Say you love me! ✨️

Chapter 12: A Sweet Surprise

The day was drawing to a close, and the energy in the school had settled into a quieter rhythm as students began to wrap up their conversations and gather their belongings. Ananya was seated at her desk, organizing her books and mentally reviewing the day’s lessons. It had been a good day—she had slipped back into her routine with ease, and the small indulgence of conversation with Aarav and his friends had been an unexpected but pleasant addition.

As she packed up her things, her mind drifted to the story she had been writing over the break. She was eager to get home and continue working on it, already plotting out the next scene in her head. Writing had become her sanctuary, a place where she could pour out all her thoughts and emotions without restraint.

Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Aarav approaching her desk. Her heart skipped a beat—though they had shared moments of banter, it was rare for Aarav to seek her out directly. She looked up, curiosity and a hint of nervousness swirling inside her.

Aarav stopped in front of her desk, his expression relaxed, a small smile playing on his lips. He held something in his hand, which he casually extended toward her. Ananya glanced at the object—it was a small, neatly wrapped chocolate.

“For you,” Aarav said simply, his voice calm and almost nonchalant. “Since you said you liked chocolates.”

Ananya blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard. Her gaze flickered from the chocolate to Aarav’s face, searching for any hint of a joke or teasing, but his expression remained sincere.

“Thank you,” she managed to say, accepting the chocolate. It felt cool in her hand, the smooth wrapper catching the light as she turned it over. “That’s… really thoughtful of you.”

Aarav shrugged lightly, his smile widening just a fraction. “No big deal. Just something I thought you’d like.”

There was a brief pause, a moment where neither of them said anything, and the air between them seemed to hum with unspoken words. Ananya felt a strange warmth spread through her chest, a mixture of appreciation and something else she couldn’t quite name.

Before she could think of anything more to say, Aarav gave a small nod and turned to leave, as if he hadn’t just made her day with a simple gesture. “See you around, Ananya.”

“See you,” she replied softly, watching as he walked away, rejoining his group of friends who were waiting for him near the door. He seemed to slip back into his usual demeanor with ease, laughing and joking with them as they exited the classroom.

Ananya stared at the chocolate in her hand for a few moments longer, a small smile tugging at her lips. It was such a simple thing, yet it carried so much meaning. Aarav had remembered something she’d said in passing and had taken the time to do something kind for her. It was a gesture that, despite his playful nature, showed a level of thoughtfulness she hadn’t expected.

As she finally stood up to leave, she tucked the chocolate into her bag, deciding to save it for later. The memory of this moment would stay with her for a long time, she knew. It was a small but significant step in whatever was slowly building between them—a connection that was growing in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

Walking out of the school, Ananya felt a lightness in her step, a new sense of anticipation fluttering in her heart. The winter break had come to an end, but something new was beginning to bloom in its place. For now, she was content to let it unfold at its own pace, savoring the sweetness of this small, unexpected moment.