Say you love me! ✨️

Chapter 9: Unwavering Focus

As November settled in, the chill in the air grew sharper, and Sunshine Academy buzzed with the anticipation of the upcoming winter break. The midterm exams were just around the corner, and for most students, it was a time of stress and long study hours. But for Ananya, this was where she thrived.

She had always been the kind of student who found solace in her studies, and this time was no different. The library became her second home, and her desk at home was piled high with textbooks, notes, and practice papers. Her focus was unshakeable, and despite the quiet shift in her feelings toward Aarav, she refused to let anything distract her from maintaining her top spot.

In the weeks leading up to the exams, Ananya kept to her usual routine. She would wake up early, go for a short run to clear her mind, and then dive straight into her studies. At school, she spent most of her free time in the library or with Arohi, reviewing notes and quizzing each other on difficult concepts. The rigorous schedule didn’t allow much time for socializing, which was just as well, considering the confusion she felt whenever Aarav crossed her mind.

Aarav, on the other hand, seemed as carefree as ever. He still joked around with his friends, still teased Ananya whenever their paths crossed, and still managed to excel in his own way, though his academic achievements never quite matched hers. But true to his nature, he never approached her first, leaving Ananya to grapple with her thoughts on her own.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling study session, Ananya decided to take a break and get some fresh air. She wandered out to the school’s courtyard, where a few students were scattered about, enjoying the rare sunshine that broke through the cold weather.

She found a quiet spot under a large oak tree, pulling out a book she had been meaning to read for pleasure—a rare treat for herself amidst the sea of academic texts. As she settled in, she couldn’t help but notice Aarav and his group across the courtyard, playing a casual game of soccer. Their laughter and shouts of encouragement filled the air, and she watched them for a moment, her heart tugging in a way that made her uncomfortable.

Aarav was, as always, at the center of the action, his tall frame moving effortlessly across the makeshift field. His playful energy was contagious, and even from a distance, Ananya could see how much he loved being with his friends, how much they loved being around him.

It was strange, she thought, how someone so different from her could have this effect on her. But as quickly as the thought came, she brushed it aside, reminding herself that she had more important things to focus on. She turned her attention back to her book, determined to lose herself in the story.

But even as she read, she couldn’t fully block out the sound of Aarav’s voice, his laughter, and the way he seemed to light up the entire courtyard. The realization that she was more aware of him than she wanted to be made her frown, and she shook her head, trying to push away the distraction.

Her determination paid off in the days that followed. When the midterm exams finally arrived, Ananya was ready. She breezed through each paper with the same meticulous focus that had always been her strength, leaving no question unanswered, no problem unsolved.

As the exams ended and the results were posted, it came as no surprise to anyone that Ananya had once again topped the class. The familiar pride swelled in her chest as she saw her name at the top of the list, and for a moment, everything felt right in the world. This was what she had worked for, what she had always strived to achieve.

Her friends congratulated her, Arohi with a warm hug and Simran with a proud smile. Even Aarav, in his own teasing way, acknowledged her achievement when they crossed paths in the hallway.

“Topper strikes again,” he said with a smirk, his tone light but with a hint of genuine admiration. “What’s your secret, Ananya? Superpowers?”

Ananya rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “Hard work, Aarav. Something you might want to try sometime.”

Aarav chuckled, shaking his head. “Touché. I’ll leave the top spot to you. Someone has to keep the rest of us on our toes.”

With that, he walked off, rejoining his group without waiting for her response. Ananya watched him go, the smile fading as her thoughts once again became a tangled mess of emotions. He was infuriating, charming, and confusing all at once, and despite her best efforts, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

But even as her feelings for Aarav continued to evolve, Ananya remained steadfast in her focus. She refused to let these new emotions derail her from her path. Her studies were her priority, and nothing—not even a boy like Aarav—was going to change that.

Yet, deep down, she knew that something had shifted within her, something that wouldn’t be easily ignored. For now, she would keep it buried, locked away in the quiet corners of her heart. After all, there was plenty of time to sort out her feelings—later, when the stakes weren’t so high.

But for now, Ananya would continue to be the student she had always been, the one who topped the class, who worked harder than anyone else, and who never let anything distract her from her goals.

And so, with the midterms behind her and the winter break approaching, Ananya turned her attention back to the next challenge, determined to stay on course—no matter what her heart might be whispering in the background.