The morning assembly had just ended. Students were moving toward their respective blocks—some laughing, some juggling books. Amid all this, Sia walked toward the 11th block at her usual slow, composed pace.
The weather was slightly cloudy, and a gentle breeze drifted through the corridors. She always enjoyed the brief 5–7 seconds of silence between classes—a small pause to reset her mind.
During this short moment, she heard a familiar voice from a distance.
"Morning, sir."
It was Yuvan.
He stood just outside the staff room, neatly dressed in uniform, carrying some files. It seemed he had come for a project approval.
What surprised Sia was that this was the first time she noticed that Yuvan didn't just exist in the sports field or with his group of friends—sometimes, he behaved quietly, responsibly, like any other diligent student.
Sia glanced at him for a second. Yuvan looked up casually while getting a paper signed… and for a fleeting moment, their eyes met.
No smile.
No expression.
Just a neutral acknowledgment.
Sia quickly turned toward the window, as if she had been observing something all along. Yuvan then looked back toward the staff room. Simple. Normal. But noticeable.
Classes began. The first period was English, and the teacher was explaining a short drama. Sia was taking notes when a student came by to drop a file.
"Ma'am, the attendance register for the commerce section."
It was Yuvan.
She saw the teacher thank him. Yuvan quietly stepped aside and left. But as he passed the classroom door, his eyes briefly met Sia's once again—perhaps out of habit.
This time, Sia didn't look away. She simply held her gaze calmly… and then they both returned to their work.
During lunch break, Sia went to the library. She always chose a corner table with a side view of the playground. Today, the library was unusually quiet.
She was revising a chapter when she noticed someone scanning the shelves. It was Yuvan again.
Was he arranging books?
No. He was looking for a geography reference book.
A completely normal moment of student life—but Sia found it somewhat interesting that he spent time in the library so peacefully.
Yuvan finally found the book. As he walked past her table for a brief moment, his eyes casually glanced at her open notebook—clean handwriting, neat margin lines. He didn't stare. Just a subtle noticing.
Twisting her pencil, Sia asked,
"Have you tried the thick brown-covered one? The new geography edition?"
Yuvan paused, tilting slightly.
"Hmm? Oh… no. Where is it?"
Without getting up, Sia pointed in its direction.
"Third shelf, left side, second row."
Yuvan gave a short nod.
"Thanks."
And he went on his way.
Such a small exchange. Yet, it brought a tiny clarity to both of their minds: We know each other's presence now.
At the end of the day, when the school bell rang, Sia descended the stairs, hearing the usual noise from the boys on the ground—shouts, laughter, running—everything normal.
But amidst that noise, one voice stood out… familiar in a subtle way.
Yuvan was giving instructions to his team, his tone serious yet calm. He wasn't the loudest in the group, just quietly in charge.
Sia found this unexpected. She adjusted her bag silently and walked toward the school gate.
Meanwhile, Yuvan, in the middle of his conversation, glanced once toward the exit. And for a brief second, he noticed Sia leaving.
Just a second.