The sun had almost disappeared beyond the rooftops. The air smelled faintly of dust and the warm sweetness of evening flowers. Keya and her friend walked side by side along the narrow lane leading home, their school bags bouncing lightly against their shoulders.
The silence between them stretched for a while until her friend broke it.
"Keya," she said softly, "Vyom and you… you seem close."
Keya glanced at her with a small smile. "Vyom and I are just childhood friends. And I have male friends like Anand too."
Her friend grinned, but there was a spark of mischief in her eyes. "Please tell me honestly, Keya… is Anand your friend, or Vyom's friend?"
Keya stopped for a second, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
Her friend looked straight ahead, pretending to sound casual. "I mean, if there's something between you two, you'd better tell him soon — or someone else might take him away."
Keya didn't reply. She just looked away, her steps slowing. The gentle wind brushed her hair across her face, and for a moment, her eyes softened — as if she was remembering something she couldn't quite explain.
Her friend smiled teasingly, but when she saw Keya's silence, she changed the subject. The two continued walking quietly as the light faded around them.
---
In the Evening
The clock ticked steadily in Vyom's small study room. The walls were lined with half-filled notebooks, textbooks, and a small calendar marked with red circles — three months left until final exams.
Vyom leaned over his desk, tapping his pen against a page full of formulas. "It's already eight," he muttered. "I've been studying since five, but I can't understand a single thing."
He pushed his chair back and sighed. "What do I do now? These notes make no sense… maybe Anand can help."
He picked up his phone and typed quickly:
> Vyom: Hello bro, what are you doing? Please help me, I can't understand anything!
But the screen showed "last seen 2 hours ago."
"Of course," Vyom said under his breath. "When I finally need help, he disappears."
He sat there for a moment, staring at the phone, then said quietly, "Hmm… okay, I'll ask Keya."
His fingers hesitated before typing, as if the act itself needed courage.
> Vyom: Hello Keya, I was thinking of starting my studies seriously from today.
Within seconds, her reply appeared:
> Keya: Okay, good.
Vyom smiled faintly. "Short and to the point… that's so her."
He quickly typed again:
> Vyom: Please help me, I've been studying since five but nothing makes sense.
> Keya: Try watching one-shot videos; it'll help you understand faster.
Vyom blinked, impressed. "Good idea! Why didn't I think of that…"
He replied quickly.
> Vyom: Good idea!
Then came her next message:
> Keya: By the way, how come you suddenly remembered me today?
Vyom stared at the message for a few seconds. His lips curved into a small, helpless smile.
(I remember you every single moment...) he thought, but instead he typed:
> Vyom: Just needed help. Who else could I ask?
> Keya: What about Anand?
> Vyom: He's not online.
> Keya: Oh, so you only text me when Anand's not online? Great friendship we have.
Vyom quickly replied:
> Vyom: No, no! I just thought you'd be busy since exams are coming up…
> Keya: Stop making excuses! You started off nicely, but don't stress too much.
If you ever have a problem, just tell me, okay?
Vyom's expression softened. "She's… actually being nice," he murmured, smiling.
> Vyom: Alright.
> Keya: Then bye. Go study.
> Vyom: Bye.
He put the phone down and looked at the screen for a moment longer. A quiet warmth spread in his chest — small, but enough to make him feel alive.
---
Midnight
The house was silent. Vyom's room glowed faintly under his study lamp as he leaned back in his chair, half-asleep over his notebook. The phone buzzed suddenly, startling him.
He checked the screen — Anand.
> Anand: Hello bro, sorry! I was in class.
Vyom frowned and typed back:
> Vyom: Bro, my two classes are already over. What class were you in at this hour?
> Anand: Sorry, man.
> Vyom: So, what are you doing now?
> Anand: Nothing, just having tea.
> Vyom: Good, good.
> Anand: By the way, what did you need help with?
> Vyom: Nothing big. I just didn't know what to do next.
> Anand: Why? What happened? Did you finally confess to Keya?
Vyom smirked and typed back:
> Vyom: No bro, I was just studying.
> Anand: Oh right! So what should I do now?
> Anand: Use technology, my friend! Watch one-shots for each lesson and solve questions.
That way, even getting 70 marks isn't hard.
> Vyom: But what if I can't solve them?
> Anand: Then just find the answers online!
> Vyom: Okay.
> Anand: And remember — if you ever need anything, I'm here.
> Vyom: Hmm.
> Anand: Now go, man! And don't forget — only three months left till exams.
And don't skip the passing party, okay? Bye!
> Vyom: Bye, bro.
Vyom put his phone down, stretching his arms with a tired smile. "Let's study a bit more before sleeping," he said softly.
The clock ticked on. The pages of his notebook rustled as he turned them slowly, his eyes heavy with sleep. By the time he closed the last book, it was 3 a.m.
He looked out of the window — the night sky was deep and silent. Somewhere out there, maybe not far away, Keya might still be awake, replaying her friend's teasing words in her head.
Vyom smiled faintly before whispering, "Tomorrow will be better."
He turned off the light and lay down, the faint glow of the moon falling across his desk — over his open notes, his phone, and the quiet hope he didn't yet understand.
---
(To be continued…)
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