Chapter 14: The High School Days (pt.4)
Shyam sat quietly in the corner of the café during a lull in business, absentmindedly wiping a clean glass as his thoughts wandered back to the past. The memories of high school seemed so vivid, as if he could still hear the faint echoes of chatter in the hallways and the laughter of his three close friends. They had been his anchor throughout those years, a trio who had stayed by his side no matter how quiet or reserved he was.
Raitha's face crept into his mind again, just as it had countless times before. She had been the untouchable star of their class, admired by everyone but seemingly out of reach for someone like him. Yet, even amidst her circle of admirers and friends, her actions had always hinted at something more—a quiet but undeniable thread of connection.
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He recalled the time when the teacher assigned them another group project. Back then, he had hoped not to be paired with her again, knowing the uneasy tension her presence brought him. But fate seemed to enjoy throwing them together. Once more, they ended up as partners.
This time, the project involved preparing a presentation for the school's annual cultural day. It wasn't just about facts and research—it required creativity and teamwork, qualities Shyam didn't particularly excel in. Raitha, on the other hand, was a natural.
Their preparations often led them to the school's art room, where they worked late into the evening. Raitha's friends teased her endlessly about spending so much time with him, though she brushed them off with a lighthearted laugh.
One particular evening stood out in Shyam's memory. The room was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, the light streaming through the large windows. Raitha was sketching out a design for their presentation board, her movements swift and precise. Shyam sat across from her, organizing their notes.
"Do you ever draw?" Raitha asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Not really," Shyam replied, glancing up from his papers.
"You should try," she said, pushing a blank sheet of paper and a pencil toward him. "It's relaxing."
Shyam hesitated but eventually picked up the pencil. He wasn't sure what to draw, so he began sketching simple shapes—circles, squares, a few awkward attempts at shading. Raitha leaned over, watching his progress with a curious smile.
"You're not bad," she said encouragingly.
Shyam snorted. "You're just being nice."
"No, I mean it," she insisted. "You have a steady hand. With a little practice, you could get really good."
He didn't know how to respond to that, so he simply nodded and continued sketching. For the first time, the silence between them felt natural, almost comforting.
---
As their project neared completion, Raitha's subtle attempts to bridge the gap between them became more apparent. She started asking him questions—small ones at first, like his favorite color or the kind of music he liked. Shyam, unused to such attention, answered hesitantly but truthfully.
One evening, as they were packing up their things, Raitha asked, "Do you ever get tired of being so quiet all the time?"
Shyam paused, considering her question. "Not really. I guess I'm just used to it."
Raitha tilted her head, studying him. "You're different from most people I know."
"Is that a bad thing?"
She shook her head. "No. It's... refreshing."
The sincerity in her voice caught him off guard. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
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The cultural day arrived, and their presentation was a success. Their classmates praised their creativity, and even the teacher commended their teamwork. Shyam found himself feeling a sense of pride, not just in their work but in the small bond he had formed with Raitha.
Yet, as the days turned into weeks and the project became a distant memory, they returned to their usual dynamic—polite but distant. Raitha didn't push any further, and Shyam, true to his nature, didn't pursue anything beyond their formal interactions.
Still, those moments lingered in his mind, etched into the fabric of his high school years. He often wondered if things could have been different, if he had been braver or more open. But life moved on, and so did they.
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The sound of the café door chime jolted Shyam back to the present. He blinked, realizing he had been lost in thought for far too long. Raitha was standing near the counter, her apron tied neatly around her waist. She was arranging the menu board, her expression focused.
Shyam watched her for a moment, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It was strange how life had brought them back together after all those years. The past felt like a distant dream, yet here they were, sharing the same space once again.
He set the glass down and picked up another, his movements automatic. The café was quiet, the kind of calm that felt almost surreal. For the first time in a long while, Shyam allowed himself to wonder what the future might hold—not just for himself but for the two of them.
As Raitha turned and caught his gaze, she smiled warmly. Shyam quickly looked away, feeling a familiar warmth rise to his cheeks. Some things, it seemed, never changed.