INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

CHAPTER 118

Happy Reading

As Keerthi, Angad, and Abeer compose themselves near the back gate…

From around the corner, footsteps echo — fast and familiar.

> Caroline (calling out): “Keerthi? Angad? Abeer? Are you guys still here?”

The three freeze like caught teenagers (because… they are).

> Keerthi (whispers, panicked): “She’ll know! Fix your hair! No—don’t smirk!”

Angad tries to hide his flushed face while Abeer quickly leans against the wall, acting casual.

Caroline steps into view, eyeing them suspiciously.

> Caroline: “Hmm. You three look like you just got caught sneaking snacks, or… making out.”

> Abeer (grinning): “Snacks. Definitely snacks.”

> Keerthi (too fast): “Nothing happened.”

> Caroline: “That’s not suspicious at all.”

She raises an eyebrow at Angad, then narrows her eyes at Keerthi — she knows something isn’t adding up but doesn’t push… yet.

Before she can say more, Dharshi joins them, walking up from the other side, holding her phone.

> Dharshi (noticing Keerthi’s flushed face): “You okay?”

> Keerthi: “Y-yeah. Just...laughing too hard.”

Dharshi squints, sensing the awkward energy.

> Dharshi (suspiciously): “You’ve been weird lately.”

> Angad (jumping in): “You think we’re weird? Abeer just said he likes pineapple on pizza.”

Abeer rolls his eyes.

> Abeer: “Which I don’t, by the way. He’s deflecting.”

> Caroline (dryly): “So basically… I missed something. And I’ll find out. Eventually.”

She flips her ponytail and walks away, dragging a still-curious Dharshi with her.

Once they’re gone—

> Keerthi (exhaling): “That was too close.”

> Angad (teasing): “Totally worth it.”

He reaches for her hand again, secretly lacing their fingers.

> Abeer (grinning): “You guys are going to get caught again. And next time, I’m bringing popcorn.”

They all laugh quietly, but there's a thrill in the secrecy... and danger in how much longer they can keep it hidden.

_________

Next day

The hallway buzzed with morning noise. Students passed by, but Keerthi and Dharshi stood still, the world slowing around them.

Caroline had already walked off, leaving an air of fake innocence behind her.

Keerthi nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

> Dharshi (softly): “You’re not just friends with him again, are you?”

Keerthi froze for a moment. Then, with a small breath:

> Keerthi: “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like... we’re something, but not everything yet.”

Dharshi’s eyes softened. She stepped a little closer.

> Dharshi: “Keerthi, if that something means you’re finally happy again…”

She paused, choosing her words carefully.

> Dharshi: “Then I swear, I’d be the happiest person in the world.”

Keerthi’s eyes shimmered—not with tears, but with the relief of being seen.

> Keerthi (whispering): “I didn’t want to ruin it by saying it out loud.”

Dharshi smiled and hooked her pinky with Keerthi’s like they used to when they were little.

> Dharshi: “Some secrets are safe with me. Always.”

Just then, Angad passed by, and his eyes lingered on Keerthi. Keerthi’s lips curled into a tiny, shy smile.

Dharshi looked between the two.

> Dharshi (playful sigh): “Yeah. Definitely something.”

They both burst into quiet laughter—healing, warm, and safe.

_____________

The room is dim, just the soft glow from his desk lamp. Abeer sits at his desk, flipping through old notebooks, looking for something — but instead finds a folded paper tucked between pages.

He opens it slowly. It’s a small doodle Dharshi once made — two stick figures, one wearing headphones (him) and the other holding a book (her), with a speech bubble that said “Shut up and study, Abeer.”

He chuckles to himself.

> Abeer (murmuring): “God, I was such a mess back then…”

He leans back in his chair, and we slip into a quiet flashback — soft, hazy visuals and warmth in the tone.

FLASHBACK

Abeer’s hoodie was soaked in rain. He’d just lost a football match, messed up a class presentation, and gotten into another fight with his dad.

He sat alone on the rooftop steps. Until Dharshi showed up with an umbrella.

> Dharshi (dryly): “You’re not dramatic at all.”

> Abeer (grumpy): “I’m trying to be alone.”

> Dharshi: “Tough. I brought you food.”

She handed him a sandwich in a crumpled napkin and sat beside him under the umbrella, getting her own shoulder wet just to keep him dry.

> Dharshi (softening): “You don’t always have to fight everything, you know. You can… let people in sometimes.”

He hadn’t replied that day. Just looked at her. And maybe — just maybe — fell in love without realizing it.

Back to the Present

ABEER’S POV

Abeer folds the paper and sets it aside like it’s something precious. He leans forward, elbows on knees, and whispers to himself:

> Abeer:
“She didn’t walk away when I deserved it.
She saw good in me when I couldn’t.
Damn… I don’t think I’ll ever deserve her.
But I’m lucky. So lucky.”

He smiles to himself, that kind of soft smile that only shows up when someone’s heart feels full.

To be continued