Canteen — A Little More Than Just a Break
The canteen was louder than usual, students crowding around, trays clattering, random laughter echoing.
Meera and Harsh stood near the counter.
"So?" Harsh asked. "Decided what 'something good' is?"
Meera scanned the menu like it was a life decision.
"…Samosa. And chai."
"That's your definition of 'good'?"
"Yes."
"That's your definition of predictable," he corrected.
She turned to him. "You're still paying."
He sighed. "I regret coming here."
"No, you don't."
"…I don't," he admitted.
A few minutes later, they found a corner table.
Meera immediately reached for the samosa.
"Wait," Harsh said.
She froze mid-bite. "What?"
"You didn't even let it cool down."
"I'm hungry."
"You're impatient."
"Same thing."
"It's not."
She took a bite anyway.
"…Okay, it's hot," she said after a second.
Harsh just looked at her.
"I warned you."
"Don't start."
"I will start."
She pointed at him with the samosa. "Don't."
He leaned back, clearly enjoying this. "You never listen."
"And you talk too much."
"And yet you're here."
She paused—
then smiled slightly.
"Unfortunately."
For a moment, things slowed down.
Just small smiles.
Quiet comfort.
Harsh took a sip of his chai, then looked at her.
"You really don't care?" he asked.
Meera looked up. "About?"
"Rohan leaving."
She didn't even hesitate.
"No."
Not defensive.
Not forced.
Just… certain.
"I mean," she added, a little softer, "I'm actually relieved."
Harsh studied her for a second.
"You sure?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I think I was just… tired of it. Him showing up, creating drama, then disappearing again."
A pause.
"I don't want that anymore," she said.
Harsh didn't interrupt.
Didn't question.
He just nodded.
"Fair."
Meera looked at him then.
"And anyway," she added lightly, "I already have enough to deal with."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
She pointed at him. "You."
He almost smiled. "I'm a problem now?"
"You're a big problem."
"Explain."
"You're distracting," she said.
"You came to me."
"That's not the point."
"It is the point."
She groaned. "You're impossible."
"And you like me anyway."
She paused—
then looked away, hiding a small smile.
"…Yeah, I do."
That softened something in the moment.
Harsh didn't say anything for a second.
Then quietly—
"I like you too."
She looked back at him.
"…You better."
A group of students passed by, laughing loudly, breaking the moment slightly.
Meera leaned forward again, resting her chin on her hand.
"You know," she said, "you should stop studying so much."
"Why?"
"So you can spend more time with me."
"I already do."
"Not enough."
He raised an eyebrow. "Not enough?"
She shook her head. "No."
He pretended to think. "Hmm."
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't act like this is a difficult decision."
"It is," he said seriously. "My studies are very important."
She stared at him.
Then slowly reached forward—
and closed his notebook that he had brought with him.
"Decision made," she said.
He looked at the closed notebook.
Then at her.
"…You're very controlling."
"Only with you."
"Should I be concerned?"
"Probably."
He laughed under his breath.
Then, without overthinking—
he reached across the table and lightly held her hand.
Not dramatic.
Not showy.
Just… natural.
Meera looked at their hands for a second.
Then back at him.
And didn't pull away.
"Let's skip the next class," she said suddenly.
Harsh blinked. "What?"
"Let's just stay here," she said. "Or go somewhere else. Anywhere."
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
He studied her face.
She wasn't joking.
"Why?" he asked.
She shrugged slightly.
"Because today feels… good," she said. "I don't want to waste it sitting in class."
A pause.
Then she added, softer—
"Just stay with me."
Harsh looked at her for a moment longer.
Then—
"Okay."
And just like that—
they stayed.
Not because they had to.
But because they wanted to.📚 Classroom — Half Studying, Half Gossip
The classroom was supposed to be quiet.
Supposed to be.
Meera had her book open, pen in hand… staring at the same line for the past two minutes.
Kitty leaned closer. "You haven't read a single word, have you?"
"I have," Meera said.
"Okay, what does it say?"
Meera squinted at the page. "…Something important."
Kitty snorted. "Wow. Very detailed."
Meera ignored her—
but her eyes drifted, almost automatically, to the other side of the class.
Harsh.
Of course.
Head down. Focused. Writing like exams were tomorrow.
Kitty noticed immediately.
"Oh my God," she whispered dramatically. "You are gone."
"I am not," Meera said quickly.
"You've looked at him five times in the last minute."
"I'm just… observing."
"Observing what? His handwriting?"
"…Maybe."
Kitty shook her head. "This is embarrassing."
Meera rolled her eyes—but a small smile gave her away.
A minute later—
She looked again.
Harsh paused mid-writing, like he felt it.
He glanced up.
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
Meera immediately looked down at her book.
Kitty leaned in. "Smooth."
"Shut up."
🏫 Break — Finally Meeting
The bell rang, breaking whatever fake focus was left.
Before Meera could even say anything, Kitty nudged her.
"Go."
"I'm not going."
"You are going."
"I'm not—"
Kitty physically pushed her a little. "GO."
Meera glared back—
but still walked toward him.
Harsh looked up as she approached.
"Studying?" she asked, pretending to be serious.
He raised an eyebrow. "Unlike some people."
She sat on the desk in front of him. "Excuse me, I was studying."
"Sure."
"I was."
"What chapter?"
"…Don't test me."
He almost smiled.
She leaned slightly closer. "You know, you could take a break."
"I just started."
"You've been studying since morning."
"That's not true."
"It is true."
"It's not."
She stared at him.
He sighed.
"…Okay, maybe."
"Exactly."
🌇 Evening — Cycling Together
The sun was starting to set, the sky soft shades of orange and pink.
Meera adjusted her cycle, waiting.
Harsh rode up beside her.
"You're late," she said.
"I'm on time."
"You're not."
"I am."
"You're not."
He looked at her. "You just like arguing."
"I really do."
They started cycling side by side.
Wind brushing past, streets quieter now.
For a while, neither of them said anything.
Just rode.
Easy.
Comfortable.
Meera suddenly sped up.
"Race you!"
Harsh blinked. "What—hey!"
She laughed, riding ahead.
He shook his head—but followed.
A few minutes later, they stopped near an open area.
Slight breeze.
Music faintly playing from somewhere far.
Meera hopped off her cycle, breathing a little fast.
"That was unfair," Harsh said. "You started early."
"That's called strategy."
"That's called cheating."
"Same thing."
She suddenly heard the music more clearly.
And without thinking—
She started moving.
Just small steps at first.
Then spinning lightly, completely carefree.
Harsh watched, slightly surprised.
"…What are you doing?"
"Dancing," she said like it was obvious.
"In the middle of nowhere?"
"Yes."
He shook his head. "You're crazy."
She pointed at him. "Join me."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
He didn't move.
So she walked up—
grabbed his hand—
and pulled him.
"Meera—"
"Relax," she laughed.
For a second, he resisted.
Then gave in.
Barely moving, but still there.
She spun once more, letting go of his hand—
then ended up right in front of him.
Close.
A little too close.
Both of them paused.
The music still playing faintly.
The moment shifting slightly.
"You're smiling," she said softly.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"Maybe a little."
She smiled wider.
"See? You can have fun."
He looked at her.
"…Only with you."
That made her pause.
Just for a second.
Then she looked away, trying to hide it.
"Don't get used to it," she said.
"Too late."
🌿 Ending Beat
They picked up their cycles again—
riding slower this time.
Side by side.
Talking about random things.
Laughing at nothing.
And somewhere between the teasing, the racing, and the dancing—
something settled even deeper between them.
Not dramatic.
Not complicated.
Just… right.