It was break time. Manya ran downstairs with Palak and Anushka flanking her sides.

"Bhai, mujhe online kuch samajh nahi aaya," Manya huffed, clearly frustrated.
"Aaj market jaake dekhungi. Ye family functions mein salwar suit pehen ke jaana zaroori hai kya? Mujhe bilkul nahi pasand woh pehnana aur upar se jab koi zabardasti pehnaye toh aur bhi irritating lagta hai!"

["Bro, I didn't understand anything online
I'll go check at the market today. Is it really necessary to wear a salwar suit to family functions? I absolutely don't like wearing thatand on top of that, when someone forces you to wear it, it feels even more irritating!"]

She was full-on ranting now, while Palak and Anushka listened patiently.

"Tu dekh le market jaake," Anushka said with a gentle smile, her voice generous and calm.

["You go check at the market,"]

"Kuch pasand nahi aaya toh mere paas dekh lena, kuch na kuch mil jaayega."

["If you don't like anything, have a look at my collection you'll definitely find something."]

As they walked to the canteen, chatting about random things, they noticed the boys along with Kriti had already taken over a few tables. The trio headed over and quietly joined them with their lunchboxes.

Palak, spotting Pranjal nearby, grew unusually quiet and focused on eating her lunch with downcast eyes.

Anushka, on the other hand, just stared blankly at her lunchbox, not touching a bite, quietly tuned into the scattered chatter around the table. Vatsal, meanwhile, couldn't take his eyes off her confused, trying to read her expressions but failing miserably.

At the other end of the table, Adhvik was busy being a full-time headache to Manya.

"Main chuchundaron ke muh nahi lagti!" Manya barked, clearly on edge. "Chamgaadar si shakal leke har din mere muh lagne aa jaata hai!"

[["I don't bother with sewer rats!" "He comes to me every day with that bat-like face trying to pick a fight!"]

Before the argument could reach a new volume, Arnav stepped in, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Shaant bhai, shaant... sab ghoor rahe hain humko," he whispered dramatically.

["Calm down, bro, calm down... everyone's staring at us."]

That's when Manya suddenly realized she was standing with one foot up on the chair like some warrior queen mid-battle. Her face instantly paled as she caught the amused eyes of other students watching the drama unfold.

"Kya hai?" she snapped, a little embarrassed now, shooting a glare at the onlookers.

["What is it?"]

Adhvik, for once, was quiethis mouth twitching with the effort of holding back another sarcastic jab.
He looked almost saintly in his self-control.

Manya, sensing his silence, somehow grew more furious. But just as she turned to resume her outburst, her eyes fell on her two friendsPalak lost in awkward silence, and Anushka adrift in thought, disconnected from the world around her.

Her expression shifted. The fire in her voice faded for a moment. Something wasn't right.
Manya looked around at Arnav, Kriti, and Adhvik, then dropped into her chair with a frustrated huff.
She ran a hand through her hair and exhaled softly, her gaze shifting toward her silent friends.

With a sudden burst of forced cheer, she turned toward Anushka.
"Anu!" she called, her voice overly bright.

Anushka blinked, snapping out of her thoughts and returning from whatever distant place her mind had wandered to.

Manya grinned, nudging her. "Tujhe yaad hai? Geography exam mein Palak kya likh ke aayi thi?"

["Do you remember? What did Palak write in the Geography exam?"]

Anushka blinked again, puzzled then it hit her. The memory rushed in like an old, familiar tune. A smile curled on her lips as laughter danced in her eyes.

"Yaad hai! Geography exam mein HYV seeds ki jagah HIV seeds likh ke aayi thi!" she said, trying to hold back her laughter.

["I remember! In the Geography exam, she wrote HIV seeds instead of HYV seeds!"]

There was a moment of silence and then chaos. Manya burst out laughing, Adhvik joined in immediately, and soon the entire table erupted in howls of laughter. Even Kriti and Arnav couldn't help themselves.

Palak's face turned crimson. She shot a deadly glare at Anushka, who was still giggling beside her.

"Ajeeb dost paal rakhe hain," Palak muttered under her breath, pretending to sulk. "Mazae ke liye khud ke dost ko bech dete hain."

["What strange friends you've kept," "They sell their own friend for the sake of fun."]

She turned her face away, but just then her eyes landed on Pranjal. He was smiling genuinely but trying (and failing) to hide it behind his hand as he looked anywhere but directly at her.

Palak's irritation wavered. A slow smile tugged at her lips before she could stop it.
"Huh... mature banne ki koshish karti hoon, par ek choti si baat par phir se toot jaati hoon. Ye personality toh rahi nahi ab...",she sighed inwardly, realizing just how much she had changed and how easily one moment of warmth could melt everything she had tried to bury.

["Huh... I try to act mature, but I fall apart again over the smallest things. This personality doesn't even feel like mine anymore..."]

As the break neared its end, the group began packing up. Anushka handed her tiffin box to Manya with a small nod.

"Main washroom se aati hoon. Mera tiffin leke class chalna," she said softly and turned to leave.

["I'll be back from the washroom. Take my tiffin and head to class."]

Vatsal's eyes followed her movements instinctively. Something about her silence had been bothering him all day hell, for days now. Without thinking much, he stood up and called after her.

"Anushka!"
She paused and turned around. Her expression was unreadable, guarded.

"Yaar, tumne sach mein block kar diya?" Vatsal asked, his voice almost boyish half complaint, half disbelief.

["Dude, did you really block them?"]

Anushka crossed her arms, trying to maintain the wall she'd built up. "Haan toh kar diya. Tumhe kya?"

["Yeah, I did. What's it to you?"]

She wanted to keep it short. Keep it simple. But her clenched jaw and sharp tone betrayed how much she was holding back.

"Yeh kya baat hoti hai?" Vatsal stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Please, ab se irritate nahi karunga. Unblock kar do na."

["What kind of response is that?" "Please, I won't irritate you anymore. Just unblock me."]

He looked around awkwardly, hoping no one nearby heard him say please. He never said that at least not to anyone outside his close circle.

"Abhi bhi irritate hi kar rahe ho!" Anushka snapped, trying to walk past him.

["You're still being irritating even now!"]

But Vatsal stepped in front of her, blocking her path, desperation rising in his voice now.

"Arre yaar, hua kya hai? Kyun chidh-chidh kar rahi ho itne dino se? Bataogi? Jo bhi hai, bol do na... sort karte hain, please?"

["Hey, what happened? Why have you been so irritable for days now? Will you tell me? Whatever it is, just say it... let's sort it out, please?"]

Anushka met his gaze for a moment but quickly looked away. She couldn't look into those eyes again, not when they still held warmth... not when she no longer believed it.

She took a shaky breath, voice trembling as she muttered, "Tumhe kyu pata hoga!! Tum toh Ria ke saath exercise karne mein busy the..."

["How would you know!! You were busy working out with Ria..."]

The words slipped out sharper than she intended, the bitterness laced with pain.
Vatsal froze, frowning. Her voice had cracked at the end, but the name Ria rang loud and clear in his ears.

"Ria kaha se aagyi? Ab kya kiya maine?" he whispered to himself, utterly confused.

["Where did Ria come into this? What did I even do now?"]

But before he could stop her, Anushka had already turned away, quickening her steps as she disappeared into the washroom leaving behind a silence that screamed louder than her words ever could.

Anushka hurried inside the empty washroom, her footsteps echoing off the tiled floor. Without thinking twice, she dashed into the first stall and slammed the door shut behind her.
She leaned back against it, her chest heaving, her heart somewhere in her throat.
"Fvck-fvck-fvck-fvck," she muttered into her palms, pressing her face hard. "Main kya bol ke aa gayi... kyu bola Ria!"

["Fvck-fvck-fvck-fvck," "What did I just say... why did I mention Ria!"]

She let out a half-sigh, half-growl, shaking her head in frustration.
"Satisfaction deke aa gayi!" she scolded herself, pacing in the tiny space. "Ab lagega usse I'm jealous. Main kyu jealous hongi? Jo karna hai kare... bas mere peeche naa aaye."

["I made it sound satisfying!" "Now he'll think I'm jealous. Why would I be jealous? He can do whatever he wants... just shouldn't come after me."]

She took a deep breath, calming herself down, and reached for the latch to open the door. But just then, a wave of laughter echoed through the restroom. Anushka froze, her hand on the lock. She recognized the voices Ria, Mehak, and Nia.
Instinctively, she held her breath and listened.

"Bhai, jab maine setup dekha na, I was shocked," Ria began, her tone dipped in excitement. "I went to his room because mera bag vahi tha, and obviously, ghar change karke hi jaana hota. Toh Vatsal ne bola uske room mein rakh du kyunki teen room lock rahenge, baaki khule rahenge party ke liye, samaan idhar-udhar na ho."

["Bro, when I saw the setup, I was shocked,"
"I went to his room because my bag was there, and obviously, I had to change before leaving. So Vatsal told me to keep it in his room since three rooms would be locked, and the rest would be open for the party, so stuff wouldn't get misplaced."]

Anushka's brows furrowed. Party? Bag? Vatsal ke room mein?

"Phir?" Mehak prompted.

["Then?"]

"Toh jab bag lene gayi," Ria continued, "I saw Vatsal standing in his balcony... with a bouquet of flowers. He was on a call. The whole balcony was decorated with a swing, flowers, everything. And then..." she paused dramatically,"Chipkali Anushka ka naam! With flowers on the mat. Photos, wall hangings, yellow fairy lights-full setup."

["So when I went to get the bag," "I saw Vatsal standing on his balcony... with a bouquet of flowers. He was on a call. The whole balcony was decorated with a swing, flowers, everything. And then..."
"That lizard Anushka's name! Spelled out with flowers on the mat. Photos, wall hangings, yellow fairy lights-the whole setup."]

Anushka's breath caught.

"I completely lost it there," Ria giggled. "Vatsal saw me. He hung up the call and asked kya chahiye and all... and I was dying to just grab my bag and vanish. But guess what? I stepped on my gown, tripped and almost fell flat. But Vatsal saved me. So, I didn't fall to the floor... I fell on his bed."

["I completely lost it there,"
"Vatsal saw me. He hung up the call and asked what I needed and all... and I was dying to just grab my bag and vanish. But guess what? I stepped on my gown, tripped and almost fell flat. But Vatsal saved me. So, I didn't fall to the floor... I fell on his bed."]

The other girls gasped.

"And uska bouquet bhi gaya kaam se," Ria added dramatically. "But Anushka ki timing dekh! Bilkul ussi moment pe aayi thi. I saw her... but she didn't see me. Vo jaa chuki thi."

["And his bouquet was ruined too," "But look at Anushka's timing! She came at that exact moment. I saw her... but she didn't see me. She had already left."]

There was a beat of silence before Mehak groaned, "Tere hi maze hain. Inka toh kuch nah hoga abb... Pranjal ko kya ho gaya hai bhai? Usse baat karne jaao toh lagta hai alag hi depression mein hai."

["Only you're enjoying. These people won't amount to anything now... What's wrong with Pranjal, man? When you try to talk to her, it feels like she's in some deep depression."]

"Class shuru ho gayi hogi. Chalo ab," Nia said, and their voices faded as they exited the washroom.

["Class must've started. Let's go now."]

Anushka remained frozen in place, as if the stall walls were the only thing holding her up.
He... decorated everything for me?
And Ria
That moment I walked away...
Her mind replayed the entire conversation in loops, her chest tightening with a mix of regret, disbelief, and the stinging ache of misunderstanding. The part that hurt most wasn't what she heard.

It was what she hadn't waited to see.
Anushka finally unlocked the stall, her fingers trembling slightly. She walked over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face, trying to wash away the shock still etched across her features. Her eyes stung, but no tears came just a dull ache sitting heavily in her chest.

She dabbed her face gently with her handkerchief, took a deep breath, and composed herself as best she could before stepping out of the washroom.
The corridor was quieter now most students had already returned to class. Her thoughts still tangled, and made her way toward her classroom.

As she reached the door, her eyes caught something unusual. A student she didn't recognize her bright red hair standing out like a flare was standing in front of the class. Confused but too tired to care, Anushka hesitated at the threshold.

"Come in, Anushka," Trivedi sir's stern voice rang out.

She nodded quickly and walked in, heading toward her seat beside Palak.

"Break abhi khatam hua hai?" Trivedi sir asked, eyeing her from behind his glasses.

["Did the break just end?"]

She immediately stood back up. "Sorry, sir. I know I'm late actually went to the medical room... headache ho raha tha," she said, lying with practiced ease.

Trivedi sir gave a curt nod, accepting the excuse without further question. "Sit."
As she sat back down, he turned to the class, gesturing toward the unfamiliar girl with red hair.

"So, class, as I mentioned-this is our new student, Myra Sharma. She's joined mid-semester, so she'll need a bit of help catching up. Anushka or Pranjal will be assisting her with notes and familiarizing her with everything."

Anushka straightened slightly at the mention of her name. Palak glanced at her with a curious frown, but Anushka didn't react.

"Pranjal," Trivedi sir continued, "you'll show her around the campus during dispersal."

Myra gave a quick nod and walked to the last bench, her expression unreadable bored, maybe, or simply uninterested in the formality of introductions. She dropped her bag with a quiet thud and slumped in her seat, eyes on the board as if the world didn't concern her.

Anushka, meanwhile, stared blankly ahead, barely registering the lecture that followed. Her thoughts weren't on the new girl, nor on the subject Trivedi sir was teaching.
They were still stuck in a balcony draped in yellow fairy lights... with her name spelled in flowers.

After three dragging periods, it was finally dispersal. Palak and Manya made their way to the water filter to fill their bottles, stretching their stiff arms as they walked.

Arnav, Kriti, and Vatsal were already loitering
near the filter, half-hydrating, half-gossiping.

"The lectures were straight-up brain-dead today," Palak groaned, slumping against the wall dramatically.

"Main toh third period ke baad mentally drop-out ho gayi thi," Manya added with a tired laugh.

["I mentally dropped out right after the third period."]

As the group chatted, Vatsal casually glanced around only to realize someone was missing.

His brows drew together, and without saying anything, he turned and headed back toward the classroom corridor. Something pulled him there.

At the doorway of her classroom, he stopped.
Inside, Anushka was alone, meticulously stacking daily logs and registers inside the teacher's cupboard. Her movements were quiet, careful as if it was the only thing grounding her.

Vatsal stared at her for a moment, then muttered under his breath, "Sab karlegi... sabke liye karlegi... bas main hi nahi dikhta isse."

["She'll do everything... for everyone... I'm just the only one she doesn't see."]

His voice was low, almost like he was confessing to the empty hallway.

Just then, Anushka looked up and saw him standing there.

But she didn't flinch. The rebellion that used to rise in her chest at the sight of him... it was gone now. The sharpness in her eyes had faded. Something else had settled there.
Maybe clarity. Maybe quiet defeat.

Vatsal stepped forward, fumbling for something casual to say.
"Main... bas aise hi-jaa-"

["I... I was just-leaving-"]

She cut him off.

"Oh. Mujhe tumse baat karni thi," she said simply, firmly.

["Oh. I wanted to talk to you."]

Vatsal blinked. "Haan?" he asked, caught slightly off guard by her directness. Her tone wasn't angry but it wasn't indifferent either. It was serious.

["Yeah?"]

Anushka set the last register down and turned to face him fully.

"Ria tumhare ghar kyun aayi thi?" she asked, her voice calm, but eyes searching. "I mean... I didn't think you two were that close. Not like Kriti di..."

["Why did Ria come to your house?" "I mean... I didn't think you two were that close. Not like Kriti di..."]

Vatsal exhaled, a little relieved. So that's what was haunting her.

"When I left from your house that day," he began, "Ria called asking for a favour. She said she is bunking for the house party and couldn't go home in her party dress, toh she requested if she could change at my place, and she said she trusted me... so I let her come."

["When I left from your house that day," "Ria called asking for a favour. She said she was bunking for the house party and couldn't go home in her party dress, so she requested if she could change at my place, and she said she trusted me... so I let her come."]

He paused, watching her take in every word. She didn't interrupt.

A faint smile creeping at the edge of his lips, "Oo beti isliye muh ful hua tha kya? Jalan ho rhi thi Ms. topper" he said to himself enjoying

["Ohhh so that's why you were sulking? Feeling jealous, Ms. Topper?"]

"It means it's not one-sided, love." He muttered smirking,

Anushka's expression faltered just for a second, giving him the satisfaction he didn't hide well.

A smirk curved on his lips as he leaned slightly forward.

"Kya hua? Tumhe kya laga?" he asked, his voice light, teasing, but still tender.

["What happened? What did you think?"]

"Mujhe kyun kuch lagega?" Anushka replied a little too quickly, turning away to grab her bag. "Maine toh aise hi pucha..."

["Why would I feel anything?" "I was just asking..."]

But her cheeks had already betrayed her-flushed and warm, despite her effort to sound unaffected.

Vatsal watched her, leaning slightly against the doorframe, a soft smile playing at the edge of his lips. "Accha..."

["Oh, really..."]

He was about to say more when Palak and Manya entered the classroom, their voices breaking the tension like a pebble tossed into still water.

Manya, with her usual drama, marched straight to the third bench, grabbed her bag, and without a warning hurled it at Vatsal.

"Oye!" Vatsal caught it just in time, his reflexes kicking in.

"Manya!" Anushka scolded half-laughing. "Kya harkatein hain yeh?"

["Manya!" "What kind of behavior is this?"]

"Bahut bhaari hai bag," Manya declared
proudly, brushing invisible dust off her hands.

"Aaj main aapke saath bike pe jaungi. Mujhe cycle chalane ka khaasht bhi nahi karna."

["The bag is really heavy," "Today I'm going with you on the bike. I don't even feel like putting in the effort to ride my cycle."]

Palak rolled her eyes. "Bade bhai ki bigdail behen," she muttered.

["Spoiled sister of the elder brother."]

Anushka chuckled, slinging her own bag over her shoulder. "Tu mat bol Palak," she teased. "Tu bhi chhoti hi hai. Ghar ke chhote aulaad hote hi.. bigdail hote hain."

["You don't get to speak, Palak,"
"You're the younger one too. The youngest in the house are always... the spoiled ones."]

Palak groaned in mock frustration. "Please! Agar main Manya ke jaise nakhre karu na, toh Kriti di mujhe balcony se fenk degi. Assignment bhi mujhse hi karwati hai bolti hai 'main toh padhti nahi, mera kar de tu.'"

["Please! If I ever act like Manya, Kriti di would throw me off the balcony. She even makes me do her assignments says, 'I don't study, you do it for me.'"]

Vatsal laughed freely now, amused at the chaos his group always carried like second skin.
With Manya's bag still in his hand, he shook his head and started walking out.

"Mai apna bag leke aata hoon," he said, still smiling, disappearing into the corridor.

["I'll go get my bag."]

As Vatsal walked alongside the trio Anushka, Manya, and Palak their laughter echoed lightly through the open campus corridor. The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees, painting golden patches on the ground as they headed toward the main gate.

Up ahead, they spotted Pranjal standing near the basketball court, pointing out facilities to Myra, who walked beside him with her usual disinterested air. He gestured toward the court, explaining something to her when-
*Pheeeeeeeeet!*

The sharp whistle of the PT sir cut through the air like a blade.

"Palak!" his voice boomed as he jogged toward them, a clipboard in one hand, face scrunched in urgency. "Tumhe bola tha report banane ke liye height, weight, sab ka apne class se!"

["You were told to make the report height, weight, everything from your class!"]

Palak froze. Her heart dropped.

The others turned to look at her.

Realization hit her like a slap. Damn. The report. Her stomach twisted with guilt-she'd completely forgotten.

"I-I'm sorry sir," she stammered, trying to sound composed. "Actually... maine banaya tha, but I forgot to bring it. Can I... can I submit it tomorrow morning?"

["I-I'm sorry, sir," "Actually... I had made it, but I forgot to bring it. Can I... can I submit it tomorrow morning?"]

She hated how fake her excuse sounded. The truth was: she hadn't even started.

The PT sir narrowed his eyes but didn't question her further. He was too pressed for time. "Koi kaam dena hi bekaar hai!" he snapped. "Kal tak subah chaiye! Varna PT ke marks jayenge tumhare."

["It's useless giving you any work!" he snapped. "I want it by tomorrow morning! Or you'll lose your PT marks."]

And with that, he stormed off down the path, grumbling under his breath.

Palak stood there, stunned, eyes lowered. Embarrassment and guilt swirled inside her like a storm. She braced herself for the teasing from Manya or Anushka but they said nothing. Just silence.

She looked up to blink away the sting forming in her eyes only for her gaze to land on something that made everything worse.
Behind the PT sir, right there near the basketball court...

Myra had her arms wrapped around Pranjal.
Palak's breath hitched. Her throat tightened. The sounds around her seemed to fade into the background, dull and distant. She couldn't hear what was being said, didn't even care if it was just a friendly gesture or something more.

She just ran. As soon as the PT sir turned the corner, Palak adjusted her bag strap, blinked hard to steady herself and rushed toward the gate, head down, not waiting for anyone to call after her.

Vatsal, Manya, and Anushka stood still for a moment, watching Palak's sudden exit shoulders stiff, footsteps fast, like she was trying to outrun something she couldn't explain.

They exchanged glances, the silence between them loaded with unspoken understanding.
Manya furrowed her brows. "Kya ho gaya ise?"

["What's wrong with her?"]

Anushka didn't answer.

Without a word, she turned to Manya, gently squeezed her shoulder, and said, "Main baad mein milti hoon, okay?"

["I'll meet you later, okay?"]

Manya nodded.

Anushka slung her bag tighter over her shoulder and took off after Palak, weaving through the dispersing crowd. Her eyes searched ahead spotting Palak's figure crossing the gate, walking briskly toward the street like the world behind her had ceased to exist.

"Palak!" Anushka called out, but Palak didn't stop.

Anushka sped up, heart thudding not from running, but from the heavy knot of worry growing in her chest.

When she finally caught up, she grabbed Palak's wrist gently.

"Hey... ruk na thodi der," Anushka said, her voice soft but steady.
["Hey... wait a bit."]

Palak stopped, but didn't turn. Her chin trembled.

"Kya hua?" Anushka asked, already knowing it wasn't just about the PT report.
["What happened?"]

Palak laughed bitterly under her breath.

"Tujhe toh sab dikhta hai, haina?" she whispered, still facing away. "Toh yeh bhi dikh gaya hoga..."

["You see everything, don't you?" "Then you must have seen this too..."]

Anushka didn't say anything she just stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her. "Hua kya?" she asked

Palak's tear escaped freely, "I saw Myra hugging Pranjal."

Palak finally let out the breath she'd been holding in, a tear escaping the corner of her eye as she whispered, "Mujhe aise nahi lagna chahiye, na? Par fir bhi lagta hai..."

["I shouldn't feel this way, right? But I still do..."]

Anushka held her tighter. "Jo feel ho raha hai, vo sahi hai. Tu galat nahi hai."

["What you're feeling is valid. You're not wrong."]

____

Adhvik was lost in his screen, fingers flying across the keyboard as lines of code scrolled endlessly. His brows were furrowed, concentration etched across his face, when his phone buzzed beside him.

Without glancing at the caller ID, he picked it up and placed it to his ear.
"Hello..."

"Hello? Seriously, just hello?" came Vatsal's voice from the other end, laced with mock annoyance. "Tu jaldi kahaan nikal gaya aaj? Pranjal ne bola tune usse bhi kuch nahi bataya."

["Where did you rush off to so early today?"
"Pranjal said you didn't even tell him anything."]

Adhvik leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. His voice came out low, drained.
"Thak gaya tha, bhai... aur Pranjal babu toh Myra ko school ka tour kara rahe the, toh maine socha seedha ghar chala jaun."

["I was just tired, bro... and Pranjal sir was busy giving Myra a school tour, so I thought I'd just head straight home."]

Vatsal snorted. "Accha. Chal, ready ho ja. Mall mein mil-5 baje."

["Alright. Get ready then. Meet me at the mall-5 o'clock."]

"Par-" Adhvik began, but the line was already dead.

He stared at his phone for a second, shaking his head with a faint, amused smirk. "Typical."
Sliding the phone back on the desk, he leaned forward and returned to the glowing screen in front of him, the click of his keyboard once again filling the room.

--

Manya walked briskly through the bustling street market, dodging auto-rickshaws, food stalls, and slow-walking aunties, phone pressed to her ear. Her eyes scanned every second shop for the perfect yellow kurti, but her mind was clearly elsewhere.

"Yaar, tum log meri ek baat sunte bhi ho ya nahi?" she whined into the phone, dramatic as ever.
"Taiyaar ho jaldi! Jo reels humne dekhe the na, unmein jaise cute aesthetic cafés mein jaate hain... waise hi kahin chalenge. Pretty photos, cute drinks, and main toh full Pinterest vibes chahiye mujhe."

["Guys, do you even listen to a single thing I say?"
"Hurry up and get ready! Remember those reels we watched, where they go to those cute aesthetic cafés... we're going somewhere just like that. Pretty photos, cute drinks, and I want full Pinterest vibes."]

On the other end, Anushka and Palak could barely get a word in as Manya continued her monologue, still weaving through fabric shops.

"Waise bhi," she added with a huff, "last hum kab gaye the? 10th ke boards ke baad! Uske baad toh sab busy ho gaye. Baddie outfits phenenge, NO more SADDIE."

["Anyway,"
"when was the last time we even went out? After the 10th boards! After that, everyone just got busy. We're wearing baddie outfits
NO more SADDIE."]

She paused mid-step outside a shop window, eyeing a mannequin wearing a mustard-yellow kurti.

"Haan yeh chalega?" she muttered to herself, lowering the phone briefly. Then back into it "Ek kaam karo, tum dono ready rehna. Mein bol rahi hoon, café plan is locked! Aati hu mai vaha fir cab karke chal lenge." Manya said cheerfully and hung the call.

["Yeah will this work?"
"Here's the deal, you both be ready. I'm telling you, the café plan is locked! I'll come there, and then we'll take a cab and head out." Manya said cheerfully and hung up the call.]

______

Pranjal sat near the window, his elbow resting on the table, pen spinning slowly between his fingers. His books were open in front of him, but he wasn't reading. His mind was elsewhere. The sky outside was turning orange, but inside, he was thinking deeply.
Suddenly, everything that had happened earlier came rushing back.

Pranjal's POV:

It was dispersal time. Students were leaving, noise filled the campus. I was walking with Myra, the new student. Sir had told me to give her a tour of the school. Honestly, she didn't seem interested. She was quiet, just nodding at whatever I showed her labs, library, auditorium.

Still, I kept going. It was my responsibility.
When we reached the basketball court and coaching area, something in her changed. She looked a little excited for the first time.

"I came here once during Annual Day," I told her, smiling. "It's celebrated very nicely here."

"Oh... how long have you been studying here?" she asked.

"Since the beginning of this session," I said. "After 10th boards, we shifted here."

She looked away for a second. "Moving away from a place where you've grown up... leaving behind your friends... it sucks."
Her voice was soft but full of pain. I understood.

I smiled lightly. "Yeah, it does. But life moves on. I hope you'll make good friends here. St. Mary's is a nice school."

She gave a dry laugh. "I don't do friendships anymore," she said. "They never last. People leave. Everyone promises to stay in touch, but they don't. One day, you realise they've forgotten you."

I looked at her properly now. She wasn't just saying words. She was speaking from experience.

"I used to think that too," I said. "That friendships are useless, fake, and temporary. But then I met the right people."

She looked at me, a bit curious.

I continued, "Good friends don't leave you when things go bad. They know when you're upset without you saying anything. They fight for you, cheer you up, and support you no matter what. They become your second family."

She stopped walking and looked at me.

"You're lucky," she said. "I hope your friends never leave you like mine did... especially when you needed them most."

I smiled gently. "Touchwood," I said.
We started walking again. I felt a little lighter talking to her now.

"So, you've shifted from abroad?" I asked.

"Yeah. My dad's job is transferable. So we've moved a lot. But I'm Indian-born in Bangalore. My native place is Bihar."

I raised my eyebrows. "Oh! I'm from Bihar too. My family used to live in Patna."

Her face changed. "Really? We lived near Indra Tower before shifting abroad. Do you know that area?"

I laughed, surprised. "Of course! We lived in Zenith Tower. Just above Barista."

She looked shocked. "We were in 903... wait, what flat were you in?"

And just like that... my smile disappeared.
My heart beat faster.

"You're... Myra Sharma? Raghunath uncle's daughter?"

Her face lit up. "Yes! How do you know that?!"
I felt frozen for a second. "You... You were Navika's best friend?"

Her mouth dropped open. "You're Pranjal Mishra?! Navika's-"

Before she could complete the sentence, she hugged me tightly.

I was too surprised to react at first, but slowly

I hugged her back. Memories of those old days, of Navika, of everything came rushing back. My eyes stung, but I didn't cry. Just held on.

"I never thought we'd meet again," she whispered.

And neither did I.

POV ends

--

Anushka had already slipped into her outfit but her hair was still a mess. Huffing lightly to herself, she headed to the washroom to wash her face and fix her hair. Just as she turned on the tap, the doorbell began ringing not once, not twice, but in quick impatient bursts that could only mean one thing.

"Aa rahi hoon!" she shouted, quickly splashing water on her face and grabbing her towel. Her wet hands wiped hastily against her shorts as she ran downstairs, towel slung around her neck, hair still unbrushed.
["I'm coming!"]

When she opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of her two friends Palak and Manya standing with the ease and attitude of girls who knew they looked good.

Manya stood sipping Coke straight from the bottle, casually leaning against the doorframe. She wore an oversized red jersey-style T-shirt that hung loosely over her baggy jeans. The half ponytail tied high on her head made her look effortlessly cool, with a playful bounce in her hair every time she moved. Her silver hoops glinted in the morning sun and her sneakers slightly worn but still trendy matched her vibe perfectly.

Palak, on the other hand, wore a black sleeveless top, cut just right to highlight her shoulders, was tucked into high-waisted blue jeans that fit her like they were tailored. Over her shoulder was a white sling bag, small and minimalistic, but with a hand-knitted daisy charm attached that added the softest feminine detail to her whole look. Her hair was clutched with clutcher and fell in gentle waves, lightly brushed and parted to the side.

"Finally," Manya said dramatically, pushing past the doorway and plopping onto the sofa. "Main toh soch rahi thi tere ghar ki ghanti bandh kar doon."

["I was actually thinking of damaging your doorbell."]

"Sorry sorry," Anushka mumbled, already halfway up the stairs again. "Aa rahi hoon, baal jhaad ke!"

["I'm coming, just fixing my hair!"]

The girls chuckled as she disappeared from sight. Upstairs, Anushka dried her face, quickly brushed her hair, and added a hint of gloss to her lips. She didn't believe in overdoing it, but a little touch here and there never hurt.

By the time she came back down, she looked effortlessly ready White tank top tucked loosely into classic blue jeans, layered with an oversized black jacket that gave her look a chilled, off-duty vibe. She tied the look together with a pair of chunky white sneakers and simple gold studs in her ears.

As she laced her sneakers by the shoe rack, she glanced over at her friends, who were chatting animatedly.

"Cab book ho gayi kya?" Anushka asked, slinging her purse across her body.

["Is the cab booked?"]

"Haan, 2 minute door pe khadi hai," Palak replied, glancing at her phone screen. "Bas tujhe hi uthana tha!"

["Yeah, it's standing just 2 minutes away,"
"Just had to pick you up!"]

"Chal chal! Time waste mat kar," Manya said, already halfway out the door, her Coke now finished and the bottle tucked neatly into her tote bag.

["Let's go, let's go! Don't waste time."]

Anushka quickly grabbed the house keys from the kitchen counter and slid them into her purse. She turned around once to double-check the lights, pulled the door shut with a solid click, and locked it behind her.

The trio stepped out into the warm afternoon sun, the street buzzing gently with the sound of distant horns and kids playing somewhere nearby. Their cab was waiting just down the lane a white WagonR, engine idling, the driver looking mildly curious at the all-girls gang heading out together in such confident stride.

The two of them slid into the backseat Manya and Palak and Anushka took the front seat.

The car pulled into motion, gently gliding through the streets as the city outside began to blur into a streak of colors traffic lights, trees, billboards flashing past the windows.
Inside the cab, the atmosphere was anything but still.

Anushka leaned forward, plugged her phone into the USB slot and tapped her playlist titled "Mood"- the kind of playlist meant for moments just like this. Almost instantly, the bass kicked in and BEST FRIEND by Chani Nattan filled the car with energy.

"Lede pursue, lede shoe, lede car mundiya, idd..." the beat dropped, and all three girls broke into synchronized nods and laughter, already vibing to the unapologetically bold rhythm.

Manya started the mini concert in the backseat hand in the air, lip-syncing with exaggerated expressions as if she were in a music fest.

Palak cheered, laughing, joining in with a half-hearted attempt at mimicking the beat drop, trying her best to enjoy.

Anushka added her own flair tossing her hair back, adjusting her oversized jacket like a total diva and throwing finger guns in the air.

They didn't care who was watching from the nearby autos or the bikes overtaking the cab. This was their world three best friends, loud music, open laughter, and a car filled with the kind of energy that couldn't be faked.

As the song continued, Manya shouted over the music, "Yeh gaana na, full main-character energy deta hai. Jaise duniya ki har cheez apni hai!"

["This song, right-it gives full main-character energy. Like everything in the world belongs to you!"]

"Aur hum iis duniya ki CEO hain," Palak added with a smirk, pretending to pick up an imaginary phone. "Hello? World? Cancel all sadness. We're booked for happiness today."

["And we're the CEOs of this world," Palak added with a smirk, pretending to pick up an imaginary phone. "Hello? World? Cancel all sadness. We're booked for happiness today."]

Anushka, dramatic as ever, threw her head back like she was in a Bollywood film. "Kya scene hai yeh... total filmy, aur hume yahi pasand hai!"

["What a scene this is... totally filmy, and that's exactly what we love!"]

The cab turned down a quieter street lined with cafes and boutiques, the song still playing in the background.

Their hair danced lightly with the breeze from the open window, the sunlight casting a golden hue on their faces and for a fleeting moment, it really did feel like a movie.

A movie with no villains, no heartbreaks just girls, music, and the feeling of being completely alive.
As the song faded out and the next one queued up, they looked at each other and grinned.

Manya, still breathless from all the hype, said, "Yeh song officially hum teenon ka anthem hai. Friendship anthem 2025."

["This song is officially our anthem. Friendship anthem 2025."]

Palak raised her hand for a high-five. "Certified by the Queens of Chaos."

They laughed, the kind that comes from the gut, that fills the space and lingers even after the sound is gone. The cab slowed to a gentle stop in front of what was supposed to be The Lilac Corner.

Still hyped from their car karaoke session, the girls stepped out dramatically strutting like they were entering a Vogue shoot. But their smiles faltered the moment they looked around.
There was no cafe in sight.

Only a dusty lane, a few scattered shops, and a momo stall with smoke billowing in every direction.

"Umm... is this the right place?" Manya asked, squinting around.

Palak turned her phone screen to full brightness and rechecked the map. "Sahi toh likha hai... par cafe kahaan hai?"

["It's written perfectly... but where's the café?"]

Anushka, determined, walked up to a nearby chaat vendor. "Bhaiya, yahan Lilac Corner cafe hai kya?"

["Bhaiya, is there a Lilac Corner Café around here?"]

The man scratched his head, clearly confused. "Lilac? Kya?"

["Lilac? What?"]

She showed him the reel they'd saved earlier the dreamy 12-second clip with pottery, dainty tables, fairy lights, and pastel aesthetics.

The vendor finally nodded slowly. "Arey haan! Woh upar hai... us complex ke second floor pe."

["Oh yes! It's upstairs... on the second floor of that complex."]

The girls turned to where he pointed a worn-down building with flickering signage and crumbling paint. It looked more like an abandoned godown than a trendy café.
They hesitated.

"Yahi hai?" Palak muttered suspiciously.

["Is this the one?"]

"Chalo, dekh lete hain.." Anushka sighed, and they reluctantly made their way upstairs, their shoes echoing on the dirty, creaky staircase.

["Come on, let's check it out.."]

As they climbed, things got worse. On the first landing, they passed an escape room with dim red lights and a cracked mannequin peeking through the glass.

The signboard outside blinked - Trapped: Face Your Fears - which definitely did not help the vibe.

"Are we entering a horror movie or a café?" Manya whispered.

On the next floor was a sad-looking toy shop. Lights flickered like they hadn't paid their bill, and one plastic panda rotated unnaturally in the display.

And finally - Lilac Corner Café.

The name was hand-painted in peeling white on a wooden board above a rusty glass door. Inside, the café was no bigger than a cobbler's stall. Four tables squeezed into a cramped room. A single stand fan turned slowly in the corner. The air smelled of burnt milk and disinfectant.

Worse? The beautiful pottery studio shown in the reel wasn't free.

"500 per person," the girl at the counter said in a flat voice.

"Five hundred?!" Palak choked. "Bhai, pura café hi 500 ka nahi lag raha yeh toh."

["Bro, this whole café doesn't even look worth 500 bucks."]

Manya stepped back, already pulling out her phone. "Ooo bisi popat ban gaya apna toh. Reel mein toh 12-15 clips daal ke Taj Mahal bana diya tha yeh logon ne. I'm not going in there."

["Ooo we totally got fooled. In the reel, they put in 12-15 clips and made it look like the Taj Mahal. I'm not going in there."]

"Same. Bas 3 hi dukaane hain iss complex mein, aur teeno haunted lag rahe hain." Palak said, crossing her arms and glancing over her shoulder like something might pop out.

["Same. There are only 3 shops in this entire complex, and all three look haunted."]

Anushka peeked in once more and shook her head. "Yaar, aane ka main reason pottery tha aesthetic shots, pastel walls, insta reels aur yeh toh chhoti si jagah hai, na photo acchi aayegi, na vibe. Upar se AC bhi nahi hai. No way. Let's go."

["Guys, the main reason we came was for the pottery aesthetic shots, pastel walls, Insta reels and this is such a tiny place, neither the photos will turn out good nor the vibe. On top of that, there's no AC. No way. Let's go."]

They all turned on their heels and marched right back down.

"Chii bhai, kya smell aa rahi thi andar, laga koi phenyl se hi coffee bana de," Palak added, scrunching her nose as they exited the building.

["Ew, bro, what was that smell inside? It felt like someone was making coffee with phenyl."]

"Abb se tu koi reel dekh ke hume kahin le ke aayi na... toh main hi tera reel banake daal dungi caption ke saath: 'Beware of Influencer Recommendations'" she added, mock-scolding Manya.

["From now on, if you bring us somewhere based on some reel... I'll be the one making a reel about it with the caption: 'Beware of Influencer Recommendations.'"]

Manya held her hands up in surrender, "Mujhe kya pata tha scam ho jayega... itni mehnat se aaye the, cab liya, kapde pehne, makeup kiya - sab waste."

["How was I supposed to know it would be a scam... we came all this way, took a cab, dressed up, did makeup all wasted."]

But Anushka was already on her phone, scanning Google Maps. "Ruko zara, yahin paas mein BCK Mall hai... aur sun, vahi kuch karenge abb. Lola. Auto kar rahi hu. Vahi chalte hain."

["Wait a bit, there's BCK Mall nearby... and listen, we'll do something there now. Lola. I'm calling an auto. Let's go there."]

Palak and Manya exchanged a look, and then a grin.

"Mood back ON?" Manya said, holding her Coke like a toast.

"Always. Aur uss Can ko fekk pls khatam hai coke leke ghum rhi hai tabhi se" Anushka said as she tapped for the auto.

["Always. And please throw that can away it's been hanging around since she bought the Coke."]

And with that, they turned the
disappointment into a detour because when you're with your best friends, no plan ever truly fails. It just becomes a new story.

On the other hand, Adhvik was leaning against his bike near the entrance of BCK Mall, scrolling through his phone. The sun was harsh, and the warm wind tugged at his hair as he stood there, visibly annoyed, occasionally glancing up at the road.
Just then, a car honked lightly and slowed down near him.

Inside were Pranjal and Vatsal, both looking like they hadn't kept him waiting for nearly twenty minutes.

Vatsal rolled down the window and waved. "Aaja, parking mein milte hain!"

Adhvik narrowed his eyes. "Wah bhai... itne der se khada kar rakha hai, aur ab keh rahe ho 'parking mein milte hain'... Aur gaadi leke aaye ho jaise koi rajkumaar ho tum dono." he muttered under his breath, shoving his phone into his pocket.

["Wow bro... made me wait so long, and now you're saying 'let's meet in the parking'... And you both came in a car like some princes," he muttered under his breath, shoving his phone into his pocket.]

He pulled his helmet on with one sharp motion. "Inhi ke wajah se ab bike ghumake le jao parking mein... huh, VIPs ke saath dosti bhi ek punishment hai."

["Because of these guys, now take the bike for a spin in the parking... huh, friendship with VIPs is also a punishment."]

Still grumbling, he kicked the stand up, revved the engine slightly, and started moving toward the mall's underground parking, trailing behind their car.

The sun might've been scorching and the wait frustrating, but this was just how their friendship worked full of taunts, drama, and silent loyalty {aaj kal kaafi Kam hai:) }

Even when irritated, Adhvik showed up because in the end, he'd rather sulk around his friends than be anywhere else.
After parking his bike, Adhvik walked over to where Vatsal and Pranjal were casually leaning against their car, chatting about nothing in particular. The trio looked like they'd walked out of a college fashion reel, each with their own distinct vibe.

Vatsal stood tall in a plain white t-shirt that did absolutely no job of hiding the definition in his arms. Paired with blue jeans and crisp white canvas shoes, his look screamed effortless cool. His hair was messy intentionally messy-the kind that looked like it took more effort than he'd admit. Veins popped along his arms as he crossed them, smirking slightly when he saw Adhvik approach.

Pranjal, on the other hand, carried his classic artsy-casual aesthetic. He wore an oversized faded black t-shirt with bold neon green graphic prints, tucked slightly into loose blue baggy jeans. His hair was done neatly, a slight side part brushing against his forehead, and his signature specs hung low on his nose like they had a personality of their own.

Adhvik approached, arms open dramatically
like a Bollywood villain-turned-best-friend.

"Oye hoyee, dono hero ban ke aaye ho! Kya scene hai aaj?" he teased, glancing between them. "Date-vate pe toh nahi jaa rahe ho, haan? Mujhe third-wheel banane ka koi mood nahi hai."

["Oh wow, both of you came here acting like heroes! What's the scene today?" "You're not going on a date, right? I'm not in the mood to be the third wheel."]

Vatsal raised an eyebrow. "Bhai, date pe tujhe leke kyun jaate?"

["Bro, why would I take you on a date?"]

"Tujhe?," Pranjal added dryly. "Tujhe me third wheeling me leke aaya toh ladki mereko gay samjh ke bhaag jayegi,"

["You?" "If I took you as a third wheel, the girl would run away thinking I'm gay."]

Adhvik clutched his chest mockingly, "Tch tch, dard kar gaya bhai! Main toh itna masoom sa hoon, chocolate boy-coded, aur tum log mujhe sharabi banaana chahte ho. BCK Mall mein toh koi whiskey ki dukaan bhi nahi hai, fir bhi yeh aura chadha diya tumne mere pe."

["Tch tch, that hurt, bro! I'm so innocent, chocolate boy-coded, and you guys want to make me a drunkard. There isn't even a whiskey shop in BCK Mall, yet you've given me this aura."]

Vatsal shook his head, chuckling, "Chal na, chocolate boy, tere liye CCD ke cold coffee ke alawa kuch nahi milne wala."

["Come on, chocolate boy, you're not going to get anything other than CCD's cold coffee."]

Adhvik perked up. "Kuch bhi chalega aaj ameer baap ke aulaadae hai mere saath jo khilaoge kha lunga pii lunga, shararati paani nahi piyunga bass" he said dramatically

["Anything will do today-I'm with the rich kid, so whatever you feed me, I'll eat and drink. Just won't drink naughty drinks."]

The escalator ride to the top floor of BCK Mall was quick, but for the trio of boys Adhvik, Pranjal, and Vatsal it was like entering a whole new world. The dull hum of mall chatter faded into the upbeat thump of bass-heavy music, glowing signage, and the rhythmic clatter of game machines coming to life.

The Arcade Zone, named "GameOn! Arcade + Café", stretched wide across the floor-lined with everything from retro pinball machines to modern VR pods. The air smelled of butter popcorn, loaded fries, and sugary soda, instantly awakening their inner child
.
"Bhai, pura childhood yahin guzar jaata agar yeh jagah pehle hoti," Adhvik said, glancing around with a wide grin.

["Bro, my whole childhood would've been spent here if this place existed back then."]

"Saale... tu abhi bhi wohi chhota chocolate boy hai," Vatsal chuckled, bumping his shoulder.

["Dude... you're still that same little chocolate boy."]

They headed to the counter first, where bright-colored game cards were stacked like candy. A staff member handed them three new cards, sleek and metallic with "GameOn Pass" printed in bold.

"Kitne ka recharge karwana hai?" the guy at the counter asked.

["How much recharge do you want?"]

"Abhi ke liye 3000 ka kar de bhai, baaki zaroorat padi toh refil karwa lenge" Vatsal said confidently.

["For now, do a 3000 recharge, bro. We'll refill later if needed."]

"Zyada mat kar,1000 fukk doge 1 ghante khel ke?," Adhvik said, but no one paid attention to him

["Don't do too much, will you blow 1000 in 1 hour of playing?"]

{A/N: gujrati hai guys}

Once the cards were recharged, the three headed toward the bowling alley section, a slightly elevated area of the arcade that felt like its own cozy world. The lights dimmed automatically as they entered, replaced by glowing blue and purple neon strips running along the walls and lanes.

A giant digital screen above the lanes read:
"STRIKE ZONE - Bowling & Bites"
The lanes were lit up with a blacklight glow, making everything neon from their

shoelaces to the stripes on the bowling balls. There were only a few other players, the atmosphere relaxed but filled with competitive energy.

They picked their bowling shoes from the rack-Adhvik in size 10, Pranjal in 9, Vatsal in 11-and grabbed their preferred bowling balls. Vatsal ran his hand along the balls like a pro choosing a weapon.

"Yeh wala... champion ka hai," he said,
selecting a sleek green-and-black swirled one.
["This one... belongs to the champion."]

Adhvik rolled his eyes, "Bas ball mat dekh bhai, aim bhi rakh le."

["Don't just watch the ball, bro, also keep your aim."]

They settled at Lane 4, closest to the café window so they could smell the pizzas being freshly baked cheese crackling on a pan, the occasional whiff of oregano and spice making their stomachs rumble.

Pranjal started entering their names on the screen:
Vatsal 🔥, Adhvik🍫, PJ🧠

"PJ? Kya yeh tumhara cool-guy alter ego hai?" Adhvik teased.

["PJ? Is this your cool-guy alter ego?"]

"Bhai, PJ short form hai Pranjal ka kyu accha nahi hai?" Pranjal said adjusting his specs, trying to enjoy and be normal.

["Bro, PJ is the short form of Pranjal, why is that not good?"]

The game began with Vatsal going first. He cracked his knuckles, adjusted his stance like a pro, and with a playful toss of his hair, he let the ball roll smooth and confident.
STRIKE.

The pins scattered like dominos under a perfect hit.

"Waah waah, entry hai hero wali," Adhvik whistled, clapping.

["Wow wow, that's a hero-level entry."]

"Ab tu dekh," he added, stepping up with a dramatic slow-motion walk, gripping his orange ball.

["Now just watch."]

"Chal chocolate boy," Vatsal called out, "Don't let your swag fall flat."

Adhvik inhaled, took his position, and rolled the ball with a little too much style and too little control. It curved... and curved more...

GUTTER.

Pranjal doubled over with laughter, seeing the fall in his face from confidence.

"Swag gaya gutter mein," Vatsal teased, high-fiving Pranjal.

["The swag went straight down the gutter."]
Adhvik threw his hands up dramatically,

"Dekh raha hai Bhagwaan... galat kar rhe ho aap mere saath!"

["God is watching... you're doing wrong by me!"]

"Tune sahi angle me nahi daali thodi akal lagata toh ho jata strike," Pranjal said, tossing his own ball next.

["You didn't aim at the right angle, use some brain and you'd have gotten a strike."]

It hit eight pins-not bad, not perfect, but enough for him to look smug.

They kept playing, surrounded by laughter, mild trash talk, and bursts of applause whenever someone hit a strike or spared by chance. Between turns, they munched on loaded nachos and took sips of cold soda, the bowls clinking and the scoreboard glowing brighter with each round.

In that dim, noisy arcade zone, surrounded by flickering lights and the sound of pins crashing, they weren't thinking about stress, school, or expectations. Just three boys, a bowling lane, and a day that was slowly becoming unforgettable.
_____

Anushka, Manya, and Palak finally reached the mall. As the glass doors slid open, a burst of cold air rushed out to greet them, offering relief from the heavy heat outside. The mall was buzzing with weekend energy-families, couples, friend groups, all scattered across floors, the scent of popcorn and coffee wafting through the air.

"Kaha cafe jaane waale the, mall aa gaye hai," Palak said, huffing in slight irritation as they stepped in. She adjusted the strap of her sling bag and looked around like she was still trying to locate the imaginary café they'd planned to go to.

["We were supposed to go to a café, and here we are at the mall instead."]

Manya didn't respond, already too busy looking around at the displays. The trio slowly started walking, slipping into their usual rhythm window shopping, laughing at oddly dressed mannequins, occasionally stopping to point out an outfit or accessory.

They didn't enter many shops, just strolled along commenting, chatting, teasing one another. Palak lingered near a jewellery store; Anushka got distracted by a shoe rack that had a "Flat 50% Off" banner.

After about half an hour, they made their way to the top floor, still chatting aimlessly.
That's when Manya suddenly slowed down, her eyes catching something.

Just ahead was a salon glass-walled, brightly lit, with posters of hair models smiling with impossibly glossy hair.

"Ek minute, mereko ek shampoo lena tha..."

Manya said, eyes already scanning the shelves through the glass wall. "Mostly inke paas hoga sell ke liye, toh le lungi... showpiece bana ke rakha hua hai."

["One minute, I needed to buy a shampoo..."
"They most likely have it for sale, so I'll get it... it's just sitting there like a showpiece."]

Before the other two could say anything, she walked in, the automatic glass door sliding open with a soft swoosh.

Anushka leaned casually against the wall outside, pulling out her phone. Palak stood next to her, arms loosely crossed, eyes wandering. A few feet away, a family was trying to pose for a selfie in front of a toy store. Music floated in faintly from a nearby store.

Palak's attention drifted back toward the salon window.

Inside, a woman was sitting in a salon chair, a plastic cape around her neck. A hairstylist was applying bright red dye to her hair with a small brush. The bold, almost fire-engine red stood out starkly against her dark roots.

Something about that image caught Palak's eye. The color... the confidence... it reminded her of Myramaybe the way she always did what she wanted, without thinking twice.
She kept staring, her expression unreadable for a few moments.

Then, without looking away, she spoke.
"Anu... agar mai apne baal laal kara lun toh kaise dekhungi?" she asked with a weird, curious smile playing on her lips half-serious, half-teasing.

["Anu... if I dye my hair red, how will I look?"]
Anushka snapped her head toward her, blinking.

"Chii! Kyu karwane hai laal?" she said, frowning slightly. "Aise hi toh sahi hai. Itne sone baal hai... laal baal kon karata hai?"

["Ew! Why do you want to dye it red?" "It's perfectly fine the way it is. Your hair is so beautiful... who even dyes it red?"]

She made a face, as if the very thought offended her hairstyling sensibilities.

Palak still staring through the glass at the woman whose red dye was slowly turning deeper in shade.

Manya stepped out of the salon with a small paper bag in her hand, clearly having found the shampoo she was looking for. Her expression was casual, as if she hadn't just left her two best friends loitering outside for fifteen minutes.

"Chale?" she asked, giving them a look, expecting them to fall in step.
["Shall we go?"]

Before either Anushka or Palak could respond, Palak suddenly turned with a burst of excitement in her eyes.

"Main apne baal laal karwa rahi hu, mere saath chalo!" she announced, grabbing both their wrists dramatically as if dragging them in would automatically seal the deal.

["I'm getting my hair dyed red, come with me!"]

She gave a firm tug, trying to pull them toward the salon door, but they didn't budge. With a little huff, she let go of their hands and stood there with a pout, arms folded.

"Chal lo na yaar! Kaise dost ho... mujhe laal baal karwaane hai!" she said, whining like a kid being denied candy.

["Come on yaar! What kind of friends are you... I want to get red hair!"]

Anushka, who had been leaning lazily against the wall, stood upright with an irritated sigh, brushing invisible dust from her jeans.

"Pagal hai kya, Palak? Faltugiri mat kar. Mujhe pata hai kyu karwane hai tu baal aise hi ache hai tere. Chal yaha se," she said, annoyed, her brows drawn together as she crossed her arms.

["Are you crazy, Palak? Don't do this nonsense. I know exactly why you want to do it your hair is already nice the way it is. Come on, let's go from here."]

Manya raised her eyebrows, looking at Palak like she had grown two heads.

"Laal baal? Seriously Palak? Koi aur kara le laal, toh aisa lagega jaise kisi ne ghutka thuk diya," she said with a cringe, shaking her head at the mental image.

["Red hair? Seriously, Palak? If anyone else gets red hair, it'd look like someone spat gutka on them."]

{A/N: Gutka ko kya bolte hai angrezi me guys crying}

Palak's jaw dropped in disbelief.

"Arre yaarrr! Ek baat nahi sunte meri. Bacchi nahi hu main, aur na hi tum meri mummy ho samjhe? Chup chap chalo mere saath!" she declared with finality, pointing toward the salon like she was storming a battlefield.

["Ughhh yaarrr! You never listen to me. I'm not a kid, and you're not my mom either, got it? Now shut up and just come with me!"]

Manya chuckled, clearly not taking her seriously. With a teasing smile, she raised her hand over Palak's head and said "Tu bacchi hi hai, Palak."
She stretched her arm out to show their height difference, grinning like a proud older sister.

["You are a kid, Palak."]

That was the last straw for Palak.

With her irritation now reaching its peak, she flung her bag onto her shoulder, dramatically turned toward the salon entrance, and plopped herself down right in front of the glass doors right on the shiny, marbled mall floor.

"Nahi chaloge na? Mat chalo! Main... main bhi yahi baith jaungi! Kahin nahi jaungi!" she declared, folding her legs and sitting like a stubborn child throwing a tantrum, her arms tightly crossed, nose in the air.

["You're not coming, right? Then don't! I... I'll just sit right here! I'm not going anywhere!"]

Passersby slowed down to glance at the scene, some whispering, others chuckling.
Anushka and Manya stared at her for a second, then exchanged helpless looks.

"Palak, uth... ye kya kar rahi hai tu?" Anushka said, trying not to let her voice rise.
["Palak, get up... what are you doing?"]

"Haa bhai! Log dekh rahe hai, uth ja ab!" Manya added, as both of them leaned down and began struggling to pull her up by her arms.

["Yeah bro! People are staring, get up now!"]

Palak sat stubbornly on the mall floor, legs folded under her and hands now planted firmly on her waist, chin lifted in defiance.

"Nahi uthungi. Nahi uthungi. Nahi uthungi," she repeated like a broken record, staring straight ahead, ignoring the amused glances of people passing by.

She looked like a protestor on a solo hunger strike except this was about red hair dye.

["I won't get up. I won't get up. I won't get up."]

Manya rolled her eyes while Anushka let out an exaggerated sigh. The two looked at each other, silently communicating with a look only best friends understand equal parts frustration and mischief.

Without saying a word, they stepped forward and each took one of Palak's arms. They counted down with a slight nod... and then swung their arms together.
"Ek... do... teen!"

["One... two... three!"]

And just like that, Palak was hoisted up-her feet scraping against the floor as she yelped.
"Arre arre arre!" Palak squealed, flailing a little but not exactly resisting either
.
"Pranjal bolta hai na-'thetharyi mat karo!' Mat kar!" Manya said through a half-laugh, half-strained grunt as they dragged Palak by her arms toward the arcade.

["Pranjal always says-'Don't act all stubborn!' So don't!"]

"Tujhe baal laal kabhi nahi karwaane denge!" Anushka added, slightly out of breath but thoroughly entertained now.

["We're never letting you dye your hair red!"]
Palak, suspended between her two friends like a sack of flour, began to whine like a toddler denied a toy.

"Mujhe toh chahiye laal baal!" she whimpered dramatically, head hanging back, feet dragging helplessly along the floor. Her voice was loud enough to make a few more heads turn.

["But I want red hair!"]

But Manya and Anushka were unfazed. They had entered full big-sister mode.

Without giving her the chance to plant herself on the floor again, they pulled her all the way to the arcade area where the sounds of video games, laughter, and flashing lights created a chaotic but perfect distraction from Palak's failed rebellion.

"Dekho, games!" Manya said, pointing. As if she can distract Palak

["Look, games!"]

Palak sniffled dramatically, then crossed her arms as she stood in front of the arcade entrance.

"Tum dono meri feelings ki respect hi nahi karte!" she said, eyes narrowed but with a pout that betrayed her laughter bubbling underneath.

["You two don't respect my feelings at all!"]
___

The energy inside the Strike Zone remained electric as Vatsal, Adhvik, and Pranjal took turns teasing each other, rolling balls down the neon-lit lane, and keeping a running commentary on everything from aim to attitude.

But just as Pranjal was lining up for his next shot, Vatsal's gaze drifted slightly to the adjacent lane, where two girls were clearly struggling with their game.

They looked like college students or maybe around their age dressed well but visibly uncomfortable with the sport. One girl, in particular, was having a hard time.
She was wearing an off-shoulder pink top tucked into high-waisted black jeans, her nails long and perfectly manicured probably acrylic extensions. Her friend, dressed in a lavender co-ord set, had just bowled and barely knocked down a pin.

But what really caught Vatsal's attention was the way the girl in pink picked up the bowling ball fingers barely fitting in the holes, her posture all wrong.

"Arre, yeh toh haath tord legi," Vatsal murmured under his breath, watching as she attempted to swing the heavy ball with one hand, fingers bent at a risky angle.

["Arre, she's going to break her hand at this rate."]

Adhvik noticed the shift in his attention, smirking immediately. "Oye hoye... hero mode activate, dekho apne bhai ko" he whispered to Pranjal.

["Oye hoye... hero mode activated, look at our bro go!"]

"Charity karwa lo bass, aise toh iska Ghar basne se phele tuttega, accha hai Anushka yha nahi hai" Pranjal said face straight, crossing his arms.

["Might as well start a charity at this rate, he'll be broken before he even builds a home. Good thing Anushka isn't here."]

Vatsal didn't hear them he just walked over to the next lane with that casual, confident gait of his. Not flirty, not flashy. Just Vatsal being Vatsal the kind of guy who was trying to help people out without making it a big deal.

The girl had just set the ball on the return rack and was rubbing her wrist slightly when she noticed him approaching.

"Hey," Vatsal said, his voice friendly but polite.

"I hope I'm not intruding, Vatsal here" he said giving a polite smile,"I saw how you held the ball just now. You could hurt your wrist like that."

The girl blinked, slightly surprised. Her friend noticed too and straightened up.

"Oh... seriously? I had no idea. This is like... my first time bowling," she said, a little embarrassed.

Vatsal offered a small, reassuring smile as he shook her hand. "It's alright it happens to everyone. These balls may look light, but their weight distribution is tricky. Mind if I show you a safer way to hold and throw it?"

"Sure," she nodded quickly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Her nails shimmered under the arcade lights.

Adhvik leaned against the cafe window sipping his coke, chuckling softly. "Aur bhai ka charity program shuru."

["And big bro's charity program begins."]

Pranjal folded his arms, squinting in
disappointment. "Yhi sab ke kaaran badnaam hai bechara accha karna jata hai khud ke lagwa leta hai"

["It's because of all this that the poor guy has a bad name he tries to do something good, and ends up getting blamed himself."]

Back at the girls' lane, Vatsal picked up a medium-weight ball and held it out.

"Okay," he said, facing the girl. "You want to use your middle two fingers and thumb just enough to hold the ball firm but not force it.

Long nails make it tricky, so maybe don't insert them fully. Rest of the grip should come from your palm and wrist control."

She mirrored him, fumbling a little at first but eventually managing to hold it properly.

"Like this?" she asked, brows furrowed in concentration.

"Perfect," Vatsal nodded. "Now, when you roll it, keep your elbow relaxed, don't lock your wrist. It's more of a swing and release motion not a throw. Try to follow through with your arm."

He took a few steps back, demonstrating the motion without letting go of the ball.
She laughed, a bit shyly. "You make it look too easy."

"That's the trick," he winked. "Now try it. I'll guide you."

She took a few steps forward, hesitated, and then rolled the ball slow and careful, but this time it moved straight down the center and hit four pins.

"YES!" her friend clapped. "You actually hit something!"

The girl turned to Vatsal, beaming. "That felt... so much better."

Vatsal nodded, his arms crossed now. "Told you. It's all in the wrist and follow-through."

As he stepped back to return to his lane, she called out, "Thanks... I'm Priya, by the way."
He smiled, waving a casual hand. "Vatsal. Nice meeting you, Priya."

As soon as he stepped back into their own lane, Adhvik gave a slow sarcastic clap. "Waah bhai waah. Sir Vatsal, physical education teacher of the year."

["Wow bro, wow. Sir Vatsal, Physical Education Teacher of the Year."]

"Hero ban gaya bhai," Pranjal added shaking his head. "Jaisi harkate hai sahi hai Anushka bhabhi tujhe haan nahi bol rhi."

["Bro turned into a hero," "With the way you behave, it makes sense Anushka bhabhi isn't saying yes to you."]

Vatsal rolled his eyes but was grinning. "Aree yaar, she was about to sprain her wrist. I couldn't just stand there, aur Anushka haan kaise nahi bolegi, uske paas aur koi option nahi hai."

["Come on yaar, she was about to sprain her wrist. I couldn't just stand there and as for Anushka not saying yes, well, she doesn't have any other option."]

"Good deed, good deed," Adhvik said, still smirking. "Lekin tu bas help karne gaya tha ya number bhi liya?"

["But did you just go there to help, or did you get her number too?"]

"chii chup baith," Vatsal said irritated. "Mai kya tum logo ko road side romeo dikhta hu kya?" Vatsal huffed and took the Ball

["Ew, shut up,"
"Do I look like some roadside Romeo to you guys?"]