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