17-04-2025, 04:03 AM
Episode 18: Noticing, Silently
The next morning arrived wrapped in soft golden light. The rains had passed overnight, leaving the college grounds smelling of wet earth and mango leaves. Everything felt fresher, calmer—even the corridor chatter was lower, as if the weather had softened the noise.
Inside the classroom, Meera was already at the board. She was explaining equations—fluid, confident, one hand drawing smooth numbers while the other adjusted her pallu now and then.
Today, she wore a soft mint green saree, pleated neatly at the waist, paired with a plain black blouse. The contrast made every detail sharper—every movement, every shadow where the fabric dipped or clung.
Arjun barely blinked.
His notebook was open, but his pen sat untouched in the groove of the desk. His eyes were glued to her—the way the pleats of her saree hugged her waist, the way her blouse framed the upper curves of her back, the slight tightening whenever she reached too high.
And that strip of skin above her waist—the one that always appeared when she turned just right or moved just enough—it was there again. Toned, soft, smooth. No navel in sight. But it didn’t matter.
He was hypnotized.
Outside the Class – Priya Pausing
Priya passed the classroom again, idly chewing on a pen cap. Her intent wasn’t to eavesdrop. She wasn’t even sure what made her glance in.
But she did.
And there he was again—Arjun, same seat, same posture. Still. Focused. Eyes fixed.
She followed his line of sight.
Meera, writing at the board. Her blouse lifting slightly as she underlined something, waist exposed in just the way Arjun seemed to wait for.
Priya blinked.
Not surprise this time. Not even curiosity.
Just... recognition.
She smiled to herself. A small one. Half amused, half knowing. And kept walking.
After Class
The bell rang. Students packed up.
Meera collected her papers, asking a doubt-clearing question without looking up. Arjun didn’t reply—he hadn’t heard her. He was still somewhere else.
She looked up. “Arjun?”
He blinked fast. “Yes, Ma’am. Sorry.”
She handed him a handout, still unaware of the weight behind his silence. “This one’s for the next chapter. Read ahead if you can.”
He nodded, taking it carefully. “Okay, Ma’am.”
She turned away, back to her desk.
And Arjun stood there for a second longer, just watching her walk—saree swaying, her frame silhouetted in the afternoon light.
Another image, added to his collection.
Another moment, burned in.
To be continued…
The next morning arrived wrapped in soft golden light. The rains had passed overnight, leaving the college grounds smelling of wet earth and mango leaves. Everything felt fresher, calmer—even the corridor chatter was lower, as if the weather had softened the noise.
Inside the classroom, Meera was already at the board. She was explaining equations—fluid, confident, one hand drawing smooth numbers while the other adjusted her pallu now and then.
Today, she wore a soft mint green saree, pleated neatly at the waist, paired with a plain black blouse. The contrast made every detail sharper—every movement, every shadow where the fabric dipped or clung.
Arjun barely blinked.
His notebook was open, but his pen sat untouched in the groove of the desk. His eyes were glued to her—the way the pleats of her saree hugged her waist, the way her blouse framed the upper curves of her back, the slight tightening whenever she reached too high.
And that strip of skin above her waist—the one that always appeared when she turned just right or moved just enough—it was there again. Toned, soft, smooth. No navel in sight. But it didn’t matter.
He was hypnotized.
Outside the Class – Priya Pausing
Priya passed the classroom again, idly chewing on a pen cap. Her intent wasn’t to eavesdrop. She wasn’t even sure what made her glance in.
But she did.
And there he was again—Arjun, same seat, same posture. Still. Focused. Eyes fixed.
She followed his line of sight.
Meera, writing at the board. Her blouse lifting slightly as she underlined something, waist exposed in just the way Arjun seemed to wait for.
Priya blinked.
Not surprise this time. Not even curiosity.
Just... recognition.
She smiled to herself. A small one. Half amused, half knowing. And kept walking.
After Class
The bell rang. Students packed up.
Meera collected her papers, asking a doubt-clearing question without looking up. Arjun didn’t reply—he hadn’t heard her. He was still somewhere else.
She looked up. “Arjun?”
He blinked fast. “Yes, Ma’am. Sorry.”
She handed him a handout, still unaware of the weight behind his silence. “This one’s for the next chapter. Read ahead if you can.”
He nodded, taking it carefully. “Okay, Ma’am.”
She turned away, back to her desk.
And Arjun stood there for a second longer, just watching her walk—saree swaying, her frame silhouetted in the afternoon light.
Another image, added to his collection.
Another moment, burned in.
To be continued…
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