Chapter 1 The Ordinary Monday
Monday mornings had a strange way of making everything feel harder than it actually was.
The alarm had been ringing for almost five minutes before Shivanya finally opened her eyes.
She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, trying to remember what day it was.
Then it hit her.
Monday.
“Oh no…”
She immediately sat up.
Her school uniform was still hanging on the chair. Her books were scattered across the table, and one of her socks had somehow disappeared under the bed.
“Where is my other sock?” she muttered, looking underneath the bed.
Nothing.
She checked beside the cupboard.
Nothing.
Then she noticed something sticking out from underneath her school bag.
Her missing sock.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
After a few minutes of complete chaos, Shivanya finally managed to get ready. She grabbed her bag, rushed downstairs, and almost forgot her lunch.
“Shivanya!” her mother called.
“Yes!”
“Your lunch!”
She stopped at the door.
“Oh!”
She quickly turned around, grabbed it, and ran outside.
The morning air was cool, and the streets were already filled with students heading toward school. Some were walking with their friends, some were riding bicycles, and some looked as sleepy as Shivanya felt.
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and started walking.
Her school wasn't very far away, but on Monday mornings, even a ten-minute walk felt like a journey.
When she finally reached the school gate, she saw a familiar face waiting near the entrance.
Aastha.
“You're late,” Aastha said.
Shivanya looked at her watch.
“I know.”
“You said you'd reach before me.”
“I know.”
“You said you'd wake up early.”
“I know!”
Aastha laughed.
“Okay, okay. I won't say anything.”
Shivanya rolled her eyes but smiled.
This was how most of their mornings started.
Aastha talked.
Shivanya listened.
And somehow, they both ended up laughing about something before reaching their classroom.
As they walked through the corridor, the familiar sounds of school surrounded them—the ringing of classroom bells, teachers calling students, chairs being dragged across floors, and groups of friends talking about everything except their studies.
Shivanya loved this part of school.
Not the exams.
Not the homework.
Not the endless lectures.
Just these ordinary moments.
She and Aastha entered their classroom and took their usual seats.
Aastha immediately started talking about something that had happened over the weekend.
Shivanya listened while arranging her notebooks.
“You're not listening, are you?” Aastha suddenly asked.
“I am.”
“What did I just say?”
Shivanya paused.
“…Something about your cousin?”
Aastha stared at her.
“I was talking about my neighbour.”
Shivanya laughed.
“Okay, fine. I wasn't listening.”
“I knew it!”
The first bell rang.
Students quickly settled into their seats.
Their teacher entered the classroom, and the room became quieter.
Shivanya opened her notebook.
For the next few periods, everything was completely normal.
Maths.
English.
History.
Notes.
Questions.
Answers.
A few whispers between friends.
Another bell.
Another class.
Nothing unusual.
Until lunch break.
Shivanya and Aastha were walking down the corridor when Aastha suddenly stopped.
“Wait.”
“What?”
Aastha looked toward the other side of the corridor.
“Do you know him?”
Shivanya followed her gaze.
There were several students standing near the staircase.
And among them was a boy she had seen before but never really noticed.
Pranav.
He was talking to his friends, completely unaware that anyone was watching him.
Shivanya looked away almost immediately.
“No.”
Aastha smiled.
“You're lying.”
“I literally don't know him.”
“Then why did you look away so quickly?”
“Because you were staring!”
Aastha laughed.
Shivanya shook her head and continued walking.
She didn't know why that small moment had made her feel awkward.
Maybe it was nothing.
Probably nothing.
She didn't think about it again.
At least, that's what she told herself.
The rest of the day passed quickly.
By the final bell, everyone seemed relieved.
Students rushed out of classrooms, talking about their plans for the afternoon.
Shivanya packed her books slowly while Aastha waited beside her.
“Come on,” Aastha said. “We'll be late.”
“I'm coming.”
They walked toward the school gate together.
The sky had turned a soft orange, and the school building looked different in the evening light.
Shivanya stopped for a moment.
She looked back at the school.
She had no idea why.
Maybe she simply liked the view.
Maybe she was tired.
Maybe she was thinking about tomorrow.
Or maybe there was something else.
She didn't know.
She turned around and continued walking beside Aastha.
Neither of them knew that this was just the beginning.
Neither of them knew how many memories, arguments, friendships, surprises, and unanswered questions were waiting for them.
And Shivanya certainly didn't know that the boy she had barely noticed that morning would slowly become a part of her story.
For now, though, it was just an ordinary Monday.
Or at least, that's what Shivanya thought. 🌸
