The next day at Oakridge felt… different.
Not lighter.
Not happier.
Just different — like the air around Aarvin carried a secret only he and Nairi knew.
He didn't realize it, but he walked with a little less hesitation.
A little less fear.
A little more… something he couldn't name.
Not confidence.
Not joy.
Just a spark.
A spark he wasn't used to having.
In class, he took his seat near the window. His usual spot. His safe zone.
And then—
A soft knock on his desk.
He looked up.
Nairi stood there, holding a notebook to her chest, eyebrows slightly raised as if wondering whether she should speak.
"You forgot this," she said, handing him a small blue pen.
Aarvin stared at it.
"My pen?" he asked.
"You dropped it at the court yesterday," she said.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was steady. Sure.
He hadn't even realized he dropped it.
"Thanks," he whispered.
She nodded and walked away… but only three steps.
Then she turned again.
"Are you coming today?"
The question came out quieter — too quiet for someone who didn't care.
Aarvin's breath hitched.
"I… yeah. If you'll be there."
Nairi smiled.
Not a big one.
Just a tiny, gentle curve — the kind that stays with you longer than it should.
"I will," she said.
And before he could blink, she was gone.
But the softness she left behind stayed with him the whole day.
Even during lunch, Riyan noticed.
"Tu theek hai?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Aarvin nodded too quickly.
Suspicious.
Riyan didn't push — but he definitely noticed.
After school, Aarvin headed to the old court again.
The wind was colder today, carrying dust and leaves across the cracked ground.
She wasn't there yet.
He sat on the bench, staring at the empty court, wondering—
Would she actually come?
Did yesterday mean anything?
Was he imagining everything?
But then…
Light footsteps echoed.
He looked up.
She came.
Nairi walked toward him — tired, hair slightly messy from the wind, eyes bright like they were happy to find him there.
"Sorry, teacher ne rok liya," she said, catching her breath.
Aarvin shook his head.
"It's okay."
She sat beside him, closer than yesterday.
Not too close.
Just close enough for the bench to share their silence.
"How was your day?" she asked.
Nobody ever asked him that.
"Fine," he said.
But then added, "Better now."
She looked at him — really looked.
"Mine too," she whispered.
They didn't play today.
They didn't talk much either.
They just sat.
Two quiet people in a quiet place —
and somehow the silence didn't feel empty.
It felt full.
Peaceful.
The kind of quiet that only exists when two people understand each other without trying.
Before leaving, Nairi stood and brushed dust from her skirt.
"Tomorrow?" she asked.
Aarvin nodded.
"Yeah… tomorrow."
She smiled again — a smile that lingered even after she walked away.
Aarvin pressed his hands together, feeling the cold air around him.
He didn't know what this was.
But whatever it was…
it felt good.
And good things never lasted in Oakridge.