Starting 3rd grade brought about a new beginning with many surprises and changes. With Riya alongside me, dealing with the challenges of a new school year became a bit easier. I've known Riya since we were three. She's always been the extroverted, talkative overachiever, while I was the shy, quiet average kid who preferred observing from the sidelines. Despite our differences, we became inseparable—best friends for life. She was the one who pulled me out of my shell, helped me navigate school, and introduced me to a world I probably wouldn't have explored on my own.
Riya's energy was irresistible, and it was because of her that I met so many new people. By the time we reached 3rd grade, she had already made a bunch of new friends, thanks to her brilliant communication skills and her smart, approachable nature. I, on the other hand, stuck by her side like a shadow, quietly observing as she charmed everyone she met.
It was through Riya that I ended up being around Rohan. He wasn't someone I'd normally be friends with—he was the type of guy who could light up a room with his jokes, and I was, well, the girl who found comfort in the quiet corners of the room.
Once, it was lunchtime, and the classroom buzzed with the usual mess. Our desks were pushed together, and everyone unpacked their lunchboxes—Riya, Ved, Payal, Jay, Vaani, Rohan, and me. Riya had that serious look on her face, which meant one thing: science fair talk.
"We need to make sure our project is perfect," Riya said, her voice a little bossy. "If we want to get full marks, we need to start planning now. We should divide the work evenly, and make sure—"
Rohan groaned dramatically, interrupting her. "Riya, chill! It's just a science fair, not the end of the world," he said, rolling his eyes and leaning back in his chair. "You're acting like we're climbing Mount Everest or something! Stop being the leader of everything!"
Riya crossed her arms but couldn't help smiling a little. "I'm just trying to help. You'll thank me later."
Rohan leaned forward, tapping his pencil against the desk and grinned. "Yeah, yeah. But seriously, I haven't even thought of any ideas yet. You can't blame me for taking credit for the smart stuff if you don't give me time to think," he joked.
Payal, chewing on a bite of her sandwich, chuckled and poked Rohan's arm. "Pfft, you? Have ideas? Please, you'll just sit there while we do all the work and then say, 'Look what we made!'"
Rohan huffed like Payal had insulted him. "I have ideas! Lots of ideas! They're just... hidden in my brain somewhere." He tapped his head, making a silly face.
Ved, who was busy munching on chips, jumped in, pointing at Payal. "Hey, Payal! Did you forgot that yesterday you fell in the hallway? You didn't even see that mop bucket!" he mocked.
Payal's face went red, and she kicked Ved lightly under the table. "It was an accident! That wasn't my fault! I didn't see the mop bucket, okay? And it wasn't that bad!"
Rohan gasped. "Oh, it was bad! You slid like... like a penguin on ice!" He made a goofy flapping motion, and everyone burst out laughing.
Jay, always the quiet one but with the loudest laugh, nearly spilt his juice on himself. "It was like sloooow motion," he said, his laughter spreading to everyone.
I couldn't resist adding my own tease, smirking at Ved. "Yeah, but nothing beats the incident when Ved knocked over Ms. Gore's coffee last week."
Ved sighed, covering his face. "That was so embarrassing! I didn't mean to do that, okay?"
"Oh right, 'cause tripping over your untied shoelaces in front of everyone was totally on purpose?" I teased while grinning.
Even Riya, who was usually the most mature, was giggling. "Payal's slip and Ved's trip won't help us get points on our science project! Focus on our science project, guys!"
Rohan held up his hands like he was surrendering. "Okay, okay, no more talking about science projects right now! Let's just eat lunch without worrying about the fair, alright?"
Riya sighed but nodded, though I could tell she hadn't thought about it. "Fine, but if we run out of time later, don't blame me."
We all went back to eating, the conversation flowing between silly jokes and light teasing. Rohan kept cracking us up with his over-the-top impressions of everyone, Payal and Ved bickered like they always did, and Jay laughed so hard he could barely breathe. Vaani was quiet and observing everything. I chimed in with my own comments, laughing along with everyone and teasing Rohan whenever he gave me the chance.
I liked the time we all spent together. It wasn't just Riya or the other friends she brought into our circle—it was Rohan too. Even though our interactions were limited to being in a group, there was something about him that made me feel at ease. In those moments, I realized I enjoyed being around him, even though I wasn't sure why I felt that way.
Maybe it was the way he made everyone laugh, or how effortlessly he seemed to fit into every conversation. Maybe it was just that, for once, I didn't feel like the shy, awkward girl. I felt like I belonged. We never talked to each other but still, butterflies in my stomach were tickling inside me. Slowly but surely, my feelings for him began to grow. I confessed to Riya about my crush, and soon after, the rest of my friends learned about it as well except for Rohan.
Even though we were just kids and had no idea what relationships were, they teased me relentlessly, pretending Rohan was my boyfriend even though I just got butterflies in my stomach after seeing him smiling. But amidst the laughter and jokes, I couldn't deny the butterflies that fluttered in my stomach whenever Rohan was around.
***
One day as the science lecture began, Riya and I couldn't resist sharing our usual giggles and gossip. Lost in our own world, we didn't notice the watchful gaze of our science teacher, nor did we see the mischief taking place on the other side of the classroom.
Rohan and his friend Ved were engrossed in their own conversation, unaware of the upcoming trouble. But trouble found us anyhow, our science teacher told our class teacher about our mischief and after knowing this, our class teacher immediately interfered, deciding to switch our bench partners on the spot.
My heart sank as I found that I was going to be seated next to Rohan, confusion swirling in my mind. "What? Why me?" I whispered to Riya, shock written all over my face.
With a mischievous smile, Riya simply replied, "Looks like fate has other plans for you, Maya."
Before I could protest, the class teacher's firm voice cut through the room. "Maya, sit next to Rohan."
With a sense of reluctance mingled with curiosity, I made my way across the classroom and settled into the empty seat beside him.
"Guess we're stuck with each other now," Rohan remarked casually, his tone light-hearted.
Forcing a smile, I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, guess so," I replied, my voice carefully neutral.
But inside, turmoil stirred within me. Sitting beside Rohan felt like a rollercoaster—thrilling yet terrifying. He exuded an easy confidence, while I fidgeted nervously, my thoughts racing. With every fleeting glance, heat rushed to my cheeks, reminding me of how out of place I felt without Riya's laughter nearby.
Despite my attempts to appear calm, my stomach twisted in knots, and the absence of Riya's reassuring presence beside me amplified the chaos of the classroom. I used to share my gossip, things related to Rohan and our inside jokes with Riya. I was uncomfortable with Rohan because of my feelings for him and because of this we never talked more than two or three words or sentences whenever he tried to talk to me.
***
As the weeks passed, our class teacher assigned Rohan to help me with my studies, and my cheeks turned red with embarrassment. I stole a nervous glance at him, my heart pounding with a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.
"Um, thanks for doing this," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I fidgeted with my pencil, unable to meet Rohan's gaze.
But to my surprise, Rohan chuckled softly, his eyes tightening at the corners as he comforted me, "Hey, no problem. We're in this together, right?"
His easygoing nature put me at ease, and I couldn't help but smile in return. "Yeah, I guess so," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
As Rohan taught me the lesson properly, I started to feel more at ease around him. With each explanation, my initial embarrassment melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of trust.
"See, it's not that tough once you get used to it," Rohan said. His tone was optimistic as I finally got the concept I had been having trouble with.
I smiled gratefully, grateful for his patience and support. "Thanks to you," I replied.
"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," he muttered, his tone tinged with hesitation, and my smile stuttered, disappointment nibbling at my heart.
I couldn't understand why he'd gone from friendly to distant in a matter of moments. It was like he'd put up a wall the second I got comfortable. What had changed? Was it something I said, or was it just how he was?
"I just thought...since we're stuck together, we might as well make the best of it," I ventured, my voice laced with uncertainty as I attempted to reach out to him.
Rohan's response was direct, his attention fixed firmly on his textbook. "Sure, whatever," he muttered, his words devoid of warmth, and my heart sank further.
As I struggled to find a connection with my reluctant companion, I couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath Rohan's stoic facade. Despite his chilly exterior, I sensed a vulnerability creeping beneath the surface, a hope for connection that mirrored my own. Was I imagining things, or was there really something softer behind his distant exterior? It was hard to tell, but my heart wanted to believe there was more to him than the coldness he showed.
With a determined resolve, I vowed to unravel the mystery of Rohan's guarded heart, determined to create a bond that surpassed the barriers that threatened to keep us apart. Little did I know, our journey together was just beginning, and the secrets that lay hidden beneath the surface would soon come to light.