Karthik had always believed that solitude was easier than the weight of expectations. It was predictable, safe. But now, his thoughts were anything but predictable.
Ananya's words, her note, and Shruthi's text replayed in his mind. "She's interested in you, Karthik."
Interested.
The word made him uneasy. Not because he disliked it, but because he didn't know what to do with it.
Morning at School
The corridors of the school buzzed with chatter as Karthik walked toward his classroom, keeping his head low as usual. His plan was simple—avoid Ananya, avoid unnecessary conversation, and get through the day unnoticed.
But fate had other plans.
Just as he reached his seat, a familiar voice called out.
"Karthik!"
He stiffened. He had hoped for at least a few minutes of peace, but there she was—Ananya, standing at the doorway, her smile as bright as ever.
"Good morning," she greeted, walking up to him.
Karthik glanced at her, unsure how to respond. "Morning," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I was hoping to see you," she said, leaning against the desk beside his. "Did you get my note?"
Karthik felt the crumpled paper in his pocket. His fingers tightened around it. "Yeah."
Ananya studied him for a moment before tilting her head. "And?"
"And what?" he asked, avoiding her gaze.
"What did you think about it?" she pressed, her voice light but persistent.
Karthik hesitated. He didn't know how to answer that. Did he tell her it made him uncomfortable? That he didn't understand why she cared? That he had spent the whole night thinking about her words?
Instead, he settled for a safe response. "I don't know."
Ananya didn't look disappointed, but she didn't smile either. "You don't know? Or you don't want to say?"
Karthik swallowed. She was too good at this—too good at reading between the lines, at picking apart his carefully constructed walls.
Before he could respond, the school bell rang.
Ananya sighed dramatically. "Saved by the bell, huh? Alright, Karthik. I'll let you go… for now."
She winked at him before heading to her seat, leaving Karthik with a sinking feeling that their conversation was far from over.
Lunch Break – A Sudden Invitation
Karthik usually spent lunch alone. It wasn't something he minded. He preferred the quiet. But today, as he made his way toward his usual secluded spot, he heard footsteps behind him.
"You eat lunch alone?"
He turned to see Ananya following him, holding her lunchbox.
"Yeah," he said simply.
"Not today." She grinned, stepping beside him. "Come sit with us."
Karthik's chest tightened. "I don't—"
"No excuses!" she cut him off, grabbing his wrist. "C'mon, my friends don't bite."
Before he could protest, she was already pulling him toward the crowded lunch area where her friends sat.
Shruthi smirked as they approached. "Took you long enough, Ananya."
"Had to do some convincing," Ananya said cheerfully, releasing Karthik's wrist.
Karthik felt eyes on him. He wasn't used to this—attention, inclusion. It felt… strange.
"Relax, Karthik," Shruthi said. "We don't usually kidnap people for lunch, but Ananya insisted."
Ananya pouted. "I didn't kidnap him!"
Karthik sighed, reluctantly sitting at the edge of the group. The conversation flowed around him, full of energy and laughter. It wasn't as bad as he expected. But it was overwhelming.
At some point, he caught Ananya watching him. She smiled—not in a teasing way, but in a way that made him feel like she was genuinely happy he was there.
And that scared him more than anything.
Evening – Texts That Linger
That night, Karthik found himself staring at his phone. He had never been someone who texted much, but today had been different.
After a long pause, he finally typed a message.
Karthik: Thanks for today.
He hovered over the send button. Was this stupid? Would she laugh?
Before he could overthink it, he hit send.
The reply came faster than expected.
Ananya: Whoa! Karthik is texting me first? What an honor!
He sighed, but before he could put his phone down, another message came.
Ananya: I'm glad you came. See? It wasn't so bad, right?
Karthik hesitated before typing back.
Karthik: …I guess not.
The dots appeared as Ananya typed again.
Ananya: Then sit with us again tomorrow.
Karthik stared at the screen. He didn't respond right away. Instead, he found himself smiling—a small, hesitant smile, but a real one.
Maybe tomorrow wouldn't be so bad.
End of Chapter 7