The morning bell rang loudly across the school campus, and students quickly rushed into their classrooms. It was the beginning of a new day, but for Liza everyday was almost the same— books, notes, and studies.
Liza was known as the most intelligent girl in class 10. Teachers trusted her, classmates respected her and many student secretly wished they could score marks like her. She always sat in the fast bench, her books neatly arranged, her handwriting not good but okay and her attention fully on the teacher.
Her dream was very clear— to score the highest mark in the board exams and make her parents proud.
But behind her success, there was strict discipline at home.
Liza's mother was very strict about studies. She always reminder her daughter.
"Board exams decide your future. No distractions. No wasting time. And remember, no friendship with boys."
Liza respect her mother deeply. She never argued and always followed the rules. She avoided unnecessary talks and focused only on her goals.
In the same class, there was a boy named Nishakar.
Nishakar was completely different from Liza. He was cheerful friendly, and loved making jokes. His laughter often filled the classroom, and many students like his funny nature. But when it came to studies, Nishakar was weak.
Very weak .
He struggled to understand lessons, especially Mathematics and Science. Homework was always incomplete, and teachers often scolded him in front of the class.
Many students laughed at him when his marks were announced. Some even called him careless.
But deep inside, Nishakar wasn't careless he just didn't understand things quickly, and sometimes he felt scared to ask questions.
One day during Mathematics class, the teacher entered with a bundle of answer sheets.
"Today, I will announce your test marks." he said seriously.
The classroom became silent. Everyone waited nervously. The teacher started calling names.
"Riya— 42 out of 50."
"Amit —38 out of 50."
Then he smile slightly and called.
"Liza —39 out of 50."
The whole class clapped loudly. Some students even turned around to look at her with administration.
Liza stood up politely and look her answer sheet. Her face remained calm, but inside she felt proud.
The teacher then continued.
"Nishakar —12 out of 50."
A few students started laughing softly.
Nishakar slowly stood up and walked toward the teacher. His head was down, and his hands felt heavy as he took the paper.
He didn't look at anyone while returning to his seat. Liza noticed his expression. For the first time she saw something she had never noticed before— deep sadness in his eyes.
After school ended,most students left quickly, laughing and talking with their friends. But Nishakar stayed back in the classroom.
He sat alone starting at his answer sheet again and again.
12 out of 50.
The number felt like a heavy stone on his heart.
Liza was Packing her bag when she notice him sitting there alone. For a moment she thought of leaving. After all, talking to boys was not something she usually did.
But something inside her stopped her. She slowly walked towards him.
"Why are you still here?" she asked softly.
Nishakar looked up in surprise. He didn't expect Liza to talk to him.
"Nothing.... just thinking how to pass the board exam." he replied with him with smile.
Liza looked at his paper.
"If you practice daily. you can improve." she said clamly.
Nishakar started at her for a second. That was the first real conversation between them. From that day, small changes began.
Nishakar started asking small doubts during class. At first, Liza give short answers. But slowly, she began explaining more clearly.
Sometimes he made silly mistakes, and Liza felt irritated.
"You forget the formula again?" she said once.
Nishakar scratched his head and smiled nervously.
"Sorry... I'll remember next time."
Though she felt annoyed, she noticed that Nishakar was trying harder then before. Days passed like this.
One evening, after school, something unexpected happened.
The sky was turning Orange as the sun slowly set. Students walked out of the school get chatting happily.
Liza was walking alone, holding her books close to her chest.
Suddenly, she heard someone call her name.
"Liza.... wait!"
She turned back.
It was Nishakar.
He walked towards her, looking nervous. His hands were slightly shaking, and his face looked serious.
"What happened?"Liza asked.
Nishakar took a deep breath.
" I want to say something."
Liza looked confused.
"Say it."
Nishakar looked down for a moment, then gathered courage.
"I know I am not good in studies." he began slowly.
"Everyone laughs at me. Teachers scold me. Sometimes I feel like I can't do anything right."
Liza listened quietly. Then Nishakar looked into her eyes.
"But you... you never laughed at me. You help me when I asked."
Liza felt slightly uncomfortable. She had never had such a conversation before. Then Nishakar said the words that shocked her completely.
"Liza.... I like you. I really like you."
For a moment, time seemed to stop. Liza's heart started beating faster. She never expected this. Her mind immediately remember her mother's strict voice:
"No friendship with boys."
Her expression became serious.
"Nishakar don't say things like this." she replied firmly.
Nishakar looked hurt but continued.
"I am serious, I really care about you."
Liza shook her head.
"My mother is very strict. I can't think about love right now. My focus is only on study and board exams."
Her voice sounded calm, but her heart felt restless.
"Please don't talk about this again." she added.
Nishakar stood silently. He didn't know what to say. Liza turned and walked away without looking back.
That night, Nishakar couldn't sleep peacefully. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Her words kept repeating in his mind. At the same time, Liza also couldn't sleep peacefully. She tried a try to focus on her books, but her thoughts kept returning to Nishakar's face— especially the sadness in his eyes.
Days passed,but things were not the same anymore. Nishakar became quieter in class. He stopped joking as much as before. Instead, he started paying attention to lessons.
He even began completing his homework regularly. Teachers noticed the changes.
"Good Nishakar, keep working hard." the mathematics teacher said one day.
Liza notice everything.
One afternoon, during lunch break, she saw Nishakar sitting alone. Solving Mathematics problems carefully. She felt surprised.
"It's he really trying to improve?" she thought.
Weeks passed quickly. Now, the board exams were only one month away. Pressure increased everywhere. Teachers gave extra homework. Students stayed late after school for revising classes. Everyone looked serious and nervous.
One evening, Liza sat at her study table at home. Books were spread all around her.
But her mind was not fully focused.
She remember Nishakar again.
She remembered how he had changed —studying harder, talking less, trying his best.
For the first time, she felt something strange in her heart. A soft, warm feeling she couldn't explain.
That night, while checking her phone she noticed a message. It was from Nishakar .
"Thank you for helping me before. I am studying her now. I want to pass the board exam."
Liza started at the message silently. Her heart felt warm. She thought for a long time before replying.
Finally she typed:
"Nishakar...I want to talk to you tomorrow after school."
That next day felt longer than usually. After school ended , Liza waited near the gate. Soon, Nishakar walked towards her,looking nervous again.
"You wanted to talk?" he ask softly.
Liza took a deep breath. Her hands felt cold.
"I told you no before because I was scared." she begins slowly.
"Scared of my mother... and scared of losing focus on my studies."
Nishakar listened quietly. Then she look into his eyes.
"But now, only one month is left before board exams. After that we may never meet again."
She paussed.
Her heart beat faster.
"So... yes, Nishakar." she said softly.
"I also like you."
For a second, Nishakar didn't in react.
He thought he had heard wrong.
"Really?" he asked with wide eyes.
Liza smiled slightly.
" Yes"
At that moment, Nishakar's face lit up with happiness.
It was the happiest moment of his life. That day became the beginning of their secret love story.
From that night, they started talking late at night, sharing their fears, dreams, and the pressure of upcoming exams.
But deep inside,both of them know —
Their love had just begun.... and many challenges were waiting ahead.
To be continued.....