The rain poured heavily, yet Raghavan kept running without stopping.
As he ran, he noticed a teacher watching him. It wasn't just any teacher—it was Vihaan. Raghavan immediately recognized him, but Vihaan didn't seem to recognize Raghavan yet.
"It's raining. You've already run a hundred rounds. You can go home now—be careful," Vihaan said before leaving.
Raghavan didn't reveal who he was.
Just then, Pallavi came running toward him, tears streaming down her face. She handed him water and carefully sheltered him under her umbrella.
"You're suffering so much… all because of me," she said softly.
Raghavan shook his head. "I'm doing this for you. Didn't you say you felt like you had no one in this school? Don't worry—I'm here for you. And if you're here for me, won't I be there for you?"
They both went home, but Pallavi couldn't stop thinking about Raghavan. Slowly, her feelings for him began to grow.
At the same time, Raghavan thought, Other than my parents and grandfather… no one has ever shown me this kind of affection. He too began to like Pallavi deeply.
The next day, Raghavan rode his bicycle to school. Hearing the bell behind him, he turned—and saw Pallavi riding her bicycle too. They smiled and rode together to school.
Soon, Raghavan made friends in class. During the break, just as expected, he and Pallavi sat under their usual tree, talking endlessly.
A few days later, the school announced a special Parents' Day celebration with games and events. Everyone's parents attended.
Pallavi searched for Raghavan that day—she wanted to introduce him to her parents.
But he never came.
The next day…
"Why didn't you come yesterday?" Pallavi asked.
"It's nothing," he replied casually.
"I was looking for you! You could've brought your parents too—it would've been so fun."
Raghavan hesitated, then said quietly, "I don't have parents."
Pallavi froze. "What happened?"
"When I was five… they died in a car accident. Now it's just me and my grandfather."
"I'm sorry… I didn't know."
"It's okay," he said gently.
After a pause, Raghavan smiled faintly. "I've always wanted to try pani puri… but I never have. Can we go today?"
Pallavi immediately grabbed his hand and took him along.
They stood at a stall, eating together. Raghavan didn't even know how to eat it properly. Laughing, Pallavi took his plate and fed him herself.
They looked into each other's eyes—without blinking.
That was the moment love quietly blossomed between them.
They started talking over the phone every day. Life felt perfect.
Until one day…
Raghavan was riding his bicycle to school as usual. Pallavi hadn't arrived yet, so he rode slowly.
Suddenly—
A truck crashed into him.
He fell to the ground, covered in blood.
The news reached Mahadevan.
Shocked, he rushed to the hospital. Seeing Raghavan in the ICU shattered him completely.
"The injury to his head is severe," the doctors said. "He must be taken to Chennai immediately, or his condition could worsen."
Raghavan was taken away.
When Pallavi arrived, she learned he had already been moved. She broke down, crying uncontrollably.
"I want to see him… please!"
Her father comforted her and took her to Chennai. But by the time they reached, Raghavan had already been transferred to America for treatment.
Pallavi collapsed in tears.
"Does that mean I'll never see him again…?"
Days passed.
She stopped eating properly. She barely attended school. Even when she did, sitting under their tree during breaks only made her cry, thinking of him.
Months later…
Luxury cars suddenly lined up at the school entrance. Students stared in shock.
A Rolls-Royce door opened.
Raghavan stepped out.
Pallavi's face lit up with a smile she hadn't shown in months. She ran toward him.
They met under the tree again—this time, unable to hold back their emotions.
"I suffered so much without you," Pallavi cried. "If I had come earlier that day, this wouldn't have happened…"
Raghavan shook his head. "Don't blame yourself. Even if you had come, what was meant to happen would've happened."
Days passed happily again.
One day, during break, Raghavan asked playfully,"You missed me so much, didn't you? What if I had disappeared forever?"
Slap!
Pallavi hit his cheek.
"Don't ever say that again—even as a joke!"
Then she softened. "Sorry… I got angry."
Raghavan smiled. "I'm happy."
"Why?"
"I always thought I'd be alone after my grandfather… that no one would ever love me. But now… I have you."
Pallavi looked at him firmly."Who said you're alone? I'll always be there—for life. Not just in school."
Later, Pallavi asked curiously,"Who are you really? You came in a Rolls-Royce!"
Raghavan sighed. "My grandfather owns Mahadevan Industries. It's just the two of us at home."
"Then why did you come to school on a bicycle?"
"Because I liked living like everyone else…"
Time passed.
One day, Mahadevan told Raghavan,"Come home early tomorrow after school."
Raghavan felt strangely uneasy.
The next morning, during assembly, his name was called.
"It's Raghavan's birthday today—everyone wish him!"
The whole school cheered.
But Pallavi noticed—he didn't smile.
During break, she brought him cake and juice.
"Why are you sad? It's your birthday…"
Raghavan looked down.
"The same day my parents died… is my birthday. I hate celebrating it."
He walked away.
That evening, Pallavi went to his house—a grand mansion.
Mahadevan welcomed her warmly and explained everything:Raghavan's parents had died while going to buy him a birthday gift. Since then, he blamed himself.
Pallavi went to the terrace.
Raghavan sat alone.
"Come downstairs," she said softly. "At least for your grandfather… cut the cake."
"I'm here for you—as your friend… as your family."
She held his hand and brought him down.
That night, for the first time in years, Raghavan celebrated his birthday.
Before leaving, Pallavi handed him a gift.
"Open it when you're alone."
Later that night…
Raghavan sat on his balcony under the moonlight, holding the gift.
With curiosity and a racing heart—
He slowly opened it.