CHAPTER 4 - Whispers That Followed Me

The moment his eyes met mine, my entire body froze.

That look — sharp, unreadable, almost accusing — sent a sudden chill down my spine.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t smile. He just stared… and then walked past me like I was a stranger.

I stood there confused, holding my books as if they were the only thing keeping me steady.

Did I do something wrong? Why did he look at me like that? Did something happen again? Did another rumour start?

My thoughts raced one after another. But when I turned around, the class was buzzing with its usual chaos — assignments, jokes, gossip… none of it about me.

Everyone seemed too busy with their own lives. For the first time in a long time, that gave me a tiny breath of relief.

Maybe the nightmare was finally ending.

I took a deep breath and sat down for the “study session.”

Study session — what a joke. Half the class had books open but minds switched off.

I pretended to read, but I was scrolling my phone, texting Vihaan.

He was about to start basketball practice, so I didn’t want to disturb him much. Just a few teasing messages from him, a little concern for me, then I stopped texting so he could play.

Everything felt… normal.

Until he came again.

He entered the classroom and stood at the door, looking straight at me — exactly the way he did earlier.

That same stare. Cold. Curious. Intense.

I raised my eyebrows silently, like What? What do you want?

He didn’t answer. He just turned his head and walked inside.

I shrugged it off and kept scrolling.

Then suddenly — he stood up. Not casually. Not normally. With purpose.

He motioned with his hand, signalling me to come out.

I froze.

If I walked out now, every pair of eyes would see it. Every mouth would start talking. Every rumour would return — or worse, new ones would begin. I knew I couldn’t afford that.

So I pretended not to understand and stayed in my seat.

A part of me wanted to go, wanted to ask him what was happening… but the logical part screamed NO.

Eventually, he returned to his seat, and I exhaled in relief.

During break, I walked to the washroom to calm down, splash water on my face, breathe.

But the moment I stepped out — he was there. Waiting.

My heart skipped a beat.

“What?” I asked, trying not to sound shaken.

“I need to talk to you,” he said.

“About what? I don’t have time for this,” I replied, already turning away.

He grabbed my hand — not aggressively, just enough to stop me.

“Don’t be dramatic, Nina. One minute. That’s it.”

Something in his voice told me he wasn’t going to let it go. So I agreed — mostly to get it over with.

We walked to the staircase where no one would hear us.

I crossed my arms. “Okay. What is it?”

He took a deep breath.

“Is it true?”

“What?” I frowned.

“The rumours,” he said — voice heavy, eyes locked onto mine.

“Is it true that you… have feelings for me?”

I blinked… then actually laughed.

“What kind of bullshit are you asking me?”

He didn’t laugh. He just stared. Waiting.

“No,” I said more clearly. “I never loved you. I never had a crush on you.”

He looked confused. Genuinely confused.

“Then how did this rumour even start?”

“I have no idea,” I replied. “Believe me, I’m just as shocked as you.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Are you sure? You really have no feelings for me?”

Something snapped inside me — frustration, exhaustion, maybe both.

I stepped closer, looked straight into his eyes, and said:

“Yes. I have NO feelings for you — and I never did.”

He inhaled slowly and nodded.

“Okay… good. Then we’re fine, right?”

“Yes.”

He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“So… then what about being friends?”

I scoffed. “Are you insane?”

“Why not?”

“Because of what people will think! What more rumours they’ll start about me!”

“Ohh.” He smirked softly. “So you’re scared. That’s it.”

I frowned.

He lifted his hands slightly in surrender.

“Fine. We don’t have to be real friends. Just… normal classmates, okay?

You don’t need to talk to me or message me. Just don’t ignore me.

Don’t run away when our eyes meet. Don’t pretend I don’t exist.”

He paused.

“Just a smile… a ‘hi’ and ‘bye’… that’s enough.”

It sounded simple.

And I was tired of running.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “I’ll try.”

His face relaxed. “Cool.”

He turned to go, but I stopped him.

“Wait. You go back after ten minutes. I’ll go first.”

He nodded without argument. “As you like.”

I returned to class, and ten minutes later, he walked in too.

A few people looked at us — eyes sharp, calculating — but no whispers followed.

Maybe he already shut them up.

Or maybe, for once, people had a conscience.

I didn’t know.

I told Vihaan everything later. He listened silently and then said:

“You need to be careful.”

“I know,” I replied.

“No,” he insisted. “You think you know. But you don’t. You don’t know what people are planning or what they can do. So keep your distance from him. Don’t get entangled again.”

“I won’t,” I promised.

“Promise properly,” he demanded — soft but protective.

I rolled my eyes and smiled. “Okay, fine. I promise.”

We talked about class — about how weird it felt to smile at someone without actually talking — and I found myself quietly laughing again.

It felt normal. Safe.

But the next morning — everything changed.

As I walked through the gate, I noticed people whispering.

Not loud enough to hear… but loud enough to feel.

My heart started racing.

My palms turned cold.

My legs felt weak.

Is it about me again?

Are they talking about me?

Is it starting again?

Am I going to be mocked again?

Every memory of humiliation flashed through my mind like knives.

I didn’t want to walk inside.

I didn’t want to face the looks.

I didn’t want to be the prisoner in the centre of their judgments.

My body trembled.

I could barely breathe.

But still, I took a step toward the classroom — even though every part of me was screaming to turn back.

To be continued..

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