The days following Ananya's confrontation with Vikram felt different. Karthik wasn't sure if it was just in his head, but something had changed.
Maybe it was the way people in class looked at him—some curious, some confused. Or maybe it was the way Vikram had stopped making subtle remarks, almost as if he had accepted Karthik's presence in Ananya's life.
But most of all, it was Ananya.
She was the same—loud, confident, always teasing him—but there was something beneath the surface. A softness in her gaze whenever she looked at him. A warmth in her voice when she said his name.
And Karthik… he was starting to notice it more.
---
Ananya's Question
One afternoon, as they walked to their usual tea shop, Ananya suddenly turned to him with a mischievous grin.
"What do you think about relationships?"
Karthik nearly choked on his tea. "W-What?"
Ananya laughed at his reaction. "You heard me. Love, dating, all that filmy stuff."
Karthik frowned, taking a moment to think. "I… I don't know. I never really thought about it."
Ananya tilted her head. "Liar. Everyone thinks about it."
Karthik sighed. "Fine. I guess… I don't see the point of it in school. People get together, then break up in a few months. It just seems like a distraction."
Ananya hummed thoughtfully. "So, if someone confessed to you, you'd reject them?"
Karthik hesitated. "…I don't know."
Ananya smirked. "What if I confessed to you?"
Karthik's breath hitched. He stared at her, searching for any sign that she was joking. But for once, her expression was unreadable.
His heart pounded against his ribs. "Are you serious?"
Ananya held his gaze for a few seconds longer before laughing. "Relax, I'm just messing with you!"
Karthik let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "You're impossible."
Ananya grinned, taking a sip of her tea. "I know."
But as Karthik watched her, a strange thought crept into his mind.
What if she hadn't been joking?
And why did the idea of it make his chest feel so tight?
---
A Silent Realization
That night, as Karthik lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he replayed the conversation in his head.
Ananya was always teasing him. That was just her nature. But today had felt different.
And the worst part? He hadn't hated it.
He turned onto his side, frustration bubbling inside him.
This was bad.
Because for the first time… he wasn't sure if his feelings for Ananya were just friendship anymore.
---
End of Chapter 15