If Only for a Moment

The First Collision

The school corridors buzzed with excitement and nervous whispers. It was the first day of 9th standard, and most students were new. Some had come from different cities, others from different schools in the same town. Everyone was trying to find familiar faces, but for many, it was a fresh start.

shaam

"Ira, slow down! Why are you walking like we’re late for an exam?"

Ira

"Because I want to get this over with. New school, same boring routine."

shaam

"At least pretend to be excited?"

Ira

"Why? Everyone here is a stranger. Who cares?"

(They enter the classroom. Students are talking in small groups. Most are new. The back row has one empty seat beside a boy scrolling through his phone.)

Ira

(walks straight to the back, drops her bag) "Move. That’s my seat."

Ahaan

(looks up, smirks) "Oh? I don’t see your name on it."

Ira

(crosses arms) "I always sit at the back. Ask anyone."

Ahaan

(shrugs) "Well, now you sit next to me. Problem solved."

shaam

(whispers) "Ira, chill. It’s just a seat."

(glares at Ahaan, then sits aggressively, making sure her bag hits his table hard.)

Ahaan

*(grinning) "Feisty."

Ira

"Annoying."

Ahaan

"You’ll love me soon enough."

Ira

"Not in this lifetime."

[Later That Day – Lunch Break]

shaam

"So, what do you think of the new school?"

Ira

"It’s tolerable. Except for one person." (side-eyes Ahaan, who’s sitting across from them.)

Ahaan

(grins) "Ira, you’re obsessed with me already?"

Ira

"Obsessed with hating you, maybe."

shaam

(laughs) "You two argue like you’ve known each other forever."

Ahaan

"Maybe we were meant to meet." (dramatic tone)

Ira

"Maybe I was meant to ignore you."

Ahaan

(fake gasp) "Ira, that hurts." (places hand over heart)

Ira

"Not enough."

(Shaam shakes his head, laughing, as Ira and Ahaan continue bickering.)

[After School – Playground]

(Ira walks past the playground and sees Ahaan sitting alone, his face pale, breathing heavily.)

Ira

"Ahaan?"

Ahaan

(straightens up instantly, forcing a grin) "What, you missed me already?"

Ira

"You okay?"

Ahaan

"Of course." (stands up too fast, stumbles slightly, but recovers quickly.) "Race you to the gate!"

(Before Ira can say anything, he runs ahead. She watches him, feeling like something is… off. But she doesn’t ask.)

[Ahaan’s First Diary Entry ]

Ahaan

"New school. New people. Same old secret." "I met a girl today—Ira. She’s loud, sarcastic, and thinks she hates me." "I should stay away from her."

The Boy Who Talks Too Much

[Scene: Classroom – The Second Day]

(Morning. The classroom is buzzing with students settling in, forming groups, and discussing yesterday’s events. Some are shy, some are loud—but one voice stands out above all.)

Ahaan

(laughing) "Bro, your handwriting is so bad, even Google can’t autocorrect it!"

(The entire row bursts out laughing as Ahaan casually flips through a friend’s notebook. He doesn’t stop there—he moves to another group, striking up a conversation like he’s known them forever.)

Ahaan

(to a quiet student) "Hey, you barely spoke yesterday. Are you secretly a spy? Blink twice if yes."

(The shy student stares at him, confused, before breaking into a small smile.)

Ahaan

(grinning) "Yep, definitely a spy. I knew it."

(Everywhere he goes, people laugh. He treats everyone the same—talking to the popular kids, the quiet ones, the troublemakers—no difference. He just wants to talk, to know everyone, to be everywhere at once.)

(Then, his favorite person walks in—)*

Ira.

shaam

(whispers) "Please don’t kill anyone today."

Ira

(glaring at Ahaan) "That depends on him."

shaam

"So we’re doomed."

(Ira spots her usual seat. But guess what? Ahaan is already there, legs casually stretched out, chatting with the students around him like it’s his personal throne.)

Ira

(crossing arms) "Move."

Ahaan

(without looking up) "Oh hey, good morning seatmate."

Ira

"Move before I move you."

Ahaan

(finally looks at her, smirking) "You know, threatening me first thing in the morning? That’s how villains start their day."

Ira

"And that’s how your day is about to end."

(The students around them snicker as Ahaan sighs dramatically.)

Ahaan

(placing a hand on his chest) "Fine. I’ll move. But only because I fear for my life."

(He gets up, but not before sliding Ira’s chair a little back so when she sits, she almost falls.)

Ira

(gasping, then glaring) "You little—!"

(Ahaan winks and joins another group, already starting a new conversation. Ira watches him, annoyed, but also… confused. Why does he talk to everyone like they’re his best friend?)

[Lunch Break – Canteen]

(The cafeteria is loud, filled with students chatting and eating. Shaam and Ira sit down, finally enjoying some peace. Until—)

Ahaan

(plopping down next to Ira) "What’s up, besties?"

Ira

"No. Nope. Absolutely not."

Ahaan

(ignoring her) "Shaam, I have a serious question."

shaam

"Oh no."

Ahaan

"If tomatoes are a fruit, does that make ketchup a smoothie?"

(Shaam stares at him. Ira looks disgusted.)

Ira

"I lost brain cells listening to that."

Ahaan

(grinning) "Good. I need to keep you at my level."

(He casually steals a fry from Ira’s plate.)

Ira

(freezes, then turns to him slowly) "Did. You. Just—"

Ahaan

(chewing happily) "Yup."

(Before she can react, Ahaan suddenly turns to another student sitting nearby.)

Ahaan

(to a random student) "Hey, what’s your name?"

Student

"Ravi…?"

Ahaan

(shaking his hand) "Nice to meet you, Ravi. Want some of Ira’s fries?"

(Ira slams her hand on the table.)

Ira

"TOUCH MY FRIES AND YOU WON’T SEE TOMORROW."

(The students around them burst out laughing as Ahaan just grins, like he’s won some secret battle.)

[After School – School Gate]

(The school day ends, and Ira walks with Shaam toward the gate. Just as she starts enjoying the peace, guess who appears?)

Ahaan.

Ahaan

(walking backwards in front of them) "So, how was your day?"

Ira

"It was fine until now."

Ahaan

(laughing) "Admit it, you’d miss me if I weren’t around."

Ira

"I’d throw a party."

Ahaan

"I’ll be here tomorrow. Just for you."

(He winks and walks off, leaving Ira fuming. Shaam just chuckles.)

shaam

"You two act like a rom-com in slow motion."

Ira

"I refuse to be part of his comedy."

[Ahaan’s Notebook –]

Ahaan

"Today was a good day. I talked to everyone. Made them laugh. Made her angry (which was extra fun)." "No one suspects anything. That’s good." "Because as long as they’re laughing, no one asks questions."

The Boy Who Won’t Stay Quiet

[Scene: Classroom – Morning]

(The class is settling in, but as usual, one voice stands out above the rest—Ahaan.)

Ahaan

(leaning on a random desk) "Guys, serious question—if we all stop coming to school, do you think the teachers would miss us?"

Student

"Obviously."

Ahaan

"Nah, I think they'd throw a party. Free from our nonsense!"

(Laughter spreads. Ahaan grins, proud of himself. He moves from group to group, talking, laughing, and making sure no one is left out.)

(Then, as if summoned by fate—)*

Ira enters.

Ahaan

(loudly) "Ah, my favorite person!"

Ira

(not even looking at him) "No."

Ahaan

(ignoring her) "Wow, the way you just brighten up the room. Incredible."

shaam

(whispers to Ira) "You sure you don’t want to hit him? Just once?"

Ira

(muttering) "Every day, Shaam. Every single day."

(Ahaan, meanwhile, is now sitting on Ira’s desk. Because of course, he is.)

Ira

(glaring) "Move."

Ahaan

(grinning) "Say please."

Ira

"Move before I move you to another dimension."

(Ahaan chuckles, finally getting up, but not without stealing Ira’s pen. She doesn’t notice—yet.)

[Lunch Break – Canteen]

(Ira and Shaam are eating, enjoying a peaceful moment. But peace never lasts long when Ahaan exists.)

Ahaan

(sitting beside Ira, dramatically sighing) "You won’t believe what just happened to me."

Ira

(deadpan) "You ran out of people to annoy?"

Ahaan

"Worse. The canteen uncle refused to give me extra chutney. Tragic, right?"

shaam

"Truly heartbreaking."

Ahaan

(nodding seriously) "I know. I’ll need emotional support to recover."

(He casually grabs a piece of Ira’s food. She freezes, then turns to him slowly.)

Ira

"Did. You. Just—"

Ahaan

(chewing happily) "Yup."

(Ira grabs a spoon and lifts it threateningly. Ahaan laughs and moves just in time.)

[After School – Corridor]

(Ira is packing her bag when she suddenly realizes—her pen is missing.)

Ira

(looking around) "Where’s my pen?"

(Ahaan, standing nearby, twirls it between his fingers, smirking.)

Ahaan

(casually) "Oh, this? Found it on the floor."

Ira

(crossing arms) "Give it back."

Ahaan

(pretending to think) "Hmm… how about no?"

(Ira lunges at him, but Ahaan dodges, laughing. Other students watch in amusement.)

Ahaan

(grinning) "You’re so violent. Maybe you need anger management classes?"

Ira

"Maybe you need survival skills."

(After a few more rounds of chasing him around desks, Ira finally gets her pen back. Ahaan, of course, is still grinning.)

[Ahaan’s Notebook – Unread by Anyone]

Ahaan

"Today was fun. She still gets mad so easily. It’s hilarious." "But I should be careful. If I get too close… it’ll be harder later."

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