The train station was bustling with students, adults, and the usual commuters rushing in all directions.
Adam and Ani made their way through the crowd, exchanging subtle glances filled with tension and curiosity.
As they boarded the train, Ani took a seat by the window, watching the city roll past, and looked up at Adam, who was still standing uncertainly.
With a slight smile, she gestured for him to sit beside her.
Adam's heart pounded as he tried to keep his composure. Her casual invitation seemed to electrify the air between them.
He took a deep breath, fighting the urge to fidget as he took the seat next to her. He felt Ani's gaze settle on him.
"Hey," Ani started, leaning in slightly, "I noticed you've been dozing off in class a lot lately. What's going on?"
Adam forced a laugh, running a hand through his hair. 'What can I even tell her? ' he thought, knowing his late nights were actually spent immersed in online games.
Just as he was about to stumble through a half-truth, a soft voice echoed in his ear.
"My lord, simply tell her you stay up reading mystery-thriller books," Pratham advised him, his tone as steady and reassuring as ever.
Taking Pratham's advice, Adam managed a small, awkward smile and replied, "Actually… I stay up reading mystery-thriller books. It's kind of hard to put them down."
Ani raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "Really? I didn't realize you were such a fan! It seems like you might be even more obsessed with mysteries than I am."
Adam was about to nod in agreement, but Pratham's voice nudged him again. "No, my lord. Tell her that you might be a fan, but she clearly has you beat!"
Laughing nervously, Adam glanced at Ani. "I don't know… it sounds like you're the real fan here. I've never seen anyone more dedicated to mysteries than you."
She chuckled, her eyes lighting up with amusement. "Well, maybe… but I don't have much time to read, honestly. If I do, I usually have to sneak a few pages in class, which makes my friends think I'm, you know, the quiet, studious type."
Adam was genuinely taken aback. Here was Ani, the school's ideal student, who everyone admired for her flawless image. But even she, it seemed, had to work hard to keep up appearances.
He gave her a curious look. "I thought… you didn't really care about what people thought of you. I guess I just assumed you were above all that."
Ani's face softened, and she looked out the window, a hint of vulnerability in her expression. "I mean, I do care what people think… we all do, don't we? Sometimes I just get tired of playing the part everyone expects me to."
Adam had no response, his mind struggling to process this new side of Ani. She wasn't just a flawless idol; she was as layered and complex as anyone else. What should I even say next? he thought, his mind racing.
"My lord," Pratham's voice came in once more, "perhaps ask her about relationships—just casually!"
Adam's heart skipped a beat. 'I can't do that! We barely just started talking. She'll think I'm nosy!' But knowing he had little choice but to follow Pratham's advice, he swallowed his nerves.
"Uh, Ani," he said, trying to sound nonchalant, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but… I heard that you've turned down three of the most popular guys in our school. Is that true?"
Ani's eyes widened with surprise, but then she let out a small laugh. "Three? Oh no, it was actually five! Five different guys asked me out, but… none of them were my type, I guess."
Adam blinked, caught off guard by her easy openness. He had expected her to brush off the question or change the subject.
But she seemed perfectly at ease, as if turning down admirers was just another part of her day.
Before he could ask more, the train began to slow, and Ani looked up, catching his eye with a small smile. "Looks like we're here. Ready to head to school?"
Adam nodded, but a thought struck him as they moved toward the station exit.' If I walk in with her, the entire school will be talking about it by lunchtime… should I really be doing this?'
Pratham, sensing his hesitation, chimed in, "My lord, if you're concerned about attention, perhaps it's best if Ani goes in alone."
Adam nodded slightly to himself, then took a breath and turned to Ani. "Hey, maybe… we should go separately? I mean, people might talk if they see us together."
Ani looked taken aback. "Oh? Does it really bother you what people think?"
He quickly shook his head, realizing he might have come off too blunt. "No, it's not that. It's… well, I just don't want people making up stories about you."
Ani's expression softened, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "If it bothers you that much… I understand." She hesitated, then looked down, her voice quieter than before. "I'll go ahead, then. See you in class, Adam."
Adam watched her walk away, her shoulders held high, and felt a strange pang of regret. Had he said the wrong thing? Just as he was about to voice his concerns, Pratham's voice assured him, "You did well, my lord. She understood."
After waiting a few minutes, Adam started making his way toward school on his own. Just as he approached the main gates, a familiar arm slung around his shoulder.
"Hey, big guy! What's the news?"
Adam turned to find Eric, his oldest friend and a ball of pure energy. Eric's wide grin was as infectious as always.
"Eric," Adam said, rolling his eyes, "you're never this cheerful in the morning. What's up?"
Eric shrugged. "Just another day! Although…" he trailed off with a dramatic sigh. "I had another fight with Cole yesterday. Typical."
"Let me guess," Adam raised an eyebrow, "you guys were playing basketball, and you crushed him?"
Eric raised his hands defensively, his grin widening. "Not my fault if he can't handle a little friendly competition!"
Adam laughed, shaking his head. "Come on, let's get inside. Maybe you two can work things out later."
As they walked together, Adam's mind drifted back to Ani. Her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes softened when she shared pieces of herself.
It was a side he hadn't expected, and for reasons he couldn't explain, it made his chest feel… light.
Eric nudged him with a knowing smirk. "Something on your mind, Adam?"
Adam shook his head, trying to focus on the present, but as he walked through the school gates, he couldn't help but look back, wondering if Ani felt the same strange pull.
To be connected....