It had been a week since the music competition, but to Aarav and Ishika, it felt like they had known each other far longer. In the short time since their accidental encounter backstage, a quiet familiarity had begun to grow between them. They spoke more in class now—sometimes about school, sometimes about music, and sometimes about nothing important at all. Their lunch breaks, once routine, were now something both of them secretly looked forward to.
That night, Ishika lay on her side under the dim glow of her bedside lamp, her schoolbooks pushed to the edge of the table. Her phone was cradled between her shoulder and ear as she chatted with Khushi.
“Are you done with your homework?” Khushi asked, her voice scratchy through the speaker.
“Yeah, almost,” Ishika replied, flipping a pencil between her fingers. “Just a little maths left.”
“I still have tons,” Khushi said with a dramatic sigh. “Ugh... why do teachers hate us?”
Ishika chuckled. “Don’t whine. I’ll help you tomorrow.”
“Really? You’re the best!” Khushi’s voice brightened.
“Yeah, yeah,” Ishika said with a tired smile, rubbing her eyes.
They talked for a few more minutes about school, food, and Khushi’s ongoing frustration with physics. Then, just when Ishika was about to say she needed to sleep, Khushi’s tone shifted—suddenly softer, more cautious.
“Hey... Ishika?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I ask you something… personal?”
Ishika’s brows furrowed. “Sure?”
“Is something going on between you and Aarav?”
Ishika froze for a second, blinking at the ceiling. “What? Why are you asking that?”
“Well,” Khushi hesitated, “people are talking. I overheard some girls from Class B saying that you two are always together these days. Some of them even think… maybe you’re dating.”
Ishika let out a slow breath, her voice sharp with irritation. “People love gossiping, Khushi. If you’re going to believe them, then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought.”
“I’m not believing them,” Khushi said quickly. “That’s why I’m asking you directly.”
“You’re still an idiot for asking,” Ishika muttered. “You know how my dad is. He doesn’t even like me having friends here. Do you think I’d be stupid enough to start dating someone?”
Khushi was quiet for a moment. “I know. I’m not judging you. I just… wanted to make sure you're okay. That you're not getting into trouble without realizing.”
Ishika turned her face into the pillow, speaking into it. “I know how to handle myself. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that makes my life more difficult.”
“If you say so,” Khushi replied gently. “Just be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I will,” Ishika said, her voice softer now.
There was a pause again, this time more comfortable.
“Okay,” Khushi said eventually, stifling a yawn. “Sleep. We’ve got school tomorrow.”
“You too. Good night.”
Ishika ended the call and placed her phone on the side table. She lay in silence, staring at the ceiling fan as it spun lazily above her. She meant what she said—she didn’t want more trouble. But the thought of cutting herself off from Aarav completely... felt worse than anything people might whisper. He was just a friend, she told herself. A really good one.
And she wasn't ready to let go of that—not yet.
That night, Aarav lay in bed with his arms folded under his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling fan spinning slowly above. His textbooks were still open on the study table, but his mind was elsewhere.
He was thinking about her—about Ishika.
He couldn’t explain why, but there was something about her that made everything feel lighter. Spending time with her had become the best part of his day. She wasn’t just kind or intelligent—there was something deeper, something quietly magnetic about her presence. And maybe, just maybe, if things continued this way, he'd muster the courage to ask for her phone number. The thought made him smile faintly to himself before sleep finally took over.
The next morning, the school courtyard buzzed louder than usual. Students gathered in clusters, chattering animatedly. Aarav arrived at the gate and looked around, slightly puzzled by the unusually high energy.
Then he spotted Vivan rushing toward him, practically bouncing on his feet with excitement.
“Hey, Vivan!” Aarav called out.
“Aarav!” Vivan grinned from ear to ear. “Guess what? It’s the competition result day!”
“Oh—really?” Aarav asked, the nerves rising instantly.
“And guess what again?” Vivan said, barely able to contain himself. “You won, buddy!”
Aarav blinked. “Wait, what? You’re not messing with me, are you?”
“No, I swear! First place—your name's on the notice board!”
For a few seconds, Aarav stood frozen. Then a huge wave of relief and joy crashed over him. He had done it. He could finally afford his grandmother's health tests.
“I’m so happy for you, man!” Vivan patted his back enthusiastically.
Still smiling, Aarav’s eyes searched the crowd until he found Ishika standing by the classroom steps, talking to her friend Khushi. His heart lifted. The first thing he wanted to do was tell her. Share this happiness with her.
He waved. “Ishika!”
She looked in his direction for the briefest moment—expression unreadable—then looked away and walked off without saying a word.
Aarav stood there stunned. His smile faded a little. What just happened? Did I… do something wrong? Was she upset? Or... had she heard some rumor?
His chest felt tight with confusion. But whatever it was—he needed to talk to her.
Throughout the day, he tried to catch her attention. In class, during the break, even after lunch—but Ishika avoided him with practiced ease. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, wouldn’t even glance his way.
By the time the last bell rang, Aarav’s patience had run thin. As students spilled out of the building, he saw her walking briskly down the stairs.
He caught up with her and stepped into her path.
“Ishika—just what happened to you!?” he asked, his voice low but intense.
She paused, her shoulders tense. “Aarav, I’m really not in the mood. Just leave me alone, okay?”
“No,” he said firmly, stepping in front of her again. “Not until you tell me what’s going on.”
She tried to walk past him again, but he blocked her way once more.
“Aarav, please,” she said sharply, her voice fraying at the edges. “Let me go.”
He lowered his voice, softening his tone. “I won’t... not until you tell me. Please, Ishika.”
Something in his voice made her pause. She looked at him—really looked at him—for the first time that day. Her expression shifted slightly, the edge in her gaze dimming.
Then she sighed and looked away.
“Are you hungry?” she asked suddenly.
Aarav blinked. “What?”
“Let’s go eat something,” she said simply.
For a second, he was too confused to respond. But then he saw the look in her eyes—the quiet exhaustion, the effort to hide something beneath her indifference. And he understood.
Without another word, he nodded.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
They sat across from each other in a small corner café just a few blocks from school. The clatter of plates and quiet chatter filled the air around them, but between them, there was a strange, heavy silence.
Ishika quietly picked at her food, her gaze fixed on her plate. Aarav, sitting opposite her, tried to read her face, but she gave away nothing. Her posture was composed, maybe even calm—but something in her eyes said otherwise.
Aarav let a few minutes pass, watching her in silence. Then, unable to hold it in any longer, he spoke up.
“Umm... will you tell me now what happened?” he asked, voice cautious, almost hesitant.
Ishika paused for a moment, her fork stilling. She didn’t look up.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
Aarav blinked. “Why?”
“For ignoring you today.”
He shook his head slightly, trying to meet her eyes. “It’s okay. I mean... I just didn’t understand. Did I say something wrong?”
She finally looked at him.
“No, it wasn’t you,” she said. “It was... because of the competition.”
“The competition?” Aarav repeated, confused.
She gave a small, bitter laugh—more at herself than anything. “I know, it probably sounds silly to you. But for me, it wasn’t just any contest.”
He stayed quiet, letting her continue.
“I’ve never lost. Ever,” she said quietly. “Not since I was a kid. Every time, every competition—be it art, debate, quiz—I always won. It was something I was proud of... something that defined me.”
She looked down again, her voice softer now.
“And then today... when I saw your name on the board—it just hit me. I didn’t even make it to the top three. I guess I didn’t know how to deal with that. I got angry... not at you... but at myself.”
Aarav listened, his heart softening as he watched the vulnerability behind her usual calm.
“Are you still angry?” he asked gently.
She shook her head. “No. I’m okay now. I just needed to breathe for a while.”
He gave her a faint smile. “I get it... It must’ve been tough. But for what it’s worth—I think you’re amazing, with or without a trophy.”
For a moment, she said nothing. Then, slowly, her lips curled into a small smile. “Thanks.”
There was a brief silence between them after her smile. The weight of unspoken thoughts still lingered in the air.
Aarav looked down at his glass of water, turning it slightly between his fingers, then looked up at her with a more serious expression.
“Ishika... I want to say something,” he said quietly.
She glanced at him, sensing the change in his tone. “Yeah?”
“I’m really sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Her brows furrowed. “What are you apologizing for?”
“For... participating. For winning. I didn’t know it would affect you like that. And if I did, I—”
She shook her head quickly. “Aarav, no. Don’t say that. I told you—it wasn’t your fault. You earned it. You were amazing.”
“I still feel bad,” he said. “I would never want to hurt you. Not even by accident.”
There was an honesty in his eyes that made her heart soften a little more.
“But... if I’m being honest,” he continued, his voice quieter now, “I didn’t participate to prove anything. I didn’t even think I’d win.”
She looked at him, confused. “Then why did you?”
He hesitated for a moment, then sighed.
“My grandma’s not well,” he said. “She needs to get some medical tests done. Nothing serious, hopefully... but they’re expensive, and my family’s been struggling a bit lately.”
Ishika’s eyes widened slightly.
“The competition had a cash prize,” he explained. “It wasn’t much, but it was enough to cover the tests. That’s the only reason I even signed up. I thought... if I could do this, it would help her.”
For a few seconds, Ishika didn’t say anything. She just looked at him—really looked at him—as if seeing him in a new light.
“And you did it,” she finally said, her voice softer than before. “You helped her.”
He gave a small, almost shy smile. “Yeah... I still can’t believe I won.”
Ishika leaned back, a thoughtful expression on her face. “You know... you could’ve just told me earlier.”
“I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy,” he said. “Especially not yours.”
She smiled gently. “It’s not sympathy. It’s... admiration. I think what you did was brave.”
He looked at her, surprised.
“You're not just talented, Aarav,” she said. “You're also a really good person.”
He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly shy under her gaze. “Thanks... that means a lot.”
They both smiled, and this time, the silence that settled between them was peaceful.
“Thank you,” Ishika said softly, her voice barely louder than the rustle of the café’s ceiling fan.
Aarav looked at her, puzzled. “Huh? Why?”
She didn’t look away this time. “For stopping me… for trying to understand why I was behaving like that. Even when I ignored you the whole day, you didn’t get angry.”
He gave a quiet chuckle, eyes still on her. “I was just confused, to be honest. You were fine the day before… and suddenly it felt like I had done something wrong.”
“Sorry again. I really didn’t mean to worry you,” she said, her tone sincere.
“Okay, now stop apologizing,” he said, trying to sound stern but failing to hide the gentleness in his voice.
She smiled then. A small, genuine smile. “You really are a good guy.”
Aarav looked away instinctively, heat creeping up his cheeks before he could control it. He wasn’t used to compliments like that—especially from her.
Ishika tilted her head. “Hey… are you blushing?”
“What? No! I’m not!” Aarav said quickly, eyes widening.
“You are!” she leaned closer, grinning. “Oh my god, Aarav is blushing!”
“I told you I’m not!”
“I’ve never seen a guy blush before. You look really cute while blushing,” she said, laughing now.
And with that, his face turned a deeper shade of red. He tried to hide it, to act unaffected, but he knew he was caught.
“Hey! Look at you! You’re blushing even more now!” she said through laughter.
“Please stop teasing me!” he groaned, covering part of his face with his hand.
But even through the embarrassment, he couldn’t help but smile. She was laughing—really laughing. And somehow, knowing he was the reason behind that laughter filled his chest with a strange warmth he hadn’t felt before.
He watched her—her eyes crinkled, her shoulders shaking with amusement. In that moment, something shifted inside him. Quietly, gently.
He realized he liked her.
Not just as a classmate, or someone fun to talk to. He liked her—her laughter, her temper, the way she teased him and yet listened when it mattered.
But just as he was caught in that realization, her laughter stopped abruptly.
She was staring at her phone, expression frozen.
“What happened?” he asked gently.
“Huh?” She blinked, snapping out of it. “Oh… nothing!” she said, her voice suddenly rushed. “Listen, I have to go.”
He stood up. “Should I walk you home?”
“No, no! I’ll go by myself,” she said quickly, already grabbing her bag.
Before he could say anything else, she was gone—leaving behind her half-empty cup, a trace of her perfume, and a swirl of unanswered questions.
Aarav sat down again slowly, watching the door.
Just a few seconds ago, she had been so open. Now, it felt like she had built her walls again. Something had changed in that moment she looked at her phone. And though she hadn’t said a word, he could feel it in his gut—
Something was wrong.
And he was going to find out what.
