It was evening when Sejal returned from tuition.
But her heart felt unusually heavy.
Though her books lay open in front of her, her mind refused to focus.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
It was Ken.
The moment he saw Sejal's face, he paused for a second.
— "What's wrong? You look upset."
Sejal spoke softly, her voice low and thoughtful.
— "I ran into Dean again today…
Seeing him brought everything back—
That first meeting, that first question, those eyes…"
Ken stood silently.
Then gently, he said,
— "But Dean doesn't like you… does he?
Stop thinking about him so much.
There's school tomorrow. Try to get some proper sleep."
Then he added,
— "Tomorrow your brother has a swimming competition.
He's asked me to take care of you in his absence.
So, I'll take you to school."
Sejal frowned slightly.
— "No, Ken. You don't have to trouble yourself.
I'll just take the bus by myself."
Ken smiled gently.
— "It's no trouble.
From tomorrow, I'll take you to and from school.
We're in the same class, sit together—it won't be an issue."
—
From the next day on, Ken and Sejal began commuting to school and tuition together.
Days passed, and soon Monday arrived—
The day of the much-awaited basketball match between Dean and Denny.
Sejal skipped school just to watch the match.
When Ken found out, he too skipped school and joined her in the audience.
—
The match had just started as Sejal and Ken took their seats in the gallery.
Sejal couldn't quite decide whom to support—
Her brother, Denny?
Or Dean…?
Dean was playing well, almost defeating Denny.
But then, his eyes met Sejal's in the crowd.
In that brief second of distraction—he lost focus.
Denny took the opportunity and won the match.
Sejal smiled, happy for her brother.
But her heart... it ached, just a little—for Dean.
After the match, Sejal ran over and handed water to her brother.
Just then, Dean reached out his hand too, asking for water.
Denny frowned, his eyes burning with rage.
Before the tension could rise, Ken stepped in and handed Dean a water bottle himself—coolly defusing the moment.
—
Months passed.
School, tuition, exams… and many moments with Ken.
One afternoon, Sejal went alone to the playground with a book.
She found a quiet corner to sit and read.
That's when she saw Dean, sitting shirtless in one corner of the field, wearing only his jeans.
Sejal thought,
"He must've been working out or playing sports…"
She considered leaving quietly.
But just then, Dean called out to her—
— "Hey… I need to talk to you."
---
(To be continued…)