The next morning, just before the physics test, we hear Aarohi and Sukhi chatting as they walk to class.
Sukhi: "Why are your eyes so swollen?"
Aarohi groaned. "I was up all night studying physics. I barely managed to finish just two chapters đ„ș. Momentum and Quantum Mechanics totally fried my brain. I told Dad I didn't want to take physics and maths, but you know Indian parentsâwhen do they ever listen to their kids?"
Sukhi laughed. "Stop overthinking! You'll manage, slowly but surely. Plus, Nirvay said he'd help you, right? And seriously, you're talking about Indian parents not letting us choose our subjects? They won't even let us choose who we'll spend our wedding night with! đ€Ł Both subject and partnerâparents will decide everything."
Aarohi grinned. "Wow, from physics to physical topics now. Well, Sukhi, at least you'll get to choose Ayush for your special night." đ€
Sukhi sighed dramatically. "We haven't even had our first kiss yet. đ„Č"
Aarohi: "You're sad because you haven't kissed yet? Don't be. Go and grab him. Kiss him first! đ It's not always the boy who has to start, you know."
Sukhi: "It's not like that. Ayush said we should go slow and smart. I respect that."
Aarohi smiled softly. "Ayush is honestly such a sensitive and sweet guy. You're really lucky. I'm happy for you."
Just then, Nirvay called out to them and walked over.
Nirvay: "Good morning to both of you. And Aarohi, what happened to your eyes?"
Sukhi giggled. "Poor thing was studying all night!" đ€
Aarohi: "Yeah, go ahead. Laugh all you want."
Nirvay: "I told you I'd help you with this test, didn't I? After that, you should take proper tuition from meâmy physics and maths are unbeatable." đ
Aarohi: "Let's see." đ
Soon, everyone settled in their seats as the teacher handed out the answer sheets. Aarohi looked down at the question paperâand her heart sank.
Aarohi's thoughts: Only two questions are from the chapters I studied⊠and both are just worth 2 marks each. All the other questions are from the topics I skipped. Great. Just great. đą
Nirvay was quietly observing her panic, smiling at her expressions. Aarohi noticed him watching and glared at him. Nirvay quickly wiped his smile and signaled, What happened?
He scribbled something on a piece of paper, casually tossed it towards her, and Aarohi picked it up.
Note: Leave the questions you don't know blank. I'll manage the rest.
Aarohi stared at the note for a moment and then did exactly what he said. After all, writing wrong answers wouldn't earn her any marks either.
The test ended. Sharma Sir handed Nirvay all the answer sheets to store in the physics lab, as usual.
The results were scheduled to be announced the next day.
---
Scene: Lunch Break â Canteen
Later that day, Aarohi and Sukhi were chatting in the canteen about random nonsense when Nirvay joined them.
Nirvay: "By the way, Aarohi, your scooty's repair will take 2-3 more days. Some internal parts were damaged too."
Aarohi: "Those two boys⊠I swear, I'll smash them to pieces if I see them again! They weren't from our school, right?"
Nirvay: "No, don't worry. They weren't from here. But I'll find out who they were."
Just then, Shreya called out to Nirvay from the other side. Nirvay walked over to her while Aarohi silently watched, her eyes following him as he went.
Was something starting to change between them? Or was it just a temporary alliance?
The answer was waiting in the coming days.