---

Three weeks had passed since that rainy evening.

Three weeks since she had spoken words she shouldn't have... and he replied with ones she never wanted to hear.

Anvi Verma had changed.

She still attended every class.

Still took notes.

Still answered questions when asked.

But it wasn't her anymore.

The girl who once blinked nervously every time Professor Aarav called her name... now didn't blink at all.

She had become colder.

Quieter.

More invisible.

But her eyes - they were louder than ever.

They screamed what her lips never dared to.

And he heard them.

Even when he didn't want to.

---

Author's POV

Some silences scream.

Some gazes burn.

And some heartbreaks don't break you all at once - they take their time, cracking you slowly from the inside until one day, you wake up... and you're someone else entirely.

---

The Annual Science Exhibition was announced.

12-C was selected to lead the Physics department.

And Professor Aarav?

He was supervising it.

Fate wasn't done with them yet.

"Anvi, tum optics wale model mein ho," announced Ms. Thomas, handing out team roles. "Professor Aarav tumhare mentor rahenge."

Anvi's breath caught.

But she simply nodded.

She didn't want pity.

She didn't want excuses.

She didn't want him to think she still cared.

Even though...

She did.

---

Author's POV

There's something cruel about destiny.

It pulls people apart when they're begging to stay close,

And throws them back together when all they want is space to breathe.

Maybe it's a test.

Or maybe... just another twist in a story that refuses to end.

---

First team meeting. Physics lab.

She entered late, hoping to go unnoticed.

He was already there, surrounded by students, adjusting a laser beam in one setup. His sleeves were rolled up, eyes focused - just like always.

As she walked in, their eyes met. For a moment, time hung between them.

"Hi," he said quietly.

She gave a slight nod and walked to the far end of the lab.

"Tumhara setup us table pe rehega," he said professionally, without emotion.

Anvi placed her bag down. "Okay, Sir."

No smile.

No hesitation.

Just numbness.

---

Author's POV

Nothing hurts more than becoming a stranger to someone who once looked at you like you mattered.

And yet, they stood in the same room - teacher and student, mentor and mentee -

Pretending the past was just a mistake...

When in truth, it was a wound they were both still bleeding from.

---

That week, their interactions were limited to instructions.

"Laser ka alignment check kar lo."

"Poster mein font aur bada karo."

"Graph properly label karna."

She responded in short nods or one-word answers.

But her silence spoke more than her voice ever had.

And he...

He noticed everything.

Every flicker in her eyes.

Every pause before she turned away.

Every shiver in her fingers when they brushed against his while passing the circuit board.

But he didn't say anything.

Because he was scared...

That if he said one wrong word - he wouldn't be able to stop himself from saying more.

---

Author's POV

We think silence is safe - that it protects us from consequences.

But sometimes, silence builds a wall so tall, even truth can't climb it.

And all that's left...

Is the ache of everything unsaid.

---

Late one evening, she was the last student in the lab, packing her project.

He stood at the door, waiting for her to finish.

As she turned to leave, their eyes met again.

And this time, he didn't look away.

"Anvi," he called gently.

She stopped.

"Tum mujhse gussa ho?" he asked.

She blinked. "Nahi."

"Phir baat kyun nahi karti?"

She smiled - painfully.

"Bachpan se aadat hai, Sir. Jo cheezein chubh jaati hain... unse dur rehna seekh liya maine."

He took a step closer. "Tumne kuch kaha tha us din... jo mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai."

She clenched her jaw.

"Main bhool gayi. Aap bhi bhool jaaiye."

"Lekin main nahi bhool paaya."

She looked up sharply. "Toh yaad karke kya milega, Sir? Aap toh pehle hi keh chuke ho - 'main tumhara teacher hoon'. Yeh line maine bhi yaad kar li hai."

His throat dried.

Before he could reply, she walked out.

And this time... he didn't stop her.

Because he knew...

She wasn't just walking out of the lab.

She was walking out of the little corner of her heart where she had once kept him alive.

---

Author's POV

Sometimes people don't leave with a bang.

They leave with a sentence.

With a truth that weighs heavier than goodbye.

And when they do - they don't just walk away from the place...

They walk away from the hope they once foolishly held on to.

---

To Be Continued