Chapter 3: The First Day at School
The next morning felt strangely normal.
The sky was clear.
The rain had stopped.
Sunlight filled the streets like nothing had happened the night before.
But for Meera—
Nothing felt normal anymore.
She stood in front of the school gate, holding her bag tightly.
Students were laughing, talking, walking past her like every other day.
Everything looked the same.
But inside her—
Something had changed.
Her mind kept going back to last night.
Arjun.
His warning.
That strange shadow.
And the way he looked so serious…
"Why am I thinking about him so much…?" she whispered to herself.
"Because someone's thinking about you too."
Riya suddenly appeared beside her with a grin.
Meera jumped slightly.
"Riya! Don't scare me like that."
Riya laughed.
"Then stop daydreaming at the school gate."
Meera rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help smiling a little.
"By the way…" Riya leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"That new boy—Arjun—he's in our class."
Meera's heart skipped a beat.
"…Oh."
"Oh?? That's it?" Riya teased.
"Yesterday you were acting so weird because of him."
"I was not!" Meera quickly said, a little embarrassed.
Riya smirked.
"Yeah yeah… let's go. Class is about to start."
They walked inside together.
The hallway was crowded, filled with noise and energy.
But Meera's eyes…
Were searching for only one person.
And then—
She saw him.
Arjun.
Sitting at the back corner of the classroom.
Just like before.
Quiet. Alone.
For a moment, she just stood there, looking at him.
Something about him felt… different in daylight.
Less mysterious.
But still distant.
"Why are you standing here? Go sit," Riya whispered, pulling her inside.
Meera quickly looked away and went to her seat.
Trying to act normal.
The class slowly filled up.
Students talking, laughing, sharing stories.
But Arjun—
He didn't talk to anyone.
Didn't even look interested.
Then suddenly—
As if he felt something—
He looked up.
Straight at Meera.
Their eyes met again.
This time—
Neither of them looked away immediately.
Meera's heart started beating faster.
That same strange feeling from last night…
Came back.
Arjun's expression didn't change.
But his eyes…
They were observing her.
Carefully.
Then—
He slowly looked away.
Meera exhaled softly.
She didn't even realize she was holding her breath.
"What is wrong with me…?" she thought.
Just then, the class teacher entered.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, ma'am," everyone replied.
"Settle down. We have a new student joining us."
Some students started whispering.
But Meera already knew who it was.
"Come in."
Arjun stood up from his seat and walked toward the front.
The entire class went silent.
"My name is Arjun," he said calmly.
"I transferred from another school."
That's it.
No smile.
No extra words.
The class exchanged confused looks.
"Alright, take your seat," the teacher said.
As Arjun walked back—
For a brief moment—
He looked at Meera again.
And this time—
His expression wasn't just calm.
It was… serious.
Almost like a warning.
A chill ran down her spine.
The class began, but Meera couldn't focus.
Her eyes kept moving toward him again and again.
And every time she looked—
He was already looking at her.
Not constantly.
But enough to make her notice.
It felt like he was watching her.
Protecting her…
Or maybe—
Waiting for something.
After the bell rang, students quickly started leaving the classroom.
Noise filled the air again.
But Meera stayed back.
Packing her bag slowly.
She didn't know why—
But she felt like something was about to happen.
"Hey."
Her heart skipped a beat.
She turned around.
Arjun was standing there.
Closer than before.
"Yes…?" she said softly.
He looked at her for a moment.
Then said—
"You came to school alone today."
Meera frowned slightly.
"…Yes?"
Arjun's eyes darkened slightly.
"You shouldn't do that again."
Her heartbeat increased.
"Why?"
A pause.
Then slowly—
He said,
"…Because they're watching."
Meera froze.
"They…?"
But before she could say anything more—
Arjun stepped back.
"Just remember what I said," he added quietly.
And then—
He walked away.
Leaving her standing there—
Confused.
Scared.
And somehow…
More drawn to him than ever.