The scene shifts to a classroom where the hum of students fills the air. Desks are neatly arranged, some groups already engaged in light conversation, while others prepare for the day's lessons. It is an ordinary school day, but for Sophia, as her gaze drifts across the room, her thoughts wander back to the past, to a time when she first met Emma—her first true friend.
Her fingers idly tap on the edge of her notebook, and her thoughts begin to drift back a decade. The memory unfolds like a vivid scene from a movie, one that has played in her mind countless times since that fateful day.
It was ten years ago, when she was just seven years old.
Sophia's family had just moved to Mumbai after her father, Rohan Dutta—a respected neurologist surgeon—was transferred from his position in Delhi to a prominent hospital in the city. He had always been a workaholic, but the transfer to Mumbai had changed the rhythm of their lives.
Rohan and his wife, Ayesha Khatun, had been close friends with Arun Kumar back in their school days. Their bond was solidified by shared memories of studying together, working on various projects, and even traveling together on school trips. Rohan's cheerful, outgoing nature contrasted with Arun's more introverted demeanor, but both had deeply respected one another. After the transfer, Rohan and Ayesha had stayed in touch with Arun and his family, and eventually, they visited them in Mumbai.
It was one of those visits that had altered Sophia's path.
Sophia had always been a social butterfly, an outgoing child who was always at ease in any social situation. With her playful, tomboyish persona, she had easily made friends wherever she went. So when the Dutta family arrived at the Kumar residence, Sophia was quick to make an impression. She was brash, loud, and as energetic as ever—traits that often made her the center of attention.
On the other hand, Emma had been completely different. Emma, who had been seven years old at the time, was quieter, more reserved. She was the beautiful, graceful child who seemed to have an innate elegance about her, even at such a young age. Unlike Sophia, Emma didn't speak unless she had something important to say. She didn't seek attention; she simply let it come to her. And despite the contrast in their personalities, there was something about Emma that Sophia was instantly drawn to.
On the day of the visit, Arun and his wife Amy had invited the Duttas over for dinner. Sophia had immediately taken to the atmosphere, bouncing from room to room, chattering away with anyone who would listen. Emma, however, had stayed by her mother's side, quietly observing the lively chaos.
Sophia remembered it vividly—the moment they had first truly met.
She had been running around the house with the energy of a whirlwind, climbing up the stairs, laughing loudly, when she had seen Emma sitting alone by the window. There was a certain calmness about Emma, something almost ethereal. Sophia had never met anyone so serene, and the curiosity had tugged at her.
"Hey, are you just gonna sit there all day?" Sophia had called out to her, her voice blunt but friendly. She had been used to commanding attention wherever she went, and she had expected Emma to jump into the fun, just like everyone else.
Emma had looked at her with those large, almond-shaped eyes, a slight smile gracing her lips. "I like watching people," she had replied in her soft, reserved voice.
Sophia had tilted her head, confused at first. "Watching people? You mean... not playing?"
Emma had shrugged lightly. "I like observing. It's... interesting."
Sophia had furrowed her brow, trying to understand this strange, reserved child sitting in front of her. "I don't get it. You're missing all the fun!"
But something about Emma's calmness intrigued Sophia, and despite the differences in their personalities, they had clicked instantly. As the evening wore on, Sophia had pulled Emma into the mix, showing her how to run around, how to shout and laugh without inhibitions. Emma, shy at first, had hesitated, but Sophia's enthusiasm had won her over.
From that day forward, despite their differences, they became inseparable. Sophia had dragged Emma into all her adventures, and while Emma had preferred quiet walks and reading, she had come to appreciate Sophia's wild spirit. The two balanced each other in a way that made them more than just friends—they were best friends.
Sophia smiles at the memory, the recollection of that shy, reserved Emma contrasting sharply with the strong-willed, outgoing woman she knows now.
As the teacher's voice breaks through her thoughts, Sophia shakes her head slightly and refocuses on the present. The classroom is still buzzing with students, but her mind lingers on those early memories of her friendship with Emma. She thinks about how much has changed, and how, despite all the years, they are still very much the same people—only now they have the weight of their individual lives to bear.
Sophia's gaze flickers briefly toward Emma, sitting across the room, her posture straight and focused as she takes notes. Emma is different now, more confident than the shy girl Sophia had first met. The years have shaped her, made her more determined, yet that reserved nature is still there, beneath it all.
Sophia glances toward the back of the room, where Aarav sits. His presence is always something of an enigma to her, though she has known him for years. They've never spoken much—Aarav is always so distant, even cold at times. But there's something about him that piques her curiosity, something beyond his quiet demeanor and sharp gaze. She notices the way he moves through life with an air of indifference, how he never lets anyone get too close.
Aarav has always been something of an enigma to her. There is a part of her that wants to know him better, to understand the complexity that lies beneath his stoic exterior. Yet, at the same time, she knows that getting too close to him might lead to disappointment. Aarav is the kind of person who keeps everyone at arm's length, his emotions carefully guarded.
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the bell ringing, signaling the end of the break. Sophia quickly gathers her things, casting one last glance toward Aarav and Emma before heading to her next class.
As she walks out of the room, she can't help but wonder about the complexities of the people around her—especially Aarav. He's always been a mystery, one that she hasn't quite cracked. But maybe, just maybe, today will be the day when the pieces of that puzzle begin to fit together.
Sophia walked out of the classroom, her thoughts drifting back to ten years ago, to the day she met Aarav. It had been a peculiar day, one that remained etched in her memory, not for its excitement or joy, but for the silence that hung between her and a young boy who had barely spoken a word. Despite her usual ability to make friends in an instant—being the social butterfly she was—Aarav had been different. He had never been swayed by her lively energy, never responded to her efforts to engage him.
Sophia could make friends with anyone—she had always been able to. A smile, a compliment, or just an open invitation to play was enough to create a connection. It had always been that way. But Aarav... Aarav was something entirely different. He seemed detached, uninterested in anything but his own thoughts. It was as if the world around him simply didn't matter.
She remembered their first encounter like it had just happened.
It was the same day she had first met Emma, the same day that would shape the course of her friendship with the reserved girl. But while Emma had slowly warmed to her energetic spirit, Aarav had remained cold, his expression unreadable.
It had been a simple, innocent comment, one of many she had made without thinking. She had been bouncing around the Kumar house, running from one room to another, when she had seen Aarav sitting in a corner, quietly reading a book. His intense focus had drawn her in, and before she could stop herself, she had blurted out, "Hey, you're not gonna play with us?"
Aarav had looked up at her with those piercing almond eyes, his face emotionless, his voice calm and unbothered. "I would like to observe people," he had said.
The words had been so simple, yet so strange. Sophia had blinked, confused by the response. It was a strange way to answer such an innocent question. But something about his tone, his expression, struck her. He wasn't like the others. He didn't care about playing games or running around or doing anything that children his age were supposed to enjoy. It was as if he existed in his own world, separate from the noise and chaos that surrounded him.
Later, she had found herself talking to Emma about it, surprised by the way she couldn't get Aarav out of her head.
"Emma, who's that kid? The one sitting in the corner, staring at everyone? He doesn't want to play. I don't get it," Sophia had said one evening, her curiosity piqued.
Emma had looked at her for a long moment, almost as though considering whether to share something so personal. Finally, she had sighed and said, "That's Aarav. He's my brother."
Sophia had been taken aback. "Your brother?" she had repeated, her mind scrambling to make sense of it. She had known Emma well by then, but she had never once heard her mention having a brother. It had never crossed her mind that Emma had any siblings—especially someone so different, so... distant.
Emma nodded, a slight smile touching her lips, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah. He's... he's not like most people."
Sophia had been stunned. All these years, she had been so focused on Emma, so captivated by her quiet beauty and gentle nature, that she had never once considered that there was another person in her life. And now, learning that Aarav was her brother, it made sense—kind of.
No one who knew Emma could have imagined the existence of a sibling like Aarav. While Emma exuded warmth, kindness, and grace, Aarav was the complete opposite. He was cold, distant, and detached from everything around him. His manner was sharp, almost as if he were cutting himself off from the world.
"So, you mean to say that kid who just wants to sit there and stare at everyone... he's your brother?" Sophia had asked incredulously.
Emma had nodded again, though her gaze had been a little sad, almost wistful. "He's not like most kids, Sophia. He's... different."
The realization had struck Sophia hard. Aarav, the distant, observant boy, was Emma's brother? How could that be? It didn't make sense. They were complete opposites. And yet, Emma had said it so simply, so matter-of-factly. Aarav was her brother, and that was the truth.
From that moment on, Sophia's attempts to befriend Aarav had been met with cold indifference. No matter how many times she tried to engage him in conversation or drag him into one of her impromptu games, he never responded. He was always polite, always distant, but there was nothing that could bring him closer.
He had told her once, with a quiet tone that seemed more resigned than anything else, "I don't like to be around too many people."
Sophia, who had always thrived in social settings, had never understood the words. How could anyone not want to be around people? To her, friends and laughter were everything. But for Aarav, they seemed like unnecessary distractions. His world was one of observation, of silent analysis, and she was nothing more than another face in the crowd.
But the more she tried to push, the more he pulled away. It was like trying to connect with a shadow—always just out of reach, always slipping through her fingers.
Sophia couldn't help but wonder, even now, how different things might have been if she had understood him better back then. She had been too young, too focused on her own social butterfly nature to see the deeper, more complicated layers of Aarav's world. Perhaps if she had been more patient, more willing to listen, he might have opened up to her. But that was a possibility that had long since faded away, like the brief encounter they had shared all those years ago.
Aarav had been a mystery then, and he still was now. And no matter how many friends Sophia had made over the years, no matter how many people she could charm with a smile or a clever word, Aarav was still the one person she couldn't crack. The one person she couldn't connect with.
Now, sitting in the classroom, watching him as he quietly absorbed the lesson, Sophia couldn't help but wonder if anything had changed. Would he ever allow anyone to get close to him? Would anyone ever break through that cold exterior, that wall he had built around himself? Or was Aarav destined to remain a solitary figure, drifting through life alone, forever observing, never participating?
She sighed, resting her chin in her hand as she stared at him from across the room. Some mysteries, it seemed, were destined to remain unsolved.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Sophia quickly gathered her things, feeling a strange restlessness stirring in her chest. She didn't know why, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Aarav. He was always so... distant. She had seen him during class, barely glancing up, his focus elsewhere, but for some reason, today it felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she wasn't seeing, some part of him that she couldn't understand.
As the students began to shuffle out of the classroom and head toward the cafeteria, Sophia and Emma walked together. The chatter in the hallway was loud and bustling, but Sophia's mind was somewhere else entirely. She kept wondering what Aarav was doing right now. Was he still in class, zoning out as usual? Or was he, like Emma had said, retreating to his quiet corner somewhere?
They reached the cafeteria and found an empty table near the window. The sunlight streamed in through the glass, casting a warm glow on the tables and the students scattered around. As they settled into their seats, Emma pulled out her lunch—a simple salad and some vegetable sandwiches—while Sophia opened her bag and grabbed a sandwich as well.
Sophia couldn't help herself. She was curious, her thoughts drifting back to the quiet, aloof Aarav. She glanced up at Emma, who was methodically arranging her food and nibbling on the salad.
"Hey, Emma," Sophia began, her voice casual but laced with curiosity. "Do you think Aarav's actually eating with anyone, or is he still doing that... I dunno, solitary thing?"
Emma paused for a moment, giving Sophia a long look. She had been taking small bites, but now she set down her fork, resting her chin in her hand as she considered the question. It was clear Emma had been asked about her brother more than a few times, but there was a tenderness in the way she spoke about him.
"He's probably eating Anna's healthy lunch on the college rooftop," Emma said, her voice calm but with a hint of fondness. "She always packs him something nutritious, something he likes. He's really into that. I mean, Anna always knows what he needs... I think it's the only thing that gets him to stop for a while and eat something."
Sophia raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Anna, huh? So he's, like, totally into whatever she gives him? That's the only time he stops?"
Emma gave a small nod, her lips curling into a thoughtful smile. "Yeah. He doesn't really take a break for anything else, but when it's Anna, he... he listens. It's strange, really. He's not like that with anyone else. But she's always known how to get through to him."
Sophia leaned back in her chair, her thoughts racing. So, Aarav actually had someone he would listen to. Anna. She couldn't help but wonder what made Anna so different from everyone else. What kind of bond did she have with Aarav that the rest of them didn't?
"That's... interesting," Sophia murmured, chewing on her sandwich as she thought about Anna. "I never would've guessed that about him. I always thought he was just... well, I don't know, unreachable, I guess."
Emma's gaze softened, and she looked out the window, as if remembering something. "He is. But Anna... she's different. She's the only one who ever really gets him."
Sophia nodded slowly, trying to imagine Aarav, of all people, sitting down to share a quiet meal with Anna, the only person who seemed to have this strange power over him. It made sense, in a way. Anna, after all, had always been someone who could read people, someone who understood the unsaid.
Sophia's thoughts were interrupted when a group of students walked by, laughing loudly and drawing attention to themselves. She looked out the window for a moment, her mind drifting. But no matter how many people walked by, or how much laughter echoed in the cafeteria, her thoughts were still on Aarav.
He was a mystery to her—one that, for some reason, she couldn't let go of.
As the conversation drifted, both girls were lost in their own thoughts. The clatter of trays, laughter from students, and the hum of idle chatter in the cafeteria faded into the background as their minds wandered back to Aarav.
Emma sat quietly, nibbling on her salad, but in her thoughts, she was somewhere entirely different—imagining what it might be like to understand Aarav better. He had always been so far away, so closed off from everyone, but Anna seemed to be the one exception. Emma's heart fluttered slightly as she thought about what it might be like to be the one to bridge the gap. Maybe if I could be there for him like Anna is... maybe then he wouldn't feel so alone, she thought.
Her cheeks flushed at the thought of reaching out to him, of walking beside him, step by step, sharing the silence they both seemed to crave. She could imagine them, walking together, hand in hand, through the maze of life, learning from each other, supporting each other. I want that, she thought, I want to be the one to stand beside him, to hold his hand like Anna does... but I don't know how. A soft smile tugged at her lips, her heart skipping a beat. Maybe I could... She didn't realize it, but a faint blush was spreading across her cheeks as she lost herself in the possibility.
Sophia, however, was thinking in an entirely different direction. The more she thought about Aarav, the more intrigued she became. She was used to being able to make friends easily, to draw people toward her with just a few words and a charming smile. But Aarav was different. Why can't I break through that wall he's put up? she wondered. I can make anyone my friend. Why not him? She didn't want to admit it, but part of her was determined to get closer to him, to unravel the mystery that was Aarav Kumar.
As the minutes ticked by, Sophia's thoughts seemed to spiral into a haze of curiosity and determination. She stole a glance at Emma, and that was when she saw it. Emma's cheeks were slightly flushed, her gaze soft, distant, as if she was in a world of her own. It was subtle, but Sophia, ever perceptive, noticed it instantly.
She furrowed her brows in confusion. Why is Emma's face so red? Did she eat something spicy?
"Hey, Emma," Sophia said, leaning over the table, her voice tinged with genuine concern. "Are you okay? You look kind of flushed. You don't have a fever, do you?" She grinned, teasing a little, but she really was worried. Emma wasn't usually like this.
Emma blinked, snapping out of her daydreams as she heard Sophia's question. For a brief moment, her face turned an even deeper shade of red. She quickly glanced down at her lunch, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"N-No," she stammered, her voice a little higher than usual. "I'm fine, Sophia. It's nothing. I just—uh—was thinking about something." She forced a smile, trying to mask the warmth that was creeping up her neck. Why is this so embarrassing? she thought, wishing she could have kept her thoughts to herself. But she wasn't quite quick enough, and Sophia had noticed.
Sophia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Thinking about something? Hm, okay..." She didn't press further, though, not wanting to make Emma uncomfortable. Instead, she grinned mischievously. "Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's not as contagious as a fever. If you do get sick, I'll have to take care of you. You know, nurse Sophia to the rescue," she said, her voice laced with playful sarcasm.
Emma, still flushed, laughed softly at her friend's attempt to lighten the mood. "You're ridiculous," she muttered, but the tension in her cheeks relaxed, and her smile returned.
Sophia didn't really understand the reason for Emma's sudden flush, but she let it slide for now. She turned her gaze back out the window, her thoughts drifting back to Aarav. He's so distant, so hard to reach, she thought again. But she wasn't ready to give up just yet. Something about him—his mystery, his quietness—pulled at her in a way she couldn't explain.
Meanwhile, Emma's mind returned to Aarav as well. She had never been one to shy away from challenges, and Aarav was the biggest one she had faced. He was so different from everyone else, so isolated. But perhaps, if she could get through to him, she could bring him into the fold, make him part of her world.
She couldn't help but blush again at the thought of them walking side by side. Would he even want that? she wondered. Could I get him to let me in?
And so, the two girls sat across from each other, both lost in their own thoughts, unaware of the subtle pull they each felt toward Aarav in different ways—one wanting to befriend him, the other wanting to be the one who stood by him, step by step, facing the world together.
Just as their thoughts lingered on Aarav, a shadow fell over their table. A tall figure stood before them, arms crossed, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.
It was Karan.
"Well, well," he drawled, his deep voice laced with amusement. "You two look like you're plotting something. Should I be worried?"
Sophia, snapping out of her thoughts, leaned back in her chair and shot him a lazy grin. "Worried? About us? Please. You should be honored to even witness the brilliance of our conversations."
Karan rolled his eyes. "Right. Because cafeteria gossip is considered 'brilliant' now?"
Emma, still slightly flushed from earlier, quietly picked at her food, but she couldn't ignore Karan's presence. He was always around, always watching, always talking. If Sophia was a social butterfly, Karan was something else entirely—charming, sharp-tongued, and constantly testing people's patience for his own entertainment.
"You still haven't answered my question," he continued, placing his hands on the table and leaning slightly forward. "What were you two so deep in thought about? You both looked ridiculously serious just now."
Sophia tilted her head, pretending to think. "Should we tell him, Emma?" she asked dramatically. "I mean, it's top secret."
Emma sighed, shaking her head. "It's nothing, Karan. We were just... talking."
"Just talking?" He narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. Then, a sudden realization flickered across his face. His gaze shifted between them, and slowly, a knowing smirk crept up.
"It's about Aarav, isn't it?"
Sophia blinked in surprise, while Emma immediately stiffened, her grip tightening on her fork.
Karan chuckled. "Ah, I knew it." He leaned back, crossing his arms again. "Let me guess—Sophia's trying to figure out how to crack his cold exterior, and Emma's... well, Emma's probably overthinking something about him as usual."
Sophia huffed, not even denying it. "Oh, shut up, Karan. I don't need your commentary on my personal goals."
Emma, however, avoided his gaze, her face heating up all over again.
Karan grinned. "Emma, you look guilty."
"I'm not," she muttered quickly.
"Sure," he teased, before stretching lazily. "Well, good luck with that, you two. Personally, I think Aarav is an unsolvable puzzle, but hey, miracles happen."
With that, he turned to leave, but not before flashing one last smirk. "See you in class. Try not to get lost in your daydreams before then."
As he walked away, Sophia exhaled dramatically. "Ugh, he's so annoying sometimes."
Emma, however, remained quiet, her thoughts once again drifting to the one person who never seemed to leave her mind.
As Karan walked away from the table, he suddenly paused mid-step. Then, with a dramatic turn, he faced an invisible camera that seemingly existed in thin air.
"Ah, you guys are finally here," he said, grinning as if greeting an audience. "Took you long enough."
And then—poof!—a bucket of popcorn magically appeared in his hands, summoned out of nowhere like some ancient summoning jutsu. He grabbed a handful, popped some into his mouth, and smirked.
"Alright, let me introduce myself properly. The name's Karan. No last name—just Karan. Think of me as your charming, all-knowing narrator who also happens to be a major pain in the—well, you get the idea."
He gestured behind him toward the cafeteria, where Sophia was dramatically ranting about something, and Emma was still lost in thought.
"Now, let's talk about my oh-so-lovely friends." He rolled his eyes before dramatically pointing at Emma first.
"Meet Emma D'Souza—aka Magma Hot Gorgeous—because, let's be real, she looks like she walked out of a royal portrait. Gorgeous, elegant, but also dangerous. Why? Because if you mess with her, she will verbally destroy you with that sharp tongue of hers."
Then, he shifted his popcorn bucket toward Sophia, giving a long, exaggerated sigh.
"And then we have Sophia Dutta—aka Airhead, Trash, etc. etc. Why so many names? Because I haven't decided which one suits her best. She's a social butterfly, loud, and somehow makes friends in seconds—except for one person, and that's what's frying her tiny little brain right now."
Finally, Karan dramatically lifted his hand and pointed toward the sky, as if summoning divine intervention.
"And last but not least… the Walking Glacier himself—Aarav Kumar."
He took a bite of his popcorn, shaking his head.
"This guy? Oh man, he's a whole different breed. Picture this: a living, breathing, human ice cube with exactly one warm spot in his frozen heart, and guess who holds it? Anna. Yeah, that's right. Not me, not you, not even his so-called best friend, but his stepmom. The rest of us? He gives us the 'I-am-analyzing-your-soul' stare and moves on like we don't exist."
Karan threw his hands up. "And yet, for some insane reason, Emma over there is trying to follow in his footsteps like she's training for some anime protagonist arc. And Sophia? She still thinks she can be his friend. Ha! Good luck with that."
He turned back to the invisible camera, giving a dramatic wink.
"And that, dear viewers, is your introduction to the disaster trio and our walking refrigerator. Buckle up, because this is just the beginning."
And with that, he grabbed another handful of popcorn, smirked, and with a final poof!—vanished like a trickster god.
As Karan poofed away into the mysterious void of his own theatrics, reality snapped back into place. The cafeteria bustled around Emma and Sophia, the low hum of students chatting, trays clattering, and distant laughter filling the space.
Sophia, still completely oblivious to whatever fourth-wall-breaking nonsense Karan had just pulled, stretched her arms above her head. "Ugh, I swear, that guy was born to annoy me."
Emma, who had been lost in her own world, finally blinked and turned toward Sophia. "Hmm?"
"You hmm?" Sophia mimicked, narrowing her eyes. "Don't think I didn't notice earlier—you were blushing. Over him."
Emma immediately stiffened, her spoon freezing mid-air. "No, I wasn't."
Sophia leaned in, eyes glinting with mischief. "You were totally blushing."
Emma tried to play it off by focusing entirely on her lunch. "It was nothing."
Sophia smirked. "Mmhmm. Sure."
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Students started gathering their things, chattering as they left for their next classes.
Sophia shot Emma one last playful look. "You coming?"
Emma exhaled, standing up. "Yeah."
As they walked out of the cafeteria, Sophia couldn't shake the growing curiosity in her mind.
'What is it about Aarav that makes him so unreachable? And why is Emma so… drawn to him?'
But before she could ponder further, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Oi, nerds!"
Both girls turned to see Karan leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed, smirk firmly in place. "Time to head to class. Try not to daydream too much about our local ice king, yeah?"
Sophia groaned, pushing past him. "Ugh, shut up, Karan."
Emma, cheeks warming slightly again, simply walked ahead without another word.
Karan chuckled, shaking his head as he followed them. "Man, this is gonna be fun."