Indhu POV
The next morning, something about our usual energy felt… different. Not bad—just different. Aditya and I kept exchanging mischievous looks every time Shweta and Rohan spoke. It was honestly hard not to. Rohan tried so hard to act normal, but it only made things more obvious.
Shweta had told me quietly the night before that during their conversation, Rohan had said he still liked her—but that he needed time. And she, being Shweta, didn't want to rush him at all. Just knowing that made me smile every time I looked at them.
By mid-morning, the teacher walked in and clapped her hands for attention.
"Class 10-B, you'll be doing a mini group project this week. I'll assign partners. Take it seriously—this counts for your internals."
Suddenly, everyone went silent.
As the names were called, I felt myself holding my breath along with everyone else.
"Rohan… Shweta."
Aditya almost choked on air. I immediately hid my laugh behind my notebook, pretending to read something very important. Shweta and Rohan froze for a second, then awkwardly slid their desks closer together.
"Wow," Aditya muttered, barely audible. "What a romantic coincidence."
I elbowed him lightly and whispered, "Shhh. Just watch."
Charlotte had finally returned. The moment she stepped into class, she sensed it.
"Okay," she said, pointing at us suspiciously, "what did I miss? Why does Shweta look like a tomato and Rohan like he's solving calculus in his head?"
Aditya and I couldn't hold it anymore. We burst out laughing and told her everything—dramatically, of course. By the time we finished, Charlotte was smirking.
"So I miss one day and the entire plot changes?" she said. "Not fair. I need compensation. Let's do something after school."
None of us even tried to protest. When Charlotte decides something, it's already done.
That evening, instead of going straight home, we stopped at a nearby café-bookshop. Charlotte immediately turned it into a game—everyone had to pick a book for someone else.
When it was Rohan's turn, he handed Shweta a poetry book, barely meeting her eyes.
"This… um… kinda suits you."
Shweta blinked, her cheeks turning pink. Aditya and I almost fell off our chairs trying not to laugh.
Aditya leaned in, smirking. "So… Romeo. Still blushing?"
Rohan shot him a mock glare. "Don't tease us, Adi. You once said you liked someone too, remember? Who is it?"
That was it.
The café erupted in laughter. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Shweta and Charlotte weren't any better. Aditya actually choked on his juice.
"Hey—!" he spluttered. "Okay, okay! I'll tell you later!"
Shweta nudged Rohan, grinning. "See? Karma exists."
Rohan smiled, trying to hide his blush. "Alright, alright. Let's focus on us, not Adi's secrets."
Charlotte waved a napkin dramatically. "This is perfect. Snacks, books, and confessions. Best combo ever."
We didn't want the evening to end, so we lingered near the school garden, the late sunlight turning everything soft and golden. The flowers swayed gently, and the air felt light—like something special was settling into place.
Aditya and I cheered loudly at literally nothing, while Charlotte clapped so dramatically she almost lost her balance.
"The official verdict of Romeo," she declared, "delivered with style!"
Shweta laughed, her nervousness completely gone. "This… this is something I'll never forget."
Rohan shrugged, trying to act casual. "If it's going to be official, it should at least be memorable."
As we walked home together, I felt this quiet warmth inside me.
"This feels nice," I said softly. "Like we're all stepping into a new chapter."
Aditya nodded. "Yeah. A comedy-drama directed entirely by Charlotte."
Charlotte linked her arm with Shweta and twirled slightly. "Obviously. And the plot twists are only getting started."
We laughed, our footsteps echoing down the street. Secrets, teasing, confessions—somehow, all of it had only pulled us closer. And as I looked at them, I knew this chapter would be one we'd remember for a very long time.