Lanterns of Memory

As he cast me a brief glance, his expression unreadable, he simply stood up, stretched slightly, and without a word, turned to leave.

I remained rooted in place, watching as he walked away. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the now-empty classroom, each step pulling him further into the dimly lit hallway. And then—he was gone.

For the first time since entering, I realized how eerily quiet the room had become. I was alone again, but strangely, it didn't feel like before. Something about his presence lingered, a quiet mystery left behind.

"Such a weird guy," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.

Just then, a familiar voice called from behind me.

"Who was that?"

I turned to see Nami standing by the doorway, her curious eyes scanning the room.

I sighed and picked up my book. "It was Arin… from our class. That guy is so strange." I pouted, recalling his aloof behavior.

Nami chuckled as we walked out together. "Strange? Not really. He just doesn't talk much, that's all."

I frowned, deep in thought. "That's exactly what I mean. Look at his group—all of them are our friends. But him?" I trailed off, struggling to put my thoughts into words.

Nami suddenly smirked. "Maybe he's gay."

I nearly tripped over my own feet. "Huh!? Seriously!?" I gasped, staring at her with wide eyes.

She burst into laughter. "How would I know? I was just joking!" She shot me a look—the kind you give someone who completely misses the joke.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "Yeah, yeah… I knew that." I huffed, pretending to be unfazed, but my mind still lingered on Arin's odd behavior.

As the evening settled in, I finally reached home, exhaustion weighing on my shoulders.

"Mumma, give me food!" I called out the moment I stepped inside, hastily kicking off my shoes and starting to unbutton my uniform.

From the kitchen, my mom's voice rang out, sharp and reprimanding. "At least put your uniform in its place, Aira!"

I groaned. "Mumma, I'm so tired." Without a second thought, I collapsed onto my bed, spreading my arms and legs like a starfish, sighing dramatically.

A few moments later, my mom appeared at the doorway, a plate in her hand. "Here, eat."

I sat up lazily, peering at the food. My face instantly fell. "Ugh, the same sabzi again? I don't want to eat this." I pouted, making a face like a stubborn child.

She simply shrugged. "Then don't." Her tone was indifferent as if she couldn't care less.

I gasped at her nonchalant response. "You're so mean!" I huffed, but my hunger won over my tantrum, and I quietly pulled the plate towards me, taking the first bite.

As I ate, my fingers absentmindedly reached for my phone. Unlocking the screen, my thoughts suddenly drifted to Rei.

Memories flooded back—the way he used to tease me, annoy me relentlessly, how he'd always find some way to get under my skin. His smirk, his laugh, the mischief in his eyes… It all played in my mind like a scene from a long-lost story.

A strange feeling settled in my chest. Something between nostalgia and something… else.

The holidays had finally begun, and I couldn't have been happier. No school, no assignments—just pure, uninterrupted relaxation. More than anything, I was excited to visit my nani's house in her village. A break from everything, from the city, from Rei, from all the things that had been weighing on my mind.

As I packed my bags, I dialed Suhina's number. The call rang a few times before she picked up.

"Hey, I'm leaving tomorrow! Are you coming with me?" I asked eagerly, hoping she'd say yes.

She let out a sigh. "No, I have a lot to do."

I pouted even though she couldn't see me. "Fine, but you'll at least buy the books I wanted, right?"

There was a pause before she replied, distracted, "I can't promise… Tenzin or Rian is getting my books, so let's see." I could hear some shuffling in the background—she was probably busy with something.

A slow grin spread across my lips. "Oh? And you still say there's nothing going on between you and Tenzin, huh?" My voice dripped with playful teasing.

"Ugh, stop it! There's nothing like that!" she huffed, clearly flustered.

I smirked. "Yeah, yeah. At least be honest with me." I pressed, enjoying her reaction.

But before I could tease her any further, she quickly cut me off. "I have work to do. Bye!"

And just like that, the call ended.

I stared at my phone for a moment before shaking my head with a small laugh. "What's there to hide?" I muttered to myself. But I didn't dwell on it for too long. Instead, I zipped up my bag, took one last glance around my room, and stepped out.

It was time to leave for nani's house. A new place, a fresh change. I could already feel the excitement bubbling in my chest as I set off for my vacation.

________________________________

That night, sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned in bed, but no matter how hard I tried, my eyes refused to close. Frustrated, I quietly slipped out of my room and climbed up to the terrace, where the cool night breeze greeted me.

The terrace was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, casting silver shadows across the floor. Amidst the quiet rustling of leaves, I spotted Nani sitting on the old wooden swing, her frail figure swaying gently in the dim light.

"You're still awake, Nani?" I asked softly, stepping closer.

She turned to look at me, her warm, wrinkled face illuminated by the moon. "No, my dear, I was just lost in thought. But what about you? Can't sleep?" she asked, her voice laced with affection.

I stretched my arms with a yawn. "Nope, sleep is playing hide and seek with me tonight."

Nani chuckled, patting the empty space beside her. "Come here. Let me tell you a story. Maybe it will lull you to sleep."

I smiled and wasted no time, curling up beside her and resting my head on her lap. Her warmth felt comforting, like a shield against the night's silence.

She began stroking my hair gently, her voice dipping into the soothing rhythm of an old tale. "Once upon a time..." she started, and just like that, I let myself be carried away into the world of her stories, feeling safe, feeling loved.

"In a small village by the mountains, there lived a girl named Saira. She and her childhood friend, Veer, had loved each other since they were young."

I listened intently, staring at the countless stars twinkling above, imagining a boy and girl running through the fields, laughing in the golden sunlight.

"But Veer was restless—he wanted to see the world, to make a name for himself before returning to marry Saira."

A strange emotion filled my heart. I could picture Veer standing at the edge of the village, looking at the vast world beyond, torn between love and ambition.

"Before leaving, he gave her a lantern and said, 'Every night, light this lantern and keep it by your window. It will remind me where my heart belongs, and one day, when I see its glow, I'll return.'"

I smiled to myself. 'Veer really loved Saira, didn't he?' The thought made my heart feel warm.

Nani paused for a moment, probably thinking I had fallen asleep.

"Then what happened, Nani? Did Veer ever come back?" I mumbled, my eyes still closed.

She laughed softly. "You're still awake? I thought you had drifted off." She took a sip of water before continuing.