The sun hung low in the Chennai sky, casting a golden hue over the bustling streets. The evening breeze carried the scent of jasmine from a nearby flower stall, blending with the aroma of freshly fried snacks from a roadside shop.
Karthik walked in silence beside Ananya, their school bags slung over their shoulders. The rhythmic sounds of passing autos and honking bikes filled the air, yet somehow, the silence between them felt louder.
He wasn't used to this—to having company on his walk home.
"So… you always take this route?" Ananya asked, breaking the quiet.
"Yeah," Karthik replied, glancing at her. "Why?"
Ananya grinned. "Because I do too! But I never noticed you before."
Karthik wasn't surprised. He had spent most of his school life avoiding attention, blending into the background. "I keep to myself."
"I noticed." She smirked. "But you can't hide forever, you know."
Karthik sighed. "Why do you care so much?"
Ananya tilted her head, as if considering his question. "I don't know. Maybe because you seem interesting."
"Interesting?" He scoffed. "I'm the most boring person in school."
"Says who?" She nudged him lightly. "You have opinions, you're funny in a dry way, and you're a mystery. People like mysteries."
Karthik frowned. "I'm not trying to be a mystery."
"That's what makes you one." Ananya winked.
Karthik didn't know how to respond to that, so he didn't. Instead, they walked in companionable silence for a while, the sounds of the city filling the gaps in their conversation.
A Stop at the Tea Stall
As they reached a small roadside tea stall, Ananya suddenly stopped.
"Let's get tea!" she declared, pulling Karthik toward the stall before he could protest.
Karthik sighed. "I don't drink tea."
"Then try it today." She grinned, handing a ten-rupee note to the old man behind the counter. "Two cups, anna!"
Within moments, the vendor handed them two small steel tumblers filled with steaming chai. Ananya took a careful sip, sighing in satisfaction. "Ahh… nothing beats this after school!"
Karthik hesitated before taking a sip. The rich taste of ginger and cardamom spread across his tongue, warmer than he expected.
Ananya watched him expectantly. "Well?"
He shrugged. "It's… okay."
She gasped dramatically. "Just 'okay'? Are you even Tamil if you don't love tea?"
Karthik smirked slightly. "I prefer coffee."
Ananya placed a hand on her heart, pretending to be offended. "This friendship is over."
Karthik chuckled—a rare sound even to himself.
Ananya smiled at him. "See? You should do that more often."
"What?"
"Smile. It suits you."
Karthik looked away, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
A Moment of Honesty
As they continued walking, Ananya suddenly spoke in a softer voice. "You know, Karthik… I used to think you didn't like me."
Karthik glanced at her in surprise. "Why?"
She shrugged. "You always seemed… distant. Like you didn't want anyone to talk to you."
Karthik sighed, kicking a small stone on the road. "It's not that I don't like people. I just… don't know how to be around them."
Ananya was quiet for a moment before she smiled. "Well, you're doing just fine with me."
Karthik didn't respond, but for the first time, he felt… lighter. Like maybe, just maybe, being around someone like Ananya wasn't so bad.
End of Chapter 9