Aadhya's POV
"...Submit your projects by day after tomorrow," madam announced.
"Y-yes ma'am," my classmates responded in a slow, lifeless voice.
They should at least show some enthusiasm… teachers might think we aren't interested.
But in reality—
we aren't.
Haha. Scratch that.
"Are we together?" Avi asked me.
Hmm. Madam did mention groups. I wasn't sure. I looked at Dj to ask, but he was already busy talking to someone.
I turned back to Avi.
"Let's be together," I said.
He smiled—a very silly one. I already knew what was going on in his head.
"Are we together?" he repeated, this time in a seductive voice, touching his heart dramatically.
Damnit.
He's acting wild again.
"Get better or you're going to get it from me," I threatened, raising my fist.
He backed away laughing.
Jerk.
But… I'd rather have him like this than quiet… like before… carrying all that heaviness inside him.
He's laughing often now.
I'm glad.
Thank God… he's back.
Krrrinnnnggg
Lunch bell.
I opened my bag.
I should give the lunch box to that king of jerks.
I was about to go—
but looks like he was more impatient.
He was already standing in front of me.
And then—
snatched the lunch box.
"That's it?" he asked, looking inside.
"Yes… what did you expect? A lunch box as big as me?" I said sarcastically.
Jerk.
"Tch… just confirming," he said.
I was about to leave for our usual hangout spot—
but suddenly—
he grabbed my arm.
"Eat here," he said.
I looked at his hand… then at him… and shook my head.
"Why do you still eat separately?" he asked.
"Because we want to," I replied.
He gestured to someone behind him.
That guy came.
Vivaan whispered something in his ear.
He left.
And came back again.
And here I was—
standing like an idiot.
Then—
Dj and Avi came.
Nikansh too.
Followed by Samar and Jiya.
They were holding hands.
Cute.
Couple goals.
Vivaan finally let go of my arm.
"From now onwards, no one eats on the second floor. Everyone eats here… including you," he said, pointing at Samar and Jiya.
What the hell.
Before, he didn't even want her here—
and now this?
This guy seriously has brain issues.
Nikansh looked at me like, did something happen?
I just raised my hands—I don't know.
"Did you fight with him again?" Dj asked.
"No… I don't know where this came from," I replied.
"Let's just eat," Avi said excitedly.
Childish.
We sat down.
I noticed Jiya feeling a little out of place.
"Jiya, come sit here," I said, pointing to the seat in front of me.
She smiled and sat.
Samar sat beside her, of course.
Avi was on my left.
Dj in front, beside Samar.
I saw Nikansh awkwardly adjusting, not sure where to sit.
"Nikansh, here," I called, pointing to my right.
He looked at Vivaan for a second… then sat.
I handed the boxes to Avi and Dj.
"What's your lunch?" Nikansh asked, peeking into my box.
"Nothing… vegetable rice," I showed him.
"Wanna trade?" he asked, showing his.
Chole bhature.
Wow.
"Of course," I said instantly.
We exchanged.
Suddenly—
Vivaan shoved a bench between me and Avi—
and sat there.
We all exchanged glances.
Even the others nearby stopped and noticed the shift.
"Adi, give me too," Avi said, breaking the silence.
"Later," I replied.
Vivaan started eating.
So we followed.
I took a bite.
And damn—
it felt like heaven.
"Adi, shouldn't we offer your classmates?" Jiya asked softly.
I paused.
Looked around.
"Yeah… yeah."
"Come on, offer us—"
"We won't refuse—"
"Please please—"
Everyone gathered instantly.
I saw Lio, Maddy, Neel surrounding Dj for one bite.
Bhavik and others near Samar and Jiya.
Then my eyes fell on Mahi.
He was sitting alone… watching us.
And when our eyes met—
he immediately looked away.
Why?
Before I could think—
Devit came.
"Come on, share some," he said.
I handed him some.
Others followed.
"Why did you give it away?" Nikansh asked.
"I already had enough… so," I replied.
"If you're giving to one, you should give to all," Vivaan said.
"How can I give it to all?" I asked.
"Then don't give at all," he replied.
Damnit.
I really feel like punching him.
He's the one who banned them—
and now this.
"Can you bring for all?" Nikansh asked.
"No… they're too many. And I don't have that many boxes," I said.
"Don't worry about them. They'll bring their own if they want," Vivaan said.
Idiot.
Then—
an idea popped into my head.
"We can cook for them!" I said, clapping my hands.
Everyone went silent.
Listening.
"Here?" Nikansh asked.
I nodded quickly.
"You have pans and utensils, right?"
"No. You can't use those," Vivaan cut in.
"Why?"
"They belong to someone."
"Who?"
"Warrior," Nikansh said.
I burst out laughing.
"What warrior? Kitchen warrior?"
Both Vivaan and Nikansh stared at me.
I stopped.
Dj spoke, "Adi… we have a classmate named Warrior."
What the—
"Are you serious?"
"Stupid. He comes only once or twice a week," Vivaan said.
"Others call him Krish," Nikansh added.
Krish?
Oh.
That guy.
The one who scolded me for using the pan that day.
"Ohh… him."
"Then why isn't he here?" I asked.
"He used to cook for us… but got tired because no one helped him," Avi said, eating.
I looked around.
I need to talk to him.
"He hasn't come today, if you're searching," Vivaan said.
"Maybe he's at their restaurant," Nikansh added.
Restaurant?
He owns one?
"When will he come back?" I asked.
"Maybe he won't anymore," Samar said.
We looked at him.
"His restaurant is going bankrupt… and he's handling it," he continued.
"What? Why him? Doesn't he have parents?" I asked.
"His father burned his arm in the restaurant. His mother never took it seriously," Samar said.
I felt bad.
Poor… kitchen warrior.
"Do you know where his restaurant is?" I asked Nikansh.
"Why?" he asked.
"Let's visit him," I said.
Vivaan gave me that look—
there you go… meddling again.
Come on.
I'm just worried.
"I'll join you later," Nikansh said.
"I'm coming too," Avi said.
"Count me in," Dj added.
"Baby, let's go too," Jiya said.
Samar nodded.
"We're coming too," others joined.
All eyes turned to Vivaan.
He frowned.
"Huh? What's with the stares? I'm coming too," he said.
Yes.
"Mission—Save the Kitchen Warrior."