The first time aarav saw her, he didn't know her name.
He didn't know were she lived, what she liked, are even which class she belonged to.
All he knew what that something felt... Different.
It was a normal Monday morning. The school corridor was filled with noise - students laughing, running, taking laudly. Aarav stood near his classroom door, haif - listening to his friends , when suddenly everything seemed to slow down.
She walked passed him .
White unifu, neatly tied hair , and a soft smill that didn't belong to the chaos around her .
For a moment, Aarav forgot to breathe.
" Hello ? Earth to Aarav!" HIS friend rohan snapped his finger in front of his face .
Aarav blinked " Huh ? "
" Where were you lost ?" Rohan smirked , following his gaze . " Ohhh ... I see ".
Aarav immediately looked away. " Shut up . It's nothing .
The next few days felt strange.
Aarav starting noticing her everywhere.
In the library, quietly reading a book .
In the canteen, laughing softly with her friends.
On the playground, standing under a tree , watching others play .
He didn't even know why he kept looking for her .
It just... Happened.
One day gathering all his courage, he asked someone about her .
" That's Meher ," a classmate told him . She ' s new here '.
Meher .
The name stayed in his mind like melody.
DAYS turned into weeks.
Aarav never spoke to her.
Not because he didn't want to ... But because he didn't know how to.
Everytime she passed by , his heart would start beating faster. His hands would feel could , and all the words in his mind would disappear.
He had talked to so many people before .
But with her ?
It was different .
One afternoon, during lunch break , aarav set alone in the classroom, pretending to finish his homework.
In reality, he was just waiting.
Waiting for a glimpse of her .
And then -
She walked in .
Alone .
Aarav ' s heart skipped a beat .
Meher looked around, as if searching for something. Then she walked towards the last bench and started looking inside her bag .
Aarav kept stiling glances, not to make it obvious.
Suddenly, a notebook slipped from her hand and fell to her the floor.
Before he could think , aarav stood up and picked it.
Their eyes met .
" Thank you ", she said softly.
Her voice was gentle ... Just like he imagined.
Aarav nodded quickly. " No problem . "
THAT was it .
Just two simple words.
But for aarav , it felt like the biggest moments in his life.
After that day , things slowly starting changing.
They didn't become best friends.
They didn't talk every day.
But sometimes, their eyes would met in the corridor... And they would smile .
Sometimes, they would sit in the same class during free periods.
And sometimes... They would talk .
Simple things.
" Did you complete the homework? "
" Which chapter is coming in the test ?
" Do you have an extra pen ? "
Nothing special.
But everything felt special.
One rainy day , just like today, the school ended early.
Students rushed out, trying to avoid getting wet.
Aarav stood under the school gate , waiting for the rain to slow down.
And then he saw her.
Meher stood a few steps away , without an umbrella. Looking at the sky .
Without thinking, aarav walked toward her .
" You 'll get sick " , he said .
She looked at him , surprised, " I don't have an umbrella ".
Aarav hesitated for a second... Held out his .
" You can share mine " .
For a moment, she just looked at him.
Then she smiled.
" Okay .
They started walking together.
Close.... But not too close.
The sound of rain filled the silence between them .
Aarav didn't know what to say.
But strangely... He didn't feel uncomfortable.
" Do you like rain ?" Meher asked.
" Yes , he replied " it feels peaceful" .
She nodded, ' I like it too .
That small conversation felt like something more .
Something pure .
As they walked , their shoulders accidentally touched.
Aarav felt his heart race again.
She wondered if she felt it too .
But he didn't asked.
Some feelings are too soft to be spoken.
When they reached her street, Meher stopped.
" This is my house she said .
Aarav nodded.
" Thank you ' ... For the umbrella.
" You can keep it " , he said quickly.
She shook her head , smiling , " No , You ' ll needful .
For a moment , neither of them moved .
As if both wanted to say something... But didn't know how .
Then finally .
" Bye , Aarav , " she said .
He froze .
" You ... Know my name ?
She smiled . " OF course '.
And then she walked away .
That night, aarav couldn't sleep.
He kept thinking about everything.
Her smile .
Her voice.
The way she said his name .
It wasn't love like in movies.
There were no big confession .
NO dramic moments .
Just small things.
Soft feelings.
Silent smiles .
And heart beat a little faster... For someone special.
Sometimes, love doesn't start with words.
It starts with a glance .
A moment .
A feeling you don't understand... But didn't want to lose .
And maybe ...
That's what innocent love really is .
Pure , simple , beautiful .