Say you love me! ✨️

Chapter 14: Sweet Confessions

The morning light filtered through the classroom windows, casting a warm glow on the students of Sunshine Academy as they settled into their seats. Ananya, always punctual, was already at her desk, her thoughts swirling with a mix of emotions she was still trying to decipher.

The chocolate Aarav had given her sat in the front pocket of her bag, a small but undeniable reminder of the previous day’s encounter. It was just a piece of chocolate—an innocent, sweet gesture—but it carried a weight that Ananya wasn’t sure how to handle.

During the break between classes, Simran and Arohi joined Ananya at her desk, their faces alight with curiosity as they chatted about their winter break experiences. It wasn’t long before Arohi, ever observant, noticed the distracted look on Ananya’s face.

“Ananya, you’ve been quiet today,” Arohi remarked, leaning in closer. “Is something on your mind?”

Ananya hesitated, debating whether or not to share what had happened. But as she looked at her two closest friends, she realized she didn’t want to keep it to herself any longer. They would understand—or at least, they would listen.

“There’s something I want to tell you both,” Ananya began, her voice soft but steady. She reached into her bag and pulled out the small, neatly wrapped chocolate, holding it up for them to see.

Simran’s eyes widened in surprise. “A chocolate? Where did you get that?”

“Aarav gave it to me yesterday,” Ananya admitted, her heart beating a little faster at the confession. “He said it was because I mentioned I liked chocolates.”

Arohi and Simran exchanged a look, both of them clearly intrigued by this revelation.

“Aarav?” Arohi repeated, her eyebrows raised in mild disbelief. “You mean, Aarav Mehra? The same Aarav who’s been teasing you since forever?”

Ananya nodded, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and something else she couldn’t quite name. “Yeah, that Aarav. But it’s not like what you think. He’s just my playful enemy—nothing more. We’ve always had this weird dynamic.”

Simran frowned slightly, clearly not convinced. “Are you sure about that, Ananya? Aarav’s a jokester, but I’ve never seen him do anything mean-spirited. Maybe there’s more to him than you realize.”

Arohi nodded in agreement, her gaze thoughtful. “Aarav isn’t the type to do something like this just to mess with you. He’s not a bully, you know. Maybe he sees you as more than just someone to tease.”

Ananya felt a flicker of doubt but quickly pushed it aside. “He’s always been this way with me—teasing, bantering, trying to get under my skin. I don’t think it’s anything deeper than that.”

Simran, always the practical one, leaned back in her chair, considering the situation. “Well, there’s one way to find out. Taste the chocolate.”

Ananya blinked, momentarily confused. “Taste it?”

“Yes,” Arohi chimed in, her tone playful. “If Aarav is just your banter partner, he might have done something funny with the chocolate, like putting in a prank or something silly. But if he actually considers you a friend or if this gesture is genuine, it’ll just be a normal chocolate. No tricks, no jokes—just a sweet treat.”

Ananya stared at the chocolate in her hand, her thoughts spinning. It was such a simple suggestion, but it carried so much significance. What if the chocolate really was just a chocolate? What would that mean? And what if it wasn’t—what if Aarav had done something playful with it, as her friends suggested?

She was suddenly aware of how much she was overthinking a situation that, just days ago, she wouldn’t have given a second thought to. But this was different. Aarav had been different.

Simran smiled gently, sensing her hesitation. “We’re not saying Aarav is suddenly head over heels for you or anything like that, Ananya. But maybe this is a small way of him trying to connect with you—outside of the teasing and banter. It’s worth finding out, don’t you think?”

Ananya sighed, still unsure, but finally nodded. “Okay, fine. I’ll try it.”

Her friends watched closely as she slowly unwrapped the chocolate, revealing the smooth, dark surface beneath the foil. Ananya’s heart was racing, though she knew it was silly to be this nervous over a piece of candy. She took a small bite, closing her eyes as she did.

The chocolate melted in her mouth, rich and sweet, with no tricks, no surprises—just pure, delicious chocolate. She opened her eyes and looked at her friends, her expression a mix of relief and something else she couldn’t quite name.

“It’s just a chocolate,” Ananya said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Nothing more.”

Arohi smiled knowingly, while Simran’s eyes softened with understanding. “See? Aarav might not be as much of an enemy as you think. Maybe he’s just… well, Aarav. But a little more thoughtful than you gave him credit for.”

Ananya didn’t respond right away, still processing the moment. It was a small gesture, but it had left a bigger impact on her than she wanted to admit. Aarav was still the same playful boy she had always known, but this small act had added a new layer to their relationship—one she wasn’t sure how to navigate.

“Thanks for the advice,” Ananya finally said, her voice more composed. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll try to keep an open mind.”

As the school bell rang, signaling the end of their break, the three girls stood up and began to gather their things. Ananya slipped the rest of the chocolate back into her bag, feeling a strange mix of emotions she couldn’t quite put into words.

But one thing was certain—Aarav Mehra was slowly becoming more than just her playful enemy. And as much as she wanted to stay focused on her studies, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder what this new chapter in their relationship would bring.