Akira Mehra~

I forced myself to smile before entering the class. I casually waved at everyone, wishing them good morning. I didn’t want to fake anything more than that.

I sat next to Ivaan, placed my bag on the table, then leaned back, crossing my arms. Taking a deep breath, I stared out of the window.

“Why were you absent yesterday?” Ivaan asked.

I turned to face him, paused for a second, then replied, “Yeah… I was busy.”

“Oh.” His eyes didn’t leave mine. “You didn’t pick my call.”

“Did you call me?” I asked softly. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t check.” He didn’t say anything and looked back at his notebook.

“Next time I’ll pick up, I promise,” I said, resting my head on my bag, trying to catch his face.

He just nodded.

The bell rang. I sat straight, and he took out his books too. But instead of Math sir, the principal entered the class—with someone else.

We all stood up to greet him. “Sit down, sit down,” he gestured.

“He’s your new math teacher—Mr. Neil Arora. I feel really bad to inform you about Tushar Malhotra sir. His health has worsened lately. Last night, he was admitted to the ICU.”

The class went silent.

“He has been fighting a brain tumor. He has served this school for more than twelve years—he’s truly a part of our family. I want you all to pray for his recovery. The school authority will bear all his hospital expenses. He has given so much to us. May God give him strength to fight for his life.”

I went numb. He had been teaching us since middle school. We were all deeply attached to him.

“Maybe it will take six months… maybe a year for him to recover. Until then, we don’t want your studies to suffer. So we’ve arranged a new math teacher. He’s also your class’s home teacher and will look after your academics, behavior, and overall growth. I hope you all make him feel at home.”

The principal left.

“Why is everyone crying?” Ivaan whispered. “I’ve never seen this. Was he really that close to your class?”

I nodded.

“He was really strict,” I said quietly. “Umm… old too. He never showed emotions. Other classes complained about him. That happened when I was in middle school. Some students from our class complained too, but Riva didn’t want him to leave because he taught really well. Riva loves math because of him—she even fought with students from other classes.”

I paused.

“And he wasn’t that bad, you know. Once, some students from another class were being bullied by a goon. Tushar sir saved them. Even though they used to hate him, for him, all students were equal. He only taught our class and the primary students.”

He didn’t say anything. We both looked back at Riva. She was crying silently, and Aviraj was trying to console her, tears standing in his own eyes.

I couldn’t look at them for long—it broke me too.

My gaze shifted to the new sir. He looked really young. He placed his book on the dais and looked around the class, taking us all in.

“He’s going to be fine,” he said gently. “If he saw you all crying like this, he’d break too, wouldn’t he?”

He paused.

“You should work hard now… for him. He’ll be so happy if he sees you all scoring well in your finals. He really loves you—the way a father loves his children.”

No one spoke.

“Would you like to introduce yourselves to me?” he continued softly. “We’ll continue our studies from tomorrow, alright?”

“So…” he looked around, hopeful, “who would like to start first?” I glanced around the class, wishing someone would stand up. No one did. He sighed and lowered his head.

Should I stand up? I took a deep breath and stood.

“Good morning, sir. I’m Akira Mehra,” I said with a small smile.

He raised his head and looked at me. A gentle smile formed on his lips, and for a moment, his eyes flickered with warmth—something like hope.

I felt… comfortable.

I had nothing more to add, so I gestured to Ivaan. He stood up and stayed quiet for a second before speaking.

“Good morning, sir. I’m Ivaan Singh.”

Sir’s smile widened.

“He’s my deskmate,” I added softly, “and my best friend. Everyone’s seating is already fixed.”

He nodded. “Niharika ma’am has already informed me.”

“And she’s Manya,” I said, pointing to the front row, “Shaarav’s girlfriend—and my friend too.”

Then I pointed toward Kriti. “She’s Kriti. She’s really good at drawing.”

Manya and Kriti both stood up, smiling shyly.

“We’re deskmates too,” Manya said. “And I love skating.” I clapped quietly, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Then Ishvin and Shaarav stood up.

“Good morning, sir. I’m Ishvin,” he said confidently. “I’m the captain of the 10C basketball team.”

“I’m Shaarav,” he added shyly after a pause. “Manya’s boyfriend. I’m into basketball too.”

“And I’m Aviraj,” he followed, standing up beside Riva. “Riva’s deskmate. I like basketball and music.”

All our eyes shifted to Riva.

She hesitated for a moment, fingers tightening around her notebook, then slowly stood up.

“I’m Riva,” she said quietly. “I loved math because of Tushar sir… and I’m also into art and craft.”

Her voice wavered, but she still said it.

I smiled at her effort. I knew she didn’t want to stand up—but she did.

For us.

“And together,” I said suddenly, standing again,

“We are the Moonmates of Moonwillow.”

We all shouted it together, laughing through the heaviness.

Ivaan looked at me oddly. Even sir raised an eyebrow, amused. “Moonmates?” sir asked with a smile.

“Yes,” I replied. “The moon has eight phases—and so do we. There are eight of us. We’re incomplete without each other.”

“That’s really beautiful,” he said, smiling brightly. He gestured for us to sit down, and we did, while the rest of the class began introducing themselves one by one.

When the period ended, Arora sir bid us goodbye.

He seemed like a good teacher—maybe we’d actually enjoy his class.

After two more lectures, we were finally free.

Well… not really free.

But at least we had games period

🐇🌷

Ivaan Singh~

Akira looked really tired after two continuous English lectures. I closed my books and walked toward the locker area, where we usually kept our bags, phones, or spare school clothes.

I picked up my PT uniform.

“Let’s go, Ivaan,” Aviraj said, dragging me along.

We changed quickly and walked out.

That’s when Ishvin came up to me and said, “We’re going to bunk. Go tell the girls.”

Is he stupid or what? He joined his hands dramatically, and I just walked away.

I stood near the girls’ washroom, keeping some distance, waiting for them to come out. My eyes wandered around the school building instead. I stared up at the eighth and ninth grade floors.

They gave me scars.

And somehow… The Moonmates were healing wounds they never caused.

God’s plans are always better than the ones we make.

I heard a familiar laugh. I turned around and saw the girls stepping out.

“Ivaan? Kya hua? Sab theek?” Akira asked, walking toward me with Manya, Kriti, and Riva.

I nodded. “Um… vo—” I looked around to make sure no one was listening. “Ishvin planned to bunk school.”

“Sacchi?”

All of them lit up instantly.

“Calm down,” I said. “He didn’t even tell me how we’re supposed to do this.”

“Aww, cutie,” Akira laughed. “Don’t worry. We know everything. Come with me.” She grabbed my hand and almost dragged me back toward the classroom. The others followed, trying not to laugh too loudly.

They started packing their bags. Riva peeked out to check if the floor was empty. “Tum khade hamare muh kyu dekh rahe ho? Bag pack karo,” she almost scolded me.

“Rivu, daanto mat,” Akira said gently. “He doesn’t know anything, na?”

Then she looked at me and smiled.

“Ivvu, bag pack kar lo—and locker se apna samaan bhi utha lo.”

I nodded quickly, took out my phone and earphones, and packed my bag.

She handed me a mask.

“Zarurat padne par laga lena.”

I slipped it into my pocket.

“Everyone’s gone. Let’s go,” Riva whispered.

As we walked out, I noticed something small.

Akira didn’t sling her bag on her back like she usually did.

She wore it in front—straps over her shoulders—like a little chest guard. And somehow, that tiny detail stayed with me.

We ran toward the stairs leading to the second floor. Aviraj was already there, waiting—his eyes scanning around to check if anyone was nearby.

We reached the first floor. Aviraj and Riva went first. Riva peeked ahead, then signaled us to come.

Just then—

“Who’s there?”

My heart skipped. I stepped back onto the stairs and quietly looked toward the voice.

Niharika ma’am.

I mouthed, “Niharika ma’am.”

Everyone panicked.

“Main toh mar rahi hoon,” Akira whispered dramatically, pretending she’d jump down the stairs.

“Fifth floor se girke marna hota hai,” I whispered back, grabbing her arm. “Yahan se nahi.”

Before she could say anything else, we all bolted—running straight down to the ground floor and then toward the back garden area.

Ishvin was already there. The moment he saw us, he climbed up the wall. Kriti passed him her bag, and he helped her climb over. Everyone used the nearby tree for support.

Soon, only Akira and I were left.

I climbed first, then turned to help her—

“You both, come here right now.”

A male voice.

I jumped down instantly. Akira did too.

We grabbed our bags and ran—but suddenly she stopped near a bicycle and climbed onto the back seat.

“Use this,” she said breathlessly. “Or we’ll be caught.”

I nodded and sat in front. As we rode off, she laughed freely behind me.

“Whose cycle is this?”

“Watchman uncle’s,” I chuckled.

“Where do we have to go?”

“Keep going,” she said. “I’ll tell you the directions.”

She guided me as we crossed into a village area. Fields stretched out on both sides—green and endless.

After a while, Akira hopped off the cycle. I stopped and held it aside. I still had her bag with me.

She ran straight into the fields.

Without her noticing, I clicked a few pictures of her.

She turned back, walking toward me with a smile on her face. I was wearing her bag the same way she had earlier—strapped in front.

She stepped closer, opened her bag, and took out a digi cam. “Now you walk,” she said. “I want to click your pictures.”

“Where are the others?” I asked.

“Vooo… vahaaaan tak bhaag ke jaana padega,” she said, pointing ahead. “Udhar milenge sab.”

She grinned—and ran. I smiled and followed her.

After a long run, we reached an open area. A few huts stood quietly nearby. There was a small pond where ducks floated lazily. Cows were tied near the trees, some resting, some grazing.

For the first time that day—

Everything felt… light.

“Ivaan, mujhe pakado!”

Aviraj pushed me from behind and ran through the field. I made a weird face and just stood there, watching him.

He ran for a few seconds—and then tripped, falling straight onto the ground.

Everyone burst out laughing. This time… I laughed too.

Not loudly.

Not freely.

But I laughed—after so many years.

[Ivaan, catch me]

Akira kept clicking pictures. I was still smiling when my laughter slowly faded. I noticed everyone looking at me—smiles on their faces. Even Aviraj, lying on the ground, was smiling.

“I did a great job,” he murmured.

“You’re cute,” Akira said softly before walking toward the pond.

I followed her. She was busy clicking pictures—first Ishvin, who was playing with a calf near the water, then Shaarav, who had climbed up a tree like a carefree kid. Other girls were playing around.

I kept following Akira wherever she went. I didn’t really know where else I should go. They were all good—really good people. But somehow, I felt most comfortable standing beside her.

It’s not that I don’t like the others. They’re kind. It’s not hate—nothing like that. I just don’t know them deeply yet. And they don’t really know me either.

Still, they love me.

They accept me.

They make me feel like I belong.

It doesn’t feel like I met them just three weeks ago.

It feels as if I’ve grown up with them.

None of them force me to smile.

None of them push me to talk.

None of them pull me into things that make me uncomfortable.

For the first time, I don’t feel like an outsider.

It feels like I’m a part of them.

A part of the Moonmates 🌙

They were already complete without me—yet they still called me a part of the Moonmates.

Ishvin is never serious, except when it comes to Kriti. He never confesses, but maybe his teasing is slowly turning into love. He treats Shaarav like an elder brother and Manya like a sister. Only with Riva, he gets genuinely scared—she is scary, after all. But she never scolds Akira. Not even once.

Aviraj is the kid of the group. He gets nervous easily, yet somehow always finds happiness. He speaks politely, cares for everyone, and tries his best to keep us together.

Shaarav is the eldest among us—the calm one. He listens, understands, observes, and acts. Like a chill dad to all of us… and a complete lover boy when it comes to Manya. He loves her more than himself.

Manya and Kriti are sweet to everyone. Sometimes, they both tease me whenever I mention Akira.

And Akira…

Sitting next to her—shifting from 10A to 10C—was the best decision of my life. If I hadn’t listened to Dadi, I would never have sat beside her. I would never have found these people.

“Stop following her everywhere she goes,” a voice teased.

“You look like a puppy wagging his tail, trying to get his owner’s attention.”

I turned to my right. Aviraj stood there, phone in his hand.

Before I could react, Akira spoke, “Stop teasing him. He’s a newbie.”

Aviraj jogged toward us and showed us his phone.

He had clicked a picture of us.

Akira was walking ahead of me, and I was just… following her.

I smiled. “Send me this. Right now.”

After that, Akira started clicking pictures—first of me with Aviraj, then a solo picture. I rested my head against Aviraj’s back as she clicked.

Then she made me sit near the pond and asked me to turn around.

“Ek ham dono ki?” I asked.

She smiled.

We clicked a few pictures together.

And as the laughter faded and the camera lowered, I noticed something—a faint bluish-red mark on her arm.

She was about to run away when I stopped her and gently held her arm, examining the mark.

She panicked and quickly jerked her arm back.

“Akira… who did this?” I asked quietly.

“I fell down the stairs last night,” she said.

A lie.

I didn’t say anything.

“Ivaan, Akira—come here. Let’s eat something,” Kriti called out.

We sat down together. Shaarav prepared instant noodles and served everyone. While eating, everyone talked nonstop—laughing, teasing, existing so freely.

Then I asked, almost hesitantly,

“Am I… also a member of the Moonmates?”

Everything went silent.

“Because of you,” Ishvin said, “we are Moonmates.”

“We were only seven before you,” Kriti added, looking at me.

“We always wanted to name our group Moonmates—but we were incomplete.”

“Maybe we looked complete,” Aviraj continued softly, “but something was missing. We just never noticed it.”

Riva stared at the grass as she spoke.

“You walked in, and Akira finally got a deskmate. Only you can force her to study.”

“And you,” Manya smiled, “fit in without trying.”

“You’re the full moon of the group,” Shaarav said calmly.

Their words…

Their eyes…

The way they spoke—

It was all new to me.

“You didn’t change anything,” Ishvin said again.

“You completed us.”

I looked at Akira.

“And you, budhu,” she said, lightly hitting my head,

“Are you really asking if you’re a member? Gadhe. You're the full moon. tumhari wajah se hi toh hum Moonmates bane.”

I smiled.

“If I’m the full moon,” I said softly, meeting her eyes,

“then you’re the waxing gibbous—the one who brought me here.”

Our eyes stayed locked for a moment—

Until—

“Ohoooooo—”

The others broke it instantly.

Laughing, teasing, talking all at once, everyone started naming themselves as different moon phases.

And just like that—

The conclusion came out.

🌑 Manya — New Moon

The beginning. Steady. The one who started it all.

The OG couple.

🌒 Aviraj — Waxing Crescent

Still growing. Still learning.

Learning how to shine.

🌓 Ishvin — First Quarter

Bold. Restless.

Always moving forward.

🌔 Akira — Waxing Gibbous

Almost full.

The phase that leads to Ivaan.

🌕 Ivaan — Full Moon

The center.

The one who completes the circle.

🌖 Riva — Waning Gibbous

Already bright.

Reflective. Quietly wise.

🌗 Kriti — Last Quarter

Balanced. Thoughtful.

The perfect opposite of Ishvin.

🌘 Shaarav — Waning Crescent

Calm. Protective.

Completing Manya’s phase.

I smiled at the note Aviraj had typed in his notes app

—

“Leads to Ivaan.”

And for the first time, I didn’t feel like an addition.

I felt like the reason the circle finally closed.

🐇🌷

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