As the days pass, it feels like I'm watching the intricate weaving of a tapestry, with some threads aligning perfectly while others start to unravel. Ajit, surprisingly, begins to find his footing. His laughter, once forced, now resonates with genuine joy. Sometimes I catch him lost in thought, but when we engage, it feels authentic. There are moments when I catch him lost in thought, a faraway look in his eyes, but when we engage, it feels genuine, like we've found a rhythm that syncs perfectly.

It warms my heart to see him finding his place in our family, seamlessly blending in as if he's always been a part of it. Whether it's lending a hand in the kitchen with Mom or engaging in lively conversations with Dad, Ajit has become more than just a friend; he became a sibling to me, filling a void I never knew existed.

Meanwhile, Raj and I are inseparable, spending every moment together practicing for the upcoming teen talent show, studying for our final exams, or simply lounging side by side, lost in the endless scroll of our phones. 

But amidst the busyness of our lives, I can't shake the feeling that someone is slipping away.

Aman seems to be drifting further away with each passing day. He no longer sits with me in the classroom, choosing instead the seat next to Mayank. And when I try to reach out to him, he brushes me off as if we were never friends, as if our bond meant nothing to him.

I can't help but wonder if there's anything I can do to salvage our relationship. But for now, all I can do is watch helplessly as the distance between us grows, hoping that someday, somehow, we'll find our way back to each other.

I sigh, feeling the weight of the textbook in my hands as I flip through its pages, trying to focus on the words printed on them. But my attention keeps drifting, landing on Ajit sitting beside me, lost in his sketchbook. It's been three weeks since he last went to school, and now, as we sit in the car his new books and backpack, he seems to be ready to start again.

I remember asking him last Sunday if he wanted to go back to school, and he had said yes, but his stuff was at his house, and he's still hesitant to go back there but Mom and Dad solved that problem by buying him new stuff. Dad glances at us through the rearview mirror, his voice breaking the silence, "So, when are your final exams?"

I groan in response, feeling the exhaustion settling in as I rest my head on the open textbook in my lap. "Next week," I mutter.

Dad chuckles and shakes his head as the car comes to a stop before the school gates. Ajit and I hop out of the car, and as I start to walk away, I quickly dart back to the other side, dramatically sweeping my hand before Ajit, bowing low. "Welcome back, your majesty. Please, grace this land with your holy steps," I declare with exaggerated flair.

Ajit chuckles, playing along. "Indeed."

As we bid goodbye to Dad and turn to walk inside, Ajit's gaze catches sight of Aman near the gate. "Aman!" he calls out enthusiastically.

Aman turns, a small smile on his face, but as his gaze meets mine, the smile fades, and he continues walking, ignoring us completely.

Ajit nudges me, a frown creasing his brow. "He's still not talking."

I shake my head. "I thought he'd come around. Can't handle rejection, huh? And breaking up our trio?" Ajit mutters, frustration evident in his tone.

I shrug, feeling a sense of unease gnawing at the back of my mind. There has to be more to Aman's silence and his accusations against Raj. Why would he say that Raj has taken away everything from him? What could Raj possibly have done that would cause such bitterness?

God knows what's going on in Aman's mind, but I can't shake the feeling that there's something deeper at play here. Yet, despite everything, I haven't brought it up to Raj. The tension between them is already thick enough to cut with a knife, and I fear that confronting Raj about Aman's accusations would only escalate things further.

The way they both look at each other, it's like they're just waiting for one excuse to throw punches.

As Raj and I sit side by side in the classroom, I can't help but feel a knot of nervousness twisting in my stomach. Final exams loom over us like a dark cloud, threatening to rain down torrents of stress and panic. 

I glance at Raj and I catch the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He leans in close, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Ready to show these exams who's boss?"

I chuckle, shaking my head. "No need to show them anyone anything, they already know that they are real boss."

Arya, who is seated behind us, turns around, a grin spreading across his face. "Did someone say circus? Because I'm pretty sure my brain's already doing acrobatics trying to remember all this stuff."

Raj laughs, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, if your brain's doing acrobatics, mine's more like a confused elephant trying to balance on a ball."

As the classroom chatter fades into the background, I find myself lost in a sea of chemistry equations that seem to twist and turn in my brain, defying any attempts at comprehension. With a heavy sigh, I glance up from my textbook and my gaze falls upon the seat near the classroom door, where Mayank and Aman are seated.

Aman's hair dances gently in the breeze, his eyes fixed on his textbooks, while Mayank continues to chatter away, seemingly oblivious to Aman's lack of response. A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I observe Aman's remarkable talent for selective listening. He hears what he wants to hear and tunes out the rest, a skill that never fails to amuse me.

But it wasn't always like this. A pang of nostalgia washes over me as I remember how Aman used to hang on to every word I said, how he would pay attention to even the smallest details of our conversations. He was different with me, attentive and caring in a way that made me feel understood, even without words.

I recall countless moments when Aman would sense my frustration with these complex equations without me having to say a word. He would patiently explain concepts to me, guiding me through the tangled web of formulas and theories with ease. Aman had a knack for reading the silence between us, understanding my struggles and offering support without hesitation.

But now... I shake my head, pushing aside the thoughts that threaten to consume me. There's no point dwelling on the past or speculating about the future. All I can do now is focus on the present, on these stubborn equations that refuse to make sense no matter how hard I try.

Raj's unexpected nudge jolts me out of my reverie, and I turn to him, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. "Hmm?" I respond.

He slides closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my chest at the prospect of spending time together outside of school. "I just realized," he begins, his voice low and conspiratorial, "you haven't been to my place, not even once."

His words catch me off guard, and I can't help but feel a pang of guilt wash over me. A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I nod in agreement. "You're right," I admit. "Someone never invited me."

Raj grins, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, consider this your official invitation," he declares, nudging me playfully. "What do you say? Wanna come over and tackle these chemistry equations together?"

 "Sounds like a plan," I reply, returning his grin with one of my own.

After school, I find myself in the car with Raj, feeling a mix of excitement and unease. I’d asked Ajit to come along with us, but he just laughs it off, saying he doesn’t want to be the third wheel. Instead, he opts to go to the mall or something, assuring me we can meet up later and head home together. I don’t want to leave him alone, but something in me stops. Maybe Ajit does need some time by himself. After everything he’s been through, perhaps constant attention and sympathy would only frustrate him.

“Already solving equations in your head?” Raj nudges me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I realize I’ve been awkwardly silent in the backseat.

I laugh softly, trying to shake off the weight of my worries. “No, you know me,” I sigh.

“Yeah, I do,” Raj says, encircling me with his arm. I ease down, resting my head against the warmth of his chest and neck. Raj starts running his hand gently over the back of my head and neck. “That you use way too much of your little head.” He plants a kiss on the back of my neck, and a smile spreads across my face. This right here, in Raj’s arms, is the only place where I feel at ease, comforted, and truly relaxed.

“So, what were you laboring this little head of yours about?” Raj asks, his voice soft and teasing.

I sigh again, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me. “I don’t know, exams, teen talent, Ajit, Am—” I stop myself, biting my tongue. Raj’s fingers pause in my hair, and I clench my eyes shut, regretting the slip.

Raj tries to dig deeper, clearly not buying my attempt to dodge. "Dev?" he asks again, his voice insistent.

I quickly switch gears. "Hey, where’s Arya?"

Raj pauses, catching on to my deflection. "She said she has plans with her friend," he replies, air-quoting the word "friend."

I chuckle, knowing he means Asim. Arya's been through so much, and now that she’s started going out and spending time with Asim, the person who actually cares for her and perhaps can understand her too, it’s a relief.

I rub my head against Raj's chest, scratching his fingernails with my thumb. "That's good for her. Asim is a nice guy."

Raj nods, resting his chin on the crown of my head. The car rolls to a stop, and I glance out the window at Raj’s home. Or, should I say, his mansion.

I mean, calling it a mansion is almost an understatement. The place looks like it should have a moat and a dragon guarding the entrance. The driveway is practically its own zip code, and the front yard is big enough to host the Olympics. The house itself towers above us, all gleaming windows and pristine white columns. I half expect to see a butler waiting with a tray of snacks and a monocle.

We step out of the car, and I can’t help but whistle. "Man, I feel like I need to be curtsy just to walk up to your front door."

Raj laughs, squeezing my shoulder. "Yeah, yeah, keep it up. Don't embarrass me in front of your majesty, alright?"

I grin, nudging him playfully. "No promises."

Raj inserts the key and swings open the gate, revealing a living room that practically screams sophistication and luxury. I mean, this place has walls painted in soft, muted tones with artwork that probably costs more the car we drive. The furniture? It's like it was plucked straight out of a fancy magazine, all rich fabrics and meticulous arrangements. There's this sleek coffee table in the center, looking like it's never seen a coffee cup in its life, just a few decorative pieces that probably have their own insurance policies.

Natural light floods the room through oversized windows that overlook a manicured garden so perfect it looks like it was Photoshopped. The elegant curtains framing the windows add an extra touch of opulence. And the carpets? Plush, like walking on clouds.

"Wow," I mutter, taking it all in. "This place is... something else."

Raj chuckles. "Yeah, my dad went a bit overboard with the decor."

I plop down on the couch, oddly noticing it's empty. "You're alone?" I ask, tossing my backpack on the table.

Raj glances around before sitting next to me. "Dad must have gone for some work." Then he pauses for a second and slowly turns to look straight into my eyes with a playful grin. "So, looks like I'm home alone with... you."

A chill runs down my spine as his eyes meet mine, and I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. My heart starts pounding because I know exactly what he means. But I play it cool. "What does that even mean?" I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.

Raj slides closer, his face inches from mine. "You really don't know what that means?" he murmurs.

I start leaning back as he moves in, swallowing hard. His breath mingles with mine, and his lips move closer to my ear. Every inch of my face feels like it's on fire as his hand slides across my chest and reaches the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"Then I’ll show you," he whispers, his voice low and tantalizing. "Because telling would take too long."

My heart skips a beat, and I can barely breathe as he leans in even closer. This boy is going to be the death of me.

Raj's eyes are locked onto mine, and there's this intensity in them that makes it hard to look away. He moves in even closer, his breath warm against my skin. "You nervous?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

"N-no," I stammer, which is obviously a lie because I can feel my heart hammering in my chest.

"Good," he says, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Because I had played this scenario many times in my head and, trust me, I have a lot planned."

His fingers trace a path up my arm, sending electric sparks dancing across my skin. "Raj..." I start, but my voice trails off as he leans in, his lips brushing against my ear.

"You relax," he murmurs. "I will do the rest."

I swallow hard, my mind racing. Raj's hand moves to the back of my neck, pulling me closer until our foreheads are touching. His eyes are so close, so intense, and I can feel every beat of his heart matching mine. His lips hover over mine and I want them to meet mine badly but before they could touch mine.
I turn my face aside. "Raj, why don't you show me your place first?" I say suppressing a chuckle.

As I slide off the couch, leaving Raj behind, I glance back at him. He's got this playful smile on his face that makes my heart skip a beat. Raj gets up, his face so close to mine I can feel his breath on my skin as I start to walk away.

"Playing hard, huh?" he whispers, his voice dripping with amusement.

Feigning innocence, I look at him with wide eyes. "What do you mean?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Raj's smile widens, and he closes the distance between us, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, you know exactly what I mean," he murmurs, his lips barely an inch from mine.

I swallow hard, my mind racing. "I have no idea what you're talking about," I say, my voice coming out a little too high-pitched to be convincing.

Raj chuckles softly, his hand reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from my forehead. "Sure you don't," he says, his tone playful.

I step back, trying to put some space between us before I do something embarrassing like melt into a puddle at his feet. "So, are you giving me the grand tour or what?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Raj grins and steps back, giving me a mock bow. "As you wish, Your Majesty," he says, his eyes never leaving mine.

I can't help but laugh, the tension breaking for a moment. "Alright, show me what this place has to offer," I say, gesturing around us.

Raj straightens up, his playful smile still in place. "Follow me, then," he says, leading the way.