Cold Hands, Warm Heart

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.

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