First Practice Session - The Library
"So, we need a strategy," Shanaya said, sitting across from Neel at a library table. Her voice was professional, detached.
"Agreed. I'll take the isolation angle, you take the connection angle," Neel replied, equally businesslike.
"Works for me."
They worked in silence for twenty minutes. Then:
"Can I ask you something?" Shanaya said suddenly.
Neel looked up, surprised. "Sure."
"Why do you hate me so much?"
The question hung in the air like smoke.
"I don't... hate you," Neel said slowly. "I just... we're different."
"Different isn't bad."
"I know."
"Then why do we act like enemies?"
Neel closed his laptop. "Honestly? I don't know. I guess it's easier than trying to understand each other."
Shanaya laughed—a real laugh, not her usual social laugh. "That's the smartest thing you've ever said to me."
"Thanks, I think?"
For the first time, they smiled at each other. Not forced, not fake. Real.
"Maybe we should start over," Shanaya suggested. "Hi, I'm Shanaya. I'm actually pretty insecure despite what everyone thinks, and I hide behind being loud and social."
Neel blinked. "Hi, I'm Neel. I'm actually pretty lonely despite choosing to be alone, and I hide behind being distant and cold."
They stared at each other, and something shifted. The wall between them cracked.
"Want to get chai?" Shanaya asked.
"Yeah," Neel said. "Yeah, I'd like that."
That Night: The Messages That Changed Everything
S to A:
S: A, something weird happened today
A: What?
S: I actually had a good conversation with that guy
S: The one I said I hated
A: That's great! What changed?
S: We just... talked honestly for once
S: And I realized he's not what I thought
S: He's actually kind of like me. Just shows it differently
A: I'm happy for you, S
S: You always know what to say
S: I wish I could meet you in real life
A: ...
A: Me too
A to S:
A: S, I think I was wrong about someone
S: The rival girl?
A: Yeah. We actually talked today
A: Real talk, not just competition stuff
S: And?
A: She's... not what I expected
A: She's honest. Vulnerable even
A: Kind of reminds me of you actually
S: How so?
A: The way she talks about feeling alone even when surrounded by people
A: You said something similar once
S: ...
S: A, can I ask you something?
A: Anything
S: What college do you go to?
A: ...
A: Why do you ask?
S: Just curious
A: St. Xavier's. You?
S: ...
S: Same
The messages stopped. Both of them stared at their screens, hearts racing.
Same college. Same city. Same world.
Could it be...?
No. Impossible.
... Right?
To Be Continued...
Two rivals. Two online friends. Same college. Same connection. A boy who pretends to be a girl online. A girl who pretends to be a boy online. What happens when the lines between fake and real start to blur? When the person you talk to at night might be the person you compete with by day?
The unexpected connection is about to become even more unexpected...
Stay tuned on SILENT SPEAKS for the next chapter of...
Between Screens and Hearts