Rhea's POV — The Quiet Walk
One by one, they peeled away.
Samar left first, still arguing with Neel about who ate more puri.
Kabir stopped at the turn, gave a small nod, and went the other way.
And suddenly—
It was just Yuhan and me.
The street felt different without the noise. Evening air. Soft lights. Our footsteps in sync.
After a few minutes, I asked quietly, "Do you… feel okay being friends with us?"
He didn't answer immediately. Just walked, hands in his pockets.
Then he nodded. "Yeah. I do."
Pause.
"My old friends," he said slowly, "they were… convenient friends."
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "They showed up when they needed notes, help, favors. When I needed something—" He shrugged. "They disappeared."
I glanced at him. He wasn't looking at me. Just ahead.
"With you all," he continued, lighter now, "I can't even leave without someone dragging me for pani puri."
I laughed softly.
"That's true," I said. "We don't let people go easily."
He smiled then. Real. Small.
"Having friends feels… overwhelming sometimes," he admitted. "But in a good way."
I understood that feeling too well.
We slowed near my house.
I turned to say something—and noticed the way he was looking at me.
Not obvious. Not bold.
Like he was holding something back.
Words. Thoughts. Maybe feelings he hadn't figured out yet.
He blinked, looked away, and cleared his throat. "You're home."
"Yeah," I said.
He walked me to the gate anyway. Waited till I was inside.
"Good night, Rhea," he said.
"Good night, Yuhan."
He walked away.
And for some reason—
The quiet stayed with me longer than the chaos ever did.
Yuhan's POV — The Walk Home
When everyone left, I didn't say anything.
I just… stayed.
The street felt quieter than it should've. No Samar yelling, no Neel arguing, no Kabir's calm presence grounding everything. Just footsteps and the evening air.
Rhea asked if I felt good being friends with them.
I almost laughed. Almost.
I nodded instead. "Yeah."
What I didn't say right away was the truth. That friendships before this were… transactions. People came when they needed help. Notes. Answers. Support. And when I needed them—there was always an excuse. Always silence.
I told her that part. The softer version.
"With you guys," I joked, "I can't even leave in peace."
She laughed, and something in my chest eased.
I meant it, though. Having friends like this—loud, stubborn, messy—it was overwhelming. But it was real. For the first time, I didn't feel like I was calculating my place.
We slowed near her house.
I looked at her then.
I didn't mean to stare—but it happened. The way she listened. The way she understood without interrupting. Like she actually saw me.
I wanted to say something.
Something honest. Something risky.
I didn't.
I swallowed it back, smiled, and pointed at the gate. "You're home."
She said goodnight.
I waited till she went inside.
Then I walked away—
carrying more than I planned to.
Next day. School.
Same chaos. Same people. Same volume.
Samar was reenacting yesterday's pani puri incident with full expressions.
Neel was arguing that he paid more because he ate less, which made zero sense.
Yuhan and Kabir were already seated, quietly discussing something serious—probably about how we were all doomed academically.
I opened my bag. Found nothing useful. Peaceful start.
That's when the teacher walked in.
Too calm.
Too early.
She placed her bag down slowly. Smiled.
My soul left my body.
"Take out a sheet of paper," she said sweetly.
Silence.
"Surprise test."
The class gasped like someone had announced a death.
Samar whispered, "She's joking. She has to be joking."
Neel clutched my arm. "Rhea… I saw God just now."
Kabir closed his eyes for one second. Just one.
Yuhan sighed like a man accepting fate.
Papers were passed.
First question.
I read it.
Blink.
Read it again.
Whoever said surprise tests build character—I hope they step on Lego.
Samar leaned forward. "What's the answer?"
I whispered back, "What's the question?"
Neel was already writing… nonsense. Full confidence. Wrong universe.
"Time starts now."
Panic.
Pens scratching. Pages flipping. Regret flooding.
Samar raised his hand. "Ma'am, will this test count?"
She smiled. "Yes."
Collective heartbreak.
Halfway through, Neel dropped his pen. Loudly.
Teacher stared.
He whispered, "It fainted."
Bell rang too soon. Or too late. Hard to tell.
Papers collected.
We all slumped back.
Samar declared, "I'm changing schools."
Neel nodded. "I'm changing names."
Yuhan muttered, "I'm changing reality."
Kabir looked at me. "You okay?"
I laughed. Tired. Dramatic. "Ask me after results."
Same chaos.
Just… academically threatening now. 😭