14 – Different Paths — Scene 1 – A Different Routine Tuesday morning.
The sky was clear.
Deep was already standing outside House No.
8, spinning his house keys around his finger.
Alya adjusted the strap of her school bag.
“…He’s late.” Just then, Urvi stepped out carrying a bag of vegetables.
“Looking for Dhruv?” Deep nodded.
“He left early again.” “Again?” “He said morning is quieter.” Urvi looked toward the empty road.
“I think he’s trying something.” Neither Deep nor Alya replied.
A few seconds later…
Mitsuri stepped out wearing her neatly pressed uniform.
Her long pink hair was tied into a loose ponytail, swinging gently as she walked.
She looked around.
“…He already left?” Urvi nodded.
“He didn’t even eat breakfast properly.” Mitsuri’s smile faded a little.
“Oh…” The three quietly began walking toward school.
— Scene 2 – The Classroom Dhruv was already solving mathematics when Mitsuri entered.
His white shirt sleeves were rolled to his elbows, his tie was hanging slightly loose, and his messy black hair looked like he had simply run his fingers through it once.
He looked up.
“Morning, Mitsuu.” “Morning…” She waited.
Normally…
He would’ve asked how her morning was.
Or joked about Deep.
Instead…
He returned to solving questions.
She slowly sat beside him.
Her fingers lightly tightened around her pen.
— Scene 3 – Lunch Break Deep dropped his lunch box onto the table.
“I’ve reached a conclusion.” Alya looked up.
“Already?” “Dhruv is avoiding us.” “Not just us.” He looked at Mitsuri.
“…Mostly her.” Mitsuri blinked.
“Me?” “He leaves early.” “Practices longer.” “Eats faster.” “Goes straight to class.” Alya rested her chin on her hand.
“…You’re right.” Mitsuri looked down at her lunch.
“…Did I really do something?” “No.” A familiar voice answered.
Kabir.
He had come to return a Literature Club notebook.
“If Dhruv had a problem with you…” “He doesn’t seem like the type to ignore it.” “He’d probably tell you directly.” Mitsuri looked at him.
“…You think so?” Kabir smiled gently.
“I do.” — Scene 4 – The Library Window Later that afternoon…
Dhruv walked toward the library to return another book.
As he passed the Literature Club room…
He accidentally looked inside.
Kabir and Mitsuri were arranging books on a table.
Kabir said something.
Mitsuri laughed.
Dhruv immediately looked away.
“…” Without entering the library…
He turned around.
Instead…
He walked toward the cricket ground.
— Scene 5 – Aggression “You’re early.” Aditya looked surprised.
Practice wasn’t scheduled for another thirty minutes.
“I wanted extra batting.” Aditya nodded.
“Fine.” For the next hour…
Dhruv trained alone.
Drive.
Pull.
Cut.
Sweep.
Again.
Again.
Again.
His palms began to sting.
Yash arrived midway through practice.
“…You’re here already?” Dhruv nodded.
“Couldn’t sit at home.” Yash smiled.
“I like this version.” Dhruv quietly replied, “I don’t.” — Scene 6 – Deep Interferes School ended.
Deep walked onto the cricket ground.
Dhruv was collecting balls.
“What?” Deep crossed his arms.
“What’s going on?” “Nothing.” “You’re a terrible liar.” Dhruv kept placing balls into the basket.
“I’m just practicing.” “You’ve doubled your practice.” “So?” “You’ve stopped walking with us.” “So?” “You barely talk to Mitsuri.” Dhruv finally looked at him.
“…Deep.” “I just want to focus.” Deep frowned.
“You can do both.” Dhruv shook his head.
“…Not right now.” Then he picked up the bat again.
The conversation was over.
— Scene 7 – Evening Walk For the first time…
The road back to Sunrise Residency felt strange.
Only three people walked together.
Deep.
Alya.
Mitsuri.
Usually…
Deep filled the silence with jokes.
Today…
Even he stayed quiet.
Mitsuri looked toward the empty road ahead.
“…It feels lonely.” Alya looked at her.
“…Yeah.” — Scene 8 – Balcony That evening…
Dhruv stood on his balcony after finishing another fifty push-ups.
Sweat dripped from his forehead.
He looked across the society.
House No.
11.
The balcony light was on.
Mitsuri was watering a small plant.
She looked peaceful.
For a moment…
Their eyes met across the distance.
Mitsuri smiled instinctively.
A small…
Gentle smile.
Dhruv smiled back.
Only for a second.
Then…
He stepped back inside.
Closed the balcony door.
Mitsuri remained standing there.
The smile slowly disappeared.
“…” She whispered softly, “What happened to you…?” The night breeze carried her words away before anyone could hear them.