Aria took a sip of her chai and said calmly, "I'm here to ask you to join us in the café preparation."
Rithul raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Me? Join that? I don't really have anything to do there."
Aria smirked. "Don't tell me you don't have talent. That's the kind of silly excuse KHSS kids make. I didn't expect you to say the same thing."
She pointed at the shelf behind him, stacked with small, beautifully carved wooden figures and painted models. "And you're saying this while keeping all that art in your room?"
Rithul followed her gaze, then looked away, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Please," Aria said, leaning forward slightly. "We actually need someone who can do this kind of work. You know we're making the tables and chairs ourselves—since the market's furniture isn't that great. I'm not saying there's nothing good there, but the ones that meet my expectations are way too expensive. It's just not within our budget. So, we really need you."
Rithul sat quietly for a moment, thinking. "Do you really think I can do it?"
Aria crossed her arms and grinned. "If I didn't think so, do you think I'd waste my pocket money on a taxi just to come all the way here?"
Rithul laughed, standing up. "Alright then! Let's get going."
But Aria shook her head. "No, I've got somewhere else to go. You know the address, right? It's in the group chat. I've already shared all the details. It's my uncle's house—everyone's there already. You can start the work; if you have any ideas, try them out."
She turned to leave.
As she reached the gate, Rithul called out, "You're not coming?"
Aria looked back over her shoulder and said with a mischievous smile, "No, I'm going to catch a hen."
Rithul blinked, confused. "Catch a hen?" he repeated under his breath, staring after her. "What on earth does she mean by that?"
____
"And like that, I'm here now," Rithul muttered as he sat down in front of Zorvath, Ashwin, Farhan, and the rest of Batch 5.
Zorvath turned around, scanning the room. "Where did that wild cat go?" he asked, referring to Aria.
Rithul tapped Zorvath's shoulder and smirked. "Maybe she's busy with the café prep. You gave her that task, remember? Let her be."
With that, Rithul headed to the long worktable where the wooden planks and paints were kept. He rolled up his sleeves and started working.
Just then, the door creaked open again. Everyone looked up—expecting Aria to walk in. But it wasn't her.
It was Leo.
He stepped inside with his signature mix of ferocity and charm, hair a mess but grin flawless. "Hey, you look handsome today," he teased Zorvath while passing by, clapping Ashwin on the shoulder and tossing Rithul a casual "hi."
Without hesitation, he made his way straight to the group of girls gathered near the back. Sliding himself right into the middle of them, he flashed his camera and started taking selfies, laughing, and playfully flirting with each of them in turn.
Rithul shook his head, trying not to laugh, and returned to his work. Ashwin drifted over to help him, while Zorvath—visibly irritated—called out, "Leo, why are you even here?"
Leo turned, pretending to look innocent. "Oh, Aria told me to come. Actually, she scolded me first—gave me this long lecture. You should ask her about it."
"Why?" one of the girls asked, curious.
Leo shrugged dramatically. "I just said a few sweet words. Didn't think she'd be that unromantic."
Zorvath clenched his jaw. "What did you tell her?"
Leo grinned. "Why? So you can beat me up after?"
Zorvath's patience thinned. "Do you even know where she is now?"
Leo shook his head. "No idea. She came to my house, threatened me to come here, and said I had to help this fool." He pointed straight at Rithul.
Rithul dropped his tool and shouted, "If she said that, then take that wood and start working!" Then he groaned.leo sighed "Ugh—why did I even open my mouth?"
Leo sauntered toward Rithul's table.
Zorvath sat still, frowning slightly. Is she avoiding me? he thought. What did I even do?
Before he could dwell on it longer, the door opened once again.
Everyone turned—this time no one knew what to expect.
It was Arjun.
He stood at the doorway, silent and steady. As he took two steps inside, the group of girls sitting near Leo immediately straightened up, adjusting their hair and uniforms. They shyly stepped aside, whispering to each other.
Rithul paused his work, watching. What drama's about to start now? he thought.
Arjun stopped right in front of Zorvath. The two locked eyes—Zorvath instantly recognized him from yesterday's Ashwin's description. The air grew tense. Everyone's attention was fixed on Arjun, their curiosity sharp. Why is he here?
Arjun glanced around, then turned to the group of girls. "Did Aria come here yet?" he asked.
One of them tucked her hair behind her ear and replied softly, "Not yet."
As she spoke, everyone noticed the bag in Arjun's hand—it was Aria's. Without saying another word, Arjun walked to the table near the front, set the bag down gently, and turned to Zorvath. His eyes met Zorvath's for a brief, unreadable moment, then moved across the others—Rithul, Leo, Ashwin, Farhan, each receiving the same quiet acknowledgment. Finally, his gaze drifted back toward the shy group of girls.
"This is Aria's bag," he said simply, his voice calm but firm.
With that, Arjun turned and walked out of the room.
Zorvath immediately stood, grabbed the bag, and followed him out.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Ashwin called after him.
Zorvath didn't stop. "To give this bag to Aria," he said over his shoulder.
And just like that, both Zorvath and Arjun were gone.
For a few seconds, the room stayed silent. Then, one by one, the students exchanged glances, shrugged, and went back to their work as if nothing had happened.