The days leading up to the annual function felt… different.
Not because of the preparations.
Not because of the performances.
But because of her.
Every moment I spent with Payel felt heavier… deeper… more real than before. It was no longer just friendship. It was something I could feel in every heartbeat, every glance, every silence between us.
We had started practicing our song — "Samjhawan."
At first, it felt like just another performance.
But slowly… it became something else.
Something personal.
Something dangerous.
Every time we practiced, there was one line that always hit me harder than the rest—
"Jeena mera…"
I didn't know why… but whenever I sang that line, my eyes automatically went to her.
And every time I looked at her…
I felt like I was falling all over again.
The same way I did the first time.
The same way I felt… forever.
---
I had decided something.
Before I leave this school… I will tell her everything.
I would confess.
No matter what happens.
No matter what the result would be.
But whenever I stood in front of her…
Everything disappeared.
My courage.
My words.
Even my thoughts.
All I could see was her.
And all I could feel…
Was my heart losing control.
---
Days passed in practice.
And with every passing day, our bond grew stronger.
Closer.
Warmer.
Sometimes, she would create small problems — intentionally or unintentionally — and I would always try to solve them before they could trouble her.
And when I made mistakes…
She would correct me.
Not with anger.
But with patience.
With care.
Like she truly wanted me to improve.
Like she truly cared.
And somewhere in between those small moments…
We became something more than just "friends."
Something we didn't name.
But both of us could feel.
---
Then came the day before the annual function.
And suddenly…
Reality hit us.
We didn't even know how to properly welcome the guests.
"Oh my God…" I said, running my hand through my hair. "If we mess this up, principal sir will literally kill me."
I was genuinely tense.
For the first time in days, fear replaced my confidence.
But she…
She stayed calm.
As always.
She gently held my hand.
And in that moment, everything slowed down.
"Don't worry, Sarthak Babu," she said softly.
Her voice was steady… comforting.
"Do you remember the science fest?"
I looked at her.
"You thought everything was over that day too… but we handled it together, didn't we?"
She smiled.
"And we won."
Her fingers tightened slightly around my hand.
"Just like that… we'll handle this too."
Then she said something that stayed with me forever—
"I'm always with you. I'll never leave you. Whenever you need me… I'll be there."
For a moment…
I couldn't speak.
My heart felt heavy.
Not with fear.
But with something much deeper.
Hope.
And maybe…
Love.
I nodded slowly.
"Yeah… we'll do it."
---
That night, I practiced like never before.
Every line.
Every gesture.
Every word of welcome.
Not because I was scared of failing…
But because I didn't want to let her down.
---
The next day, I reached school early.
The entire campus was alive.
Decorations everywhere.
Students running around.
Teachers giving instructions.
The air was filled with excitement.
And nervousness.
I had worn a sky blue kurta with a traditional dhoti, trying to give a proper Bengali look as instructed by the principal.
After some time, all my teammates arrived.
Everyone.
Except her.
My eyes kept searching.
My mind started racing.
Is she okay?
Did something happen?
Why isn't she here yet?
I couldn't stay still.
"I'll go check," I said to myself.
I started walking toward the gate.
And then—
I saw her.
Standing on the stairs.
And in that moment…
Everything stopped.
---
She was wearing a sky blue Bengali-style saree, paired with a black blouse and silver jhumkas.
Her hair was softly tied.
A few strands falling gently on her face.
She looked…
Unreal.
No.
Even that word wasn't enough.
She looked like a dream.
The kind you're afraid to blink in… because you might lose it.
My heart started racing uncontrollably.
It felt like the first day again.
The first time I saw her.
The first time I felt something I couldn't explain.
And in that moment…
I fell for her again.
---
"Sarthak!"
The principal's voice echoed in the corridor.
But I didn't hear it.
I couldn't.
Because my entire world was standing in front of me.
She walked toward me.
Grabbed my arm gently.
And pulled me along.
When we reached, the principal started giving final instructions.
Everyone listened carefully.
Except me.
I was still lost in her.
"Sarthak!"
He called again.
No response.
"Sarthak!"
Still nothing.
Then—
Pinch.
Sayan.
"Are you mad?" he whispered.
I snapped back.
"Yes sir!" I said quickly. "I've understood everything. Don't worry, everything will go smoothly."
The principal nodded, satisfied.
But inside…
I was shocked.
I hadn't heard a single word.
---
After the instructions, something inside me finally broke.
I couldn't hold it anymore.
I grabbed her hand.
"Come with me."
I took her to an empty room.
My heart was pounding loudly.
She looked at me, confused… but slightly nervous.
"Payel…" I said.
My voice wasn't steady.
"I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time."
She lowered her eyes.
Blushing.
"But I couldn't say it," I continued. "And today… I don't want to miss this chance. Because maybe… I won't get another one."
Silence.
Heavy.
Real.
I took a step closer.
"Payel, I—"
And then—
A sound.
The marching of scouts.
The guests had arrived.
The moment broke.
Just like that.
I clenched my fist slightly.
Not again…
---
We went to the gate.
The welcome ceremony began.
The girls performed aarti.
The boys showered flowers.
Everything was happening perfectly.
But inside me…
Something felt incomplete.
---
As the guests moved toward the stage, someone called me.
"Sarthak!"
I turned.
Dr. A. Jyoti Rao.
Someone very close to me.
"Who is that girl?" he asked with a teasing smile. "Your girlfriend?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Bhaiya… please."
He laughed.
"Okay okay… I won't tell Suman."
I walked away, embarrassed.
---
Then came the felicitation.
And by coincidence…
Me and Payel were assigned to felicitate him.
As she handed him the bouquet, he leaned slightly and said something to her.
I didn't hear it.
But I saw her reaction.
Her face turned red.
Completely.
She quickly stepped down from the stage.
And rushed away.
Toward the washroom.
I stood there…
Confused.
What did he say?
---
Inside the washroom, she stood in front of the mirror.
Her heart racing.
Her cheeks still flushed.
"Am I really in love with Sarthak?" she whispered to herself.
Her reflection stared back at her.
"And… does he love me… the same way?"
---
Maybe she thought I didn't know.
Maybe she thought I didn't notice.
But I knew one thing.
After today…
After everything…
She felt something.
Something real.
Something deep.
Maybe she didn't realize it before.
But now…
She was in love.
---
And me?
I had been in love with her…
From the very beginning.
And even today…
After so many years…
Nothing has changed.
I still love her.
The same way.
The same intensity.
The same feeling…
As the first time I felt forever.
---
To be continued…