The school courtyard buzzed with excitement that morning. The annual sports meet was about to begin, and students filled the ground, their cheers rising like waves. Among the athletes standing in neat rows, one boy seemed to shine brighter than the rest—Akhil.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself with quiet confidence. His uniform fit him perfectly, his hair neatly combed, and when he smiled, even the teachers couldn't help but admire him. He wasn't just good at sports; he was also top of the class. To everyone, Akhil was the golden boy—handsome, talented, and impossibly kind.
Girls whispered from the sidelines, their giggles following him as he jogged across the track. Some held banners with his name scribbled in colorful letters.
Sanya stood near the bleachers, clutching her notebook to her chest. "Look at him," she murmured, her eyes following Akhil as he stretched before the race.
Ram, standing beside her, shrugged. "So? He's just running. I can do that too."
Sanya smiled, shaking her head. "Not like him. He's… different. Everyone likes him."
Ram's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. His eyes stayed fixed on Sanya instead of the track.
The whistle blew, and the runners took off. Akhil surged forward with graceful strides, every movement effortless. By the time he crossed the finish line, the crowd was already on its feet, clapping and shouting his name.
"He's incredible," Sanya whispered, her eyes shining.
Ram forced a laugh. "He runs fast, that's all. You're impressed too easily."
But inside, he felt a strange heaviness. He had seen Sanya smile a thousand times, but this smile—directed at someone else—cut deeper than he expected.
After the races, girls crowded around Akhil, offering him water, sweets, and their congratulations. One girl, blushing, handed him a small card. "Akhil… I like you," she stammered.
Akhil took the card politely, smiled, and said, "Thank you. But I don't accept these things." He handed it back gently and walked away, leaving the girl flushed but not humiliated.
Sanya watched, impressed. "See? Even when he refuses, he's kind. He doesn't hurt anyone."
Ram glanced at her. "Why are you talking about him so much?"
Sanya laughed lightly. "Because he stands out. Don't you see it?"
Ram didn't answer. His heart clenched, but his lips curved into a practiced smile.
That evening, as they walked home, Sanya couldn't stop talking about Akhil—his kindness, his confidence, the way he treated everyone equally. Ram listened quietly, every word sinking into him like a stone.
When they reached their lane, Sanya turned to him. "Ram, don't you think he's… special?"
Ram looked at her, his chest aching with words he would never say. You're the one who's special. Not him. Not anyone else.
But all he managed was a small nod. "If you think so, then… maybe he is."
And as Sanya walked ahead, her thoughts full of Akhil, Ram lingered behind. For the first time, he realized that his secret—the love he had kept hidden for so long—was about to be tested.