Aadhya's POV
We went back to our class.
Teachers weren't coming. So we were free for two periods.
Time was already ticking… and someone seemed too impatient.
Of course—none other than Mr. Samar.
Pacing back and forth like he had indigestion.
Me? I was playing with Avi.
Well… watching him play.
He had those KinderJoy toys. What do they call them… Transformers? Maybe.
He was all smiles, fighting here then there.
There was another idiot playing with him too.
"Boooshh here I go!" Avi said, flying his transformer.
So cute. Like a 7-year-old kid.
I giggled.
"Stop it Avi or I'll feed it to you," someone cut him off.
Samar.
"Don't scold him! You should be the one to stop. You've been pacing for a while now," I said, cutting him off.
That kid is just playing and now he'll get banned too.
"She said she would text me," Samar said, checking his phone every minute.
So impatient.
I ignored him.
"Maybe she doesn't have recharge," said the idiot playing with Avi.
Hmm… he had a point.
Who knows.
"Hmm he is right… uhu… hey what's your name?" I asked him, annoyed.
I don't know everyone's names.
"We've been together in a class for so long and you still don't know my name?" he asked, shocked.
"Do you think I'll ask if I know? Just answer, don't question," I said.
"It's Bhavik," he replied.
"Okay. Bhavik is right. Maybe she doesn't have recharge," I said, looking at Samar.
Still pacing.
Others? Not interested.
Busy with their own nonsense.
I got bored.
Thought to play a game.
I was about to open Pokémon… but instead opened messages.
There was one inbox.
Unknown number.
Should I block it?
No… let's check.
I opened it.
And then—relief.
"Hi Adi. This is Jiya. Tell Samar to meet me at our old hanging out place. Music room. In the evening. Thankyou."
It had been there for a while.
That's it.
I instantly shot up from my seat.
Went to Samar and showed him.
"Seems like she texted me," I said, smiling.
He looked at the phone.
Then at me.
Took it.
Read it again.
Returned it.
And went back to his seat… and sat.
Good.
Indigestion gone.
I sat back too.
Done.
Lunch period came.
Me and Avi—of course—went to our hanging out spot.
I even invited DJ.
He looked confused… but joined.
We went.
Avi arranged the benches.
We sat.
I handed him his lunch.
And I had extra in mine.
I knew he doesn't bring lunch.
So…
"Let's eat together," I offered DJ.
He just stared at it.
Not sure.
"It's good. She cooks well," Avi said, already munching.
DJ looked surprised.
Then at me.
"You know how to cook?" he asked, taking a bite.
Yeah yeah… just eat.
He took the first bite.
Then kept eating.
No reaction.
I waited.
Still nothing.
Maybe he didn't like it.
It's okay.
I started eating too.
Then started the usual—
Me and Avi bickering.
Teasing each other.
I teased him about Saanvi.
DJ joined in laughing.
Avi countered—me being bad at mobile games.
DJ laughed again.
He was just enjoying watching us roast each other.
Not new for us.
We do it almost every day.
But seeing him enjoy it like that… felt nice.
We finished lunch.
And went back to class.
After returning to class, they were all at the back the moment we entered.
Seemed like they were discussing something important.
We exchanged looks.
Avi looked at DJ seriously.
DJ looked back.
What the hell… they were literally talking with their eyes.
The others noticed us.
And just like that—everyone went back to their seats like nothing happened.
Suspicious.
Whatever.
Not my problem.
I have my own drama.
I sat on my bench.
Then came Garima ma'am's period.
So beautiful.
"Okay, I'm giving your projects for your upcoming exam," she announced.
And started forming groups.
"Samar, Aarav, Dheeraj, and Aadhya."
Great.
Same team.
Samar wasn't moving.
It's like he was in another world.
We three—me, Avi, and DJ—pulled our benches and sat beside him.
We were supposed to discuss the topic and write information.
"Hey Adi, give me a book. I'll write it," Avi said.
I nodded and started rummaging through my bag.
Where is my rough book…
I took everything out.
Then—
A letter fell on the table.
Oh.
Right.
That letter.
Before I could react, Samar saw it.
And his expression changed.
"Why do you have this?" he stood up and shouted.
Everyone looked at us.
Wow.
New drama unlocked.
"Huh… I just found it," I said nervously.
It's true though.
"Where did you find it?" he asked, staring at it.
"Umm… upstairs," I said slowly.
"What's happening there, Miss Aadhya?" ma'am asked.
Before I could say anything—
Samar walked out.
Like he was going to war.
Everyone stood up.
Shock.
They looked at the door.
Then back at me.
Wait—I didn't tell him to go.
"Miss Aadhya, will you tell?" ma'am asked seriously.
"Huh… madam that…" I started.
But what do I even say?
"If you can't say, just follow him," she said casually and went back to her work.
Wow.
So chill.
"Yes ma'am," I said and walked out.
Now where did he go…
I went upstairs.
Near the music room.
And then—
I heard someone crying.
I peeked inside.
He was kneeling on the floor.
Crying.
Papers scattered everywhere.
Oh.
I slowly walked in.
"Hey…" I was about to speak—
"Shut up. I don't want a lecture now," he snapped.
Okay.
Calm down Adi.
He's not in a good mood.
Don't die today.
I stayed quiet.
And sat beside him.
He kept crying.
What are you even supposed to do in this situation…
Then suddenly—
"I like reading her letters," he said.
I looked at him.
"I didn't realise it before… but now I know that I love her. And now how am I going to tell her that? I'm hopeless… pathetic…" he said, almost hitting himself.
Oh no.
I instantly stopped him.
"Hey—stop!"
His crying got worse.
I felt… bad.
Really bad.
So I just hugged him.
No thinking.
No plan.
Just… because he needed it.
He didn't hug back.
And that's okay.
"Everything will be alright," I said softly.
We stayed like that for a while.
When he calmed down, I let go and sat properly.
"You know what… I was angry at you when I heard your story," I said.
"But since I haven't heard your side, I won't judge you."
He looked at me.
"She's nice. And she deserves to be loved."
I paused.
"One thing is clear to me…"
I looked straight into his eyes.
"She still loves you."
He almost smiled.
I smiled back.
"So make sure you apologise properly… and win her back."
Just then—
The bell rang.
Oh no.
Time to go home.
"Okay then… I'm leaving. I hope you'll handle it well," I said, getting up.
And walked out.
Then ran.
Almost tripped on the stairs.
Typical.
I rushed into class—
And bumped into three monkeys.
Not one.
Three.
"What the hell—" I rubbed my head. It hurt.
"What happened?" "Is Samar okay?" "Are they getting back together?"
Questions. Questions. Questions.
Oh my god.
"I don't know. They'll talk," I said, ignoring them and packing my bag.
They stood at the door.
Like stubborn kids.
"What…"
"Go home," I said.
They shook their heads.
In sync.
Wow.
They rehearsed this stupidity.
"Go home or I'll kick you out," I threatened.
Still shaking.
Wow.
"Okay then—no chocolates tomorrow."
Instant reaction.
They grabbed their bags and walked out.
…
That easy?
I smiled.
Took my bag.
And walked out.
Nikansh and Vivaan also walked out.
They looked at me for a second.
Then left.
What the…
Always in sync.
I'm suspicious.
Their navels must be connected.
I walked ahead—
And suddenly Avi appeared beside me.
Out of nowhere.
"I should get the bigger one please," he said in a cute voice.
"Can't you buy one?" I teased.
He shook his head and held my arm.
Like I'm his boyfriend.
"It tastes better when it's free."
Wow.
Same mindset.
We started teasing each other again.
Then suddenly—
Section A joined us while walking toward the main gate.
Everyone exchanging sharp glares.
So intense.
Manik was glaring at me like he wanted to bury me alive.
Try it, demon.
I ignored him.
And kept walking.