It was evening.
A soft yellow light glowed in Aarav's room—the kind of warm tone that relaxes the eyes while reading, yet somehow pushes the mind to think a little deeper.
The window was half-open, and the breeze gently swayed the curtains.
The room smelled of books—the typical "topper-room" fragrance...
Even though Aarav wasn't a topper, he had created the complete topper-like ambience.
All his schoolwork was neatly arranged on the table—
the Physics file, Chemistry numericals, Maths worksheet—everything completed.
Surprisingly, he had finished his homework on time today.
Maybe his mind was less in work mode and more in overthinking mode.
Now he was lying on the bed—
a pillow under his shoulder, legs stretched out, and a thick novel in his hand.
"Shaapit Prem: Ek Badle Ki Gatha."
Every time he read the chapters about Abhinav and Anika,
something inside his mind got triggered.
Today was no different.
The chemistry between Abhinav and Anika...
their understanding...
the way they could read each other without speaking...
Aarav paused, placing his finger on a line in the book.
"Can a boy and a girl really have such deep understanding?"
the question rose in his mind on its own.
A few seconds later, another followed—
"Could Riya and I ever have such understanding?"
The page was still open, but his mind had zoomed straight to Riya.
Her smile in the library...
the teasing during the throwball match...
her genuine excitement in the canteen when she said she wanted to read his story...
and then... Vinay.
Vinay grabbing his collar.
That threat.
That ego.
Aarav took a long breath.
"What is this whole Vinay scene, man..."
he muttered inwardly.
He flipped the page,
but his mind was still stuck in the same place.
"If Vinay really creates a problem... will Riya drift away?"
The thought pinched him.
A little too much.
He closed the book.
His heart said everything would be fine.
His mind whispered—
"Be careful."
The fan kept spinning...
and evening slowly faded into night.
⭐ CUT TO — Riya's House
The atmosphere in Riya's home was entirely different.
Her room was dark, lit only by the soft glow of a study lamp.
Riya sat on her bed, knees drawn close, her face slightly gloomy.
Her mind was stuck in the same loop—
Aarav.
Vinay.
Threat.
Fear.
Guilt.
Anger.
"This Vinay has really made life difficult..."
she muttered to herself softly.
"He's a politician's son... the school doesn't say much... and even if we complain, no action is taken..."
Her words carried anger, frustration, and a trace of fear in between.
She wondered—
"Now he will trouble Aarav too...
Will Aarav still talk to me?
Or will he get scared...
like the other boys do...?"
She closed her eyes and bent forward slightly.
Just then—
Knock knock.
Riya lifted her head.
She opened the door—
Neha.
Neha was the kind of friend who walked in as if the house belonged to her.
"What were you doing, Riya?" Neha asked, throwing her bags aside.
Riya gave a weak smile—
"Just... sitting."
Neha raised her eyebrows—
"Meaning you were sad?"
Riya looked a little embarrassed—
"No, I was just thinking..."
"Thinking about whom?" Neha smirked.
Riya looked away—
"Nothing. Leave it..."
Neha sat on the bed—
"Come on, tell me. Did Vinay say something again?"
Riya's face gave the answer away.
Neha's expression changed instantly—
"Again?! Doesn't that guy have anything better to do? Every time, he's after you."
Riya took a deep breath—
"Neha... honestly... I'm tired.
Now he is after Aarav too."
Neha reacted at once—
"Aarav? The cute one? That simple, innocent guy? Why is Vinay dragging him in?"
Riya couldn't suppress a small smile—
"He's... nice. A bit mischievous, but nice."
Neha caught it immediately—
"Ohho! So much praise for Aarav?
Don't tell me you like him?"
Riya almost jumped—
"Neha! No! He's just a friend. Just a friend."
Neha puckered her lips—
"Just friends... right?"
Riya threw a pillow at her—
"Shut up!"
Both of them burst out laughing.
They shifted the topic to school gossip, teachers, assignments, the canteen, exams—everything.
After a while—
Riya's mom entered the room.
From the doorway she said,
"Riya beta, come help me in the kitchen... we need to cook dinner."
Riya looked at Neha—
"Shall we?"
They both went to the kitchen.
Riya's mom was chopping vegetables.
As soon as Neha arrived, the jokes began—
"Aunty, what's cooking today?
Don't make it too spicy like yesterday—my tongue was on fire!"
Aunty laughed—
"Neha, the moment you come, my kitchen turns into a reality show."
Neha acted dramatically—
"Aunty, that's just who I am—gratis entertainment."
Riya was laughing.
The kitchen was warm, but the atmosphere was even warmer and homely.
All three continued chopping, mixing, adding masala, laughing—everything flowed naturally.
While rolling dough, Neha asked—
"Aunty, should I make the rotis?
Though the shape becomes a little... abstract."
Riya's mom laughed—
"Abstract art is also a shape—just don't let there be holes."
Neha struck a dramatic pose—
"Aunty, I never burn anything...
except people's patience."
Riya burst into laughter.
For a while, all three worked silently,
but the silence too was comforting—
the kind that's filled with the warmth of home.
Riya's mom gently asked—
"Riya beta, how's school going? You look tired today."
Neha spoke up immediately—
"Aunty, Vinay irritated Riya again today."
Riya glared—
"Nehaaa...!"
Mom's eyes tightened with concern—
"Again? Why doesn't that boy stop?"
Riya said softly—
"Aunty, even the principal doesn't do anything... he's the politician's son."
Mom sighed—
"Beta, just stay away from him... don't say anything unnecessary."
Neha dropped her joking tone and spoke seriously—
"Aunty, actually... there's another problem Riya is dealing with."
Mom turned—
"What?"
Neha twirled a spoon—
"There's a boy... Aarav. Very simple, decent, good boy.
Vinay troubled him too."
Riya immediately said—
"Neha, stop! Don't tell Mom."
But Mom had already heard it.
"Riya... is he your friend?"
Her voice carried no judgement—just pure curiosity.
Riya blushed slightly—
"Just... a friend."
Neha rolled her eyes—
"Just friend, just friend, just friend.
Aunty, she's said this so many times my ears are tired."
Mom smiled gently—
"If he's a good boy, let him remain a friend... friendship isn't wrong."
Riya smiled—
"He's good... a little strange... but good."
Neha nudged her—
"Look at your expression right now...
This is definitely more than just friends."
Riya made a face—
"Neha, please! You talk nonsense all the time."
Mom laughed and said,
"I'll go check the food... you two continue your gossip."
Aunty walked away.
Now only Riya and Neha were left in the kitchen.
Neha asked,
"Tell me honestly... what exactly is Aarav to you?"
Riya picked up the rolling pin, then put it back—
she wanted to speak the truth, but the truth itself was unclear.
"I don't know...
I just... like talking to him."
Neha tilted her head—
"That's it? Only that?"
Riya drew small circles on the table with her finger and said softly—
"He's... different.
Not like the other boys.
There's a strange kind of comfort with him...
feels like I can share anything with him for no reason."
Neha gave her a wide smile—
"And your smile changes when it's about him."
Riya immediately denied it—
"Nehaaa! Don't talk rubbish!"
But she couldn't hide the slight blush.
And a friend like Neha would never let that blush slide.
Neha said,
"You both have matching vibes...
but Vinay..."
Riya's face fell again.
"The moment you take Vinay's name, my mood drops.
It's not that I'm scared of him... it's just... he makes me angry.
And guilty."
"Guilty? Why?" Neha asked.
Riya said quietly—
"Because Aarav is facing problems because of me.
What if Vinay bothers him again?
What if Aarav creates distance from me?
What if I become a burden to him?"
Her voice cracked a little.
Neha immediately placed a hand on her shoulder—
"Riya, listen...
Aarav isn't some fragile boy who'll run away scared.
He's sensible, decent, and smart."
Riya replied softly—
"But I feel like I'm becoming a problem for him."
Neha said firmly—
"Riya, you are not the problem.
Vinay is.
And as long as I'm here, no one can mess with either of you."
Riya laughed a little—
"So, what will you do? Fight Vinay?"
Neha said proudly—
"I can fight egos. Vinay is nothing."
They both burst into laughter.
Just then, Riya's mom called from behind—
"Girls! Are the rotis done? Or are you only cooking up stories?"
Neha shouted—
"Aunty! The rotis I made today are this house's special dish!
I deserve extra appreciation."
Mom laughed—
"You'll get it, Chef Neha."
For a while, all three continued cooking together—
laughing, teasing, sharing little conversations,
and filling the kitchen with a warm, cozy vibe.
Dinner was slowly coming together.
The kitchen echoed with their laughter, the sound of utensils,
and the aroma of freshly made rotis.
And amidst all this, Riya felt light—
lighter than she had felt all day.
After dinner was prepared, Neha and Riya set the plates.
Neha joked—
"Riya, I think if I become a chef... world hunger will end."
Riya's mom laughed—
"Yes, because no one will eat your food... everyone will stay hungry."
Neha showed fake anger—
"Aunty! You're too much..."
A little while later, it was time for Neha to leave.
While walking her to the gate, Neha said—
"Riya, seriously... don't stress.
I'll handle the Aarav situation...
you just behave normally."
Riya nodded—
"Hmm... I'll try."
Neha gave her a half-hug—
"Okay, see you tomorrow... and don't avoid talking to Aarav.
Boys get confused fast."
Riya looked surprised—
"Why would I avoid him?"
Neha gave a teasing smile—
"Just... in case.
Goodnight, Riya."
"Goodnight..."
Riya closed the gate.
Inside, the house returned to its calm evening quiet.
Mom was adjusting things in the kitchen,
and Riya slowly walked back to her room.
The room felt comforting—
a soft breeze from the window,
books on the table,
and a small diary beside her bed.
The same diary where she occasionally wrote her thoughts.
Today, she picked it up...
uncapped her pen...
and paused for a few seconds.
On the page, she wrote—
"Why do I feel scared for Aarav?
He didn't do anything wrong.
But still... I feel responsible.
I hope he's okay..."
Her writing looked faint—
as if her mind itself was unsure.
After a while, she put the pen down and lay on the bed.
Staring at the ceiling, she whispered—
"Please... let tomorrow be normal..."
Slowly, her eyes closed,
and the weight of the day turned into a little relief.
⭐ CUT TO — Aarav's Room (Late Night)
Aarav was still awake.
The novel lay on his chest,
but his attention was somewhere else entirely.
His mind was spinning in its own universe under the ceiling fan.
He picked up his phone—
opened WhatsApp.
Not to message anyone—just aimlessly scrolling.
Then he wondered—
"Should I message Riya? Just... ask if she reached home safely?"
The next second—
"No... that will seem weird.
What right do I have to ask?
And what if Vinay creates another scene?"
He tossed the phone aside.
His mind replayed the afternoon—
Vinay grabbing his collar...
threatening instead of talking...
the boys laughing...
and Riya's distant gaze, filled with worry, guilt, and something unspoken.
Aarav closed his eyes.
"Why do I care so much?
She's... just a friend.
Just a friend."
But his heart didn't accept that logic.
He wondered—
"Is she thinking about it too?
Is she feeling uncomfortable?
Did Vinay say something to her?"
A strange bulb of restlessness glowed inside him—
not too bright, not too dim—
just enough to disturb his sleep.
He picked up the phone again.
Opened the notes app.
And wrote—
"Sometimes a small connection can complicate a simple life.
But avoiding it feels worse."
He glanced at the camera.
Selfie mode turned on, but he didn't take a picture—
he just looked at himself.
His shirt collar was still a little crumpled.
He straightened it gently.
"Dumb Vinay..."
He then opened his notebook—
as if writing would quiet his mind.
He picked up the pen and slowly wrote—
"If she steps away because of fear,
I won't blame her.
But if I step away because of fear...
I won't forgive myself."
This line felt incredibly close to him.
He put the pen down,
and finally closed his eyes.
The last thought in his mind was—
Riya.
Outside, the night was silent,
yet in both their minds,
the wind was flowing through half-open windows.
In different houses,
on different beds,
with different emotions...
but with the same thought:
"What will happen tomorrow?"