That afternoon when I reached home i was in deep thoughts, after everything that had happened in the rain… I sat quietly in my room, trying to understand my own feelings.
Was it real?
Or was it just a dream I was forcing myself to believe?
Her face was still in front of my eyes… the way she fell on me, the way her face came so close to mine… so close that I could feel her breath on my skin. Even now, just remembering it made my heart beat faster.
"Sarthak! Lunch is ready!" my mother called from the kitchen.
I went downstairs slowly, still lost in my thoughts.
She had prepared mixed vegetables — something I never liked. Usually, I would complain, make excuses, or simply avoid eating it.
But today…
I didn't say a word.
I just sat down and finished everything quietly.
My mother looked at me in shock.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
I just nodded.
How could I tell her… that something had changed inside me?
---
That night, around 8:30 PM, I sat at my study table, books open in front of me.
But my mind…
Was somewhere else.
Every page I turned… turned into her face.
Every word I read… turned into her voice.
I closed the book and leaned back.
"I need some air," I whispered.
I went to my mother and said, "I'm going to Sayan's house for a bit."
She nodded.
I took my cycle and rode straight to his house.
---
When I reached there, I saw him studying seriously for the upcoming exams.
I greeted his parents, exchanged a few words, and then dragged him out.
"Come," I said. "Let's go for chai."
We rode together to our favorite place — Mukesh da's stall.
That small roadside tea stall had witnessed almost all our conversations, secrets, and stupid plans.
"Two cutting malai chai," I said.
We sat there, holding the warm glasses in our hands as the cool night air surrounded us.
And then…
We started talking.
About her.
About everything that had happened that day.
Sayan, being Sayan, didn't miss the chance to tease me.
"Bro… you're gone," he smirked. "Completely gone."
I tried to ignore him.
But deep inside…
I knew he was right.
---
And then…
Something happened that I wasn't prepared for.
I saw her.
Payel.
Walking toward us with her friends.
She was wearing a simple white kurta.
But in that moment…
She didn't look simple at all.
She looked… unreal.
Like an angel had quietly stepped into this ordinary world just to make it beautiful.
I forgot everything.
The chai in my hand, the conversation, even Sayan.
I just stared at her.
Lost.
"Sarthak!" Sayan's voice snapped me back. "Call her!"
Before I could stop him, he waved and shouted,
"Hey Payel! Over here!"
I looked at him in disbelief.
Why did I even bring him here?
Payel and her friends walked toward us.
"If you're going home, come with us," Sayan said casually. "We're also leaving."
Since her friends were going in another direction, and Sayan was like a brother to her, she agreed.
But then she looked at me.
And said something that made my heart stop.
"Ah… Mr. Sarthak is also here? Then I'm definitely staying."
I felt my ears turn warm.
My cheeks burned.
Does that mean… she wanted to stay because of me?
My mind started running in a hundred directions.
---
Just then, someone called her name.
"Payel!"
I turned.
Pritam.
Something inside me tightened instantly.
I didn't like it.
I didn't like the way he called her.
I didn't like the way he talked to her.
He asked her for a notebook and spoke normally.
But for me…
It was enough.
A strange feeling rose inside me.
Jealousy.
A feeling I had never experienced like this before.
---
After a few minutes, I checked the time.
9:00 PM.
"I should go," I said.
I didn't want to stay there anymore.
Not with that feeling inside me.
I left quietly and went home.
---
The next day, I reached school earlier than usual.
My mind was still disturbed.
So I called Abhi and Sayan early too.
After they arrived, I went straight to Payel's classroom.
But she wasn't there.
Only one person was present.
Pritam.
I walked toward him.
"Listen," I said firmly. "I know you're a good student. But just remember one thing… I like Payel. So don't try to impress her."
My voice was calm.
But my eyes weren't.
He looked at me… and then suddenly laughed lightly.
"Aree bhaiya," he said. "Payel is like my sister. She tied rakhi to me this year."
For a moment…
I froze.
"What?"
"And by the way," he added with a smile, "that's new information. You like Payel? Does she know? Should I tell her?"
My heart dropped.
What did I just do?
I immediately stopped him.
"No. Don't say anything."
I had made a mistake.
A big one.
I left their classroom and went to ours.
After sometime as I get out of my classroom to go to the grounds, a voice stopped me.
"Sarthak…"
I turned.
Payel was standing there.
Looking at me.
"Sarthak… I wanted to say sorry for yesterday," she said softly.
Her voice was gentle… almost nervous.
"I couldn't say it properly. And yesterday evening you left before I could talk to you."
She paused.
Then said something that stayed with me.
"I don't want to lose you."
For a moment…
I didn't know what to say.
Lose me?
Why would she think that?
I quickly replied,
"No, no… I'm not angry. How can I be angry with you?"
I tried to sound normal.
"I just had to study yesterday, that's why I left."
She smiled.
And just like that…
Everything felt normal again.
---
Days passed.
And with each passing day…
We grew closer.
Stronger.
More connected.
Without even realizing it.
---
Then came the last month of my school life.
Only one month left.
After that…
I would leave.
But she would stay.
Because she was my junior.
That thought hurt more than I expected.
So I decided something.
I will spend every possible moment with her.
We started spending more time together.
Talking.
Laughing.
Walking.
Sharing everything.
And yet…
There was one thing I couldn't say.
I wanted to confess.
Every day.
Every moment.
But I stopped myself.
Because I was afraid.
What if she gets hurt?
What if I lose her forever?
And that fear…
Was stronger than my courage.
---
One day, before the annual week, the principal called a few students.
Me, Sayan, and some others.
And from the girls' side…
Payel.
When we gathered, he said,
"You all have been selected to welcome and felicitate guests during the annual function."
Then he announced the pairs.
And when he said—
"Sarthak and Payel…"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Our best duo," he added with a smile.
I looked at her.
She was smiling too.
---
From the next day, practice began.
The entire school was busy with preparations.
Performances.
Competitions.
Excitement everywhere.
And in between all that…
We practiced together.
Every day.
---
One day, during practice, Payel said,
"Why don't we perform something?"
I looked at her.
"That's actually a good idea."
After thinking for a while, we decided on a song.
"Samjhawan."
And suddenly…
Practice became something more.
More than just preparation.
More than just performance.
It became moments.
Memories.
Something we both wanted to hold onto.
---
Even today…
After so many years…
After everything ended…
After our connection broke…
I still have that video recording.
And whenever I watch it…
It feels the same.
Like it did back then.
Like that moment…
That feeling…
Was the first time…
I felt forever.
To be continued…