Morning arrived quietly, as if the world itself was unsure whether to disturb the silence left behind from yesterday.
Aarav sat near the classroom window, his eyes fixed outside, watching students walk past in groups—laughing, talking, living. Inside, he felt oddly separate, like he was present but not really there.
The quiet corner from yesterday still lingered in his mind.
Not because of the place.
But because of her.
Naina entered the classroom a few minutes late, her expression calm, unreadable. She didn't look in Aarav's direction—not even once. Yet somehow, he felt her presence more strongly than anyone else's.
"Why does it feel like something changed?" he thought.
During lunch break, Aarav saw her again—standing with her friends, smiling softly. The smile didn't reach her eyes. He noticed that now. He hadn't before.
He wanted to walk up to her.
Say something. Anything.
But the words stayed trapped inside him.
Instead, he turned away.
Later that day, a message notification lit up his phone.
Unknown: "Some things are better left unsaid."
Aarav's heart skipped a beat.
He typed back. Deleted it. Typed again.
Before he could send anything, the message disappeared—deleted for everyone.
The bell rang, pulling him back into reality.
As students rushed out, Aarav remained seated, gripping his phone tightly. Whatever this was… it wasn't over.
It had only just begun.