Exams ended.
Brains melted.
Teachers sighed in disappointment.
Basically, school returned to normal.
I walked into class feeling relieved—
until I heard Sana whisper:
"Arista… code red."
I froze. "What happened? Fire? Principal? Surprise test?!"
"Worse," Meera said dramatically.
"He's back."
I didn't even need to ask who.
Because the moment I turned around, I saw him.
Kaelor.
Fresh haircut.
New hoodie.
Same dangerous smile.
My heart instantly went dhak-dhak like someone was practising tabla inside my chest.
"Why is he early today?" I whispered.
"Maybe he wanted to see you," Sana teased.
I glared. "Please. He doesn't even know I exist."
But the universe loves drama.
Because the very same second, Kaelor walked into the classroom…
and sat directly behind me.
DIRECTLY.
BEHIND.
ME.
I stiffened like a shocked goat.
Sana's jaw dropped.
Meera whispered, "This is the beginning of a Bollywood plot."
I wanted to melt into my bench.
---
The Roll-Call Disaster
Roll call began.
Everything was normal…
until the teacher called:
"Arista."
I answered politely, "Present, ma'am."
Then next:
"Kaelor."
He replied, "Present," but for some reason his voice sounded like he was smiling.
Why.
WHY.
WHY WAS HE SMILING.
I peeked back slightly, and to my horror, he was looking right at me with this tiny, amused expression.
I turned back so fast, I almost sprained my neck.
Sana whispered, "Did Kaelor just SMILE at you?"
"No," I hissed. "He probably smiled at the wall."
"Arista," Meera said with a straight face, "walls don't answer roll call."
---
The Group Project Doom
Next period, our teacher made the worst announcement ever:
"We are doing a group science project. I will assign the groups."
Everyone prayed silently.
I prayed loudly inside.
"Please God, give me good teammates. And by good I mean:
– Not annoying
– Not loud
– And definitely NOT him."
But of course, God has humour.
"Group 3:
Arista…
Sana…
and—
Kaelor."
I dropped my pen.
Sana gasped like she won the lottery.
Meera looked betrayed she wasn't in our group.
Meanwhile, Kaelor leaned forward from his bench and said casually:
"Oh cool, we're together."
My soul left my body.
I turned around slowly.
"Y-Yes… cool."
Cool?
COOL??
What was cool about this??
I was one step away from becoming a cartoon character with steam coming out of ears.
---
The First Team Discussion (aka embarrassment)
We gathered near the lab after class.
"So," Sana started, "we should decide a topic."
Kaelor looked at us. "Anything is fine. But don't pick something boring like plants."
I said, "What's wrong with plants?"
"They don't move," he laughed. "I get bored."
I crossed my arms. "Plants do move. Sunlight, tropism, growth— everything counts."
He blinked at me.
Then smiled.
"Okay, okay. You win. Plants move."
Why did the smile feel illegal.
I looked away before my face turned into a tomato again.
He said, "You pick the topic then. I trust your choice."
TRUST?!
HELLO??
WHY ARE YOU USING NICE WORDS??
Sana looked like she was about to faint from excitement.
I muttered, "Uh… let's do human physiology."
Kaelor nodded. "Cool. That sounds actually interesting."
But then, tragedy struck.
He said,
"By the way… in Dandiya Night… were you looking at me? Or was I imagining?"
I CHOKED ON AIR.
Sana kicked my foot, mouthing, "LIE. LIE FOR YOUR LIFE."
"I—I wasn't looking at you!" I said too quickly.
"Oh," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Because I thought… never mind."
NEVER MIND???
NO, SAY IT.
But also don't say it.
But also SAY IT.
I was about to ask when he smiled again—
the smile that made my heart act like a glitching phone.
"Anyway," he said, "I'll help with diagrams. You're good with explanations. We'll make a good team."
A GOOD TEAM?
Excuse me?!
Sir, please relax, my feelings are not waterproof.
He waved goodbye and left.
Sana grabbed me dramatically.
"ARISTA. DO YOU REALIZE WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Yes you do."
"No."
"Yes."
"…okay maybe a little."
---
The Ending Realization
As I walked home that day, I thought:
I didn't ask for feelings.
I didn't plan this crush.
I didn't sign a contract saying "Kaelor will sit behind you and smile like a menace."
But here we are.
And I had a feeling…
This project was about to become a whole new adventure.