The biology exam was done.
Barely.
Karthik stumbled out of the exam hall looking like he'd aged five years. "They asked about mitochondria but I wrote about emotional trauma."
Vikram patted his back. "Same. I think I explained osmosis as 'how sadness seeps into your bones.'"
Ananya giggled as she joined them. "You both are so dramatic. It wasn't that bad."
Karthik turned to her, wide-eyed. "You thought it was easy?"
"I didn't say easy," she smirked. "Just survivable."
They started walking toward the library. The corridors buzzed with post-exam relief—some kids were whining, some celebrating, some walking around like ghosts. But for Karthik, the only thing that mattered was the girl beside him, brushing her fingers against his as they walked.
---
Inside the library, they found a quiet corner behind the Tamil fiction shelf—half-shaded, rarely visited, and just secluded enough.
"Fifteen minutes," Ananya whispered. "Then we study for chemistry."
Karthik nodded, dropping into the chair beside her. "Fifteen minutes of peace sounds perfect."
She placed her head lightly on his shoulder, and for a moment, they sat in silence. The kind of silence that felt like a song. Like a safe place.
He glanced at her. "How do you stay so calm?"
She didn't answer right away. Then, "I'm not. But if I fall apart, I know you'll be there."
Karthik looked down at their hands—fingers not quite intertwined, but close. "Always."
---
The peace didn't last.
Shruthi peeked around the corner like a mischievous squirrel. "Ohoooo! Library date?"
"Shh!" Ananya and Karthik hissed together.
Vikram appeared behind her, holding a can of Maaza. "I was wondering where you two lovebirds went."
"This is not a date," Karthik muttered, trying to act annoyed while secretly glad they were caught by friends and not a teacher.
"Sure," Shruthi said, grinning. "Anyway, canteen's almost closing. Come eat."
Ananya sighed. "Fine. Fifteen minutes are up anyway."
As they walked out together, Ananya whispered, "Maybe I did want this to be a date."
Karthik's heart did a backflip.
He didn't say anything—just reached out, brushed his pinky against hers again.
---
Later, during lunch, while everyone else dug into biryani and jokes, Karthik watched her—smiling, laughing, biting into a crispy samosa, sunlight catching her earrings.
And he thought:
This is the best part of falling in love. The ordinary moments that don't feel ordinary anymore.
---
End of Chapter 44