"Listen, everyone," Shubha Madam declared, rallying the class for the upcoming Independence Day celebration. It's been a week since Milan joined us, and words haven't flowed between us. Jimmy got sick, and our walks were put on hold. Yet, in school, there were those stolen glances and those small, sweet smiles she'd gift me. Prachi has become a good friend of hers; I see both of them together almost all the time. They were like inseparable twins. Sometimes, I feel Milan's eyes on me, especially during assembly when I'm commanding the stage. I like to think she's admiring me. A bit of self-delusion can't hurt, right?

 We even shifted our seats to the second bench to sit beside her. A couple of days back, Milan asked me for an eraser, and in my nervousness, I managed to spill my geometry box everywhere. She helped me pick up the mess, and there it was – that small smile. But later, I overheard Prachi asking her why she needed the eraser when she already had one. Maybe she tried to talk to me; I wonder what it is, but it all feels good.