The days following Vikram's return felt different.
Karthik wasn't sure if it was his own mind playing tricks on him or if things had truly changed, but lunch breaks felt louder, conversations seemed faster, and Ananya… Ananya seemed distracted.
Not that she ignored him—she still found ways to pull him into conversations, still made fun of his quiet nature, still made sure he was included.
But he couldn't ignore the way Vikram always seemed to be there now.
Sitting beside her. Laughing at her jokes. Nudging her shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.
It irritated Karthik.
Not that he had any right to be irritated.
But still…
---
A Walk Home, But Not Together
That evening, as the school bell rang and students poured out of the building, Karthik waited by the gate like always.
Ananya usually caught up with him, complaining about her day or dragging him to a roadside tea stall.
But today, she didn't come.
Instead, she was walking out with Vikram.
Karthik saw them talking, their voices blending with the hum of the street. They looked comfortable—too comfortable.
Something clenched in his chest.
"You coming or what?"
Karthik turned to see Ashwin, one of his classmates, watching him with an amused expression.
"Huh?"
"You always walk home with Ananya, right?" Ashwin smirked. "Guess that's changing now."
Karthik frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ashwin shrugged. "Nothing. Just… Vikram and Ananya have known each other forever. It was kinda weird that she suddenly started hanging out with you so much."
Karthik's jaw tightened. "So?"
"So… maybe things are just going back to normal."
Karthik didn't reply.
He just turned and started walking, the sound of Ananya's laughter echoing behind him.
---
An Unexpected Call
That night, Karthik lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His phone buzzed beside him.
It was a message.
Ananya: Oi, why did you leave without me?
Karthik hesitated before typing back.
Karthik: You seemed busy.
A few seconds later, she replied.
Ananya: What's that supposed to mean?
Karthik exhaled sharply. He wasn't sure what he meant himself. Instead of replying, he let the message sit there.
A minute passed. Then two.
And then—his phone rang.
He stared at the screen.
Ananya calling.
After a brief hesitation, he answered.
"What?"
"'What' ah?" Ananya's voice was sharp. "You're mad about something."
Karthik sighed. "I'm not mad."
"Then why are you acting weird?"
Karthik ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know. Maybe I just don't fit into your world as much as I thought."
There was silence on the other end.
Then, in a softer voice—
"Is this about Vikram?"
Karthik swallowed. "Why would it be?"
Ananya sighed. "He's my friend, Karthik. He's always been my friend. That doesn't change anything between us."
"Doesn't it?"
Another pause.
"You idiot," Ananya muttered. "I choose who I spend time with. And I've chosen you too, haven't I?"
Karthik didn't know what to say to that.
So he said nothing.
Ananya sighed again, but this time, there was a small smile in her voice. "Tomorrow, after school—no excuses. We're getting tea. Got it?"
Karthik found himself nodding, even though she couldn't see him.
"Yeah. Got it."
And for the first time that evening, the weight on his chest felt a little lighter.
---
End of Chapter 11