!!Story Time!!
"Guys, what time is it? I'm starving," someone groaned.
"Same here," Gulafsha chimed in, rubbing her stomach.
Radhika turned to Divya. "What did you bring for lunch today?"
Divya casually unzipped her tiffin. "Puris with some spicy pickle."
Radhika nodded approvingly, then looked at Gulafsha. "And you?"
"Dal and rice," Gulafsha replied as she started unpacking her box.
Radhika stood up with exaggerated flair. "And I've brought the ultimate—*toss*," she declared proudly, holding up her lunch like a trophy.
On the other side of the bench, Radhika called out, "Pushpanjali, Akanksha, Ishika, Khushi—aren't you all hungry?"
Khushi raised her eyebrows. "I am, but isn't it too early for lunch?"
"If a teacher sees us, we'll get into trouble," Akanksha added.
"Oh, forget that," Ishika said with a sigh. "Let's just eat. I'm hungry too."
"I agree," Divya nodded. "We'll handle it if a teacher shows up."
"I'm not missing lunch for anything," Khushi said as she peeked into Pushpanjali's bag. "What did *you* bring?"
"Pasta," Pushpanjali replied with a smile.
"Wait—what's your name again?" Radhika asked, confused.
Pushpanjali huffed. "My name's really not that hard. *Pushpanjali*."
Radhika threw her hands in the air. "I seriously can't remember everyone's names. Can we just give each other nicknames?"
"That's actually a great idea," Divya said as she started opening her lunchbox. "No way I'm memorizing everyone this fast."
"First let's eat, then we can figure out nicknames," Gulafsha said sensibly, already mid-bite.
---
**After lunch…**
"What have you done to this place?" Gulafsha shouted, surveying the mess around their seat. "You all eat like a pack of wild animals! Clean this up before a teacher sees it!"
Radhika defended herself with a smirk. "Wild animals? Excuse me—*who* was the one who snatched the chips packet like it was life or death?"
Gulafsha turned her head away, pretending not to hear. "Alright, alright. Let's just clean it."
"Here, take this paper and wipe the seat," Radhika said, handing her a crumpled page.
"Okay, okay!" Pushpanjali called out. "Now can we finally decide on nicknames?"
"My name's Radhika," she added playfully, "so just call me *Ru*."
"Nope," Khushi grinned mischievously. "We're calling you something else."
"What *else*?" Radhika asked suspiciously.
"Little elephant."
Radhika gasped. "Why on earth would you call me *that*?"
Khushi pointed at Radhika's chest, grinning.
Radhika quickly crossed her arms over her chest. "Khushi! You are such a pervert."
"If I'm a little elephant, then what about *Gulafsha*? She's even more... blessed than me."
Khushi looked over and replied smoothly, "She'll be *Big Elephant*. You're *Little*."
Radhika narrowed her eyes and nodded slowly. "Alright then. I'm calling *you* Doraemon."
"Fine by me!" Khushi said proudly.
"And Gulafsha will be… *Gu*."
"*Gu* actually sounds cute," Radhika said with a grin.
"Okay, what about Divya?" someone asked.
"*Little Don*," Radhika replied instantly from behind her lunchbox.
"Little Don? Why?" Khushi asked, giggling.
"Because that's what Rohit calls her."
"And why does he call her that?"
"Because she's tiny—but has the temper of a mafia boss," Radhika laughed.
"I am *not* a little girl!" Divya shouted indignantly.
"Okay, okay, ma'am," they all chorused with playful grins.
Just then, Akanksha noticed something. "Pushpanjali, your top buttons are undone."
"Oh no!" Pushpanjali panicked slightly as Akanksha reached over to help.
While fastening the buttons, Akanksha sang dramatically, *"Bheege Bheege Lab Tere…"*
The whole group burst into laughter.
Ishika suddenly asked, "So what's *my* nickname?"
Radhika looked her up and down thoughtfully. "You're *Pumpkin*."
"*Pumpkin?!* Are you serious?" Ishika frowned. "I'm skinny! I don't even have—perfect breasts!"
Radhika snorted. "Relax, grandma. I didn't name you Pumpkin for your *boobs*. I *know* you don't have any."
Laughter broke out again.
"You're Pumpkin because of your *eating habits*, not your curves."
"Fine…" Ishika muttered, half laughing, half defeated.
Akanksha chimed in, "What about *me*? Do I get a nickname?"
Divya nodded thoughtfully. "Let's call you *Aan*. It sounds cool."
Akanksha tilted her head, considering. "Hmm. I like it."
Pushpanjali looked around. "And what about me?"
Everyone went quiet for a moment, thinking hard.
"*Prerna*," Khushi finally declared.
Pushpanjali smiled. "I can live with that."
And just like that, lunch ended with full stomachs, messy desks, and a new set of names that would stick far longer than anyone expected.