Between Stars

Chapter 3

Diya began sharing details about her previous school, confirming she was indeed the same girl from my memories. Images of her with a guitar in hand, chatting with friends last year, flooded back into my mind. I distinctly recalled being captivated by her presence, even confiding in my friend Nihal, who stood beside me.

It was nearing 8 PM, and I found myself at a different school, waiting near the canteen area where the faint scent of numerous food items mingled with the light rain that drizzled around me. Engaged in conversation with Nihal and Najad, I was lost in the moment until suddenly, I spotted her—a silhouette with a guitar, illuminated by the school's interior lights.

"Nihal," I whispered, nudging him slightly, "that girl with the guitar is cute."

Always quick to act on such prompts, Nihal asked if I wanted to talk to her. Initially hesitant, I nodded. But as he started walking towards her, I felt a surge of apprehension. Fortunately, he stopped midway, sensing my unease about approaching her directly.

When Nihal returned, I couldn't resist teasing him about his hesitation. "Scared to talk to her?" I joked, trying to mask my embarrassment at being caught staring.

To my surprise, Nihal took my teasing seriously and without missing a beat, he turned back towards her. This time, he boldly pointed at me as he conversed with her. Feeling both mortified and intrigued, I nervously watched as he gestured for her to join him.

They started walking towards me. Caught off guard by Nihal's direct approach, I quickly excused myself from the conversation with my friends, feeling a rush of embarrassment at being the subject of their discussion. With flushed cheeks, I retreated, hoping to avoid further attention.

After I returned to my friends, news had spread among everyone, and they insisted I approach her. She was preparing to board her bus. Since Nihal hadn't asked her name, Arun rushed over and asked for it. She replied, "Diya." Then Arun forcefully pulled me to her side by the school bus where she stood. Finally, I got a proper look at her. She smiled and waved at me, and I did the same.

Now, seeing her again in our classroom, I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and nostalgia. Memories of that awkward yet memorable encounter resurfaced, reminding me of how unexpectedly life could intertwine paths and bring familiar faces back into our lives.

As the class settled into a rhythm, I found myself stealing glances at her, wondering if she remembered our brief interaction. The day unfolded with introductions and the beginning of new friendships, but my thoughts kept returning to the girl with the guitar, now a classmate, and the possibility of reconnecting in a more meaningful way.

After the two morning periods, we had our 15-minute break. Inside the classroom, I was chatting with Ameen, when I noticed Diya approaching me. Her presence among the familiar faces brought a pleasant surprise, stirring a mix of curiosity and anticipation.