Looking through the classroom window, the rhythm of Gul by Anuv Jain kept replaying in my head.
Even though the classroom was full of students, the emptiness of it still made me feel lonelier somehow.
Maybe some distances really do change everything without changing anything at all.
These days, even coaching felt dull.
Nikita had stopped asking questions after that day.
And somehow, that silence hurt more than her anger did.
I knew I was the one who chose this distance.
Still, I couldn't stop regretting it sometimes.
But whenever I thought about people talking about us behind our backs, I kept convincing myself that staying away from her was better.
Today was April 1st.
The new session had officially started, and because of that, both medical and non-medical students were sitting together in the same classroom.
There were so many unfamiliar faces around me.
One by one, everyone started introducing themselves.
Eventually, it was my turn.
I stood up from my seat and said,
"Good morning, everyone.
My name is Hriday Verma. I'm from Section D, and I scored 90 in Science and 94 in Standard Mathematics in my Class 10 board exams.
I hope we all make some good memories together."
As soon as I sat down, I heard a few voices from nearby.
"Wait… he's from Section D?"
"Then he's probably another asshole from Section D."
I stayed quiet, but inside my head, the same question kept repeating itself.
Why?
What had our section even done to deserve that kind of hatred?
Their words reminded me of things I had tried to forget.
During the sports festival, I wanted to participate in badminton.
Not for medals or recognition.
I just thought it would be fun since everyone was allowed to participate.
So I went to the PT teacher and asked about the procedure.
"Which section?" he asked.
"10-D," I replied.
The moment he heard Section D, his expression changed.
"These games aren't for delinquents," he said coldly.
I still remember standing there silently, not knowing what to say.
Another incident happened during the prize distribution ceremony for the board exam toppers.
My class teacher had told me that I secured second position in the school.
When I reached home that day, I was so excited that I told my mother,
"Mom, make some space on the wall for my medal."
She looked happier than I was.
We even celebrated that night.
But on the day of the ceremony, every award was given to students from Section A.
After the program ended, I asked one of the students who received an award about his marks.
"72 in Science," he replied.
"And 76 in Basic Mathematics."
I didn't say anything after that.
I slowly pushed those memories aside and looked back toward the classroom window.
The bell finally rang, announcing the lunch break.
"I should take a walk," I murmured to myself.
A few minutes later, I was sitting alone on the ground, staring up at the sky.
"Planning to eat the birds or something?" a familiar voice said from behind me.
It was Aarav.
"If I do, you want some too?" I replied.
He sat down beside me.
"Why are you sitting here all alone?"
I stayed quiet for a moment before asking,
"Why does everyone hate Section D so much? What did we even do to deserve it?"
Aarav let out a small sigh.
"That's a difficult question," he said.
"Most people don't even know us properly. They just build opinions from rumors… and from what teachers say about us."
Then he looked at me carefully.
"And you already know why people see us that way, don't you?"
I looked down at the grass.
"But not all of us were involved in that incident," I said quietly.
"Only a few classmates were."
Aarav gave me a knowing look.
"But your friend was involved, wasn't he?"
"He's my friend," I replied.
I tried to sound angry, but sadness slowly took over my voice.
Aarav laughed softly.
"Well… we shared all the good memories together.
Guess now we have to share the hatred too."
He leaned back against the wall and smiled faintly.
"Maybe that's just fate."
After the break ended, I returned to the classroom.
A group of boys was standing near the entrance.
"Move a little," I said quietly.
One of them stopped me with his arm.
"Listen carefully," he said.
"You're from Section D, right? Don't try anything funny in our class."
Another boy laughed.
"And stay away from the girls here."
For a second, I just stared at them.
Our class? Our territory?
The whole thing sounded so stupid that I didn't even argue.
I simply walked past them, picked up my bag, and sat on the last bench.
A few moments later, the girl sitting beside me suddenly screamed.
"Lizard! There's a lizard on the wall!"
At first, I laughed a little.
Then I got up and scared it away.
"Thank you, Hriday," she said softly.
I looked at her with slight surprise.
"You already know my name?"
"Yeah. You're the guy from Section D."
I let out a tired sigh.
"Again with the Section D thing…"
"Relax," she said.
"I don't care about all that."
For the first time that day, the classroom didn't feel as empty as before.
"Can I know your name?" I asked.
"Ayushi," she replied.
Reflection :
Maybe the classroom was never really empty.
I was just too consumed by my own silence to notice the people around me.