Chapter 1 — The First Bench
It all began in tenth grade — when everything in life felt simple, except feelings.
I was the kind of girl who always sat on the first bench, who believed good grades could fix everything. But then there was Aarav — the boy who sat two benches behind me, always laughing, always getting caught talking.
One day, our teacher made us partners for a science project. “You both will work together,” she said, and I still remember how I looked at him, pretending not to care. Aarav just smiled and said, “Looks like I finally got a topper to save me.”
That project changed everything. We started talking — first about science, then about everything else.
By the time exams came, Aarav wasn’t just my project partner — he was my best friend.
Chapter 2 — The Notes and the Promises
We shared everything — lunch boxes, jokes, secrets, and sometimes even fears.
When the final exams ended, he said, “Promise me we’ll stay in touch, even in college.”
I laughed. “Of course! Who else will remind you to study?”
We both got admitted to the same city colleges — different campuses, but the same bus route.
Those daily bus rides became my favorite part of the day. I didn’t realize when friendship started turning into something deeper — something that made my heart race every time I saw him walking toward me.
Chapter 3 — College Days
College brought new people, new faces, new distractions — but somehow, we stayed the same.
He would text me between classes, send random memes, and sometimes just say, “I miss school. I miss us.”
One rainy day, we bunked classes and went to the old school grounds. We sat under the same tree where we used to eat during lunch breaks. He looked at me and said softly,
“You’ve changed... you look different now.”
I smiled shyly, “Maybe college makes people grow up.”
He didn’t say anything after that. But the way he looked at me — it felt like words weren’t needed.
Chapter 4 — The Confession That Never Came
Everyone around me started guessing. “You both look so cute together,” my friends would tease.
And I’d just smile.
But deep down, I was waiting — waiting for him to say something more.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Aarav became busier — new college friends, new responsibilities, new life.
Our calls became shorter, our texts fewer.
One night, I texted him:
“Do you ever miss me like before?”
He replied after an hour,
“Of course, but things are changing. I don’t know why.”
That was the first time I cried because of him.
Chapter 5 — The Last Goodbye
After a few months, I heard from a mutual friend that Aarav was moving abroad with his family.
He didn’t even tell me.
I couldn’t believe it until the day he called. His voice was low — softer than I remembered.
“I didn’t know how to tell you,” he said. “I didn’t want to make it harder.”
I wanted to shout, to tell him how unfair it was, but all I said was,
“Take care of yourself, Aarav.”
He said, “I’ll always remember you,”
and then the call ended.
That was the last time I ever heard his voice.
Chapter 6 — Years Later
It’s been three years now. I’m in my final year of college, and life looks different — but every time I pass by our old school, something in me aches.
I still have that science project file — the one with both our names written in messy ink.
Sometimes I wonder if he ever thinks of me, the same way I still think of him.
Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn’t.
But I’ve learned something — love isn’t always about endings or being together. Sometimes, it’s about memories that never fade.
Epilogue — From Notes to Silence
Aarav taught me what it means to feel deeply — to love without expecting, to smile even when it hurts.
We never said “I love you” to each other, but maybe that’s why it was so pure — it never needed words.
Some friendships turn into love.
And some loves stay frozen as friendships —
forever silent,
forever beautiful.