**SEASON 2 – EPISODE 3**
## **"THE SPARK THEY CAN'T HIDE"**
The sun is barely up when Bhanu wakes with a jolt.
Not because she slept badly…
But because her mind keeps replaying one moment:
**Yashwin leaning in.**
**His hand on her cheek.**
**His breath mixing with hers.**
**The almost-kiss that could have happened if the teacher hadn't shown up.**
Her stomach flips again just thinking about it.
She hides her burning face under the blanket and whispers into the pillow:
"Why… why does he affect me like this…?"
But she already knows why.
---
## **1. A Strange Distance**
The next morning at school, Bhanu looks around carefully.
She expects him to be there — leaning against the railing, walking across the assembly lawn, talking with classmates…
But he's nowhere.
No hoodie.
No half-smile.
No calm footsteps approaching her.
Nothing.
For the first time, Bhanu feels something uncomfortable.
**Disappointment.**
All day, she finds herself spacing out.
In class.
In corridors.
Even at lunch.
Arjun notices almost immediately.
He sits in front of her, waving a hand.
"Bhanu? Earth to Bhanu?"
"Huh—sorry!" she says quickly.
"You're distracted," he observes gently.
She shakes her head too quickly.
"No! I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Arjun asks again.
"You look like you're waiting for someone."
Her cheeks heat up so fast she practically combusts.
"N-No! I'm not waiting for anyone!"
Arjun gives a soft smile, but something in his eyes flickers — a quiet sadness, hidden but present.
Before either of them can speak again—
A familiar voice cuts through the hallway:
"Move."
People part instantly.
Because **he** arrives.
Yashwin.
Late.
Silent.
Expression unreadable.
He walks straight past Bhanu and Arjun.
But at the exact moment he crosses her…
He doesn't look at her.
Not once.
Not even a tiny glance.
Bhanu's heart sinks.
Why is he ignoring her?
Why does it hurt?
---
## **2. When He Finally Looks**
Later that day, Bhanu stands at her locker with trembling fingers.
She's trying not to think too much, but her thoughts swirl anyway.
*Did he regret yesterday?
Did he think it was a mistake?
Did he… wish it never happened?*
She exhales shakily.
Suddenly — the locker beside her slams shut.
She jumps.
And then freezes.
Because it's him.
Yashwin stands right next to her, turning the lock on his own locker with quiet focus. His hair falls slightly over his eyes, and there's a faint shadow beneath them — as if he didn't sleep much.
Bhanu swallows hard.
Should she say something?
Should she pretend nothing happened?
Should she walk away?
Before she can decide, Yashwin speaks — voice low.
"You didn't look at me today."
She blinks.
What?
He closes his locker slowly, leaning a bit closer.
"You avoided me."
"I—I didn't!" she whispers in panic.
"You did."
He tilts his head. "At least three times."
Her jaw drops.
"You were counting?"
His lips twitch, just a bit.
"Maybe."
Bhanu's cheeks heat up uncontrollably.
"Y-You ignored me all morning," she mumbles, staring at the floor.
He pauses.
Then, quietly, "Because if I looked at you… I wouldn't stop."
Her breath disappears.
Just… disappears.
She finally looks up — only to find him staring straight at her, eyes deep and intense, pulling her in like gravity itself.
She stumbles a step back from sheer tension—
But he automatically steps forward, closing the space.
Her back hits the lockers.
Her breath catches.
And he stops — close enough that she can feel every heartbeat in her chest.
His fingers hover near her face.
He doesn't touch her.
But the air between them crackles like electricity.
"Yesterday," he says softly, "I shouldn't have—"
Her heart drops.
Here it comes.
He's going to say it was a mistake.
That he didn't mean to.
That it didn't matter.
She braces herself.
But instead, he whispers:
"—I shouldn't have almost kissed you… out in the open."
Her eyes widen in shock.
WHAT?
He leans closer, voice almost a whisper.
"If someone had interrupted even a second later…"
He stops.
His gaze flicks to her lips — barely, softly, almost like he can't help himself.
Bhanu's knees go weak.
"S-Stop looking at me like that…" she whispers.
"Like what?"
"Like…"
Her voice trembles.
"Like you want to…"
"Kiss you?" he finishes quietly.
Her breath hitches.
Her fingers tighten on her books.
Her heartbeat trips into chaos.
He watches her reaction carefully.
She's too stunned to speak.
Yashwin exhales slowly and steps back — only slightly.
"You don't have to answer," he says gently.
"But don't run from me again."
Her eyes soften.
He walks away, leaving her breathless and pinned against the lockers.
---
## **3. The Festival Practice**
Afternoon brings a surprise announcement:
**"Class 12B and 12C will collaborate for the Cultural Festival performance!"**
Bhanu's heart sinks.
Because standing near the stage crew is—
of course—
**Yashwin.**
He looks up the moment she enters the hall.
Their eyes meet.
Bhanu immediately turns away, flustered.
Yashwin smirks.
He starts approaching her.
She panics and grabs the nearest arm—
"I'll pair with him!"
She pulls a random student forward.
The hall goes silent.
Everyone stares.
Including the guy she just grabbed — Ravi — who looks extremely confused.
"Uhh… Bhanu?" he says awkwardly.
But before she can explain, a voice says behind her:
"No need."
She freezes.
Yashwin steps in front of her, taking Ravi's place smoothly.
"You're with me," he says calmly.
"But—"
"It's group choreography. Staying close is required."
He stares at her meaningfully.
"You'll manage."
Her cheeks go up in flames.
Ravi takes the chance to escape.
Now Bhanu stands alone with Yashwin, who folds his arms and asks, "Why did you run this time?"
"I-I wasn't running!"
"You grabbed a random guy and yelled that you'd pair with him."
She internally dies.
"There was… a mosquito," she lies.
"In the hall?"
His eyebrow lifts.
"In winter?"
She wants to disappear.
He steps closer.
"Bhanu," he murmurs, "don't avoid me."
Her heartbeat thunders.
"I'm not avoiding—"
He interrupts by gently catching her wrist.
Not tightly.
Not forcefully.
Just enough to stop her nervous fidgeting.
Her breath stutters.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable," he says softly.
"So if you don't want me near you… tell me."
She freezes.
Her lips part.
But no words come out.
Because she *doesn't* want him to stay away.
He lowers his voice.
"Say it," he whispers.
"Say you don't want me close."
She looks at him, heart pounding, throat tight.
"I…" she whispers.
His thumb brushes lightly across her wrist — a tiny, soothing gesture.
Her voice breaks.
"…I can't say that."
He inhales softly — almost in relief.
Their eyes lock again, heat rising between them.
Before anything else can happen, the teacher shouts:
"Pairs! On stage!"
Yashwin steps back but keeps her hand in his.
And for the whole practice…
He never lets go.
---
## **4. After Practice – The Hug They Both Felt**
When practice ends, Bhanu walks toward the exit, exhausted and embarrassed.
But as she steps outside, she feels someone walking beside her.
Silent.
Warm.
Familiar.
Yashwin.
"You did well," he says quietly.
"I stepped on your foot three times," she mumbles.
"Two and a half," he corrects.
Bhanu laughs softly.
A real laugh.
He looks at her with a stunned expression — as if hearing her laugh is something rare and precious.
Then:
Thunder cracks suddenly.
Bhanu jumps and gasps — startled.
Without thinking, she instinctively grabs the closest thing.
And unfortunately —
that thing is **Yashwin's hoodie**.
She clutches it tightly, burying her face against his chest in pure reflex.
For a moment, everything stops.
His breath catches.
His hands hover in the air — uncertain — then slowly lower to her back, holding her gently.
A real, full-body hug.
Warm.
Steady.
Safe.
He closes his eyes for a moment, his voice low and trembling with softness.
"It's okay. I'm here."
Bhanu realizes what she's doing and pulls back immediately, face burning.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't—!"
Yashwin catches her hand before she can run.
"Don't apologize," he says softly.
"I liked it."
She goes silent.
She doesn't dare meet his eyes.
He steps a little closer, bending to her height.
"Bhanu…"
His voice drops.
"If you keep hugging me like that… I won't be able to pretend anymore."
She blinks.
"Pretend what?"
"That I don't want more."
The world stops.
She stares at him — wide eyes, trembling lips, breath unsteady.
He watches her just as intensely.
Then he lets her hand go slowly.
"Go home," he whispers.
"Before I do something I'm not supposed to."
She walks away, heart racing.
But halfway down the path, she turns back.
And she finds him still standing there…
Watching her.
Like she's the only thing he can't look away from.
---
# 🌸 **END OF SEASON 2 – EPISODE 3**