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The Next Day — School Classroom
The classroom door slams shut with a loud bang. Everyone jumps. Akshat enters — full of rage, walking fast, throws his bag to the floor, and grabs Roni by the collar.
"I won't spare you!" he growls.
"Are you out of your mind? What do you want from me?" Roni yells back.
Just then, Riya's voice echoes, "Hey! What are you both doing? Why are you fighting?"
"He already apologized to me. It's over. There's no point dragging this further, Akshat," Riya says calmly.
"You're too naive, Riya. You trust people too easily," Akshat smirks bitterly.
"You're overreacting, Akshat," Roni snaps.
"Both of you stop it!" Riya steps in between them.
A teacher arrives and takes all of them to the staff room. Sitting them down, he asks, "Tell me what happened."
Everyone turns to Riya.
"Did someone push you?" the teacher asks.
Riya pauses, then quietly replies, "No… I slipped. It was my own fault. I fell."
Akshat stares at her, shocked. He expected her to speak the truth — to stand up for herself. But instead, he storms out, fuming. The others stay silent, watching the drama unfold.
Riya runs after him and grabs his hand, stopping him.
"Akshat, please listen…"
"You didn't do me any favor by lying," he says coldly.
Riya replies sincerely, "It wasn't a favor… I just didn't want to drag the fight further. I know you're upset, Akshat… please don't misunderstand me." She holds his hand gently.
"Oh really? Then why did you even try to be friends?" he says, yanking his hand away.
"If you want to be friends, do it with understanding — not just out of anger," Riya says, hurt.
---
The Next Morning
Riya is running late, rushing toward school.
"I'm definitely going to be late today," she mutters.
A long car suddenly stops beside her. Roni steps out.
"Hop in. I'll drop you."
"No, I can go by myself."
"You could… but you'll be late. Besides, you sleep through half the classes anyway. Just think of this as part of my apology!" he laughs.
Riya hesitates, then smiles and gets in. Roni opens the car door for her — something he rarely does, but today, he does it for her. He even offers his hand. Riya, thinking of him as a friend, accepts it. But others around them start whispering.
Among the whisperers are the same girls who had tried to throw her into the pool. Their jaws drop.
"Since when did Roni become such a gentleman?!"
Akshat notices the scene too. Riya tries to meet his eyes, but he looks at her hand — still in Roni's — and walks away. She quickly pulls her hand back, but it's too late. He's gone.
As Riya enters class, Shesha deliberately bumps her shoulder — hard. Riya says nothing, just watches her go.
But then Isha, walking from the opposite direction, bumps Shesha back the same way. Shesha looks stunned. Isha smiles at Riya, who can't help but burst into laughter.
---
In the Canteen
While Akshat is getting his lunch, Riya walks up.
"Hey…"
He says nothing.
She assumes he didn't hear her. "Hey, you didn't get my favorite dish! I'm talking to you. Are you ignoring me?"
Akshat looks around and sarcastically says, "Ooooh, you're talking to me? I thought you were saying hello to your new friends."
"Why are you saying that? You know I was talking to you. Want me to bring you something?"
"No. I don't need anything. I'm busy," Akshat says and gets up to leave.
"Wait, can't you sit for a minute? I want to talk."
"Then go talk to someone else… and sit with them," he says with a tone Riya had never heard before.
"I don't care," he adds, walking away.
Riya sits there, stunned.
Akshat glances back… sees her still sitting alone… and walks off without a word.
---
Later, at the Basketball Court
"I'm not leaving until I shoot multiple goals from the center line. This is my passion. If I win this tournament for the team, I'll prove I'm meant for this," Akshat says to himself, drenched in sweat after practice.
"It's getting late… and freezing out here," he shivers. "Huhhh… this wind is brutal. Aaaachhooo!"
He hears a sneeze and jumps, startled. "Riya? Are you still here?"
"Oh, it's you? Finally showed up. Planning to spend the night here or what?" she jokes.
"What are you doing here? It's super late."
"I was just… looking for fireflies."
"Or waiting for me?" Akshat squints at her.
"No way!" (They both burst into laughter.)
"I don't know what upset you… but forgive me, please."
Riya smiles through the cold, "I feel better just seeing you…"
He gently brushes her hair and they walk home together, talking the whole way.
---
At School — A Big Announcement
"Students, this is the most critical year for you. It's time to start planning your universities and future courses. The school is offering a special scholarship opportunity for deserving students."
Excitement buzzes through the classroom.
"I'm definitely applying!" Riya says.
"Yes, you should!" Isha cheers.
Some rich girls giggle, "Why would we need a scholarship? We have everything already."
---
Next Day — In the Library
All four friends sit together, but only Riya is studying.
"You should apply for the scholarship too," she says.
"Nah, I want to be a director… not study at some fancy university," Roni shrugs.
"You study. I'll support you all the way," Isha encourages Riya.
"But why are these two boys even here?" Isha and Riya glance at Roni and Akshat.
"Akshat's the basketball guy… and the other one (Roni), well… he's just wasting time."
The two boys exchange glares, neither willing to leave — like an unspoken competition.
"Why don't you leave? You don't even belong here," Akshat says.
"You don't belong here either," Roni snaps back, then turns to Riya,
"You've been studying like crazy. I'm sure you'll crack it. Let's go out somewhere, have some fun."
"Yeah, it's been a while!" Roni adds.
"Why would she go anywhere with you? I'm not letting her go anywhere. What if you push her into water again?" Akshat interrupts.
"Don't overreact, Akshat."
"Oh God, not this again… Listen, we'll go out — but just us girls!" Riya says firmly.
"What?! No… all of us!" Roni protests.
"You hush! It'll be a girls' day out. Why not? We need a break."
"Really?"
"Yes, it'll be fun!"
"Fine, let's go…"
"Wow, I invited you guys… and now no one's even acknowledging me… and Akshat, stop laughing so hard!" Roni sulks.
---
The Girls Go Out
They shop, eat, laugh, and reminisce. Suddenly, it starts raining. Isha pulls Riya into the rain, and they get drenched.
As Riya laughs in the rain, she's reminded of Rimjhim (Ritika). Her laughter slowly turns into tears.
When she tells Isha why she's crying, Isha hugs her tightly, tears streaming from her own eyes.
They promise — whoever hurt Rimjhim… they will make sure justice is served.
---
Meanwhile, by the River — The Boys
Roni and Akshat sit bored by the river.
"We need to do something," Roni mutters.
"Just shut up. Thanks to you, we got caught sneaking into the girls' section and got kicked out. This is all your fault," Akshat grumbles.
"Yet you're still sitting with me."
"I'm here for my own reasons. Not for you."
"Alright then… let's go fulfill that reason," Roni grins.
---
Later That Night — Surprise!
It's freezing cold now. The girls arrive at the riverside. Suddenly, Riya turns around — Isha's missing.
She searches for her… and then whoosh — sprinklers burst from above, and a birthday song starts playing.
"Happy Birthday to You…"
She turns to see Isha wearing a party hat, spraying confetti. The boys are standing behind her, holding a cake.
"Oh my God… what have you guys done to yourselves?" Riya laughs loudly.
"We thought you'd say thank you, but instead you're laughing like crazy," Roni says.
"How can I not laugh? You're dressed like penguins!" Isha teases.
"You have no idea the struggle we went through to get Riya's favorite cake. The last one was about to be sold… and we had to charm the shopkeeper dressed like this!"
"Awwww… you remembered my birthday?"
She starts crying.
"I can't believe I'm this happy…"
"Are you trying to make us cry now?" Akshat laughs.
They all group-hug and celebrate.
Later, Riya and Isha sit together, eating cake and talking. Riya says she hasn't felt this happy in a long time. Isha agrees.
Just as things turn emotional, Isha glances behind and bursts out laughing—
"Look at those two… how cute!"
The boys have fallen asleep, leaning on each other on the bench.
"They must be exhausted from the whole day," Riya says with a smile.
The girls look at each other — and laugh.
---