Class 8 ka pehla din tha.
Naya section.
Naye classmates.
Aur back bench par chupchaap baitha tha — Aarav.
Wo zyada baat nahi karta tha,
khaaskar ladkiyon se to bilkul nahi.
Tabhi class teacher ek nayi student ko lekar aayi.
"Bachcho, ye hai Meera. Ab ye yahi padhegi."
Meera ne halka sa smile diya.
"Hi…"
Uski smile simple thi, par warm.
Teacher ne kaha,
"Meera, tum Aarav ke paas baith jao."
Aarav ka dil ek second ke liye fast ho gaya.
"Yahin?" Meera ne softly poocha.
Aarav ne sirf head nod kiya.
Wo uske paas baith gayi.
Distance maintain karke.
"Tum kam bolte ho?" Meera ne dheere se poocha.
"Haan… thoda."
Meera muskuraayi.
"Mujhe zyada bolne ki aadat hai. Balance ho jayega."
Aarav ko pehli baar kisi ne itni easily accept kiya tha.