Chapter 3: Sparks and Shadows
The next morning, the classroom of Room 2B thrummed with the lingering electricity of the entrance ceremony, a vibrant hum that pulsed through the air like a heartbeat.
Sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, their panes gleaming with a soft, golden glow that cast intricate patterns across the rows of polished oak desks. The light danced over the smooth wood, weaving a tapestry of warmth that seemed to cradle the nervous excitement of new beginnings. I slid into my seat—Seat 14, my designated haven—my heart pounding in my chest, a rapid drumbeat of determination to fade into the background, at least where Dev Jaiswal was concerned.
As I smoothed the creases of my long, navy skirt, the fabric soft and familiar beneath my fingers, I focused on the small act to anchor myself. The classroom buzzed around me, a symphony of chatter and laughter, students clustering in small groups, their voices bright with the thrill of new connections. The air carried the faint scent of fresh paper and polished wood, mingled with the subtle sweetness of jasmine drifting in from the open windows, a reminder of the blooming campus beyond. I kept my eyes on my notebook, its blank pages a canvas for the new Nisha I was determined to become—confident, untouchable, free from the shadows of my past.
But a bright, energetic voice pierced my reverie, shattering my fragile calm. "Hey Nisha! You came from that super smart Jr. College, right? Ferguson Jr. College? You're incredible!" The words burst forth like a spark, lively and unguarded.
I looked up, startled, to meet the gaze of a boy standing a few desks away. His impish grin was infectious, his dark curls bouncing with every animated gesture, catching the sunlight in a cascade of soft, chestnut waves. His eyes, a warm hazel, sparkled with genuine enthusiasm, as if he'd just discovered a hidden treasure in me. He leaned forward, elbows propped on a desk, his navy blazer slightly askew, exuding a carefree charm that made the room feel brighter. My heart gave a small, surprised flutter—not from attraction, but from the unexpected warmth of his attention. Talking to boys wasn't my worst nightmare, not anymore, but it still sent a ripple of nerves through me. I forced a polite smile, my lips trembling slightly. "Oh. It's not that big of a deal…" I murmured, lowering my gaze to my notebook, where my fingers traced the edge of a page. Inside, I marveled at my own calm, a quiet triumph over the shy girl I used to be. But beneath it, a single thought loomed: I need to avoid Dev.
Before I could savor the small victory, a familiar hand settled on my shoulder, warm and steady, sending an unwelcome jolt through me. "Yeah, totally! I went to Ferguson Jr. College too!" Dev's voice rang out, cheerful and bright, cutting through the air like a melody I couldn't ignore.
My chest tightened, a knot of frustration and dread coiling within me. I willed him to vanish, to leave me to my carefully crafted fresh start. We are vibing here, so please stay the hell out of it! I thought, glaring at the back of his head, where his dark hair gleamed under the sunlight, tousled just enough to look effortlessly perfect. He stood casually, one hand in his pocket, his grey blazer slung carelessly over his shoulder, exuding that infuriating confidence that made him impossible to ignore. His presence was a storm cloud threatening to unravel my resolve, and I hated how it stirred memories I'd buried—memories of a younger Nisha, quietly admiring him from the edges of crowded hallways.
The bubbly boy's eyes widened, his curls bouncing as he leaned closer, his enthusiasm undimmed. "You too, Dev!?" His voice was a mix of surprise and delight, as if he'd stumbled upon a cosmic coincidence.
Dev laughed, a rich, melodic sound that echoed through the room, drawing glances from nearby students. He flashed that confident grin, the one that had once melted my defenses, though now he feigned a humility that didn't suit him. "Yeah, oh! But my grades weren't that good though."
My breath caught, a sharp intake that betrayed my irritation. He's lying. Everyone at Ferguson Jr. College knew Dev Jaiswal had been top of the class, his brilliance as effortless as his charm. Tall and athletic, with sharp, sculpted features and deep brown eyes that seemed to hold a thousand secrets, he'd been the heartthrob of our school, trailed by attentive girls who hung on his every word. I remembered how I'd watched him from afar, my heart a quiet traitor, dreaming of a moment he'd notice me—until he'd shattered that dream with a rejection so casual it had left scars. Now, standing here, pretending modesty, he was rewriting our shared history, and it set my nerves on edge.
The boy thumped his chest playfully, his grin widening. "Oh, that's why!" His words were light, but they carried a teasing undertone that made my stomach twist.
I blinked, confusion clouding my thoughts. "Huh?… Why? What?" I stammered, my voice faltering as I glanced between them, trying to decipher the implication.
The boy's eyes darted between us, sparkling with mischief, as if he'd uncovered a secret. "You two are talking to each other on the first day of college and seemed to be having fun!" His tone was incredulous, his curls bouncing as he gestured animatedly, drawing the attention of a few nearby classmates.
Panic fluttered in my chest, a wild bird trapped in a cage. No way that's what it looks like! The thought screamed through my mind, my cheeks flushing with heat as I realized how this might appear—a cozy reunion, a spark of something more. I couldn't let that misunderstanding take root, not when I was trying to escape Dev's orbit.
Dev's lips curved into a mischievous half-smile, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he leaned slightly closer. "Oh dang, you figured it out… Nisha is actually…" His voice trailed off, teasing, leaving the words hanging like a dare.
Before he could finish, I jumped in, stepping back to put distance between us, my heart racing. "Hang on just a second! I—I don't get along with Dev, we are not close at all." My words tumbled out, sharp and defensive, as I pushed his hand off my shoulder, my cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. The warmth of his touch lingered, a traitor to my resolve, and I hated how it made my pulse stutter.
The boy's mouth formed a puzzled "O," his brows lifting in surprise. "Huh… Really?" His voice was laced with curiosity, his hazel eyes flicking between us as if trying to piece together a puzzle.
"Yeah, we have spoken a few times, that's it," I said firmly, turning away, my gaze fixed on the floor, wishing it would open up and swallow me whole. The classroom's buzz seemed to fade, the weight of their attention pressing against me, amplifying my mortification.
Dev doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach, his rich, infectious chuckle filling the air like a melody I couldn't escape. "Pffft… Hahahaha you're explaining too much, Nisha!" He straightened, giving me a sideways glance, amusement dancing in his eyes, those infuriatingly soulful eyes that seemed to see right through me.
"Huh?! What?" I spluttered, mortified, my hands flying to my hips as I glared at him, my face aflame. His laughter only deepened my embarrassment, but there was something disarming in the way he looked at me, a playful warmth that tugged at the edges of my defenses.
He winked, a quick, teasing gesture that sent a spark through me, despite my best efforts to ignore it. "You realize that he's going to assume something happened in Jr. College if you go that far, right?" His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of knowing, as if he'd glimpsed the truth I was desperate to hide.
My thoughts tumbled over each other, a chaotic whirl of panic and frustration as I searched for a reply, my mind scrambling to regain control. The classroom seemed to shrink, the sunlight casting long shadows that mirrored the tangle of emotions within me—anger at his audacity, embarrassment at being called out, and a faint, unwelcome flicker of something softer, something I refused to name.
Then Dev's expression shifted, softening into something almost earnest, his dark eyes holding mine with a quiet intensity. "Sorry, I totally lied. It's not like I get along well with Nisha." His voice was gentle, almost apologetic, a contrast to the mischief of moments before, and it caught me off guard, stirring a warmth I didn't want to feel.
Silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken history, the air thick with the weight of our past. The classroom's chatter faded to a distant hum, leaving only the soft rustle of papers and the faint whisper of the breeze through the open windows.
The boy blinked at Dev, his curls tilting as he cocked his head. "…Then why did you say that?" His tone was curious, not accusing, his eyes darting between us as if sensing the undercurrent of something deeper.
Dev shrugged, his broad shoulders lifting in a casual gesture, but his gaze remained on me, offering a small, hopeful smile that made my heart flutter, unbidden. "Just kind of a misunderstanding, you know? I thought I got along well with her. But hey, you never know what the future might bring… Right, Nisha?"
His words hung in the air, soft and tentative, laced with a gentle hope that pierced through my defenses. His eyes, warm and earnest, held mine, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just us—the sunlight, the classroom, the promise of something new shimmering in the space between. My heart fluttered, caught in the glow of morning light and possibility, a traitor to the walls I'd built around it.
As the bell rang, its clear, resonant chime cutting through the moment, I realized that despite my best efforts, Dev had slipped into my waking thoughts, his presence a spark I couldn't extinguish. The classroom stirred back to life, students shuffling to their seats, but I remained rooted, my mind a whirlwind of frustration, hope, and the faint,
undeniable pull of something I wasn't ready to face. Perhaps, just perhaps, he'd found a way into my heart, and the thought both terrified and thrilled me as I turned to face the day ahead.