to listen — but he did. His eyes flicked toward the window seat for half a second before he looked away again.
Quiet.
Distant.
Always in her own world.
That's what he thought of her.
Later that day, the teacher announced a group activity.
"Names will be assigned," she said, already writing on the board.
Aanya's heart sank a little. Group work meant forced conversations, awkward silences, misunderstandings.
Then she heard it.
"Aanya… Arjun."
The class reacted before either of them did.
"Ohhh."
"This will be fun."
"They don't even talk."
Aanya stiffened. She didn't look at him.
Arjun did.
And misunderstood the silence instantly.
So she thinks she's too good to react.
"Miss," Arjun spoke up, voice confident, careless. "Can I switch? I already have notes with—"
"No," the teacher interrupted. "You'll manage."
Aanya finally looked at him then — not angry, not offended — just tired.
That look annoyed him more than anger would have.
They sat together after class.
No greeting.
No smile.
"So," Arjun said, breaking the silence, "we'll just divide the work."
"Fine," Aanya replied, gathering her books.
That was it.
One word.
No eye contact.
No explanation.
Something about it felt dismissive to him.
Something about his tone felt sharp to her.
Two people.
One table.
And already, the space between them felt heavier than words.
Neither of them realized it yet —
This wasn't hatred.
It was the beginning of a misunderstanding that would change everything.