After the end of Class 10, the pivotal moment arrived-the choice of streams. Naturally, the four best friends-Revati, Baladev, Madhav, and Radhika-opted for "Pure Science," a challenging combination of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Their excitement was palpable as was their determination to tackle the grueling syllabus together.

Their school, known for its superior higher education, saw a wave of new admissions from students transferring from other schools. Among them was Chandravali Verma, a soft-spoken girl who struggled with chemistry but carried a quiet resilience.

As classes commenced, the vastness of the curriculum became evident. Late-night study sessions turned into their routine, as did lending shoulders to one another during moments of stress. Their unwavering support fueled their shared journey to excel in academics.

xxxxxxx

One day, the air buzzed with nervous energy-it was the third chemistry lab session, and for the first time, students would conduct practicals independently. The experiment? Identifying an unknown salt through a series of dry and wet tests. Each student was given a unique sample.

The teacher divided the class into two batches. Revati and Baladev, in the first batch, efficiently completed their tests and moved to the classroom to finish the theoretical write-up. Meanwhile, Madhav examined his sample-a striking blue powder. He smirked, confident in his deduction, "Copper sulfate. Too easy."

He sauntered to his desk, setting the sample down and waiting for Radhika, his partner-in-lab-crime, who was at the teacher's desk collecting her salt. Moments later, Radhika appeared, her expression a mix of frustration and determination as she placed a dull white powder on her desk.

Madhav raised an eyebrow. "A white sample? Tough luck, Radha. You'll need at least four tests to confirm this one. But don't worry," he said with a playful grin, "I'll help you crack it in no time. Start with the wet tests-it'll save you time."

Radhika sighed, her mood lifting slightly. "You make it sound so simple," she muttered, but she began the wet tests nonetheless. Madhav's presence had a way of calming her restless thoughts.

Within minutes, Madhav had confirmed his salt as sulfate. "Easy win," he announced with a smug smile, glancing at Radhika's test tube. His eyes lit up as the solution in her tube turned a curdy white.

Radhika's face transformed, her smile brighter than the lab's fluorescent lights. "It's chlorine!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with triumph.

Madhav clapped his hands dramatically. "Brilliant, Radha! You're halfway there. That smile deserves a medal."

She chuckled, feeling lighter. "Thanks, Madhav. What's next for you?"

"Just the flame test. This blue beauty will light up like magic," he said, holding up his sample. "But I'm not leaving your side until you're done."

Radhika's cheeks warmed, but she kept her head down, focusing on her tests.

xxxxxxxx

At the burner, Madhav completed his flame test, the bluish-green flame eliciting murmurs of awe from nearby students. "Your turn, Radha," he said, stepping aside. "Careful, though. That burner won't handle your hotness for long."

Radhika rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her grin. "Stop distracting me!"

As she carefully positioned her test tube over the flame, a voice called out to Madhav. Chandravali, struggling with her experiment, waved him over.

Madhav hesitated, glancing at Radhika. "Should I...?"

Radhika gave him a small nod. "Go. Help her. Just don't take forever."

He smiled reassuringly and walked away.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Radhika's focus wavered as she glanced at Madhav, now laughing softly with Chandravali , with frustration Radhika murmured to herself, "Why did I even tell him to go? she fumed silently. He promised to stay with me!"

Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice the test tube overheating. Suddenly, a sharp pop rang through the lab. Glass shattered, and Radhika stumbled back, her heart racing.

All eyes turned to her. Madhav, hearing the commotion, sprinted back, his face pale with worry. "Radhika!" He quickly assessed the situation, his voice cutting through the murmurs of their classmates. "No one will tell the teacher or you will end up in sick room after break time. Got it?" His tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

Grabbing the broken pieces of the test tube, he shoved them into his lab coat pocket. Without wasting a moment, he pulled Radhika toward the sink, holding her hands under the cold water.

"Are you hurt? Is it burning?" he asked, his voice laced with both sarcasm and concern. "I told you the burner couldn't handle your hotness, but you just had to test its limits, didn't you?"

Radhika tried to stifle a laugh, though her guilt weighed heavily on her. "I'm fine, Madhav. Really. It's nothing serious."

He shot her a look. "Nothing serious? You could've hurt yourself badly! You are coming to the sick room with me after this."

"But-"

"No buts," he said firmly. "And you're done with flame tests for today."

Radhika hesitated. "How will I confirm my salt, then?"

Just then, Chandravali approached, her voice soft but steady. "I can do the flame test for you, Radhika. I've got a white sample too. I'll finish yours and then mine."

Madhav let out a relieved sigh. "Thanks, Chandravali. That's really kind of you."

Radhika's jaw tightened as she pulled her hands back from the water. Madhav mistook her action for pain. "Wait-you're pulling away because it burns, aren't you? I knew it! You're hurt more than you're admitting!"

Chandravali gently intervened. "Radhika, please. Keep your hands under the water. I'll handle the test."

Moments later, an apple-green flame danced over the burner. Chandravali turned to Radhika. "It's barium chloride. You're all set now."

Radhika forced a smile. "Thank you."

Madhav grabbed her hand again, leading her out of the lab. "Let's go finish the write-up."

xxxxxxx

As they walked to the classroom, they spotted Baladev and Revati heading toward the library. Madhav called out, "Baladev!"

Turning around, Baladev. "Hey Madhav? Experiment done?"

"Yeah," Madhav said. "Check if the sick room's open downstairs."

"Why?" Revati asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Madhav sighed. "Radhika burned her hand during the practical."

"What?!" Revati exclaimed, rushing to her friend. "Radhika, are you okay? Let me see!"

Radhika looked down, guilt written all over her face. "It's fine, Revati. Really."

Baladev crossed his arms. "So, Madhav's playing the knight in shining armor again, huh?"

Revati shot him a glare. "Not the time, Baladev!"

Madhav smirked. "Knight or not, I'm not leaving her side until she's completely fine."

"But how did this happened?" worried asked Revati.

(To be continued...)
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