After a few days, Varun started going to school regularly again. During exams, if he didn't know the answers, he simply wouldn't write anything — he only wrote what he knew. He never copied from anyone; that wasn't his nature. Days began to go well, and he started having fun with his school friends.
After coming home, he often went out joyfully with his brother Chandru on his bike. Around this time, Varun started feeling an attraction toward a girl named Priya. Because of that, he began to be wherever Priya was.
One afternoon, both Varun's and Priya's classes were combined for a subject. During the break, Priya bought some snacks and was climbing the steps when her balance changed and all her coins fell down. Varun, who was nearby, quickly picked them up and handed them back to her. Priya smiled and said, "Thanks," before walking away. That single moment was enough to make Varun's heart skip a beat.
Usually, when boys realize their crush has noticed them, they feel over the moon. But Varun couldn't even handle that simple joy — he just stood there frozen.
A few days later, the school announced a cultural program. Other boys had expensive phones and wore branded shirts and pants. Varun didn't have those, and he didn't even want to trouble his family by asking for them. He wandered around quietly, feeling low. When his friend Harsha asked him to join, he said he wouldn't come.
Even though he tried to forget, Priya's thoughts came to his mind again. To distract himself, Varun sat alone on his house terrace, staring at the sky. Just then, a bag suddenly landed in front of him — it was thrown by his brother, Chandru. When Varun opened it, he was surprised to find a branded shirt, pants, shoes, and the expensive phone he had always wished for. Tears filled his eyes with happiness.
Chandru smiled, grabbed his hand tightly, and said, "Come on, Varun, we're getting late for the culturals!" Varun quickly got ready and came down looking handsome. Chandru dropped him off on the bike, saying, "If you go by bus, you'll be late — I'll take you there myself."
At the event, Varun felt confident and joyful, standing equally among his friends. Harsha was surprised to see him and later left, saying he'd return soon.
While Varun was checking out his new phone's features, he suddenly heard a voice say, "Excuse me, can you help me for a minute?" He turned around — it was Priya, dressed beautifully for her group dance performance. She had forgotten her makeup kit and needed to buy one quickly. She asked if he could get it from the nearby shop.
Though time was short, Varun immediately said, "I'll get it!" and rushed off like lightning. He ran to a big shop first, but they didn't have it. Then he ran to another, but it wasn't available there either. Varun was shocked because he had seen that exact kit many times in those same shops — yet now, when he truly needed it, it was nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, Priya grew nervous. She didn't even know Varun's name but kept glancing toward the direction he had gone, worried if he'd return. Just when she turned around in disappointment, she heard someone call her name — "Priya!" She looked back, and Varun stood there, holding the makeup kit in his hand.
She took it and walked away quickly. As she turned back, Varun smiled and said, "Once your performance is over, let's meet here again." And then, she left with a shy smile.