Chapter 12

Abhimanyu

The rain had long stopped, but my mind hadn’t.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the events of the day. Why was I so tense about Shubhi? She wasn’t my classmate. Hell, before these exams, I barely knew she existed. She was just a junior—a student from Class 11, assigned to sit beside me because of the stupid exam hall arrangements.

Then why was she taking up space in my thoughts?

I turned to my side, frowning. It wasn’t like we were friends. Before this, I had no reason to talk to her. Even today, we barely spoke. Yet, when she had forgotten her umbrella, my first instinct had been to offer mine. And when she pointed out that I had forgotten my own, I didn’t even feel annoyed. Instead, I had felt… something else.

Something unfamiliar.

I ran a hand over my face. This was stupid. Why was I even thinking about this?

She was just another person in the exam hall. That’s it.

But then why did today feel different?

I exhaled, rolling onto my back. Maybe it was because she didn’t treat me the way others did. She didn’t hesitate before speaking. She didn’t avoid my gaze like most people did. It wasn’t pity or forced politeness—it was just natural.

Maybe that’s why I noticed her.

Or maybe I was just overthinking everything.

I shut my eyes, willing myself to sleep.

Tomorrow would just be another exam. Another day.

And after that? Nothing.

That’s what I told myself.

Even though, deep down, I wasn’t sure if I believed it.