The library felt quieter than usual today. The usual hum of activity, the soft rustle of pages, the occasional whispers of students, had all faded into a kind of stillness. Karthik sat at his usual spot, his eyes glued to the pages of his book, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
He had gotten used to Ananya's presence. She had become a fixture in his routine—almost like a background noise that he couldn't ignore. But it wasn't just her laughter or her light conversations that lingered in his mind; it was the way she looked at him. The way she seemed to see right through his walls, as if she knew there was more to him than he ever let on.
"You're quiet today," Ananya's voice broke through his thoughts.
Karthik blinked and looked up to see her standing across from him, her usual playful smile replaced with a slightly curious expression.
"I'm always quiet," he muttered, not meeting her gaze.
Ananya raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, that's true. But today feels different."
He didn't answer immediately. What was different about today? Maybe it was the way she'd said those words, or maybe it was the strange feeling settling in his chest. He wasn't sure.
Finally, he closed the book with a soft thud. "Maybe it's just the weather."
She chuckled, shaking her head. "You're such a mystery. Even when you try to hide it, you're still interesting."
Karthik froze for a moment, his heart racing slightly. "I'm not interesting."
Ananya sat down across from him, uninvited but not unwelcome. "You are. You just don't know it yet."
He let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't need to be interesting."
Ananya tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful. "I don't think you believe that."
Karthik's fingers drummed lightly on the edge of the table, but he didn't respond.
For a few moments, there was an awkward silence. Karthik wasn't sure what to say. Her presence had become so much more noticeable in the last few days, and it was starting to confuse him. Why did she care so much? Why was she so persistent?
Ananya broke the silence, her voice quieter this time. "You don't have to be afraid of letting people in, you know."
Karthik blinked. He hadn't expected her to say that. His gaze flickered up to hers, but he quickly looked away again. He didn't like talking about this. Not with anyone.
"I'm not afraid." His voice sounded too defensive, even to his own ears.
Ananya didn't say anything for a moment, letting the silence linger. Then, she spoke again, her tone softer. "You don't have to pretend. I can tell there's more to you than the quiet guy who sits in the corner."
Karthik's mind raced, but he didn't speak. What was she trying to say?
Just then, the door to the library opened with a creak.
"Ananya!"
It was Shruthi again, her voice as bright as always.
Ananya stood up quickly, flashing a smile at Karthik. "Looks like I've got to go."
As she turned to leave, she hesitated for a moment. "See you tomorrow, mystery boy."
Karthik watched her walk away, his thoughts a tangled mess. Why had she said that? Why did she think there was more to him?
The door closed softly behind her, and Karthik was left alone in the quiet library again.
But this time, it didn't feel as peaceful as before.
Later That Night
Karthik sat in his room later that evening, his mind still swirling with thoughts. The day's conversation replayed in his head.
Ananya.
Her words had a way of staying with him, lingering in his mind long after she had left. "I can tell there's more to you than the quiet guy." What did that mean? What was she seeing in him that he couldn't even see himself?
He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the thoughts. He wasn't used to this. He wasn't used to people—especially not someone like Ananya—trying to get under his skin.
It was easier to stay invisible. It was safer.
But now, she was starting to unravel the carefully woven threads of his isolation.
"I don't need this," he muttered under his breath, but deep down, he wasn't sure he meant it.
The doorbell rang, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Who could that be?" he wondered, irritated at the interruption. He opened the door, and to his surprise, it was Shruthi.
"Hi, Karthik!" she greeted, grinning widely.
"What are you doing here?" Karthik asked, confused.
"I know this might be a little unexpected, but Ananya wanted me to give you something."
Shruthi handed him a small, folded piece of paper.
Karthik stared at it for a moment, then took it with hesitation.
"She said you'd know what it means," Shruthi said, her tone almost too serious. "Don't take it the wrong way, okay?"
Before he could respond, Shruthi was gone, disappearing into the night just as quickly as she had come.
Karthik looked at the paper in his hands, his heart beating faster.
Slowly, he unfolded it.
There, written in a messy scrawl, was a single sentence:
"I don't think you're as invisible as you think you are."
Karthik stared at the words, unsure of how to feel.
This was just the beginning.
End of Chapter 5