Love Before Graduation

The night air Still cold , the distant noise of the city is the only way I can feel alive even when he is this close . Arin stood before me, his presence doing something to me. He shifted like he is hesitating,like he was sifting through words he wasn't sure he wanted to say or not.

he finally spoke, "Aira... I wanted to say that...."

He stopped

"That...?"I asked curiously

His fingers twitched, then he exhaled, sliding a hand through his hair. Steadier now, he met my eyes...just for a second before looking past me.

"Listen, Aira... it doesn't matter to me. Not Tenzin. Not Suhina. Not that place." he added, "And it shouldn't matter to you either."

A strange feeling settled in my heart.

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes "what made you think that you guys matter to me?" I asked him in a very harsh tone but still a little casual.

His facial expressions changed a little, maybe a little irritation, a light smile or something else, I couldn't tell. he didn't answer my question.

instead , he took a step back, a faint shadow lingering in his expression.

"That's all I wanted to say." His tone turned cool, detached—the Arin everyone knew. "Ask me at school if you've got more questions."

He turned, striding toward his bike with that effortless indifference he wore like armor. The engine growled to life as he settled onto the seat, but I didn't move.

He came all this way, this late, just to say that?

If it really didn't matter to him, why did his hand linger on the throttle, like he was waiting for me to call him back?

I clenched my fists.

Liar.

Arin wasn't as untouched as he pretended to be. I didn't know what Tenzin or Suhina meant to him—or why that place hung between us like a live wire—but I'd find out.

The bike's engine rumble faded into the night, leaving me alone in Silence

That night i barely slept, Arin's words looping in my head like a voice record. When morning came, the first thought that came to my mind was ,

what did Arin mean by his words? Why did he come so far to tell me all this?

I was already getting nervous about that day.

When the plate of breakfast was brought in front of me , I still did not feel like eating. I just kept munching on it. From behind, I could hear the faint, incomplete sound of utensils clinking. to try luck.

"Papa, listen... Can you buy me a new scooter? This one's a rattling mess.....the brakes squeal like a banshee."

I kept it casual, expecting a quick nod.

Before he could say anything, my mother called me and said,

"It has not even been two years since I got this scooty, and look, you have ruined it as well?"

"Yes, Mom. It's a disaster," I said, not missing a beat.

She clicked her tongue, piling more food onto her plate. "Of course. You don't study, but you've always got your hand out for something new."

I rolled my eyes. Same old song.

"Take it to a mechanic," Papa said, his voice calm behind his newspaper.

I pouted, crossing my arms. "Even if Papa says yes, you'll veto it anyway."

"Smart girl," Mom teased, smirking.

"Aren't you getting late?" Papa glanced at the clock, still not looking up.

"You'll think about it, right?" I pressed.

"Yeah, I'll see."

Trnaslation of this words is "No chance."

Before I could argue, Kyra burst in, beaming. "My results are out! I topped my class!"

Papa's face lit up like a Diwali lamp.

And then it came.

"Look at this one...barely scraping by," Mom muttered, nodding at me.

"She's right," Papa added, setting his paper down to fix me with a stare. "Aira, if you fail even one subject this time, I'll enroll you in a government school. Mark my words."

He turned back to Kyra, showering her with praise while I sank into my chair.

Why, Kyra? Why today?

I grabbed my bag and bolted before the lecture could stretch any longer.

I left early, craving air.As soon as I stepped out, the cool fresh morning breeze touched my cheeks. I gathered courage and sat on the scooty, trying to calm the uneasiness rising in my stomach. I put the key in the scooty - it stopped again making a "ghard ghard" sound. It started after I tried it for the third time. Then I took a sigh of relief and left.

It was morning time. People probably hadn't woken up properly yet. Some people were sitting in their balconies sipping tea, while some were busy opening their shops. A strange peace had spread all around. I veered onto a longer route, needing space to think before school swallowed me whole.

Their words clawed at me.

"Barely scraping by."

"If you fail, I'll put you in a government school."

I scoffed, the wind whipping my hair.

Why do they expect me to be Kyra....perfect grades, perfect smile, Papa's perfect pride?

No matter how hard I try, I can't be like her. I am not like her.

The scooter was moving on the rough and paved road, and with it came a faltering memory—that I too am walking on the path of my life in a similar way. I too am not able to handle my life.

Whatever. Just get through the day.