Ivaan Singh~

I sank into my seat by the window, finally letting my shoulders loosen. I unzipped my bag, pulled out my phone and earphones, and slipped into my own quiet world.

A random song played in my ears as I stared out the window. The first day in a new class had been exhausting

I didn’t know anyone. My teacher had randomly fixed my seat next to Akira Mehra. She seemed too chill, never taking anything seriously. Still, I didn’t feel lonely. I just hoped nothing would go wrong.

Moon Willow Middle School, right next to Moon Willow High School, shared the same administration.

School had never been perfect for me. Not once had a truly happy moment come my way. Over time, I’d grown used to it. Happiness? my life would never let me have it. Not in this life.

When the bus halted at my stop, I stepped down. My house was just a short walk away. The moment I opened the door, the comforting aroma of cooked food enveloped me.

“Dadi… kitni baar kaha hai, aap khana mat banaya karo?”

[Grandma… How many times have I told you not to cook food?]

I kicked off my shoes, slipped into my slippers, and set my bag aside as I walked into the kitchen.

I hugged her from behind.

“Mat kiya karo, mere liye itna sab.”

[Don’t do so much for me.]

“Bache ho mere,” she said softly, placing a kiss on my cheek. “Tumhare liye hi toh karungi na yeh sab. Jao, nahake aao, phir khana kha lena.”

[You’re my child, I do all this for you. Go take a bath, then have your dinner.]

I nodded and went to my room.

🐇🌷

Later, I made her sit down and served her food. I sat next to her, serving myself too.

“Tumhari ab wali class kaisi hai? Kisi ne tang toh nahi kiya?”

[How is your new class? Has anyone bothered you?]

I shook my head. “Nahi, Dadi, kisi ne tang nahi kiya.”

[No, grandma, no one bothered me.]

“Shuru se batao, kya kya hua aaj?” She looked serious, obviously worried for me.

[Tell me from the start, what all happened today?]

“Class teacher ne meri seat ek ladki ke saath fix ki hai,” I said.

[The class teacher fixed my seat next to a girl.]

“Ladki? Sundar hai?” She smiled curiously.

[A girl? Is she pretty?] I laughed.

“Sundar… haan, hai, par shararat bahut karti hai. Aaj subah vo late ho gayi, toh pura raste bhaagte hue aayi. Fir break mein ro rahi thi, pair dard kar rahe the.”

[Pretty… yeah, she is, but she’s very mischievous. This morning she was late and ran all the way here. Then during break she was crying, her feet hurt.]

Dadi started laughing. “Aur na, fir khana bhi nahi khane jaa rahi thi”

[And then she wasn’t even going to eat lunch]

“Tumhe lunch box diya tha na, share kiya uske saath?”

[I gave her my lunch box, right? Did you share it with her?]

I nodded. “Kiya tha.”

[Yes, I did.]

“Kabhi leke aana usse ghar, mujhe milna hai,” she said, still smiling.

[Bring her home sometime, I want to meet her.]

“Le aauga.” I pulled her cheeks gently and started eating.

[I will.]

“Ivaan, apni zindagi haske jiya karo. High school mein jitni masti kar sakte ho, karna,” she said.

[Ivaan, live your life with joy. Have as much fun in high school as you can.] I nodded.

Next Day~

I checked the notes I’d made for Akira— English grammar and math chapters. I looked up and saw her walking toward me.

She bounced like a rabbit, smiling, specs perched on her nose. A few steps closer, and she nearly tripped. I grabbed her arm.

“Walk carefully. Uchalne ki zarurat nahi hai.”

[Walk carefully, no need to jump around.]

I steadied her. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head and smiled again. We walked together to school. “Ah—this is for you.” I handed her the notes. “These are from yesterday’s lectures. I wrote them myself.”

“Thank you sooo much!”

“No worries.”

“Now run, or we’ll be late!” she laughed and sprinted ahead.

“Akira, be careful!” I called after her, chasing with a smile tugging at my lips.

Maybe. Just maybe.

I’d be happy now.

🐇🌷