Siya POV:
Today while getting ready, I realized something so simple… yet so heavy.
Ayyan doesn't know me. Not really.
Yes, we both exist in the same class. Yes, we sometimes lock eyes. But for him, I am just another classmate. A face in the crowd.
That eye contact yesterday that made my heart stop beating? For him, it probably meant nothing. And maybe that's the truth I need to accept.
So today, I made myself a promise: No more Ayyan in my heart. Let my brain take over. Let my heart rest.
I smiled to myself and whispered, I hope he and Ayesha end up together. I hope their misunderstandings clear. I hope they're happy. Just… not me.
---
Days started passing normally.
I sat on the second bench, closer to the board, closer to my books. Sometimes Ayesha spoke to me, mostly because she was friends with Aryan, and I'd get dragged into their talks. But other than that, I stayed in my little bubble.
No drama. No heartbreak. Just me and my studies.
---
Tomorrow was the last day of school before the break, and honestly? I was happy. So happy. Because finally, I had something pure to focus on.
Maths.
Yes, boring, soul-crushing maths. But at least numbers don't betray you.
I was stuck on one impossible question. Tried once. Failed. Tried again. Failed. By the fifth attempt, my brain was melting. My brother said, "I already taught you—now it's your turn to figure it out."
And finally—on the fifth try—I solved it.
The answer burned into my brain like victory.
Do you know that happiness? That stupid little joy when the only stress in your life is homework? God, it felt so good.
---
Next day at school, something rare happened—our maths teacher came. And not just her, even the principal dropped by. Pressure levels: 💯.
She started writing tricky questions on the board, calling random students to solve them. My heart nearly exploded from fear. Because if she called me, and I messed up again, my already dead aura would be finished forever.
And of course, fate picked me.
"Siya, solve this one."
My knees went weak when I saw the question. But then—
I recognized it.
It was that same question. The one I solved five times last night.
With shaking hands but a burning memory, I solved it in minutes.
The whole class froze.
My teacher's face softened with pride.
"Did you join tuitions?" she asked.
"No, ma'am. Self-study," I whispered.
The class erupted in whispers. Some called me smart. Some teased me as "betrayal Siya" for hiding brains. Shehla threw a taunt. Aryan clapped for me and begged me to help him too.
For once, the spotlight didn't burn me. It healed me. My aura was back. 100+.
I wasn't the crybaby anymore. I was me.
---
But then reality stabbed me again.
Today was the last day. After this, no school for 10–15 days. And suddenly, instead of relief, I felt hollow. Yesterday I was begging for school to end. But now? I didn't want it to.
I prayed silently: Let someone announce an extension. Please.
Nobody did.
The bell rang. Last lecture, last moment.
And I don't know why—but I turned.
Maybe because I wanted one last look before the break.
And there he was. Ayyan.
I froze. Stared for too long. My heart betrayed me all over again. Until I reminded myself: No. Not him. Not anymore. I tore my gaze away.
And that's when I heard it.
A voice. His voice.
"You said you weren't good at maths… but you actually nailed it."
I turned back.
It was him. Standing there, casually, with that stupid smile.
I forced a smile back. "It was fate."
"Really? Then I want the same fate," he said with a laugh.
I bit back the storm in my chest. "Study hard, and you'll get it."
He laughed again. Just… laughed. And walked away. No goodbye. No meaning. Just another casual conversation for him.
But for me? It was everything.
And nothing.
As the door closed behind him, my aura—my freshly healed aura—cracked again.
Ten days without him. Ten days where I'd try to forget.
But fate is cruel.
Because no matter how much I push him out of my brain, my heart keeps whispering his name.