Love doesn't start with big promises.
Sometimes, it starts with small moments, small care, small fights… and two people who don't know how important they are to each other yet.
After that day, everything between Harsh and Indu changed. Not suddenly, not in a dramatic way—but in a quiet, beautiful way.
They started sitting together every day. If Harsh came early, he would keep a seat for Indu. If Indu came early, she would keep a seat for Harsh. They began sharing lunch sometimes, walking together after school, and studying together before exams.
People in class started talking.
"Something is going on between them."
"Are they dating?"
"Topper Indu and that quiet boy Harsh? Impossible."
But they ignored everyone.
Because when two people are happy together, the world's opinion becomes background noise.
One evening, they were sitting in the library, studying for upcoming exams. Indu was explaining a math problem to Harsh, but Harsh was not paying attention. He was just looking at her.
Indu stopped writing and looked up. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Harsh quickly looked down. "I was listening."
"You were not listening," she said. "You were staring."
Harsh smiled a little. "I like looking at you."
Indu tried to act serious, but she couldn't stop a small smile. "You're becoming less shy now."
"Only with you," he replied.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The library was quiet, the sound of pages turning and pens writing filling the room.
Then Harsh said softly, "Indu… can I ask you something?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do you like me?"
Indu looked at him, surprised. "You're asking this again?"
"I just want to know… what you see in me."
Indu thought for a few seconds, then closed her book.
"I'll tell you," she said. "But you have to answer honestly too."
"Okay."
Indu looked straight into his eyes and said,
"When I'm with you, I feel calm. You don't try to show off. You don't try to be someone else. You care about your family, you respect people, you listen when I talk, and you never make me feel small. That's why I like you."
Harsh didn't know what to say.
No one had ever described him like that before.
"And you?" she asked. "Why do you like me?"
Harsh smiled softly. "Because when I see you, my bad day becomes good. When I talk to you, I forget my problems. And when you're not around… everything feels a little empty."
Indu's eyes softened.
That was the first time they had talked so honestly about their feelings.
But love is not just smiles and soft words.
Sometimes, love also brings fear.
A few days later, during lunch break, Harsh saw Indu again talking to Rohan. This time, they were laughing loudly. Rohan touched her shoulder while laughing.
Harsh felt that same pain again in his chest.
This time, he didn't stay quiet.
After school, when they were walking toward the bus stop, Harsh suddenly said, "You and Rohan seem very close."
Indu looked at him. "He's just a classmate."
"He touches you a lot for 'just a classmate'," Harsh said, his voice a little cold.
Indu stopped walking. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean I don't like it," Harsh said.
Indu frowned. "You don't like it? You don't get to decide who I talk to."
"I'm not deciding, I'm just saying I don't like it," Harsh replied.
"Then that's your problem," Indu said, a little angrily. "I can talk to whoever I want."
Harsh felt hurt. "Fine. Then talk to whoever you want."
"Fine," she replied.
They both walked in silence after that.
For the first time since they met, they didn't share the umbrella, didn't talk on the bus, didn't say goodbye.
That night, Harsh couldn't sleep.
Maybe I don't have the right to feel jealous… we're not even officially together, he thought.
In the girls' hostel, Indu was also lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Why did he say that like he owns me? But… why did it hurt when he said he doesn't like me talking to Rohan? she thought.
She turned to her side and whispered softly,
"Idiot… why do I care so much about what you think…?"
The next day, they didn't talk in school.
The distance felt heavy.
The classroom felt different.
Everything felt wrong.
Love had given them happiness.
And now, for the first time—
Love was giving them pain too.
But neither Harsh nor Indu knew that this was just their first fight.
In the future, there would be many more fights.
Many breakups.
Many patch-ups.
Many tears.
Many moments where they would think it's over.
But no matter how many times they broke apart…
Their hearts would always find the way back to each other.
Because some souls, no matter how far they go…
Are made for each other.