Chapter 27
"What????" I gasp , as I hear the principal announce something that i could never imagine.
"Kartik resign???" I questioned to the other teachers making sure i heard him right.
They all nodded and the geography teacher spoke "Yes, i don't know why but he seemed serious"
Why do suddenly? What happened. It's not like
I'm feeling guilty for slapping him before but it's just so sudden.
Anyway not my problem, i shake my head throwing away the thoughts of him and grab the English book and walk towards the Class .
"Good Morniiiiiiiiing Ma'am" And here's the student's national greetings.
I chuckle softly as I put down my attendance book on my desk . I clear my throat, letting my eyes scan the familiar faces sitting in front of me.
“Good morning,” I reply, pretending I don’t secretly enjoy their dramatic greetings.
A few students grin. A few groan when they see the English book in my hand.
“Attendance,” I announce, flipping the pages open.
As I start calling out names, my mind drifts just for a second back to the staff room conversation.
Kartik resigned.
The thought feels… strange. Not painful. Not relieving either. Just odd. Like closing a book I never finished reading.
I shake my head subtly and force my attention back to the class.
“Arjun?”
“Present, ma’am!”
“Kavya?”
“Here, ma’am.”
Their voices ground me. This is my routine. My safe place.
Once attendance is done, I place the book aside and rest my palms on the desk.
“Alright,” I say, clapping once. “Today we’re starting a new chapter.”
A collective sigh fills the room.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I warn lightly. “It’s actually an interesting one.”
A brave student from the front raises his hand. “Ma’am… will this come in exams?”
I smile sweetly. Dangerously.
“Everything comes in exams.”
The class groans louder this time, and I laugh, shaking my head.
As I turn towards the blackboard and pick up the chalk, I feel it again that calm, steady feeling in my chest.
For the first time in years, nothing feels heavy. No unanswered questions. No ache sitting quietly in the corner of my heart.
The final bell rings, loud and sharp, cutting through the air.
“Ma’ammm,” the class groans in unison, already halfway out of their seats.
I smile, closing the book. “Alright, alright. You’re free. Go before I change my mind.”
That’s all it takes.
The classroom empties within seconds, laughter and chatter fading down the corridor. I gather my things slowly, slipping my notebook into my bag, my movements unhurried.
Another day done.
As I step out into the hallway, the school feels different quieter, warmer somehow.
Teachers pass by, nodding, exchanging tired smiles. I return them absentmindedly, my thoughts drifting.
By the time I reach the school gate, the afternoon sun hangs low, casting long shadows on the ground.
And then I see him.
Lorenzo stands just outside the gate, leaning casually against his car like he owns the place and maybe he does. Dark shirt, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy like he’s run his hand through it one too many times.
In his hand—
Flowers.
A bouquet. Soft colours. Simple. Beautiful.
My steps slow without me realizing it.
He looks up the moment he senses me, his eyes finding mine instantly. His lips curve into that familiar smirk—the one that always makes my heart do something stupid.
“Ma’am,” he greets, mockingly polite, holding the flowers out. “For you.”
I blink, caught off guard. “What are you doing here?”
“Picking you up,” he replies easily. “Isn’t that what boyfriends do?”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Lorenzo,” I hiss, glancing around. “I’m at school.”
“So?” He shrugs. “Let them see. I’m proud.”
I bite my lip, failing to hide my smile as I take the flowers from him. They smell fresh soft and comforting.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
His gaze softens instantly, the teasing melting into something deeper. “You look good today,” he adds quietly.
I shake my head, stepping past him. “You say that every day.”
“Because it’s true every day.”
He falls into step beside me as we walk toward the car, his presence warm and grounding. The weight of the day slips off my shoulders with every step.
As he opens the door for me, our fingers brush just briefly.
And somehow, that tiny touch feels like a promise.
The moment the car pulls away from the school, I realize something is… off.
We don’t take the usual road.
I glance out the window, watching unfamiliar turns slip past, my fingers tightening slightly around the bouquet in my lap.
“Lorenzo,” I say carefully, “where are we going?”
He doesn’t answer right away.
Instead, I feel his hand find mine, warm and steady, thumb brushing slow circles over my knuckles like he’s grounding me before I can spiral.
“Trust me,” he says softly. “Just for a little while.”
My heart stutters.
“That’s not an answer,” I mutter, but I don’t pull my hand away.
A few minutes later, the car slows to a stop. Before I can ask again, he’s already stepping out, moving around to my side. He opens the door and crouches slightly so he’s at eye level with me.
Then he pulls something from his pocket.
A soft black cloth.
I stare at it. “…Is that a blindfold?”
His lips twitch, amused. “Yes.”
“Absolutely not.”
He chuckles, low and warm. “Ruhi.”
I fold my arms. “You’re not tying my eyes and taking me to some suspicious location. I read crime novels.”
He laughs properly this time, head tipping back. “Fair. But I promise no danger. No surprises you won’t like.”
I study his face. The calm in his eyes. The certainty. The way his thumb still presses gently against my wrist, like he’s waiting for permission.
“…You swear?” I ask quietly.
He nods once. “On everything I am.”
After a beat, I sigh. “If I disappear, I’m haunting you.”
He grins. “Deal.”
I let him tie the cloth around my eyes, his fingers careful, slow, making sure it’s comfortable not tight, not restrictive. When the world goes dark, my other senses sharpen.
The sound of gravel under shoes. The scent of earth… and something floral. His hand firm around mine as he guides me forward.
“Step,” he murmurs when the ground changes, steadying me instantly.
Despite myself, a smile pulls at my lips.
My heart is racing not from fear, but anticipation.
“Lorenzo?” I whisper.
“Yes, amore?”
“If this is some dramatic reveal, it better be worth the heart attack.”
His laugh brushes close to my ear as he leans in. “Oh, trust me,” he murmurs. “It is.”
And for the first time, I let myself believe him completely.