It was a rare day when both Karthik and Ananya voluntarily went to the school library—not to study, but to hide.
The corridors were buzzing with students preparing for the inter-school culturals. Rehearsals, announcements, last-minute panics. Karthik had been drafted—against his will—into the scriptwriting team for a drama skit. Ananya was choreographing a group dance.
And they both needed a breather.
"Shhh," the librarian hissed as they entered.
"We haven't even said anything," Ananya whispered with a grin.
They slipped into a corner behind a tall rack labeled History of South India, where dust clung to the spines like forgotten memories.
Karthik sat cross-legged on the floor, a thick poetry book in hand. Ananya leaned against the shelf, fiddling with a pen.
"I forgot how peaceful it can be here," she said.
"It's like the world slows down."
"Unlike our classmates. Have you seen how Rithika's losing her mind over costume changes?"
"She made Rahul cry."
Ananya snorted, covering her mouth. "Poor Rahul. All he wanted was to wear sneakers for the dance."
Karthik smiled. "You're glowing today."
She blinked. "That's random."
"Not really. I've been noticing it more lately."
A pause. The teasing dropped from her face. "You… notice?"
He nodded, not breaking eye contact.
She slowly sat down beside him, close but not quite touching.
"I've been thinking a lot lately," she said, voice quieter now. "About how fast this year is flying by. I don't want to reach the end and feel like I missed something important."
"Like what?"
She turned to him. "Like this. Us."
Karthik's breath caught.
"You said you liked this. Us. Talking, working. I do too. More than I thought I would."
He looked at her, really looked. And for once, he didn't feel dark. He didn't feel like he had to hold back his words.
"I'm scared," he admitted. "Of ruining it."
She reached over, brushing her fingers gently over the back of his hand.
"Then don't," she said simply.
They sat in that silence, heartbeats syncing in the stillness of the forgotten shelves.
Outside, the school buzzed on. But in the library, the world belonged to just them.
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End of Chapter 72