Same bench,different worlds 🌸

Same Bench, Different Worlds

Class XI–A "science section" smelled of chalk dust, old wooden benches, and impatience.

Rutvik sat on the last bench by the window—his usual spot. One leg stretched out, tie loose, blazer nowhere to be seen. His notebook was open, but blank. The teachers thought he didn’t care.

They were wrong.

He just didn’t like pretending.

The bell rang, and students rushed in, voices loud, laughter careless. That’s when Anvi entered.

Hair neatly braided. Uniform crisp. Books held close like they mattered—because to her, they did. She scanned the room, paused, and frowned.

Her usual seat was taken.

“Anvi,” the class teacher said, already tired, “you’ll sit there today.”

She pointed to the last bench.

Rutvik’s bench.

A few heads turned. Someone smirked. Someone whispered, “Bad choice.”

Anvi hesitated—just for a second—then walked back.

Rutvik looked up.

Their eyes met.

“Oh,” he said, surprised. “You’re… sitting here?”

She placed her bag down calmly. “Looks like it.”

He leaned back slightly, amused. “You sure? Last bench is… contagious.”

“Of what?” Anvi asked, opening her notebook.

“Trouble,” he replied.

She finally looked at him properly. “I’ll manage.”

That made him smile. Not wide. Just enough.

The teacher began the lesson—algebra. Anvi followed every word, pen moving smoothly. Rutvik, on the other hand, stared out the window like equations offended him personally.

Halfway through, the teacher snapped,

“Rutvik! Answer the next question.”

Silence.

Anvi glanced sideways. He hadn’t even opened the chapter.

She sighed softly and whispered, “It’s x equals five.”

Rutvik blinked. Looked at her. Then stood up.

“Five, ma’am.”

The teacher nodded and moved on.

He sat back down, turning to Anvi. “You just saved my life.”

“I saved you from detention,” she corrected. “Big difference.”

He chuckled. “Still. Thanks…?”

“Anvi.”

“Rutvik,” he said, like she didn’t already know.

For the first time that day, he opened his notebook.

Not for algebra.

For her name.

When the bell rang, Anvi closed her book neatly.

“You should study,” she said, standing up.

He raised an eyebrow. “And ruin my reputation?”

She smiled—just once. “Bad boys with brains are more dangerous.”

Then she walked away.

Rutvik watched her go, something unfamiliar settling in his chest.

Different worlds.

Same classroom.

And a story that had just found its first Page ❤️