📘 Chapter 3 – That Moment
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🏫 A Normal Morning at School
Like every other day, Aarav was at his seat, writing something in his diary.
But today felt different — Priya had said something yesterday that kept spinning in his mind:
> "Stay after school tomorrow... I have a surprise."
There was a mix of excitement and nervousness in him.
Class was going on, but his focus wasn't on the blackboard — it was only on the moment when Priya would meet him.
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🍱 Lunchtime – Just One Glance
During lunch break, Aarav saw Priya.
She was with her friends, but for a second, she turned and looked back — their eyes met.
A small smile —
And Aarav's whole day lit up.
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🏃♂️ After School – The Same Street, The Same Turn
5:00 PM sharp...
Aarav went to the same spot they always met — the little turn near the tea stall.
Priya arrived a bit late.
She had a small gift box in her hand.
> Priya: "This is for you."
Aarav (a little hesitant): "What is it?"
Priya (smiling): "See for yourself... but only after you reach home."
Aarav was about to say something, but got awkward.
He just smiled and took the box.
Then Priya asked:
> "By the way... is there something you want to say?"
Aarav looked into her eyes.
A soft smile... He was just about to speak...
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🚨 And Then...
🛻 A loud horn blasted.
Everything happened in one second —
Priya stepped onto the road without looking.
Aarav shouted —
> "PRIIYAAA!!"
TRUCK. THUD. SCREECH.
People ran toward them.
No one understood what just happened.
The gift box lay on the ground.
Priya... had gone silent.
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😶 Time Froze
Aarav stood frozen.
Tears welled up... but no sound came.
Everything felt like slow motion.
People running…
But Aarav — his entire world had stopped.
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🛏️ That Night – Crying Without Tears
At home, Aarav didn't eat.
He picked up the gift box...
Tried to open it... but didn't have the strength.
> "She wanted to tell me something..."
"I should've told her... but I didn't."
That night, he didn't speak to anyone.
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💢 The Next Day – Vanshu Arrives
Vanshu came to his house.
His face was red — not with anger... but something deep inside had shattered.
> Vanshu: "Aarav... she's... she's gone…"
Aarav just nodded.
Vanshu couldn't say anything else.
He stayed silent... and then left.
But when he walked away, his footsteps were filled with heavy rage.
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Here is the English version of your Chapter 5 – "Her Gift" from The Unknown Peace, translated and polished for emotional impact and clarity:
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🌌 In the Darkness of Night – A Lonely Room
Everyone in the house had gone to sleep,
but sleep had been stolen from Aarav's eyes.
He sat quietly on his bed, holding the gift box Priya had given him —
He still hadn't opened it.
There was a strange fear inside his chest,
as if opening the box would reveal a truth...
...he wasn't ready to face.
> "Should I open it?
Or... just leave it?"
But then, he whispered to himself —
> "She's gone...
But what she gave me — I have to understand it."
Slowly, he untied the ribbon.
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🎁 The Secret of the Gift Box
Inside was a small diary —
a pink cover, with something written in Priya's handwriting:
> "For Aarav – my dearest friend."
Below it was a folded letter.
Aarav opened it with trembling hands...
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💌 Priya's Letter
> "Hey idiot, if you're reading this, that means you actually took my words seriously 😄"
"When I look at you, I feel like there are still good people left in this world. People like you..."
"...who smile at the smallest things, who carry kindness without showing off. Meeting you felt like meeting someone rare."
"I don't know what tomorrow holds... but if we ever get separated, remember — you're never truly alone."
"You were my first and last choice — as a friend... and maybe something more."
~ Priya
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😔 Silence – A Shattered World
As Aarav read the letter,
tears silently rolled down his cheeks.
But he didn't scream.
He didn't cry out loud.
He just broke... from the inside.
He picked up the diary.
Inside were little memories —
their first conversation,
a tiny chocolate gift,
a moment in the library,
a photograph...
Every page was a little world —
one only they could understand.
> "Priya... you're not gone.
You're still here.
Inside me."
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🌄 The Next Morning – Hiding the Pain
Aarav went to school.
Everything looked the same...
Except Priya wasn't there.
People whispered, gave him sympathy —
"Poor guy..."
"Priya was his friend, right?"
But no one really knew
what had broken inside him.
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🧍 Unexpected Moment – The Boy on the Last Bench
A new boy had joined the class.
Black hoodie, a hint of attitude in his eyes,
but he kept glancing at Aarav.
During lunch break, he walked up and said:
> Boy: "You're Aarav, right?"
Aarav (surprised): "Yeah… who are you?"
Boy: "Don't ask my name.
Just know this — you're different."
Aarav: "What do you mean?"
Boy: "When the time comes… you'll understand."
And with that, he left.
Aarav stood confused.
But before the boy disappeared,
he left a small note on Aarav's desk:
> "People like you don't exist in every era.
Brace yourself…
The real story hasn't even begun yet."
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Chapter 3 END .