The next morning, Aira walked into school, headphones in, eyes down. She wasn’t in the mood for small talk. As always, she headed straight to the cafeteria — her safe place before class.
Sana waved from their usual table. “You’re early today.”
Aira smiled. “Couldn’t stand the noise at home.”
They both laughed.
Across the room, Reyan watched her. He wasn’t trying to, but his eyes always followed her the moment she walked in. He didn’t get it. She wasn’t loud, wasn’t trying to get attention, and barely even looked at him.
But that... was what made her different.
“She really doesn’t care, huh?” his friend Arjun nudged him. “Tried talking to her again?”
Reyan shrugged, smirking. “She’s fun to annoy.”
But his voice lacked the usual charm.
The bell rang. Everyone scattered. Aira and Sana walked to class together. Aira was quiet again, but Sana didn’t mind.
“She’s got mystery,” Sana thought.
At home that evening, Reyan’s smile faded the moment he stepped inside.
His house was big, modern — expensive everything. But it was quiet. Too quiet.
His father sat in the living room, reading news on his tablet. His mother wasn’t home — again.
“Hey,” Reyan said.
His dad nodded without looking up. “Homework?”
“Yeah,” Reyan replied, walking to his room.
He closed the door and sighed.
It was always like this. He played the fun, charming guy at school because it was easier than being real. Nobody liked sad people. Nobody wanted to know what went on behind a perfect smile.
He sat at his desk, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
They think I’m confident… funny… maybe even flirty.
But truth was, Reyan didn’t even know who he was when he wasn’t performing.
And for some reason, Aira saw through it.
She didn’t laugh at his jokes. She didn’t blush when he winked. She just... looked at him. Not impressed. Not cold either. Just real.
It made him uncomfortable.
It made him curious.
Meanwhile, Aira sat at her desk, finishing homework. Her sisters were being loud again in the background.
“Should I wear pink or blue tomorrow?” Meera asked.
“Like anyone’s looking at you,” Neha teased.
“Both are ugly,” Aira added, making them gasp.
Aira rolled her eyes but smiled. These small arguments made her feel normal.
Then her thoughts drifted again — to Reyan.
Why does he always look at me like that?
He wasn’t her type. Not even close. But something about the way he acted… it didn’t match his eyes.
She shook the thought away.
Stay focused. Avoid drama.
That night, Reyan stared at his phone.
No texts.
He opened his messages, hovered over Aira’s contact — he had gotten her number during a group project last term. But he never used it.
Should I message her?
He put the phone down.
No.
Not yet.
He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say.
Or why he wanted to say it at all.
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Updated 13 Episodes
Comments
Ohara Shinosuke
Wow, this story blew me away! Such a unique plot!
2025-07-22
1