Chapter 1
Shrawani pov :-
A loud metallic voice crashed through the belfry overhead, piercing our sensitive ears and making us realize it was the first period. The annoying clatter of shoes on the bare floor suddenly came to an end. Everything fell silent.
A long-haired, fair, round-faced lady with spectacles hanging low on her nose entered our classroom. That was the moment I realized our first period was an arrangement.
There I was, sitting in the third seat of 11th class— still, almost statuesque — wrapped in the fabric of our dearest and dearest school uniform . My hair was pulled into a high ponytail, tight and neat, but a few strands had escaped — some tucked carefully behind my ears, others scattering across my face like they had a mind of their own, soft and defiant.
My lower lip, dry and heavy, bore the sting of a thousand unspoken thoughts. I kept licking it out of habit, trying to smooth the cracks, until it caught the light — now glossy, tinged with a quiet pink, like a secret I hadn’t meant to share. Still, none of it was visible beneath the black mask pressed tightly against my face, covering everything but never really hiding anything.
A pair of large, round blue glasses clung to my nose — too big for my face, too bold for my mood — casting shadows over my eyes. Eyes that glistened dark brown behind the lenses, heavy with thoughts, quietly alive with emotion. They called me a nerd when they saw me, those glasses convincing enough to make it believable. But that wasn’t me. Not really. Or maybe, just maybe, it was part of me — the part no one had ever bothered to understand.
A girl with long brown hair tied neatly into a braid sat beside me, her black mask perfectly framing her round face. She turned slightly, just enough to speak — and there it was, that familiar voice again. Her brownglossy eyes lit up the moment I looked her way, full of unspoken excitement. And in that instant, I just knew... she was about to bring up that topic again.
“Girl, why don’t you get it?” she said, her voice laced with playful frustration.
“Krisha, I just don’t believe in that,” I replied, shaking my head.
“Oh, my dearest Shrawani,” she sighed dramatically, eyes gleaming, “I’m sure you’ll believe it... once you feel it.”
“You’re such an overthinker,” I shot back. “That stuff only happens in fiction—movies, books, dramas. Not in real life. You seriously need to step out of your bubble.”
I paused, then added, “Look, I love reading stories too, but I know that kind of thing only happens on paper. Got it?”
“But Shrawani, what’s so wrong with love at first sight? It can happen...” she asked, her voice soft but certain.
“How can you love someone at first sight? That makes no sense,” I replied, crossing my arms. “Nope, I don’t believe in it.”
She smiled, not the least bit convinced.
“Well, I do. And trust me, girl — you’ll experience it someday. Sooner or later.”
I rolled my eyes.
“No way. I’m perfectly happy with my fictional men. I don’t need anyone else,” I said, grinning. “They never disappoint.”
“Ma’am, may I come in?”
A deep, manly voice slipped into my receptive ears, sending chills down my spine. I looked up to see the person that voice belonged to.
As soon as I lifted my head, a boy with glossy brown eyes came into view — his hair perfectly styled, a white mask cupping his sharp jawline, and a well-fitted uniform that hugged his frame just right. His ocean-deep eyes caught all of my attention, pulling me in completely. They gave me an unfamiliar sense of peace.
I could feel butterflies erupting in my stomach, making me stare even more closely into those crystal-clear, beautiful eyes. That was it… I was lost.
I couldn’t move. My head stayed frozen, my eyes fixed on him like a starving artist entranced by a page of poetry.
I was so caught up in my thoughts, I didn’t even realize when those eyes slipped out of sight. It took me a few moments to snap back to reality, completely baffled by what had just happened.
I turned to look at Krisha. She was already staring at me, her expression unreadable — a mix of concern, curiosity, and just a hint of playful teasing.
“Bro, what happened? Are you alright?” she asked, her voice low but laced with suspicion.
“Umm… yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “By the way, who was he? I’ve never seen him before.”
She smirked, as if she’d been waiting for that question.
“Oh, him? That’s Rudransh Kapoor from Class 11-B. He’s kind of famous around here… especially among the girls. All because of those looks.”
“Oh,” I said with a slight smile, still half-lost in thought.
Krisha looked at me closely, then shook her head.
“Bro, don’t fall for him. I’m telling you, he’s not the right one for you.”
Noticing the way I was still dazed, she continued,
“He’s... I don’t know — the mysterious type. Quiet. You can never really tell what’s going on in his head.”
I laughed softly.
“Krisha, please. Descriptions like that just make him sound way more attractive.”
She widened her eyes.
“Are you serious, girl? Attractive? Don’t even think about it!”
I raised an eyebrow, teasing her with a smirk.
“Wait... are you jealous? You’ve got a crush on him, don’t you? Huh? And you never told me!”
“No way. I’m not interested in him. Not at all,” Krisha said firmly, crossing her arms.
“Okay, okay… but his eyes,” I murmured, lost in thought. “They’re so deep. Like the ocean.”
She groaned.
“Bruh, don’t fall for those eyes. That’s exactly how most girls end up crushing on him. I’m warning you — don’t go down that road.”
I turned to her with a mischievous grin.
“Honestly? Your warnings are just making me more interested.”
She let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Gosh… fine. It’s your choice. I’ve warned you. But whatever happens, I’m with you, okay?”
I smiled, leaning closer.
“So… tell me more about him.”
Krisha shrugged.
“I don’t know him personally, so there’s not much I can say. I already told you everything I know.”
Then she paused, as if remembering something.
“Oh right — I did hear he got a lot of proposals. All of which he rejected. And rumor has it... he might have a crush on one of his classmates.”
My curiosity peaked, and I could feel that familiar flutter in my chest again.
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