Chapter 6

Abhimanyu

The moment I heard my name, I felt a familiar tension settle in my chest.

Principal’s office? Again?

I exchanged a glance with Rohan, who smirked. “What did you do this time?”

“Nothing.” At least, nothing I could think of.

But as I walked toward the office, my mind raced through the possibilities. Detention? A complaint? Did a teacher catch me zoning out during the exam? Or was it something worse?

I stepped inside, greeted by the sight of Principal Ma’am sitting with a serious expression. A file lay open on her desk, and I caught a glimpse of my name on one of the papers.

“Abhimanyu, sit.”

I sat.

She exhaled, folding her hands. “How is everything at home?”

I stiffened. I hadn't expected that. “Fine,” I answered automatically.

She didn’t look convinced. “Your recent performance in academics has been… concerning. You’re capable of much more. Your teachers believe you’re distracted.”

I said nothing.

“I also heard there was a small incident today in class?”

I blinked. Wait. Was she talking about bumping into Shubhi? That wasn’t even a thing!

“It wasn’t anything serious,” I said.

She nodded but didn’t seem fully convinced. “Listen, Abhimanyu. I know you’ve been through a lot.”

My jaw clenched. I hated when people brought that up.

“But running from your problems won’t solve them.”

I swallowed hard.

“You have potential,” she continued. “Don’t waste it.”

A beat of silence stretched between us. Then she sighed. “You can go.”

I stood up, nodding before walking out, my head buzzing.

As I stepped into the hallway, I spotted someone standing near the corner.

Shubhi.

She wasn’t looking at me, but she was definitely waiting for something. Her fingers tapped restlessly against her arm, her face thoughtful.

I frowned. Had she heard anything?

For some reason, that thought bothered me.

Taking a deep breath, I walked past her, pretending I didn’t care.

But as I did, I caught the way she glanced at me—just for a second, just enough to make me wonder.