The school bell rang, signaling the start of lunch break, and my science teacher approached me with an assignment. "Abhimanyu, I've paired you up with the top student from section A for the science project next week," he informed me, handing over a few details with a form along to fill out with my newfound partner.

While I had heard of her academic prowess, seen her from far, we had never interacted directly before. As I made my way to the school's backyard to find her, my mind buzzed with anticipation.

I set off in search of her, knowing she typically spent her lunch breaks either in the library or the secluded backyard of the school. As I approached the backyard, my eyes fell upon her, her attention focused on a kitten stranded on a tree branch.

The sight filled me with a strange warmth, and before I knew it, I was by her side, effortlessly bringing the kitten to safety. Just as the kitten scampered away, startled by my sudden appearance, she stumbled backward, but I managed to catch her just in time. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. It was the first time I had seen her up close, and I couldn't help but notice the delicate features of her face.

"Thank you," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the rustle of the leaves. I could sense her confusion at my unexpected presence, a silent question lingering in her gaze.

Breaking the spell, I cleared my throat, I could feel my cheeks flushing slightly. "Um, actually, Sham sir asked me to fill out this form with you for the science exhibition," I explained, offering her the document in question.

Recognition flickered in her eyes as she nodded. "Oh, yes, he mentioned it to me earlier. I was just about to come find you in your classroom."

Her gratitude was palpable as she continued, gesturing towards the kitten, "Thank you for helping me."

"It's no trouble at all," I replied, my heart fluttering at the sound of her voice. "It seems the kitten has found its way back to its mother."

She smiled softly, "Yes, they live behind these bushes."

"Do you come here every day to take care of them?" I inquired, gesturing towards the bushes where the kitten had disappeared.

Her gaze softened, a hint of warmth flickering in her eyes. "I just bring them food sometimes," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mixture of fondness and melancholy.

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again, her tone tinged with curiosity. "How did you know I come here every day?"

I hesitated, searching for the right words. "Well, it's kind of common knowledge," I replied carefully. "You don't really spend much time with your classmates, so it's natural for people to notice."

I couldn't help but notice the small, sad smile that tugged at her lips, a reflection of the loneliness we both knew all too well. As scholarship students, we were often relegated to the sidelines, outsiders in our own school. Like her, I had grown accustomed to spending my free time alone, seeking solace in the quiet corners of the library.

Realizing that lunch break was drawing to a close, she suggested, "Let's head to the library to fill out the form. We don't want to be late."

With a nod, we made our way towards the library, our encounter in the backyard marking the beginning of an unexpected connection.

As we settled into a quiet corner of the library, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of working together on the science project. Little did I know, this chance encounter would be the beginning of a journey that would change both of our lives forever.
.......

The flashback of our first encounter floods my mind, a bittersweet reminder of a time when our hearts were still innocent, untainted by the struggles and hardships that lay ahead. In that moment, poverty hadn't yet twisted into desperation, and the purity of our souls remained untouched by the darkness that would later envelop us.

As I lie here in my comatose state, I can hear her tearful cries echoing in the sterile hospital room. Her desperate pleas to turn back time, to return to that fleeting moment of purity, resonate within me. And I, too, find myself yearning for the impossible, wishing for a way to rewind the clock and relive that innocent encounter once more.

But reality is unforgiving, and the past remains just that—a memory, forever out of reach. And so, I lay here in silence, trapped between consciousness and oblivion, haunted by the echoes of a time when our hearts were still pure, and our love was untainted by the harsh realities of life.
...........

A/N

Thank you so much for reading this chapter! Your support and feedback means a lot to me. As we follow Abhimanyu's journey, I'm curious to hear your thoughts:

- What do you think will happen next between Abhimanyu and his partner?

- How do you feel about the way their relationship started?

Please leave your feedback in the comments section and let me know your predictions and thoughts. And if you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to hit the vote button! Your engagement helps keep the story going. Stay tuned for the next chapter—there's so much more to come!