Chapter 7

Subhi

The exam was over. The air in the classroom felt lighter, filled with sighs of relief and hurried conversations about how easy or difficult the paper had been. I just sat there, staring at my answer sheet as if I could still fix something. But it wasn’t the exam that had my mind occupied.

It was him.

Abhimanyu.

For the past few days, I had caught myself noticing him more than usual. Not in the way others did—admiring, gossiping, or whispering about him—but in a way that unsettled me. There was something off about him today. Even while writing the exam, he seemed distant, like he was physically here but mentally somewhere else.

I wasn’t supposed to care.

I wasn’t supposed to think about him at all.

And yet, my eyes followed him as he silently packed his things, slinging his bag over his shoulder and walking out of the classroom without looking at anyone. The usual arrogance, the careless charm that made people either adore or resent him—none of it was there.

Why?

I clenched my pen tighter. Should I ask him? Should I care?

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought. He had never once cared about my existence before. We were strangers in the same world. It wasn’t my place to ask anything.

But something about the way he left—so quiet, so unlike him—bothered me.

I walked out of the classroom, my fingers curled into a fist, my mind battling itself.

I could just let it go. Ignore whatever was happening. It wasn’t my business.

Or… I could confront him.

I spotted him near the school entrance, standing alone. He wasn’t talking to anyone, just staring at the ground as if lost in thought. The rain had started drizzling lightly outside, making the atmosphere feel heavier.

My heart pounded. Should I go to him?

I took a step forward. Then another.

But before I could reach him, he turned and walked away.

And I… I just stood there. Frozen.

Maybe it was better this way. Maybe I didn’t need to know what was wrong with him.

But then why did I feel so restless?

I exhaled, shaking my head. No. Not today.

But someday, I would have to ask him.

Someday.

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