Chapter 7: The Confusion Grows

Children's Day had arrived, and the entire school was buzzing with excitement. The ground was filled with colorful decorations, loudspeakers blasting announcements, and students running around in traditional attire. The younger classes were busy with their performances, while the seniors—us—stood watching from the sidelines, trapped in our "too mature for fun" category.

I adjusted my tie, sighing. The event had barely begun, but my mind was already occupied with something else—or rather, someone else.

Shazeb nudged me. "Nervous?"

"No," I lied.

"Bro, you are sweating in November."

I ignored him and turned toward the stage, where Divya and Saksham stood, preparing to host the event.

"Welcome, everyone, to our annual Children's Day celebration!" Saksham's voice boomed through the mic.

Beside him, Divya stood confidently, smiling as she took over. "We hope today brings you laughter, joy, and some unforgettable moments."

She spoke so effortlessly, so naturally. As if nothing had happened. As if she didn't know my deepest, most embarrassing secret.

I gulped.

She's acting normal. Too normal.

Maybe she just… did not care? Maybe she forgot about it? Or maybe she was silently laughing at me this entire time?

Shazeb leaned in. "She didn't even glance at you, bro."

"Shut up."

I spent the next hour pretending to enjoy the event. People cheered, laughed, clapped—but my mind was stuck in a loop.

What did her silence mean? Was it a rejection? Indifference? Was I supposed to act normal too? What even was normal in this situation?

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard her voice. Divya was walking toward us.

I panicked.

"Act natural," Shazeb whispered.

I immediately forgot how to exist.

"Hey," she greeted casually, like she always did. "Are you guys enjoying the event?"

Shazeb answered before I could. "Oh yeah, totally! Devi's having the time of his life."

I shot him a glare, but Divya just smiled.

"Glad to hear that," she said, adjusting the sleeves of her kurti. "By the way, Devi, the head coordinator asked me to remind you that you'll be helping with the final setup for the prize distribution."

"Oh… yeah. Right. Of course," I stammered, because words were suddenly the hardest thing in the world.

"Cool." She nodded, then turned to leave.

That was it.

That was it?

I stared after her, completely thrown off. She didn't act weird. She didn't mention anything. She didn't even look awkward.

Shazeb smirked. "So, what did we learn today?"

"That she has a heart made of stone," I muttered.

"Or maybe you're just overthinking?"

"Or maybe I should just drop out and become a monk."

Saksham joined us just in time to hear that last part. "What happened now?"

I turned to him, frowning. "Wait… did you actually tell Divya, or were you just messing with me?"

Saksham smirked. "Why? Having second thoughts?"

"Nothing," I sighed. "Which is the problem."

"Ah," he nodded knowingly. "She acted normal?"

"Painfully."

Shazeb laughed. "Bro thought she'd show up all dramatic and say, 'Devi, I have been waiting to talk to you about this life-changing revelation!'"

Saksham smirked. "Let's be honest, that's exactly what he wanted."

I groaned. "Why do I tell you people things?"

"Because we make your suffering entertaining," Shazeb grinned.

And so, with, zero answers and a thousand more question I stood there, watching her go about her day as if nothing had changed.

Maybe it really was nothing.

Maybe… I was just another guy who liked her.