Somewhere Between Almost and Always

"वो जो एक शख़्स है ना मेरी ज़िन्दगी का...
मैं जिसको हिचकियों में याद करता हूँ...
वो जो मेरी ख़ामोशियों में बोलता है...
जिससे मिलकर भी दिल नहीं भरता...
शायद वही मोहब्बत है पहली बार की...

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Jugraafiya

The sun was already working overtime, pouring golden light through every leaf and rooftop of the town. Jay had tied his shoelaces with a little more care today. His mind strangely lighter, like the air was scented with possibility.

He hopped on his usual ride, nodding to the same uncle who always gave him a lift from the village. With his bag slung across his shoulder and earphones plugged in, the road felt oddly rhythmic. But what truly played on his mind wasn't a song, it was her. Tanvi. The girl under the gulmohar tree, the girl who questioned why he never batted.

Jay chuckled to himself. Who knew a badminton racquet and a half-smile could turn into a full-blown memory?

Swagat and Kabir were already there, Swagat leaning against a pillar like a model on break, Kabir in his usual cap, lazily flipping through his notes.

Jay strolled in like he owned the campus.

Swagat mockingly said, "Look who remembered he has friends!"

Kabir said grinning, "Did the king's feet finally touch the ground or did you trip on your own excellence?"

Jay rolled his eyes but smirked. "You guys are so jealous. It's radiating off your face like heat from a tandoor."

They high-fived in sync and sat under the big banyan tree.

"By the way, you were in dreamland yesterday in tuition. What's the story? I forgot to ask." Swagat asked.

Jay stretching arms, playing it cool said, "Nothing much. Just... saw someone I didn't think I'd see again."

 "Oh-ho! Tanvi?" asked Kabir.

Jay raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

 "Bro, your face lit up like Diwali the moment you see her everytime. And the way you were trying not to look at her made it obvious." said Kabir with a smirk.

 "He looked like he was doing yoga, twisting and turning just to not make eye contact." said Swagat while laughing. 

Jay groaned. "Okay okay! Fine. It's her. She's the same girl from the cricket field. But it's not like I'm gonna do anything about it."

"Why not?" Kabir asked.

Jay paused. "I don't know. She's friends with you. What if she thinks I'm annoying? Plus, she's got this... no-nonsense face. Like if I breathe too loud, she'll report me."

Swagat laughed, "Oh God. You're scared of a girl who handed you your spine back on a cricket field?"

Jay agreeing with Swagat said, "Exactly. That's why I want to keep it that way, mysterious admiration. No interaction, no heartbreak."

They all laughed, and Kabir punched Jay lightly on the arm. "You're an idiot, but a poetic one."

One the other hand, the sun slanted lazily across the cracked school corridors as Tanvi stepped into her classroom. School had now settled into its rhythm, the bells were familiar again, the chalk dust clung to the cuffs of sleeves, and the banter had returned to its rightful corners.