ANIMUS CHAPTER 4

(Early morning. The school road is calm. Students are walking toward the gate.)

Ani and Sana are walking together with their bags.

Sana (smiling):

Ani, today feels… peaceful.

Ani:

Don’t say that. You’ll invite drama.

Sana:

Drama always comes to us anyway.

Ani chuckles.

Just then, footsteps come from behind.

A loud familiar voice—

Jack:

GOOD MORNING, LADIES!

Sana stops and turns instantly.

Sana:

Oh no… the clown is here.

Jack walks up with a wide grin.

Mit is beside him, quiet as usual.

Jack:

Clown? Sana, I’m hurt.

Sana:

Go cry in hostel.

Jack:

Hostel people have no time to cry. Only to suffer.

Ani smiles slightly.

Ani:

Did you survive breakfast?

Jack:

Barely! I deserve a medal.

Mit looks at Ani for a second, then away.

Sana notices immediately.

Sana (teasing):

Mit, why so silent?

Mit answers coldly.

Mit:

Because unlike Jack, I don’t waste oxygen.

Jack gasps.

Jack:

Bro! That was personal.

Ani laughs softly.

Jack suddenly leans closer to Sana with mischief.

Jack:

By the way Sana…

Did Ani fall again today or should Mit be ready?

Ani freezes.

Ani:

JACK!

Sana bursts into laughter.

Sana:

OHHHH library hero scene part two?

Mit’s ears turn slightly red.

Mit:

Stop talking nonsense.

Jack smirks.

Jack:

Nonsense? Everyone knows.

Ani folds her arms.

Ani:

It was an accident.

Sana leans toward Ani.

Sana:

But a very romantic accident.

Ani pushes Sana lightly.

Ani:

Shut up.

Mit finally speaks, low voice.

Mit:

Just walk properly.

Ani looks at him.

Ani:

I always do.

For a second, their eyes meet.

Sana immediately interrupts.

Sana:

Okay okay, enough staring! School gate is coming.

Jack laughs.

Jack:

Class 9 is becoming more fun every day.

Mit mutters.

Mit:

Because of you.

Jack proudly smiles.

Jack:

Exactly.

They all continue walking toward school…

But Ani’s heart feels slightly faster.

And Mit’s silence feels louder than words.

( Riya started to spread rumour about ani and mit. Sejal likes mit and after hearing about ani and mit. She started scolding ani)

(School corridor, lunch break. Students are whispering everywhere.)

Riya’s rumour has already spread:

"Ani and Mit are together..."

Ani is walking with Sana when suddenly—

Sejal and Asu block their way.

Sejal’s face is angry.

Sejal (sharp):

So it’s true, huh?

Ani stops.

Ani (confused):

What are you talking about?

Asu crosses her arms.

Asu:

Don’t act innocent, Ani.

Sana steps forward.

Sana:

Excuse me? What’s your problem?

Sejal points at Ani.

Sejal:

My problem is her!

Ani frowns.

Ani:

Me? Why?

Sejal’s voice rises.

Sejal:

Stop pretending! Everyone knows about you and Mit!

Ani’s eyes widen.

Ani:

What nonsense?

Asu smirks.

Asu:

Library scene… falling into his arms… wow, so romantic.

Sana bursts out.

Sana:

Oh my god, are you serious?!

It was an accident!

Sejal steps closer, angry.

Sejal:

Accident? Or drama to get attention?

Ani’s expression hardens.

Ani:

I don’t need anyone’s attention.

Sejal scoffs.

Sejal:

Sure. Then why are people talking?

Ani replies coldly.

Ani:

Because people like Riya have nothing better to do.

Asu snaps.

Asu:

Don’t blame others. You’re the one doing it.

Sana laughs sarcastically.

Sana:

Doing what? Breathing?

Sejal glares at Sana.

Sejal:

Stay out of this, Sana!

Sana steps forward boldly.

Sana:

No. If you’re going to attack Ani for no reason, I won’t stay out.

Sejal’s eyes burn.

Sejal:

You think you’re protecting her? She knows exactly what she’s doing.

Ani finally speaks loudly.

Ani:

ENOUGH.

Everyone goes silent.

Ani looks straight at Sejal.

Ani:

Mit caught me because I was falling.

That’s it.

Nothing else happened.

Sejal’s voice shakes with jealousy.

Sejal:

Then why did he catch you?

Ani stares.

Ani:

Because he’s not heartless.

Sana adds quickly:

Sana:

Unlike some people.

Asu gets angry.

Asu:

Sejal likes Mit, okay?!

Ani pauses.

Sana blinks.

Sana:

Ohhh… so THAT’S the issue.

Sejal’s face turns red.

Sejal (shouting):

Shut up!

Ani speaks calmly, but sharp.

Ani:

Sejal, if you like Mit, that’s your problem.

Don’t make me your enemy.

Sejal clenches her fists.

Sejal:

Just stay away from him.

Ani smiles coldly.

Ani:

I don’t belong to your rules.

And Mit doesn’t belong to you either.

Sana smirks.

Sana:

Perfectly said.

Sejal steps back, furious.

Sejal:

This isn’t over, Ani.

Asu pulls her away.

Asu:

Come on, Sejal.

Sejal walks off angrily.

Ani exhales.

Sana looks at her.

Sana:

Welcome to school romance rumours, bestie.

Ani groans.

Ani:

I hate Class 9.

(Lunch break is almost over. Students are returning to class. The corridor is quieter now.)

Mit stands near the classroom door, his face serious.

Jack is beside him, arms crossed.

Jack (low voice):

Bro, calm down. Don’t make it too scary.

Mit ignores him.

He sees Sejal walking with Asu, still angry.

Mit calls out sharply.

Mit:

Sejal.

Sejal stops.

She turns, surprised.

Sejal:

…What?

Mit steps closer, his eyes cold.

Mit:

Come here.

Asu whispers.

Asu:

Sejal, leave it.

But Sejal walks forward, trying to look confident.

Sejal:

What do you want, Mit?

Mit’s voice is controlled but firm.

Mit:

I heard what happened today.

Sejal blinks.

Sejal:

Heard what?

Mit leans slightly forward.

Mit:

About Ani.

Sejal’s expression changes.

Sejal:

So? Everyone is talking about her anyway.

Mit’s eyes sharpen.

Mit:

Everyone is talking because YOU made it worse.

Sejal scoffs.

Sejal:

Oh, so now you’re defending her?

Jack mutters.

Jack:

Here we go…

Mit ignores Jack.

Mit (serious):

Listen carefully.

Ani did nothing wrong.

It was an accident.

Sejal clenches her fists.

Sejal:

Then why do you care so much?

Mit pauses.

Then speaks slowly.

Mit:

Because you had no right to insult her.

Sejal’s voice rises.

Sejal:

I didn’t insult—

Mit cuts her off.

Mit:

You threatened her.

You told her to stay away.

Sejal looks away.

Mit’s tone becomes colder.

Mit:

Sejal… stay back from Ani.

Sejal snaps.

Sejal:

Or what?

Mit steps closer, voice low but dangerous.

Mit:

Or you’ll regret starting fights you can’t finish.

Jack’s eyes widen.

Jack:

Mit…

Sejal’s face turns red.

Sejal:

You can’t control me.

Mit straightens.

Mit:

I’m not controlling you.

I’m warning you.

Ani is not part of your jealousy.

Sejal whispers angrily.

Sejal:

So you really like her.

Mit doesn’t answer.

That silence is louder than words.

Jack smirks slightly.

Sejal’s eyes sting with anger.

Sejal:

Fine.

But don’t blame me when rumours grow.

Mit replies coldly.

Mit:

Rumours don’t matter.

Respect does.

Sejal turns away sharply.

Asu pulls her.

Asu:

Come on. Lunch is over.

Sejal walks off.

Mit exhales.

Jack looks at him.

Jack:

Bro…

You’re totally in trouble.

Mit glares.

Mit:

Shut up.

But his eyes unconsciously move toward Ani’s classroom.

The school bell rings…

Students rush out.

Mit, Jack, Sana, Sam — all hostelers leave together.

Ani stays back because of some urgent work.

Soon, dark clouds cover the sky…

Rain starts pouring.

Ani is walking across the empty playground, holding her bag above her head.

Ani (muttering):

Great… just great. Of course it had to rain today…

She takes a step forward—

Slip!

Ani loses balance.

Ani (shocked):

Ah—!

Before she falls completely…

A hand grabs her arm firmly.

An umbrella appears above her head.

Ani looks up…

It’s Yash.

Ani (breathing fast):

Y-Yash…?

Yash (worried):

Are you okay?!

It’s so slippery… you could’ve gotten hurt.

Ani (trying to stand properly):

I… I’m fine.

Just… lost my balance.

Yash (softly):

You don’t look fine.

Ani notices the umbrella…

Ani (confused):

But… why are you still here?

Aren’t you supposed to go to the hostel?

Yash (hesitating):

I was going…

But then I saw you alone outside.

(quiet)

And I didn’t like that.

Ani becomes silent, rain falling around them.

Ani (awkward laugh):

It’s just rain, Yash.

I can manage.

Yash (serious):

It’s not about rain.

(pauses)

It’s about you being alone.

Ani looks at him, slightly surprised.

Ani:

You’re… different today.

Yash (smiles a little):

Maybe because…

I’m noticing things I didn’t before.

Ani’s cheeks turn slightly warm.

Ani (changing topic quickly):

Uh… thank you for saving me.

Yash:

Anytime.

(gently)

Come on… I’ll walk you to the gate.

They start walking under the same umbrella.

The rain keeps falling…

But Ani feels strangely safe.

Ani (quietly):

Yash… why are you being so nice to me?

Yash looks at her…

Yash (soft voice):

Because…

I think I want to be.

Ani doesn’t reply.

Only the sound of rain answers.

The hostel is quiet…

Only the sound of ceiling fans and distant laughter.

Mit, Jack, Sam, and Yash are in their room.

Sam is lying on his bed scrolling lazily.

Mit is pretending to study.

Jack is sitting like a detective.

And Yash…

Yash is unusually silent.

Jack (squinting):

Okay… something is wrong.

Sam (without looking up):

Yeah. The weather.

Jack:

Not the weather, genius.

HIM.

(points at Yash)

Mit (glancing):

What about him?

Jack (grinning):

He came back to the hostel late today.

Yash doesn’t respond.

Jack (dramatic gasp):

Oh my God…

Sam:

What?

Jack:

He was with… a GIRL.

Mit (suddenly alert):

What nonsense.

Jack:

Not nonsense.

(leans closer)

Tell us, Yash.

Who was she?

Yash sighs.

Yash (quietly):

Ani.

Silence.

Sam sits up.

Mit’s pen stops.

Jack’s eyes widen like a cartoon.

Jack:

ANI?!

Sam:

Wait… Ani Ani?

Jack:

The Ani who—

Mit (coldly):

Why were you with her?

Jack smirks immediately.

Jack:

OHHHHHH Mit is jealous.

Mit:

I’m not jealous.

Jack:

Your face says otherwise.

Sam (curious):

What happened?

Yash (hesitating):

She was alone in the playground…

It started raining.

She slipped.

I just… helped her.

Jack (teasing):

HELPED her?

Or held her?

Yash (annoyed):

Jack…

Jack:

What? I’m just asking!

Did you share the umbrella too?

Yash looks away.

Sam (grinning):

He definitely shared the umbrella.

Mit (trying to stay normal):

It’s not a big deal.

Jack (immediately):

Then why are you so tense?

Mit, you stare at Ani all day like she’s a maths problem.

And now Yash is walking with her in rain like a movie hero.

Mit’s ears turn slightly red.

Mit:

Just shut up and sleep.

Jack (laughing):

Guys, we have a love triangle starting.

Mit vs Yash.

Winner gets Ani.

Yash (softly, almost to himself):

It’s not like that…

Sam:

Then what is it like?

Yash pauses.

His voice becomes quieter.

Yash:

I don’t know.

But when she looked up at me…

For a second…

Everything felt… different.

Jack’s teasing smile fades a little.

Sam stays silent.

Even Mit doesn’t speak.

Jack (softly, joking to lighten mood):

Bro…

You’re finished.

You’ve fallen.

Yash gives a small smile.

Mit (low voice):

Just don’t hurt her.

Yash looks at Mit.

Yash:

I won’t.

The room becomes quiet again.

Outside…

Rain continues falling.

And inside…

New feelings begin.

Hostel room is dark.

Jack, Mit, and Sam are sleeping.

Only one small desk lamp is on.

Yash sits quietly, holding his pen.

He opens his diary.

His eyes look tired… but restless.

Yash (writing):

Dear Diary,

I thought hostel life would be simple.

Study.

Sleep.

Repeat.

But today…

Something happened that I can’t ignore.

He pauses.

The rain sound returns in his memory.

Yash (writing):

It was raining.

The playground was empty.

And then I saw her.

Ani.

Alone.

His handwriting becomes slower.

Yash (writing):

She slipped.

For a second, my heart stopped.

I didn’t even think.

I just ran.

I held her.

I opened the umbrella above her.

He grips the pen tighter.

Yash (writing):

She looked up at me…

And I forgot what I was supposed to say.

Her eyes weren’t dramatic.

They weren’t trying to impress anyone.

She was just… real.

He exhales quietly.

Yash (writing):

Jack keeps teasing me.

Sam keeps smiling like he knows everything.

And Mit…

Mit doesn’t say much.

But I can feel it.

He cares about Ani too.

Yash’s expression darkens slightly.

Yash (writing):

When Jack said Mit always stares at her…

I laughed.

But inside…

I didn’t like it.

Why?

I barely know her.

So why does it bother me?

He stops writing.

The room is silent.

Yash (writing):

Ani helped me in class yesterday.

Today, I helped her in the rain.

And now…

I feel like my mind is trapped.

He writes the next line softly.

Yash (writing):

I don’t want to fall for someone.

Especially not in a new school.

Especially not when someone else is already close to her.

But…

I think I already am.

He closes the diary slowly.

Yash (whispering):

This is dangerous.

He turns off the lamp.

But even in darkness…

His thoughts stay awake.

THANK YOU. PLEASE SUPPORT ME I AM NEW BEGGINER.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***