As the last class’s bell rings, Vyani packs her stuff today was the first day of her new coaching classes, she didn't wanted to be late , stuffing everything inside as she quickly says bye to her friends and leaves the room , she goes outside the hall filled with students trying to make their way out of the school gate it was impossible to get out of the school like this so she decided to fill her bottle as the water tank was near than the school gate.
She opens the tap, watching as the water rushes into her bottle, the steady stream creating a low, gurgling sound. But then—something else. Something sharper.
A hitched breath. A rough, shaky inhale, followed by a choked, almost strangled exhale.
The sound is raw, heavier than the gentle splashing of water. It makes her pause.
Her fingers tighten around the bottle as she turns her head sharp, uneven breath. A stifled sob.
Her head turns, drawn toward the noise.
Two taps away, Sankshipt stands frozen, his head bowed, his glasses dangling from one hand while the other grips the tap like it’s the only thing keeping him standing. His shoulders tremble. His breath comes in ragged, uneven pulls, catching in his throat before breaking into silent sobs. He isn’t even trying to hide it—his eyes are red, glassy, unfocused.
She hadn’t even noticed him before. But now, with every fractured breath he takes, it’s impossible not to.
She just stands there, watching him sob.
It’s like he doesn’t even notice her. Students push past, their laughter and footsteps blending into meaningless noise, but he doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t lift his head. Doesn’t care.
The water overflows from her bottle, spilling over her fingers. She blinks, breaking out of her thoughts just long enough to twist the tap shut.
She wants to say something. Ask him what happened. Why he’s crying. But how can she? They’re strangers. And besides—boys don’t cry. At least, that’s what people say.
She doesn’t know who decided emotions had a gender. Once, crying had just been… human. But now, it seems like the shape of your reproductive organs determines whether you're allowed to show your pain or hide it.
Her thoughts tangle, stuck between walking away and doing something—anything—until, finally, she speaks.
“Hey… are you alright?”
Her voice is soft, uncertain.
Sankshipt flinches, as if the words sting. His hand jerks up, wiping at his face hastily before he mutters, “Sor—sorry.” His voice is raw, scratched at the edges, barely holding together.
Then, before she can say anything else, he turns and walks away.
Sorry?
Sorry for what?
The question lingers in her mind, unanswered, as she shoves her bottle into her bag and heads toward the main door, the weight of the moment still pressing against her chest.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Qri2aCbG
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“I don’t know why he was crying,” Vyani muttered, kicking a stray pebble as she walked toward her new coaching center. “I wish I could just read his mind. It’s way too hard to ask a barely-stranger something so personal.”
Tis hovered beside her, silent but listening.
“Why do you care if a barely-stranger is crying?” he asked finally.
“Of course I care! You wouldn’t just ignore someone is crying right next to you.”
“Then you should have helped him or something.”
“I couldn’t! I told you, I don’t know him that well.”
Tis stared into her eyes, his gaze sharp and unreadable. “So you couldn’t help him there but now you want to yap about it to me?”
“I mean—”
“Vyakhya, wait!”
Vyani turned to see Shiksha running up behind her, panting.
“Oh, you made it on time even though you left school late,” Vyani said as they started walking together toward their coaching classes.
“I know, right? Avni wouldn’t let me go.”
“Avni?” Vyani raised a brow. “You guys are bonding so fast, bro.”
“Yeah, I mean, she’s great. I like her. She’s just so… me? Haha.”
Vyani hesitated for a second before nodding. “She’s actually nice. We’ve been friends since preschool, that’s why.”
“I know! She told me how you played Krishna once and she was Radha. Hahaha.”
They both burst into laughter, their voices mixing with the hum of the street. Tis rolled his eyes before disappearing, and Vyani side-eyed where he had been moments ago.
“Well, did you hear the news?” Shiksha asked.
“What news?”
“You don’t know? A murderer escaped from jail.”
“Really? So that’s why there were so many police sirens during physics period!”
“Bro, that was an ambulance,” Shiksha snorted. “You didn’t hear? Pritha from Section C fainted in class today.”
“Oh my god, again?” Vyani groaned. “How much extent would her "diet" thing go?”
The girls laughed as their gossip carried on, following them all the way to the coaching building.
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The day went by and the next, sun from the moon to sun again as it was the lunch time,students in white shirts and black pants running across the playground, their laughter echoing through the school corridors. Meanwhile, inside the biology lab, Vyani sat hunched over a thick attendance register, scribbling down student information as her teacher instructed.
Amisha and Anirudh were nearby, pretending to work but mostly lost in their own world. Lately, Anirudh had been giving Amisha a lot more attention, and they both knew why.
Vyani glanced at Amisha, who looked just as effortlessly pretty as always. “Amisha, can you grab my pen case from the classroom? This pen’s ink is fading so badly.”
Amisha barely turned her head before smirking at Anirudh. “Why don’t you go? Ma’am didn’t even ask you to do this work. You forced your way in.”
Anirudh chuckled, leaning against the desk. “Your work is done too, ma’am. You’re just wasting time here.”
“I’m waiting for Vyani to finish writing the bio students’ information. You’re the one stalling,” Amisha said, tapping her black pen on the table.
Anirudh narrowed his eyes before suddenly grabbing the pen from her hand. “I can do whatever I want. I’m a human with free will.”
“Oh, thanks for the breaking news,” Amisha shot back, feigning shock.
“What? That humans have free will?” Anirudh raised an eyebrow.
“No, that you are a human.” Amisha burst into laughter, tapping her pen against his hand.
Vyani groaned, rolling her eyes. “Are you going or not!?” she snapped, finally losing her patience.
“Alright, alright, calm down.” Anirudh laughed as he walked out of the lab.
Amisha smirked. “Wow. He actually listens to you.”
Vyani sighed. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two.”
“Nothing’s going on! Don’t talk nonsense,” Amisha said, narrowing her eyes in a offense.
Before Vyani could respond, a voice came from the doorway.
“Hey,—oops.”
Ayaan.
He stopped mid-step, his gaze landing directly on Vyani.
And just like that, the air in the room shifted.
Vyani barely spared him a glance before burying her face back in the register. Meanwhile, Amisha froze, stunned. Of course, their school boys weren’t exactly heartthrobs, so why was this breathtaking guy standing in front of her, wearing the same uniform as them? She swallowed hard, taking in his sharp features.
“The bio ma’am—what’s her name? Uh—whatever, I don’t know—is asking for the register, Vya- Pixel,” Ayaan said casually before strolling toward Vyani’s chair. He never missed a chance to make things awkward for her.
Vyani stiffened. What did he just call me?
“Pixel?” Amisha asked, glancing between them.
“Oh, you don’t know? That’s her nickname.” Ayaan smirked. “We’re neighbors, right, Pixel? Or are we still strangers?” He didn’t expect an answer—he already got what he wanted: to embarrass her.
Vyani let out an awkward chuckle. “Haha… yeah, we—we’re neighbors.” She kept her gaze on the register, avoiding his eyes.
“Ohh, that suits her!” Amisha laughed. “She is as small as a pixel. Like me—I swear I’ve tried everything to grow taller, but I just can’t.”
Ayaan nodded slowly, his eyes still locked onto Vyani. “Hmm.”
“So, are you new here?” Amisha asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
“Yeah. Just a week.”
“Ohh, which stream?”
“Commerce.”
“Ohh, commerce? Then your class teacher must be Mr.—”
“Done.” Vyani abruptly thumped the register onto the table, as if a timer had gone off. She grabbed it and shot Amisha a pointed look. “I’ll give it to Shruti ma’am myself—tha—leave it.” Without waiting for a response, she stormed off.
Amisha confused, then turned to Ayaan with a sweet smile. “Bye.” She hurried after Vyani.
The moment they stepped outside, Amisha grabbed Vyani’s arm. “Bro. That guy is so handsome. Like, I don’t call people handsome easily, but he’s really something.”
Vyani ignored her. She knew he was handsome. Yeah, so? Looks are deceiving.
“Ugh, I’m just saying. He’s even better looking than Nishkarsh.”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImSPIpofYs
Vyani kept walking, her grip tightening around Amisha’s wrist as they made their way to the teacher. She didn’t let go until the register was safely submitted—until she had an excuse not to talk about him.
Because Ayaan was breathtaking, he takes people's breath away like ,he had taken hers once, the real one.
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