12 – Between Overs and Pages — Scene 1 – The Morning Walk The streets outside Sunrise Residency were already lively.
Dhruv stepped out with his bag hanging from one shoulder.
His white shirt was untucked on one side without him noticing.
His tie hung slightly loose, and his black blazer was, as usual, folded over his arm.
Deep stared at him.
“…Bro.” “What?” “You look like you fought your wardrobe.” Dhruv looked down.
“It’s clean.” “That’s not the point.” “It is to me.” Alya sighed.
“I’ve officially given up.” A few moments later…
Mitsuri came out of House No.
11.
Today, she had tied the front strands of her pink hair behind her head with a small white ribbon while the rest flowed over her shoulders.
She smiled brightly.
“Good morning.” Dhruv looked at her.
For just a second…
“She looks…
nice.” He smiled.
“Morning, Mitsuu.” She smiled a little wider hearing the nickname.
The four began walking toward school.
— Scene 2 – Literature Club Notice During lunch break…
A colorful notice was pinned to the board.
Literature Club Movie & Book Review Competition Participants can work in pairs.
Students gathered around.
Kabir looked at Mitsuri.
“You like movies, right?” She nodded enthusiastically.
“I do!” “Would you like to be partners?” Mitsuri thought for a moment.
“Sure.” Kabir smiled warmly.
“Great.” Just then…
Dhruv walked past the notice board carrying a stack of attendance files.
His eyes naturally moved toward Mitsuri.
She was smiling while talking to Kabir.
He looked away almost immediately.
“…Need to submit these first.” He continued walking.
— Scene 3 – Deep Notices From the opposite corridor…
Deep had witnessed everything.
“…Emergency.” Alya looked up from her notebook.
“What happened now?” “Kabir.” She followed his gaze.
“Oh.” “He asked Mitsuri to be his partner.” “…For a Literature Club activity.” Deep nodded dramatically.
“The mission has entered dangerous territory.” Alya closed her notebook.
“You’ve watched too many spy movies.” — Scene 4 – Cricket Ground The afternoon practice was intense.
Yash bowled a fast delivery.
Dhruv defended it perfectly.
“Again.” Another ball.
Another defense.
Aditya nodded.
“You’re improving.” Dhruv smiled.
“I’m trying.” Yash spun the ball in his hand.
“You seem distracted today.” Dhruv looked confused.
“Do I?” “You usually don’t leave three balls in a row.” “…Maybe I’m tired.” Yash shrugged.
“Happens.” — Scene 5 – Library School ended.
Dhruv needed to return a reference book.
The library was unusually quiet.
As he turned into the literature section…
He heard laughter.
Kabir was sitting across from Mitsuri.
Several books lay open between them.
Kabir pointed at a page.
“I still think the movie handled this better.” Mitsuri laughed.
“No way.” “The novel was much more emotional.” “You only say that because you like reading.” “And you don’t?” “I do.” “But not enough to admit defeat.” Both laughed.
Dhruv stood there for a second.
“…” Then quietly placed his book on the return shelf.
Without interrupting.
Without saying hello.
He simply left.
— Scene 6 – The Gate Outside…
Deep and Alya were waiting.
Deep noticed Dhruv walking out alone.
“Where’s Mitsuri?” “Library.” “Oh.” Dhruv adjusted the strap of his bag.
“We can wait.” A few minutes later…
Mitsuri hurried toward them.
“Sorry!” “I lost track of time.” “It’s okay,” Alya replied with a smile.
Deep looked around dramatically.
“Where’s Mr.
Literature?” Mitsuri giggled.
“He went home on his bicycle.” Deep nodded.
“I see…” Dhruv remained silent.
— Scene 7 – The Walk Home The four walked together.
Deep purposely walked ahead with Alya.
“So…” Alya whispered.
“You did that on purpose.” “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “You absolutely do.” Behind them…
Mitsuri looked at Dhruv.
“You’ve been quiet since school ended.” Dhruv shrugged.
“Just thinking.” “About studies?” “…Something like that.” She smiled.
“You think a lot.” “I guess.” For some reason…
That answer made her curious.
— Scene 8 – Society Park As they entered Sunrise Residency…
Some children were playing cricket.
“Dhruv bhaiya!” “One over!” Dhruv smiled.
“Only one.” He handed his bag to Deep.
“I’ll be back.” Mitsuri and Alya sat on a nearby bench.
They watched Dhruv bowl to the children.
Even after a long day…
He never looked annoyed.
If someone missed the ball…
He encouraged them.
If someone hit a boundary…
He clapped first.
Mitsuri rested her chin on her hand.
“…He’s always like that.” Alya smiled knowingly.
“Yeah.” “He doesn’t notice it himself.” — Scene 9 – Night Dhruv lay on his bed instead of studying immediately.
He stared at the ceiling.
His mind replayed one scene.
Kabir.
Mitsuri.
The library.
Both laughing together.
He sighed.
“…What exactly is bothering me?” He already knew the answer.
But…
He wasn’t ready to admit it.
He sat up.
Picked up his mathematics notebook.
“Enough.” “Study.” Even as he solved equations…
The laughter echoed faintly in the back of his mind.
For the first time in a long while…
Concentrating felt unusually difficult.