September 5th, 2022.

The last Teacher’s Day celebration we’d ever have in school.

I didn’t know that day would change something inside me.

The classroom was its usual mess—noisy, chaotic, with laughter bouncing off every wall. Teachers were out, and the 12th standard seniors were sent in as "discipliners," but let’s be honest, no one was really taking them seriously.

And then there was him.

He wasn’t yelling or laughing like the others. No overconfidence, no fake attitude—just him, quietly sitting on the teacher’s desk, head slightly down, as if lost in a world none of us could reach.

Black shirt. Grey pants. A name I didn’t know. A feeling I couldn't explain.

I don’t know how long I stared at him. Maybe a minute. Maybe more. He never looked up.

And yet, I felt something shift in me, something dangerously close to love.

I didn’t even know him.

But I wanted to.

And then—just like that—the bell rang.

He stood up.

He walked out of the classroom.

And my heart? It absolutely panicked.

I wanted to say something, anything, but my voice betrayed me. My feet froze. So I turned to my friend behind me and begged her like it was a life-or-death situation.

"Please. Go ask his name. His section. Anything. Just go!"

She laughed, then ran after him with another friend, like it was some sort of mission. I watched from my seat, half praying, half dying inside.

They came back breathless, dramatic, and victorious.

"His name is Avinash," she said.

Avinash.

I whispered it to myself like a secret.

"But what section is he in?" I asked, holding onto hope like it was a lifeline.

They shrugged.

"Didn’t ask."

Disappointment slammed into me harder than I expected. I smiled to hide it, but it stung.

The next few days, I searched for him in corridors, at assemblies, near the school gate.

Nothing.

He disappeared—like he was just a passing dream.

And maybe, that’s what he was supposed to be.

But somewhere deep down….. I didn’t think so.

Days passed.

Weeks, even.

And every morning I walked into school hoping I’d spot him—Avinash.

In the corridors.

By the canteen.

In the morning assembly.

Anywhere.

But it was like he had vanished with that bell on Teacher’s Day.

I kept telling myself: It was just a moment. Just a silly crush.

But I knew I was lying.

Because even without knowing him….. I felt something.

It wasn’t just attraction—it was deeper, almost unsettling.

I watched every 12th-grade group passing by. I even tried lingering longer near the senior wing, pretending to be lost or waiting for someone.

Nothing.

I had nearly given up hope of ever seeing him again.

Maybe it was just one of those one-time things—the kind that happens, messes you up, and disappears.

But then, out of nowhere—

Days passed.

Weeks, even.

And every morning I walked into school hoping I'd spot him—Avinash.

In the corridors.

By the canteen.

In the morning assembly.

Anywhere.

But it was like he had vanished with that bell on Teacher's Day.

I kept telling myself: It was just a moment. Just a silly crush.

But I knew I was lying.

Because even without knowing him... I felt something.

It wasn't just attraction—it was deeper, almost unsettling.

I watched every 12th-grade group passing by. I even tried lingering longer near the senior wing, pretending to be lost or waiting for someone.                                                               Nothing.

I had nearly given up hope of ever seeing him again.

Maybe it was just one of those one-time things—the kind that happens, messes you up, and disappears.

But then, out of nowhere—

I saw him.

Not across the field.

Not from a distance.

Right. Beside. Me.

It was dispersal time after school.We were all lined up, sweaty and tired, half-alive in our uniforms, waiting to be let out.

And suddenly... there he was.

Avinash.

Just casually standing next to me in line.

Like the universe had finally gotten bored of my waiting.

My heart?

Exploding.

It was now or never.

So before my brain could shut me down, I turned to him and said the most basic, uncreative, terrifying word in the world: "Hi."

He looked at me and smiled. "Hello."

Hello.

That voice—deep, calm, a little rough around the edges.

Somehow, I managed to keep breathing.

I already knew his name, but I asked anyway. "What's your name?"

He said it in this casual, low-toned way: "A-diii."

God, even his name sounded better coming from his mouth.

I kept going like I hadn't already stalked his details out of existence.

"What's your class?"

He smiled again. "12th."

I nodded. One more to go.

"Section?"

And then it happened.

He mumbled something. I didn't get it.

"Sorry?" I asked.

He said it again. Still unclear.

One more time—nope.

Why was his voice so damn deep?"

D or E?" I tried guessing.

And finally, with a soft laugh, he said:"E for Elephant.

I don't even remember what happened after that. I think I smiled. Or nodded. Or died quietly.

A few seconds later, the gate opened and we all started walking out.

I rejoined my friends, heart still pounding like I'd just run a marathon barefoot.

We stood a few steps away from him and his group. I was trying to look casual while secretly watching him.

He was with his back to me. But his friends?

Staring.

Not in a creepy way. Just... definitely looking.

Some of them were smiling. Like they knew.

I swear—he had told them.

Maybe not in full detail, but enough.

I could feel it.

And in that moment, I felt like I was glowing.

There were literal butterflies in my stomach.

I was reimagining everything that had just happened on a loop.

His voice. His face. That stupidly cute "E for elephant."

I was blushing so hard I couldn't stop smiling.

It wasn't love.

Not yet.

But it was something.

And it was beautiful.

Days passed like little dreams I didn't want to wake up from.

I started spotting him more often—In the morning assembly—standing somewhere in the senior lines, head slightly tilted, barely moving.

After school—near the gates, in the crowd, walking with his friends.

I saw him often,always noticed him.

And maybe—just maybe—he noticed me too.

Still, I didn't made any move.

Or maybe, I just didn't have the courage to.

The fear of messing it up felt stronger than the desire to act.

Until one random day... fate decided to mess with my heart.

School had just gotten over. I was walking home with Amrita, one of my classmates. We were casually talking, nothing important

i don't know why.

Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was magic.

But I looked.

And there he was.

Avinash.

Walking behind us with his two friends.

My heart did a full somersault inside my chest.

He was right there. Again.

I panicked instantly.

Because if Amrita and I kept walking in the speed we were, we'd reach my house in just a few minutes.

No way. Not today. when he's this close

So I stopped.

"I'm thirsty," I said, reaching into my bag to pull out my water bottle—my one and only excuse.

amrita gave me a side glance but didn't say anything.

Avinash and his friends walked past us slowly.

And then something hilarious and kind of magical happened.

His two friends—both of them—suddenly left him behind.

They crossed the road to the other side, walking ahead but still glancing back at us.

And they were smiling.

Like they knew something.

Like they were in on a secret I don't understand yet.

And there he was- alone, walking in front of us.

He was sweating.

Wiping his face again and again.

No eye contact. No backward glance.

It was... adorable. And very obvious he was nervous.

So I did it.

I took a deep breath, matched his pace, and walked a little faster—until I was right beside him

"Hi," I said, breathless—not from walking, but from every single nerve in my body firing at once.

He turned to me, surprised at first. But then... he smiled.

"Hey," he said, voice still deep, still calm.

We fell into step together.

and then i realised how tall he was, maybe....6'1 or 6'2 and that cute small puppy face.

And just like that...we started talking

The conversation was simple, but it felt special. Like the beginning of something I wasn't ready to name yet.

He walked with me all the way to my house. No rush. bit awkwardness.

And just as we reached my colony gate, he turned to say goodbye.

That's when it happened.

He stretched his hand out for a shake.

A handshake.

From him.

My brain almost crashed.

I reached out, and the moment our hands touched, I swear my soul left my body for a second.

He looked down at our hands and smiled.

"Woah," he said. "Your hands are really cold."

I wanted to disappear.

Of course they were. I was panicking. Nervous.

My hands were cold and sweaty, the exact opposite of cute.

I laughed awkwardly. "Yeah... I guess."

He smiled again—kind, not judging.

And then he walked off with amrita, who I hadn't even noticed was standing nearby all along.

I stood at my gate, heart pounding in every direction.

That handshake played in my head over and over again.

"Your hands are really cold."

It wasn't much.

But it was everything.

That whole day, I couldn't stop blushing.

Couldn't stop thinking about it.

About him.

It wasn't just the best day of school.

It was the best day of my life.

So far.