Chapter 11

Subhi

The rain had stopped by the time I reached home, but the dampness clung to me, a reminder of the silent walk I had shared with Abhimanyu. It was strange how neither of us had rushed to break the silence or move away. We had just walked, side by side, in the rain, without a word beyond that brief exchange.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed.

Throwing my wet bag onto the chair, I grabbed a towel and rubbed my hair dry, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My uniform was still slightly damp, my shoes muddy from the walk.

But it wasn’t the rain I was thinking about.

It was him.

Why did he talk to me today?

Why did I reply?

It wasn’t like we were friends. We weren’t even acquaintances in the true sense. Just two people forced to sit beside each other due to a seating arrangement.

And yet… something about today felt different.

I shook my head. No, I was overthinking. It was just a coincidence that we walked the same way. Nothing more.

Still, my mind wouldn’t let it go.

Even during dinner, as my parents talked about their day, my thoughts drifted back to that moment—the quiet sound of footsteps in the rain, the way his voice had broken the silence, and the almost-smile that had appeared when I pointed out he had forgotten his umbrella.

It was just small talk. So why did it feel like something more?

I finished eating quickly, hoping sleep would put an end to this unnecessary overthinking. But as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind betrayed me again.

Was I making too much of a simple moment?

Or was this the start of something I wasn’t prepared for?

I turned on my side, closing my eyes.

Tomorrow would be just another day.

At least, that’s what I told myself.