E for Elephant

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.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***