Zohan: Why? Do you think I'm always fighting? In your eyes, am I just a rowdy guy?
Arya: No, it's not like that. I've just never seen Aayan like that before, so I was a bit shocked, that's all.
Zohan: (A bit sadly) Huh...
Arya: Wait a minute, are you mad at me?
Zohan: No, it's nothing like that.
Arya: Is it? Because you usually talk to me so sweetly, right?
Zohan: No, I'm not mad.
(Hena and Aayan are smiling)
Hena (to herself): They are acting like a couple.
Arya: (Realising her mistake, she thinks for a moment and says to Zohan) You know what you are in my eyes? A smart guy who has always been good at studies, a great friend who always looks after and cares for his friends, someone who respects girls, and a good person who helps everyone.
Zohan: (A huge smile spreads across his face) Really?
(The teacher enters the class and the lecture begins, but after a moment, he stops)
Teacher: Was there a fight here?
A classmate: Yes, sir. Aayan got into a fight with a boy from the other section.
Teacher: What? Aayan?!! (Looking at Aayan in total shock)
Aayan: (Standing up) Yes, sir.
Teacher: If you've fought, it must be something serious, because you don't usually fight with anyone. Tell me, what happened?
Aayan: (Becoming serious) Sir, he was misbehaving with Hena. That's why I got angry. I'm sorry, sir, I shouldn't have fought in class, but he made me really angry.
Teacher: It's okay. Sit down, son. It's no problem if you punished someone for disrespecting a girl.
Aayan: Thank you, Sir!
(School ends and everyone heads home. Hena, Aayan, Arya, and Zohan stand near the school gate)
Arya: Guys, I'm leaving. You all get home safely, okay?
Hena: Yeah, come on Arya, let's go.
Arya: Huh?
Hena: What's wrong, Arya?
Arya (to herself): Man, I really want to go and see that haunted house. What should I do? Should I make an excuse and go back inside the school? Then I can tell Hena to head home on her own. Yeah, that'll work.
Hena: (Shaking Arya slightly) What's wrong? Are you okay? Let's go.
Arya: No, actually, I have some work with a teacher. Could you please head home with someone else?
Hena: Okay, I'll go with someone else, no worries. But you'll be late; who will you go with?
Zohan: I can wait a bit and drop you home.
Arya: No, there's no need! I'll go by myself. (A bit irritably)
Hena: What happened? Why are you talking to Zohan like that?
Arya: (Realising) Sorry... sorry... I didn't mean it.
Zohan: It's okay. If you're stressed about something, tell me, I'll help you.
Arya: Seriously, it's nothing. I'm fine.
Hena: Fine then, I'm leaving. Take care of yourself, okay?
Zohan: Are you really going to go alone?
Arya: No, who said that? If there's a lady teacher, I'll go with her, or if I find a friend, I'll go with them.
Zohan: Okay. (In his heart) Man, how can I leave her alone like this? Should I follow her? No, what if she gets scared of me? Should I just wait here and tell her I stayed back because I had work too? What should I do?
Arya: I have some work, I'm going. (She heads back inside)
Aayan: What happened, bro? Honestly, you're worried about her, aren't you?
Zohan: Yeah, man.
(Just then, the Principal calls him from near the gate)
Zohan: Man... you go ahead, I'll come in a bit.
Aayan: Okay bro, I'm off. Get home safely.
(Zohan goes to the Principal)
Zohan: What happened, Sir?
Principal: I wanted to ask—where did you find Sufiya?
Zohan: I mean, Sir, I don't understand what you're trying to say?
Principal: I mean, where and how did you meet Sufiya?
Zohan: At that house up ahead that's always locked. You know which house I'm talking about, right?
Principal: Yes, yes, the one that looks like it's from a horror movie, right?
Zohan: Yes, Sir, that one. We fainted there, and then suddenly she appeared and brought us back to our senses.
Principal: I see... okay, you may leave now.
Zohan: Thank you, Sir.
(Arya walks out of the school)
Zohan: (Going up to her) Arya... are you done?
Arya: What do you mean?!!
Zohan: I mean, is the work you had with the teacher finished?
Arya: Oh, yes. (To herself) Why is he still here? How do I tell him I was just wandering around inside waiting for them to leave so I could come back out?
Zohan: What's wrong, Arya? Come on, I'll drop you home.
Arya: (To herself) How do I say no now? Now I'll have to go home with him. I'll just have to go to that haunted house some other time.
Zohan: What happened?
Arya: Nothing. Let's go, hurry.
Zohan: Wait here for a minute, I'll go get my bicycle.
Arya: Okay, I'm right here.
(Zohan goes to fetch his cycle)