The next morning, I woke up with a strange kind of happiness in my chest.
For a few seconds, I didn't even understand why.
Then it hit me.
Her.
Payel.
The dream from last night replayed in my mind — her smile, her presence… and that moment where I kissed her forehead.
A soft smile appeared on my face.
I sat up on my bed, running my hand through my hair.
"I have to go to school today," I whispered to myself.
Usually, after any big event or program, I would skip school the next day without even thinking twice.
But today was different.
Today… I wanted to see her.
---
Just as I was getting ready, the sound of heavy rain filled the house.
I walked toward the window.
The streets were flooded.
Rain poured endlessly from the sky, as if the world itself had decided to stop.
From behind me, my mother's voice came,
"You're not going to school today. Look outside."
Everyone in the house agreed.
"Stay home."
"Too much rain."
"It's not safe."
But my heart…
My heart refused to listen.
I quickly picked up my phone and texted her:
"Hey… will you go to school today?"
For a few minutes, there was no reply.
Each second felt longer than usual.
Then finally—
A message.
"Yeah… I was actually going to call you. Sanjay sir called me last night. He said we have to come today. Principal sir wants all the winners."
I read that message again.
And again.
That was it.
Decision made.
"Even if the world stops me… I'm going."
---
The roads were flooded.
Rain hit my face again and again.
My clothes were completely soaked within minutes.
But I didn't stop.
Step by step, through water, through mud, through the storm…
I kept moving.
Because somewhere ahead—
She was waiting.
---
When I finally reached school, I was completely drenched.
Water dripped from my hair, my uniform clung to my body, and I was breathing heavily.
But what surprised me the most…
Was that the school was almost full.
Students everywhere.
I stood there, confused.
"How…?"
Just then, the principal noticed me.
"Aree Sarthak beta!" he said. "Why did you come like this? We sent school buses to everyone's house today. And we even said no fees for it!"
For a moment…
I froze.
Then inside my head—
I will destroy this school.
They couldn't even inform me properly?!
I was ready to explode.
But then—
I saw her.
Standing a little distance away.
Payel.
And just like that…
All my anger disappeared.
---
She walked toward me slowly.
"I thought you wouldn't come," she said softly.
Her voice had a hint of sadness.
"When the bus came near your house, everyone got in… except you."
I looked at her.
"I said I'll come," I replied.
"And I always keep my promises."
Her eyes softened.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"I'm happy you came."
And then—
Before I could react—
She hugged me.
For a second…
Time stopped.
My mind went blank.
My heartbeat… loud.
This wasn't like before.
This wasn't accidental.
This time…
She hugged me.
On her own.
I didn't even move.
I just stood there… frozen.
Feeling her warmth.
Feeling that moment.
A moment I never wanted to end.
Then slowly, she pulled back.
Blushing.
And walked away.
---
I stood there for a few seconds.
Completely still.
Until—
"Ohooo… Mr. Majnu."
Sayan's voice.
Reality came back.
He smirked at me.
"So our popular Sarthak is in love, huh?"
I looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"Shut up."
But inside…
I couldn't deny it anymore.
---
The assembly was held in the hall because of the rain.
Students stood in lines, the sound of rain echoing on the roof.
During the announcements, the principal spoke about the science fest.
"And we are proud to announce that our students have brought honor to the school…"
My name.
Her name.
Called together.
We were invited on stage along with Sanjay sir.
As I stood there, holding the certificate and medal…
I felt proud.
But not because of the prize.
Because she was standing beside me.
---
Back in class, Abhi was absent, so we had to sit on the first bench.
A rare moment.
But even then…
My mind wasn't in the class.
It was still stuck—
In that hug.
Her warmth.
Her closeness.
Her blush.
Then Amrita ma'am entered.
And just like that, my mood dropped.
She started teaching Heron's Formula.
It was actually an easy and interesting topic.
But I couldn't focus.
I was lost in my thoughts.
Suddenly—
"Sarthak!"
Her voice snapped me back.
"What are you thinking? Pay attention!"
I looked at the board.
And instantly noticed—
Her solution was wrong.
Without thinking, I said,
"Ma'am, your answer is incorrect. Please check it once."
She turned toward me sharply.
"What?"
"Ma'am, the calculation is wrong," I said calmly.
Instead of checking it, she started blaming me.
"You are not paying attention and now you are arguing?"
That was it.
Something inside me snapped.
"I'm not arguing, ma'am. I'm just saying the answer is wrong."
For the first time—
I raised my voice.
The entire class went silent.
Even she was shocked.
Because I rarely argued.
But today…
I wasn't in the mood to stay quiet.
Before things could go further, the bell rang.
She left the class without saying anything.
---
Later, in the fourth period, Sanjay sir called me.
"Sarthak, what happened with Amrita ma'am?"
I explained everything honestly.
He listened quietly.
Then said,
"Alright. Just don't repeat it."
I nodded.
---
The day passed slowly.
Rain continued outside.
And in the last period, PT sir allowed everyone to relax.
Students started playing, running around.
I sat with Sayan, talking about everything.
Then suddenly—
A small chaos in the corridor.
I looked up.
Payel was running with her friends.
Laughing.
Happy.
And then—
Someone pushed her by mistake.
She lost balance.
And before I could react—
She fell…
On me.
We both slipped…
And fell outside into the ground.
Into the rain.
---
For a moment…
Everything stopped.
I was lying on the wet ground.
She was on top of me.
Her face…
So close to mine.
I could feel her breath.
Warm.
Soft.
The rain fell on us, soaking us completely.
But neither of us moved.
We just stared at each other.
Frozen.
Her cheeks turned red.
And I could feel my heart racing like never before.
Time slowed down.
The world disappeared.
It was just—
Me.
And her.
---
"Sarthak… are you okay?"
Srikanth sir's voice broke the moment.
Reality came crashing back.
"Y-yeah, sir…" I said.
Then I looked at her.
"Payel… are you okay?"
She suddenly realized the situation.
She quickly got up.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't do it on purpose!"
She looked genuinely worried.
I smiled slightly.
"It's okay… but stand up quickly or I'll become chutney."
She laughed softly.
Then extended her hand toward me.
I looked at it.
For a moment…
I didn't move.
Then I held her hand.
And stood up.
---
Even today…
I remember that moment.
The way she held my hand.
The way she looked at me.
The way everything felt.
I still have that medal.
That certificate.
That prize.
But more than that…
I have those memories.
Maybe today, we don't talk anymore.
Maybe she doesn't want any connection now.
But still—
Somewhere in my heart…
She exists.
Her memories.
Her smile.
Her love.
Still remain.
---
To be continued…