Aditi was comfortably scrolling through Instagram when her phone buzzed with two calls back-to-back. Agastya first, followed by Mannat, one of her good friends.

Aditi rolled her eyes before picking up. "Haan, bol, Mannat." she said, but before he could say anything, Mannat's voice blared through the speakers, "Carnival hai, Aditi! We're coming to pick you up. Get ready!"

Aditi's eyes widened in panic. "What?! Kahan tha yeh carnival ka news pura din?!" she cursed them under her breath, scrambling to her feet. "You could've told me earlier! Now I need to get ready in two minutes!"

She threw her phone down and ran to her wardrobe like a headless chicken. She grabbed a simple black skirt, paired it with a cardigan, and slipped into her black Converse.

Just as she was adjusting her cardigan, the main door opened, and in walked Shubman, fresh from practice. His eyes immediately locked on Aditi, who was running around like a tornado.

"What even happened? You were completely okay during the day. Why are you running like a maniac?" Shubman asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly amused.

Aditi, still on the hunt for something, turned to him in panic. "Power bank chahiye! I'm going to a fare with my friends and my phone is at 3% charge! Instagram pe puri duniya ki gossip padhi, aur charge karna bhool gayi!" she said, annoyed.

Shubman raised his head in a dramatic gesture. "What even are you Aditi." He flopped onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh. "I'm not coming. I don't like spending time with kids."

Aditi rolled her eyes so hard she thought they'd get stuck. "Kids? We should be the ones complaining, you're the old thing here. And who even invited you?" She turned back to her search, eyes scanning the room. "Found it!"

Shubman sat up, now genuinely curious. "Who all are accompanying you?"

"Agastya, Mannat, Harshita, and Aarav," Aditi answered without even thinking, still stuffing the power bank into her bag.

As soon as Aarav's name left her lips, Shubman sprang up from the couch as if his seat was on fire. "Aarav?!" he shouted, suddenly very invested in this carnival plan. He dashed towards his room like someone had promised him free food.

Aditi looked at him, completely confused. "What happened to you now? I mean, why are you suddenly jumping around after hearing this?" she called after him, one hand still holding the power bank.

Shubman popped his head back out from the hallway. "I...I feel like, I should go to relive my childhood!" he said with a mock serious tone, before disappearing again.

Aditi's eyebrows shot up as she muttered under her breath, "Idiot."

A minute later, Shubman reappeared, now in a simple tee and shorts, looking ready to hit the carnival. Aditi had successfully found her power bank and was just putting it in her bag.

"Ab aaya hero?" Aditi quipped as she grabbed her bag. "Agastya aur Harshita toh bechare itne time se wait kar rahe hain!"

She didn't even wait for his response, pulling him toward the door. Shubman, without a choice, followed.

When they reached the car, Agastya was already in the driver's seat, grinning widely as he spotted Shubman. He jumped out, shouting "Jiju!" as he wrapped his arms around him.

Shubman, looking totally unamused, gave a half-hearted hug back, grumbling, "What the hell, Agastya? Abhi bhi teri yeh jiju-wiju ki nautanki chal rahi hai?"

Aditi, with a stern face, smacked Agastya's arm. "Bro, stop calling him that! It's embarrassing!"

She slid into the car, Harshita waving at her. "So what's going on, Aditi? Agastya ki 'jiju' wali stories phir se shuru ho gayi?" she asked, a knowing smile on her face.

Aditi, sitting beside Harshita, laughed. "Nothing much, It's just that Agastya's goldfish brain doesn't understand anything. I've told him so many times, 'Don't call him that!'"

Once they were all settled in, Agastya started the car, the engine rumbling to life. "Where are the others?" Aditi asked.

Harshita, pulling her seatbelt on, replied, "They'll meet us there, don't worry."

As they drove toward the carnival, Aditi suddenly turned to Shubman. "Arre, yaar, mask pehen lo. Or else some idiot college kids will see you!"

Agastya pinched her arm in retaliation, causing her to hiss in pain.

Shubman turned around, glaring at him. "You're the only idiot here, Aditi."

Harshita, fighting back laughter, added, "True that."

Finally, they arrived at the carnival. Agastya, as usual, couldn't wait to jump out of the car, grinning from ear to ear. "Chalo chalo, jiju, mask pehen lo!"

Shubman groaned, but still put the mask on, clearly not interested in Agastya's antics. "This is too much," he muttered under his breath, earning another eye-roll from Aditi.

As they exited the car and walked toward the carnival entrance, Aditi couldn't help but smile.

This was going to be one chaotic, yet memorable night with her crazy friends.