Chapter 15
The Things You Start to Notice
Something wasn't right.
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Vihaan didn't know when the thought started.
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Maybe yesterday.
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Maybe before that.
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Maybe it had always been there—
He just never paid attention.
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But now—
He couldn't ignore it anymore.
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She came late again.
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Bela slipped into her seat quietly.
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No eye contact.
No words.
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Just silence.
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Vihaan watched her.
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Not obviously.
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But enough.
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Her movements were slower.
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Careful.
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Like she was trying not to draw attention.
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But that only made it more noticeable.
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"…You're late."
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The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
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Bela paused slightly.
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"…I know."
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"That's new."
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A small pause.
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"…Traffic."
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A lie.
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Again.
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Vihaan didn't respond.
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Because now—
He was starting to recognize them.
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Class began.
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The teacher's voice filled the room.
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But Vihaan wasn't listening.
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Not really.
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Because every few minutes—
His attention shifted.
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Back to her.
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She rested her hand on the desk.
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Still.
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Too still.
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Her pen moved—
Then stopped.
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Then moved again.
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Like even writing took effort.
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At one point—
She pressed her fingers lightly against her stomach.
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Just for a second.
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Then—
Dropped her hand quickly.
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Like it never happened.
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Vihaan's eyes narrowed slightly.
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Because that—
That wasn't normal.
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Break time came.
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Bela didn't move immediately.
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She stayed seated.
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Head slightly lowered.
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"…You're not coming?" Samar asked.
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She shook her head.
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"…I'll come later."
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"You said that yesterday."
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"I'm saying it again."
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Samar frowned slightly.
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"…You okay?"
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"Yeah."
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Too quick.
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Too automatic.
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Vihaan stood up.
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Without saying anything—
He walked out.
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But his mind—
Didn't leave the classroom.
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The canteen was noisy.
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Crowded.
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But Samar didn't join the usual chatter.
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Instead—
He sat across from Vihaan.
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Watching him.
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"…You've been quiet," Samar said.
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No response.
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"…That's my thing, by the way."
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Still nothing.
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Samar leaned back.
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"…You noticed it too, didn't you?"
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That got his attention.
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Vihaan looked at him.
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"…Noticed what?"
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Samar held his gaze.
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"For someone who 'notices things'…"
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A pause.
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"You're late."
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Silence.
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"…Say it clearly."
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Samar sighed.
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"…Bela."
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That was enough.
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"…What about her?"
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Samar hesitated.
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Because this—
This wasn't something he could say directly.
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Not his place.
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"…She's not like before."
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"I know that."
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"Then?"
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A pause.
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"…Something's wrong."
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The words were simple.
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But they carried weight.
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Because they weren't a guess.
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They were a confirmation.
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Vihaan's jaw tightened slightly.
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"…What do you know?"
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Samar looked away.
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"…Not everything."
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"That's not an answer."
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"It's the only one you're getting."
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Silence.
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Because pushing further—
Wouldn't work.
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"…Just don't ignore it," Samar added quietly.
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That—
That stayed.
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Back in class—
Bela had moved to the window seat.
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Not her usual place.
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Not beside him.
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That—
That was new.
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Vihaan stopped at the door for a second.
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Watching.
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Then—
He walked in.
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Sat down.
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Alone.
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His eyes drifted toward her.
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She was looking outside.
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Distant.
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Lost.
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Like she wasn't even there.
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The teacher's voice continued.
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But again—
It didn't matter.
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Because this time—
He wasn't just noticing.
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He was thinking.
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Connecting.
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Late.
Tired.
Avoiding.
Quiet.
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And that moment—
Her hand on her stomach.
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Something wasn't right.
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And it wasn't something small.
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After school—
She left early again.
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Quick.
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Without waiting.
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Without looking back.
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Vihaan stood up immediately.
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"…Where are you going?" Samar asked.
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No answer.
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Because he already knew.
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The corridor was almost empty.
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But he caught up.
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"Bela."
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She stopped.
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Slowly turned.
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"…What now?"
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Her voice wasn't annoyed.
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Just—
Tired.
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"…What's wrong?"
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Straight again.
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No hesitation.
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Bela blinked.
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"…Nothing."
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"Stop lying."
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Her expression tightened slightly.
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"I'm not—"
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"You are."
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Silence.
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Because this time—
He wasn't asking.
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He was stating.
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"…Why do you care so much?" she asked.
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The question came out softer than before.
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Less defensive.
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More… tired.
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Vihaan didn't hesitate.
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"…Because something's not right."
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A pause.
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"And you won't say it."
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Bela looked at him.
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For a moment—
Longer than usual.
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Then—
She smiled.
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A small one.
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Faint.
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"…You really notice too much."
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"…Answer me."
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She shook her head slightly.
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"…You don't need to know."
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"I do."
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"No, you don't."
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Silence.
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Her smile faded.
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"…Some things," she said quietly, "are better left alone."
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"That's not your decision to make."
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A pause.
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"…It is when it's about me."
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That—
That stopped him.
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Because she was right.
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And he hated it.
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Bela stepped back.
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"…Please," she added softly.
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Not pushing.
Not running.
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Just—
Asking.
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Vihaan didn't move.
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Didn't stop her this time.
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Because something in her eyes—
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Wasn't hiding anymore.
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It was protecting.
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And whatever she was protecting—
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It wasn't small.
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Bela turned.
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Walked away.
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Again.
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But this time—
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Vihaan didn't feel confused.
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He felt certain.
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Something was wrong.
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Something serious.
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And whether she wanted him to know or not—
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He was going to find out.