VOL 1 - friendship or relationship?
(Q): A Group Study Day!
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That morning, Shyam arrived at school and couldn't find Raitha anywhere. Though their friendship was still new, her absence made him uneasy. He reasoned that since they were in separate classrooms, she might already be there. However, even after school ended, she was nowhere to be seen.
Concern quickly turned to worry. Without giving it much thought, he grabbed his bike and began pedaling furiously towards her house. His mind was racing, consumed with thoughts of her well-being.
When he finally arrived, he saw that her family's bookstore was open. He walked in hurriedly, his heart still pounding. The store was unusually quiet, with only a few customers browsing silently. Shyam spotted Raitha's dad at the counter and approached him.
"She woke up late today," her dad said casually. "So, she decided to skip school and is studying in her room."
Relieved but still curious, Shyam asked where her room was. Surprisingly, Raitha's dad didn't hesitate and directed him to her door. Shyam couldn't help but wonder why her father seemed so trusting—letting a boy Raitha had only known for a short time go to her room. But he brushed the thought aside and knocked on her door.
A moment later, the door opened, and Raitha appeared, holding a bum bum (lollipop?) in one hand. She was dressed in a half-pant and a tank top—clothes that revealed more than Shyam was prepared for.
Within a second, Shyam instinctively turned around, his reflexes as sharp as ever.
(Good reflexes shyam ! )
Raitha, puzzled by his sudden reaction, looked down at herself. Realizing what she was wearing, her face turned crimson. She quickly shut the door and yelled from inside.
"Wait there! Pretend you didn't see anything!"
Moments later, she reappeared in more casual clothing, still visibly flustered.
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Inner chapter>> [ INSIDE RAITHA'S ROOM ] <<
Shyam sat beside Raitha amidst a pile of books. Though he had come to check on her, he now found himself in an impromptu study session. Meanwhile, Raitha was muttering under her breath.
"Pretend you didn't see anything... Pretend you didn't see anything!"
Her voice grew louder and louder until Shyam interrupted.
"I didn't see anything, really!" he insisted, trying to calm her down.
After a few moments, she finally stopped, her breathing steadying.
"So, why did you come here?" she asked, her tone softer now.
Shyam explained how worried he'd been when she didn't show up at school. Hearing this brought a warm smile to her face.
"So there's a chance, huh…" she whispered quietly, her lips curling into a barely noticeable smile.
"What was that?" Shyam asked, tilting his head.
"Nothing!" she replied quickly, waving her hand dismissively.
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The two spent the next few hours studying together. It felt almost like a group study session, though there were only two of them. Shyam found himself surprisingly focused, perhaps because of Raitha's presence.
After three hours, Shyam decided it was time to leave. He said his goodbyes and rode home, feeling both exhausted and oddly content.
That night, however, his family bombarded him with countless questions.
"Why are you so late? Where were you? Who were you with?"
Shyam couldn't help but smile faintly as he tried to answer their questions. His mind, however, drifted back to Raitha's whispered words and that fleeting smile.
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A GROUP STUDY DAY !