When Sakshi whispered that she loves me, I was shocked — and before I could say anything, she ran away.
I don't know what she's thinking.
After that, I was walking home alone. At the metro station, Sneha was standing there.
I think she was waiting for Aryan. I just walked by and was about to cross the road when she shouted my name and told me to wait.
She came closer and said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, but the situation was so bad at that time… that's why I lied in front of everyone."
I asked, "Then why did you tell Aryan about this in the first place?"
She stayed silent for a moment, then said, "Why didn't you tell the truth in front of the class?"
I didn't answer her. I just walked away.
Days passed, and students started forgetting about that matter — but Aryan was still angry with me.
I tried to talk to him, but he always walked away without listening.
On the other hand, Sneha kept trying to talk to me. Whenever she found me alone, she would come to me and try to convince me to get into a relationship with her.
I didn't understand why she was so stuck on me.
Because of her, I was so tense that I couldn't focus on my studies.
And in tuition, Neetu kept teasing me with her name.
13 November 2021
In tuition, I was sitting at my desk, completely tense because of Sneha.
The teacher came in and asked for the minor test marks — I got 40/40 in Mathematics and 36/40 in Science.
Neetu peeped at my sheet and said, "You got only 36 in Science. My score is higher than yours!"
She had scored 38 in Science. She was so happy, smiling right in front of me.
Then I showed her my Mathematics sheet — and she went silent.
Now it was my turn to tease her, and I couldn't help but smile back.
Then our teacher said, "Let's continue the class."
He was searching for his Chemistry supplementary book for almost 10 minutes, then asked, "Does anyone have my Chemistry book?"
Neetu raised her hand and said, "I have it, sir."
The teacher sighed, "I've been looking for this for so long — you should have told me earlier!"
And suddenly, my friend Ankit said, "Sir, she was trying to steal that book from you!"
The whole class burst out laughing.
Neetu got embarrassed and started crying.
She was sitting right next to me. I looked at her — and at first, I felt bad.
I told Ankit to say sorry, but he didn't.
So I turned to her and said, "I'm sorry for what Ankit said."
She replied softly, "Why are you saying sorry? It's not even your mistake."
Then I took out my handkerchief and offered it to her. When she wiped her tears and looked up, her cheeks had turned red.
She looked so cute — damn, I literally fell for her at that moment.
I comforted her, and slowly she stopped crying.
On the way back home, I asked Nitesh, "Is Neetu in your section?"
He replied, "No, she's in another one — but I've known her since 6th grade."
I just said "okay," and we went our separate ways.
That night, I kept thinking about her crying face.
I didn't know whether it was empathy, attraction, or love.
But I did know one thing — it was the first time I smiled just by thinking about someone.
Next Day
After tuition ended, I was walking out of the corridor when Neetu came running and asked, "How's your girl, Sneha?"
I grinned and said casually, "She's gone… and I think I like someone else."
She came closer and asked, "Who is she?"
I smiled, "It's a secret."
She made an annoyed face and said, "Fine, I'm leaving."
After she left, I asked Nitesh, "Hey bro, does she have a boyfriend in school?"
He said, "No, she's single."
Days passed, and I tried to deepen my friendship with Neetu.
Now she wasn't the only one who yapped in the middle of class — I joined her too.
My friends noticed my behavior towards her had changed.
They started doubting that I liked her.
15 December 2021
While walking home, Nitesh suddenly asked, "You like her, don't you?"
I replied, "Her? Who are you talking about?"
He smirked, "Haha, don't play dumb. We've all noticed your actions."
I asked, "You're talking about Neetu?"
They all shouted, "Yes!" in sync.
I blushed a little.
They started teasing me, saying, "Don't hide it now!"
I finally admitted, "Yes, I do love her. And I'm thinking of confessing… do you think it's a good idea or bad?"
They all told me to go for it — to confess.
And that day, I decided I would.
16 December 2021
I left home for tuition, wearing a white shirt and black pants.
I was fully prepared to confess my feelings to her.
I picked up Nitesh from his house, and together we went to the tuition centre.
When I entered, I saw Neetu from afar — she was standing with a group of four people.
I recognized three: Neetu, her friend Shweta, and Vishal.
The fourth person, I didn't know.
Me and Nitesh called Shweta aside and asked, "Who's the fourth person?"
She replied, "He's Neetu's boyfriend."
I was shocked.
For a few seconds, I didn't know what to think.
The only thing that came to my mind was, "I'm late… if I had confessed a little sooner, maybe I had a chance."
Then Nitesh asked, "What's his name?"
Shweta replied, "His name is Jatin."