Aadhya's POV
Few days later. Result day.
Damn it.
I was sitting on my seat like a tragic heroine waiting for her downfall. Head slightly tilted, eyes half dead, soul already out of body.
Because today…
Results.
My public execution.
And these two traitors—Avi and DJ—were just EXISTING peacefully like they didn't commit the biggest betrayal in history.
I mean seriously??
During the exam I was lying there… head down… unconscious… practically in a coma… and NOT ONCE did they think—
"Hey maybe we should wake her before she fails life."
No.
Best friends?
More like professional backstabbers.
I was mentally preparing myself.
"Okay Aadhya… when your name appears at the bottom… don't cry… don't faint… just walk away with dignity…"
Who am I kidding.
I will cry.
Suddenly—
"Do you want pancakes?"
…
I slowly looked up.
Avi.
Of course.
Out of nowhere like a hallucination.
I stared at him for two seconds.
Then nodded instantly.
Because priorities.
Emotional breakdown later. Sugar first.
He opened his bag…
And I swear I stopped breathing.
Flour. Eggs. Milk. Chocolate syrup.
WHAT. THE. HELL.
Is he running a kitchen inside his bag??
"Wow… that's very generous of you," I said slowly, eyes still stuck on the ingredients, "but they aren't cooked yet."
He froze. Scratched his head. "Umm…"
Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.
"Wait," I said, standing up like I just received divine inspiration.
If life won't give me marks… I'll make pancakes.
I marched to the back of the class.
Boxes everywhere. Dust everywhere. My destiny somewhere in between.
I opened one—
"AH—"
COUGH COUGH COUGH
Dust attacked me like it had personal revenge.
Am I here to cook or to die??
A few boys coughed dramatically and ran out.
Good.
Less witnesses.
I kept searching… throwing things… creating chaos…
And then—
Found it.
A PAN.
I held it like I just found treasure.
Behind me—
Avi's face lit up like Diwali lights.
"YESSS NOW WE CAN MAKE PANCAKES!"
Calm down.
We just found a pan, not solved world hunger.
"Find a plug point," I ordered like a commander.
He ran. Actually ran.
Found one near the board.
We set everything up like professionals… or at least like people pretending to be professionals.
I took the bowl.
Flour. Eggs. Milk.
Mixing like my life depends on it.
Because right now… it does.
Pan heating.
Avi literally vibrating with excitement.
Then suddenly—
The monkeys returned.
And the moment the smell hit them—
THEY ATTACKED.
"We will have too," Neel declared like he pays the fees here.
"Here," I handed him the raw batter. "Eat."
"Of course when it's cooked," he replied.
Oh wow. Brain cells exist.
Then one idiot leaned in—
"Why are you so sullen? Are you on your period?"
…
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
I slowly stood up.
"Yes I am. Want me to slap you with my pad?"
And just like that—
BACK OFF MODE ACTIVATED.
They all stepped away like I turned into a ghost.
Good.
Fear is important.
The pan was ready.
I lifted the batter—then paused.
Something felt… wrong.
I turned slowly.
"Avi…"
He looked innocent. Too innocent.
"Don't tell me… you don't have a spatula."
He smiled.
And then—
Pulled it out of his shirt like some undercover agent.
…
This boy is not human.
I snatched it before he could perform another trick.
And poured the batter.
Sssssss…
That sound.
Pure satisfaction.
First pancake ready.
Avi handed me a plate like assistant chef of the year.
I placed it carefully.
He poured chocolate syrup like it's a masterpiece.
"Let's taste," I said seriously.
He cut a piece…
And fed me.
I chewed.
Paused.
Closed my eyes for a second.
Then nodded slowly.
"It's cooked."
He stared at me like I just approved his entire existence.
Idiot.
Cute idiot.
Then suddenly—
Saanvi's words flashed in my mind.
Avi… stealing…
No.
No.
That doesn't make sense.
I trust him.
But then why didn't he tell me?
Why hide it?
My thoughts tangled for a moment…
But Avi's dramatic scream snapped me back—
"THIS IS SO GOOD!"
Overacting.
Peak level.
The others rushed in like starving wolves.
Then—
The door opened again.
Nikansh.
Vivaan.
Mahi.
They stopped.
And just… stared.
At me.
At us.
At the pancakes.
Like we're committing a crime.
I ignored them.
More batter. More pancakes.
Small ones. Smart distribution.
Especially for THIS bottomless pit—Avi—who won't stop eating.
Finally done.
I placed the plates in front of everyone.
And grabbed mine immediately.
Survival first. Manners later.
They attacked the pancakes like animals.
No shame. No control. Just chaos.
I was about to sit peacefully…
When I felt it.
That stare.
Heavy. Intense. Annoying.
I looked up.
Vivaan.
Nikansh.
Both staring at me like I just did something unbelievable.
I raised an eyebrow slowly.
What now?
Want pancakes? Or want to analyse my soul?
I rolled my eyes and looked away.
Not interested.
Not today.
Today…
Pancakes are my only emotional support.
I took a bite.
And—
Damn.
Even in the middle of my downfall…
I cooked something perfect.