ANIMUS CHAPTER 1

As usual day Ani was ready for her school. Sana was also there, waiting for Ani.)

Sana: Ani! Can you believe it? Today is our first day of Class 9!

Ani: Hmm. Yes. Another year, more studies.

Sana: You’re so serious as always! I heard many new students are joining our class today.

Ani: New students or old ones… it doesn’t matter to me.

Sana: Arre listen! People are saying a new boy is coming too.

Ani: So?

Sana: They say he is very intelligent, like topper-level intelligent!

Ani: (adjusts her bag) Intelligence is only useful if you work hard.

Sana: You don’t even care, do you?

Ani: I care about my career, Sana. Nothing else.

Sana: (laughs) One day, Ani, something will distract you too.

Ani: That day will never come.

(Sana and ani was going to school)

Sana: (talking happily) Ani, I’m telling you, Class 9 is going to be fun!

Ani: Fun doesn’t give marks, Sana. Walk faster.

(Suddenly, Jack comes from behind and taps Sana’s shoulder)

Jack: Oii Sanaaa! Walking so seriously on the first day?

Sana: (shocked) Jack! Are you mad? You scared me!

Jack: That was the plan 😄

(Mit stands behind, quietly watching Ani)

Sana: Why are you people always behind us?

Jack: Because destiny wants us here. Right, Mit?

Mit: (smirks, eyes on Ani) Maybe.

Sana: (teasing) See Ani, someone is staring again.

Ani: (coldly) I don’t care who looks at me.

Jack: Wow… ice-cold as always.

Sana: (laughs) Ignore her, Jack. She only loves her books.

Ani: And I’m proud of that.

(They continue walking toward school.)

(In the class. A new student came and sit with ani and sana.)

Sana: Hi! You’re the new student, right?

Siya: (softly) Yes… my name is Siya.

Ani: Welcome to our class. You can sit here.

Siya: Thank you.

Sana: Don’t be shy! Where did you come from?

Siya: From another city… my father got transferred.

Riya: Ohh, interesting. Are you good in studies?

Siya: (nervous smile) I try my best.

Navya: You look very quiet. You don’t talk much, do you?

Siya: Not really… I’m more comfortable listening.

Sana: That’s okay! She’s serious like Ani.

Ani: (looks at Siya) Hardworking people don’t need to talk much.

Siya: (small smile) I think so too.

(Riya and Navya exchange looks)

Sana: Don’t worry, Siya. You’ll like our class.

Siya: I hope so.

Teacher:

“Class, we have a new student joining us today. His name is Yash. He is very talented and intelligent. Please welcome him.”

Yash (smiling, adjusting his spectacles):

“Hello everyone. I’m Yash. I hope we’ll get along well.”

(Students start whispering.)

Sana (leaning toward Ani, excited):

“Did you hear that, Ani? New student… and talented! He looks smart too.”

Ani (without looking up from her book):

“Hmm.”

Sana (teasing):

“That’s it? No reaction? He’s new, Ani. Don’t you want to look?”

Ani (coldly):

“I don’t care. I’m here to study, not to watch people.”

(Mit looks at Yash for a moment, then glances at Ani.)

Mit (whispering to Jack, half-smiling):

“Seems like the new guy already got everyone’s attention… except her.”

(Sana notices Mit looking at Ani and smirks.)

Sana (to herself, amused):

“This class is going to be interesting.”

(Ani keeps reading, pretending nothing matters, but the atmosphere changes.)

The class is silent. Ani and Siya are focused on books. Sana is trying to study. Mit, Jack, and Yash sit behind.)

Jack (whispering):

Brooo… why is this class so quiet? I feel like I’m in a library.

Mit (smirking):

Because some people actually study here.

Jack:

Yeah yeah, especially Ani madam. She studies like her life depends on it.

(Yash looks toward Ani for a second, then quickly looks down.)

Yash (softly):

She’s very focused…

Mit (noticing):

You’re watching her already, new boy?

Yash (nervous):

No— I mean… I was just looking around.

Jack (laughing quietly):

Ohooo! First day and already interested?

Mit (cold tone):

Focus on your books, Yash.

Yash:

I am focusing.

Jack:

Mit bhai, why are you acting so serious? Are you jealous or something?

Mit (sharp look):

Jealous? Don’t talk nonsense.

(Yash stays quiet, feeling awkward.)

Jack (grinning):

This year is going to be full entertainment.

(Ani turns a page loudly, showing she heard everything but doesn’t care.)

Mit (low voice):

Just study. Don’t create drama in front of her.

Jack:

Too late, bro. Drama already started.

(The bell rings. Everyone gets excited and starts walking toward the playground.)

Sports Teacher:

Alright students! Line up properly. No pushing!

Jack (grinning):

Sir, it’s sports period… obviously people will run like free birds.

Sports Teacher:

Jack, don’t test my patience on the first day.

Sana (laughing):

Sir, Jack can’t stay quiet even for one minute.

Ani (smiling slightly):

That’s why he’s Jack… our class comedian.

Jack (dramatic):

See! Even Ani agrees with me!

Mit (smirking):

Miracle. Ani is actually talking.

Ani (playfully):

Oh shut up, Mit. Don’t act like you’re silent.

(Siya laughs softly, feeling comfortable.)

Siya:

You all are… really funny.

Sana:

Welcome to the madness, Siya!

Sports Teacher:

Okay, okay! Enough comedy. Today we’ll play basketball and some fun games.

Yash:

Sir, can I join basketball too?

Sports Teacher:

Of course, Yash. Show us your talent.

Ani (to Sana, teasing):

New student already trying to impress.

Sana (giggles):

Maybe someone will get impressed.

(Ani rolls her eyes but smiles.)

Sports Teacher (clapping):

Alright! Everyone to the ground. Let’s play!

All Students:

Yes sir!

(Students run happily toward the playground, laughing and excited.)

(Ani and siya was gone to ride on marry go with a girl name joti who is faty girl)

Ani, Siya, and Joti stand near the merry-go-round.)

Joti (excited):

Come on! Let’s ride! It looks so fun!

Siya (smiling softly):

Yes… I’ve never tried it before.

Ani (laughing):

Then today is your first time, Siya.

(They sit. The merry-go-round is not moving much.)

Joti (calling out):

Yash! Hey, Yash! Can you help us push it?

(Yash walks over, adjusting his spectacles.)

Yash:

Uh… you want me to push this?

Joti:

Yes! Please! It’s not moving.

Yash (teasing awkwardly):

This thing needs a motor, not a student.

Joti:

Arre! Just push, na!

(Ani laughs at Yash’s silly comment.)

Ani (laughing):

You’re so dramatic, Yash.

(Yash freezes for a second. He looks at Ani’s smile.)

Yash (softly):

…You laugh nicely.

Ani (stops for a moment):

What?

Siya (confused):

Huh?

Joti:

Oho! Push first, Romeo!

(Yash snaps back and starts pushing. The merry-go-round begins to spin.)

Joti (happy):

Yesss! Faster!

Ani (laughing freely):

Okay okay, slow down!

(Yash keeps pushing, but his eyes keep going back to Ani.)

Yash (thinking, quietly):

Why… do I feel different when she smiles?

(For the first time, Yash realizes he likes Ani.)

(The whistle blows. Sports period is over. Students are tired but happy. Boys gather near the ground.)

Jack (stretching):

Ahhh finally! My legs are gone. Hostel food better give me energy today.

Sam (quietly):

Hostel food never gives energy… only punishment.

Yash (smiling slightly):

At least we’ll have fun tonight. No homework stress for some time.

Mit (smirking):

Fun? You mean Jack shouting in the hostel corridor again?

Jack:

Bro, that’s called entertainment.

(Yash adjusts his spectacles and looks thoughtful.)

Yash:

Hostel life is different… but sometimes I miss home.

Sam:

You miss home or… something else?

(Mit looks at Yash sharply.)

Mit:

Don’t start, Sam.

(Meanwhile, Ani and Sana are walking nearby and overhear them.)

Sana (whispering):

Look at them, hostel boys acting like they run the school.

Ani (laughing softly):

They can’t even run properly in basketball.

Sana:

True! But hostel life must be fun… no parents, only friends.

Ani:

Or only drama.

(Jack notices them and calls out.)

Jack:

Oii Ani! Sana! You should join hostel too, then you’ll understand real life!

Sana (laughing):

No thanks, Jack. I like my peaceful home.

Ani (teasing):

And I like clean food.

Jack (fake offended):

Wow! Direct attack!

(Mit smiles a little, looking at Ani.)

Mit:

Don’t worry, Jack. She always attacks.

Ani (smirks):

Only when it’s necessary.

(The bell rings again.)

Yash (softly):

Come on… let’s go back.

(They all start walking toward the school building, the hostel boys together, Ani and Sana ahead.)

(The final bell rings. Students leave. Mit, Jack, Yash, and Sam walk toward the hostel building with their bags.)

Jack (happily):

Ahhh! Freedom! School is finally over.

Mit (dryly):

It’s not freedom. It’s hostel study time now.

Jack:

Bro, don’t ruin my mood. At least in hostel, no teachers are shouting.

Sam (quiet voice):

Only wardens.

Jack (dramatic):

Exactly! Wardens are worse than teachers!

(Yash walks silently, adjusting his spectacles, lost in thoughts.)

Mit (noticing):

What happened to you, Yash? You’ve been quiet since sports period.

Yash:

Nothing.

Sam (calm, mysterious):

Liar.

Jack (grinning):

Ohoooo! Someone is hiding something.

Mit (sharp):

Stop it. Talk clearly.

(Yash hesitates.)

Yash (softly):

It’s just… today felt different.

Jack:

Different? Because Ani laughed?

(Yash suddenly looks away.)

Yash:

Don’t say her name like that.

Sam (low voice):

So it is about her.

(Mit’s expression changes slightly.)

Mit:

Focus on hostel life, Yash. Feelings only create problems.

Jack:

Bro, hostel life is already full of problems. At least feelings make it interesting.

Mit (cold):

Not for me.

(They reach the hostel gate.)

Jack:

Come on, boys! First thing—snacks. Second—gossip.

Sam:

Third—regret.

Yash (small smile):

Maybe… just maybe… this year won’t be boring.

(Mit stays silent, but his eyes show something else.)

Night in the school hostel. The room is quiet except for the sound of ceiling fan. Mit is sitting on his bed, reading. Jack is eating snacks. Sam is near the window, silent. Yash is lying down, staring at the ceiling.)

Jack (chewing loudly):

Hostel rule number one: Never sleep without snacks.

Mit (annoyed):

Hostel rule number two: Jack, please shut up.

Jack:

Wow, rude.

(Sam gives a small smirk but says nothing.)

Jack (looking at Yash):

Oii Yash… you’ve been acting like a broken hero since afternoon.

Yash (quiet):

I’m fine.

Sam (low voice):

No, you’re not.

(Mit looks up from his book.)

Mit:

Just say it. What’s going on?

(Yash sits up slowly, adjusting his spectacles.)

Yash:

It’s nothing serious… I just…

Jack (excited):

He just what? Come on!

(Yash hesitates, then speaks softly.)

Yash:

Ani…

(Mit’s expression changes immediately.)

Mit:

What about Ani?

Yash (confused):

Today when she laughed… I don’t know why, but it felt different.

(Jack gasps dramatically.)

Jack:

OHHHH! Love at first laugh!

Sam (calm):

I knew it.

Yash:

It’s not love… it’s just… she’s not like others.

Jack:

Bro, that is literally love.

(Mit closes his book slowly.)

Mit (cold tone):

Don’t get distracted, Yash. This school year is important.

Yash (looks at Mit):

Why do you care so much?

(Silence.)

Sam (quietly):

Because Mit cares too.

Mit (sharp):

Sam.

(Jack looks between them, realizing tension.)

Jack (awkward laugh):

Okay okay… hostel room is becoming a movie.

Yash (soft but firm):

I’m not trying to compete with anyone. I just… can’t stop thinking.

(Mit looks away, jaw tight.)

Mit (low voice):

Just be careful. Feelings create problems.

Jack (trying to lighten mood):

And problems create entertainment!

Sam:

Or disasters.

(Yash lies back down, staring at the ceiling again.)

Yash (whispering):

Why did her smile feel so important?

(Mit stays silent, but his eyes show something he won’t say.)

(The hostel room is dim. Mit is reading on his bed. Sam is near the window. Jack is eating chips. Yash lies down but looks restless.)

Yash (whispering to Jack):

Jack… can I ask you something?

Jack (grinning):

Oho, secret talk at night? This is interesting. Say.

Yash (hesitant):

Ani… and Mit…

(Jack’s eyes widen immediately.)

Jack (low voice):

Ani and Mit? Bro, you’re brave.

Yash:

Just listen. Are they… close?

Jack (smirking):

Close? Hmm. Mit stares at her like she’s the answer sheet of the final exam.

Yash (frowning):

So he likes her?

Jack (teasing):

Maybe. Or maybe he’s just… Mit.

Yash (quietly):

Ani doesn’t even notice him much.

Jack:

Ani notices no one. She lives in her own world.

(Yash looks down, thinking.)

Yash (softly):

Today when she laughed… I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Jack (whispering excitedly):

Broooo… you like her.

Yash (quickly):

No! I’m just curious.

Jack:

Curious? Yeah right.

(Jack leans closer.)

Jack (serious for once):

But listen, Yash… Mit doesn’t show it, but he cares.

Yash:

Then why is he acting so cold?

Jack:

That’s his style. He hides everything.

(Yash glances at Mit, who is still reading silently.)

Yash (murmuring):

I don’t want to fight anyone… but…

Jack (soft laugh):

But you don’t want to lose either.

(Yash stays silent.)

Jack (patting his shoulder):

Welcome to Class 9, my friend. Hostel life comes with drama for free.

(Yash gives a small, nervous smile.)

The hostel room becomes silent. One by one, everyone falls asleep.)

Jack is sleeping with his blanket half on the floor.

Sam lies quietly, facing the window.

Mit has fallen asleep with his book still open beside him.

(Only the soft sound of the ceiling fan remains.)

(But Yash… is still awake.)

(He slowly sits up and walks to his desk. A small lamp glows. He takes out a diary from his bag.)

Yash (whispering to himself):

Why can’t I sleep…

(He opens the diary and begins writing.)

Yash’s Diary

"Day 1 of Class 9…"

"I thought this year would be normal."

"New school… new hostel… new people."

"But today… something changed."

"Her name is Ani."

"She laughed so freely, like she didn’t care about the world."

"And somehow… that laugh stayed in my mind."

(He pauses, tapping the pen.)

"I don’t even know her properly."

"Still, I feel like I noticed her more than I should."

"Jack said Mit cares about her too."

(Yash glances at Mit sleeping.)

"Mit is quiet, cold… but I can tell he feels something."

"I don’t want trouble."

"But I also can’t ignore what I feel."

(His handwriting becomes slower.)

"Is this what people call… the beginning?"

"Or am I just overthinking?"

(Yash closes the diary softly.)

Yash (whispering):

Good night… Ani.

(He turns off the lamp, lies down again… but his eyes remain open.)

(Outside, the hostel is silent… but inside Yash’s heart, something has awakened.)

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