Chapter 2

**Two weeks later...**

It was a peaceful evening at Arjun's house.

Arjun was sitting at his study table, surrounded by books, when he heard his parents talking in the living room.

“We should plan a family trip during the holidays,” his father said.

His mother smiled. “Yes. And let's invite my sister's family too. It has been a long time since everyone went somewhere together.”

The moment Arjun heard that, his pen stopped.

**His sister's family.**

His heart skipped.

*Shasha...*

He tried to hide the smile forming on his face.

“Why are you smiling?” his mother suddenly asked.

Arjun quickly looked down at his book.

“Nothing, Mom. I was just... thinking about something.”

His mother smiled suspiciously but said nothing.

### **The Journey**

A few days later, the trip finally began.

Two families.

Two cars.

Too many bags.

And countless plans.

The journey was filled with laughter, music, snacks, and playful arguments.

Arjun sat quietly near the window, watching the scenery pass by.

Then another car stopped beside theirs.

He looked through the window.

And there she was.

**Shasha.**

She was sitting near the window of the other car, talking happily with her mother.

For a moment, Arjun forgot about everything around him.

She noticed him looking.

Their eyes met.

Shasha smiled.

Arjun immediately turned toward the window, pretending to watch the scenery.

His ears turned red.

His sister Aarna noticed.

She looked at him suspiciously.

“Why are you suddenly so quiet?”

“I'm always quiet,” Arjun replied.

Aarna narrowed her eyes.

“Hmm... I don't believe you.”

Arjun said nothing.

### **The First Conversation**

At their first stop, everyone got down to stretch their legs and have some snacks.

Arjun was standing alone when he heard a voice behind him.

“Arjun?”

He turned around.

It was Shasha.

For a second, he didn't know what to say.

“Hi,” she said with a smile.

“H-hi.”

She laughed softly.

“You've become so quiet. You were even quieter last time.”

Arjun smiled awkwardly.

“I don't know what to say.”

“Then don't say anything,” she teased.

For the first time, Arjun laughed in front of her.

It was a small conversation.

Nothing special.

But to Arjun...

**it was everything.**

### **The Little Moments**

As the trip continued, little moments began to collect in Arjun's memory.

Shasha giving him a packet of snacks when he forgot to take one.

The two of them laughing when their families got lost on the way.

Shasha asking about his studies.

“You're still a topper, right?”

Arjun smiled.

“Trying to be.”

“You'll definitely be one.”

Those simple words stayed with him.

At another place, everyone gathered for a family photograph.

Arjun stood at the back.

Shasha stood a few people away.

Just before the photo was taken, she turned around and smiled at him.

**Click.**

The photograph captured everyone.

But Arjun knew exactly which moment he would remember.

That night, everyone was tired after travelling all day.

Arjun lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

His mind kept replaying the day's moments.

Her smile.

Her voice.

Their little conversation.

He smiled quietly.

He knew this feeling was growing stronger.

But he also knew something else.

He was still too young to understand what love really meant.

For now, he only knew one thing—

**Whenever Shasha was around, the lonely world inside him didn't feel so lonely anymore.**

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