~Episode 12~
The whole class sat in a heavy, painful silence, the kind of silence that grows when everyone knows something unpleasant is about to happen. The moment the class teacher walked in, all gossip, laughter, and movement died instantly. She carried a register tucked under her arm, her expression already serious as she reached her seat.
She didn't waste a second.
Sitting down on a chair, opened the register with a sharp flip of her fingers and scanned the list of names. It was the list of students who had not submitted their holiday assignments the homework she had given before the vacation with clear instructions.
Her eyes stopped.
Her voice rose, firm and unquestionable.
"Ivan, did you submit your project?"
A wave of attention immediately shifted to the last bench.
The teacher's finger ran along the line where Ivan's name was written. The due date had crossed a week ago. His column still said Not Submitted.
Dozens of eyes turned toward him.
Ivan, however, barely reacted. He never reacted much these days. He had become the quietest, most withdrawn boy in the entire class. The kind of silence that wasn't peaceful—it was heavy, lonely, and full of something unspoken.
He kept his gaze lowered, staring at the corner of his desk as if it could protect him from the world.
"I… will tomorrow."
His voice was barely above a whisper. Soft. Dry. Almost lifeless.
"When? I warned you last week."
Her voice grew sharper.
"Submit it tomorrow, or I will complain to your mother."
Her anger wasn't just anger. It carried disappointment, grief, and a strange helplessness. She knew Ivan had lost his father last year. She had even tried to be softer for months. But she couldn't let sympathy become an excuse forever. Life did not pause for anyone's pain. It kept moving. And she wanted him to move, too.
Behind Ivan, someone whispered,
"She's too tough."
Ryaan whispered behind Ivan's ear. Ryaan sat beside him, fully relaxed and calm. His fearless personality and confidence demanded Ivan's attention.
"Shhh…" Ivan put a finger near his mouth. "Don't talk."
Ryaan smiled softly.
"Do you want to come to my home?"
"Why?" Ivan was shocked. "Why would I come to your home?"
It had been a year since Ivan went anywhere except school and home. He avoided every relationship—not that he had any friends before. And relatives… he avoided them completely.
"We'll play video games… and complete your assignment,"
Ryaan whispered again near Ivan's ear.
Ivan's lips twitched into a small, strange smile.
He slowly turned his head away from the blackboard to look at Ryaan properly.
The sunlight from the window hit Ryaan's face, making his curly hair glow a little, his skin warm and soft-looking. For the first time, Ivan looked at him longer than a second.
"You live alone?" he asked quietly.
"No," Ryaan chuckled. "With my uncle. But he's always busy with work."
He rolled his eyes at the thought. Chemistry class was dragging on painfully, the teacher drawing complicated diagrams on the board. The last bench felt like a separate world where whispers couldn't reach anyone but them.
"I'll come," Ivan finally said.
After Ryaan insisted, Ivan finally agreed to visit his home—at least for five minutes.
"so sweet. Will meet After school."
A small, soft smile spread on Ivan's face.
He looked at Ryaan, trying to understand this person.