After giving out the guidebooks and final instructions, the teacher gathered her things and left the classroom.
The moment the door closed, Shreya practically bounced in her seat. "I’m so excited!" she exclaimed, her grin stretching from ear to ear.
"So… everyone’s coming, right?" she asked, looking around at the group.
"Yeah, I’m coming," Khushi confirmed with a nod.
"And you, Ishika?" Shreya asked next.
"I think there won’t be a problem," Ishika replied with a small smile.
"That’s good!" Shreya said, clearly satisfied with the answer.
Vivan turned toward Aarav. "What about you, Aarav?"
"Yeah… I think I’m coming too," Aarav said after a short pause.
"So, will Grandma be okay without you?" Vivan asked, his tone carrying genuine concern.
"Yeah, my aunty is coming this week, so she’ll be there for her," Aarav reassured him.
"Yay! I’m really, really excited!" Vivan said, practically vibrating with energy.
Laughter rippled through the group, the shared excitement hanging in the air like the scent of spring after rain. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits—except Aarav noticed Ishika’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. There was a subtle furrow in her brow, and her fingers twisted at the edge of her notebook.
He was just about to ask her what was wrong when she spoke up herself.
"Hey, guys," Ishika said suddenly, her voice drawing everyone’s attention.
"What happened?" Shreya asked, tilting her head.
"I want to tell you all something," Ishika said, her tone more serious now.
"What is it?" Vivan asked, leaning forward.
"It’s about yesterday."
Aarav’s mind clicked instantly—he knew exactly what she meant.
"Yeah, you never told us about that," Vivan reminded her.
"Are you sure, Ishika?" Khushi asked gently, a note of hesitation in her voice.
"Yeah," Ishika said with quiet resolve. "I don’t want to hide it from everyone anymore."
"What is it, guys?" Shreya asked, glancing between them.
"Yeah… it sounds serious," Vivan added, his voice dropping slightly.
"Actually…" Ishika began.
And then she told them everything—everything Khushi had already shared with Aarav the day before. As she spoke, the chatter faded, replaced by the stillness of the moment. Even though Aarav already knew the story, hearing it from Ishika’s own lips made it feel heavier, more real.
"So, that’s it," Ishika finished, her voice light now that the weight of yesterday’s events was off her chest.
"Oh! So… are you okay now?" Shreya asked, leaning forward with concern.
"Yeah. I’m actually happy that he allowed me to hang out with you all," Ishika replied, a genuine smile touching her lips.
"Glad to hear it," Vivan said warmly.
"Alright, enough about this!" Shreya clapped her hands together, her usual energy returning. "Let’s plan for the trip!"
Laughter bubbled up around the group as the conversation shifted to snacks, outfits, and who would bring what.
By the time lunch break arrived, Aarav found himself walking to the canteen with Vivan. The aroma of fried snacks and warm bread wafted through the air as they approached the food counter.
"Hey, Vivan, what will you have?" Aarav asked, scanning the handwritten menu taped above the counter.
There was no answer.
"Hey—are you listening?" Aarav turned to look at him, only to notice Vivan’s gaze fixed somewhere across the room. Aarav followed his line of sight and spotted Shreya sitting by the window, her laughter carrying over the low hum of the canteen.
A slow smirk spread across Aarav’s face. "So… when are you planning to tell me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Vivan blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Huh? About what?"
"About you and Shreya, of course."
"Oh, that…" Vivan’s cheeks reddened as he scratched the back of his head, a shy grin forming.
"Yeah, that."
"Umm… actually… we’re dating," he admitted.
Aarav’s eyes widened. "What? Really? And you didn’t tell me?"
"It just happened yesterday," Vivan explained quickly. "When I went to drop her home… I asked her, and she said yes."
Aarav grinned, patting his friend’s shoulder. "Oh! Congratulations, buddy."
"Thanks," Vivan said, still looking a little embarrassed. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he leaned in. "What about you two?"
Aarav frowned in confusion. "Huh? What?"
"Don’t act innocent. I know there’s definitely something between you and Ishika," Vivan said, smirking.
Aarav’s heart skipped a beat. Was it really that obvious? First Khushi had hinted at it, and now Vivan.
"Umm… yeah, I like her," he admitted quietly.
"So? Have you confessed?" Vivan pressed.
"Not yet," Aarav said, his voice carrying a note of determination. "But I’m thinking about confessing to her on our school trip."
Vivan grinned, giving his shoulder a friendly shove. "All the best, buddy."
The week passed in a blur of half-packed bags, whispered plans, and the growing hum of anticipation. By the time the day of the school trip arrived, the excitement in the air felt almost tangible. Students clustered near the bus, their laughter carrying over the early morning chill.
Aarav boarded with the others, his bag slung over one shoulder, and found an empty seat beside Ishika. She was already settled in, her hands resting lightly on her lap, her expression lit with the kind of joy that made her seem almost childlike.
"You look really happy," Aarav said, unable to hide his smile.
"Yeah," she replied, her voice warm. "I was so looking forward to it."
"Is it your first time going to the mountains?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No. I’ve been a lot of times. But… it’s the first time I’m going with friends." The way she said it—softly, almost thoughtfully—made it clear just how much that mattered to her.
Their conversation drifted until Ishika’s attention shifted across the aisle. Aarav followed her gaze and noticed Vivan and Shreya sitting together, leaning close as they spoke.
"Are they dating?" she asked suddenly.
Aarav blinked in surprise. "Huh? How do you know?"
She smiled knowingly. "I guessed. Look at Vivan—he’s blushing."
Her observation stirred something in Aarav’s thoughts. Khushi had hinted at it before, and Vivan had teased him as well—both had seen through him so easily. If they could read his feelings for Ishika, could it be possible… that she already knew?
The thought wrapped around his mind, tightening until the rest of the bus faded from awareness. He didn’t even realize he had been looking at her for too long until she turned her head, her brow slightly furrowed.
"Aarav?" she asked.
He blinked, snapping out of his daze. "Y… yeah?"
"What happened?" Her gaze lingered, searching his expression.
"Oh, nothing," he replied quickly, trying to sound casual.
"Are you sure?" she asked again, her voice gentler this time.
"Yeah," he said, looking away toward the mountains slowly coming into view through the window. Still, the question lingered unspoken in his mind—what if she had already guessed everything?
The journey passed in a haze of conversation and laughter. Aarav and Ishika talked about everything—from small childhood memories to random thoughts about the trip—until the bus finally slowed and rolled to a stop.
Stepping out, Aarav was greeted by a world painted in shades of green. Towering mountains rose on all sides, their peaks shrouded in soft mist. The air here was different—cold and crisp, carrying with it the faint, earthy scent of damp soil and wild plants. Each breath felt like it was cleansing the weight of city air from his lungs.
"It’s really cold here," Shreya said, hugging her arms to herself.
"Yeah, it really is," Vivan replied instantly, his voice full of agreement.
Aarav hid a small smile. Ever since Vivan and Shreya had started dating, he seemed to agree with absolutely everything she said. Aarav used to think that was ridiculous—until he started liking Ishika. Now, those little things that once seemed silly suddenly felt completely natural.
"Everyone, put your luggage in your allotted rooms and get enough rest," the teacher announced, her voice cutting through the chatter. "We’ll go sightseeing in the evening. Make sure you rest well until then."
The students began filing toward the lodge, their bags in hand, still buzzing with excitement for what the trip would bring. Aarav glanced at Ishika beside him, the mountain breeze catching in her hair, and felt a quiet thrill—this trip had only just begun.
As Aarav was carrying his bag toward the lodge, Vivan’s voice called from behind.
"Hey, Aarav."
"Yeah?" Aarav turned to look at him.
"Teacher said three students will share a room. So… you’re coming with me, right?" Vivan asked, giving him a hopeful look.
"Of course not," Aarav replied flatly.
Vivan’s face fell into an exaggerated pout. "Huh? Why?"
Aarav’s lips curved into a faint smirk. "I’m kidding."
"You’re really mean, you know that?" Vivan said, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
"You should stop this mellow drama now," Aarav teased, nudging his arm. "You have a girlfriend, buddy."
"Yeah, yeah," Vivan muttered, though a grin betrayed him.
"So… who’s the third one with us?" Aarav asked.
"Oh, it’s Rohan," Vivan replied.
Rohan was one of their classmates—quiet most of the time, but friendly enough when spoken to. The three of them hauled their luggage through the narrow hallway, the sound of voices echoing from other rooms. Their assigned room was small but cozy, with three neatly made beds, a large window that opened toward the mountains, and a faint scent of pine drifting in from outside.
Khushi and Shreya were sharing the room with Ishika. The three of them carried their luggage down the quiet hallway until they reached the door assigned to them. As Ishika pushed it open, warm afternoon light spilled into the space, revealing a neatly arranged room. In the center stood a large, comfortable-looking bed with crisp white sheets, and to the right, an attached bathroom gleamed with tiled walls and polished fixtures.
Shreya’s face lit up the moment she stepped inside.
“It’s so big!” she exclaimed, spinning slightly to take it all in.
Khushi gave a small approving nod. “Yeah, and it’s a relief that it has a bathroom attached.”
Ishika smiled faintly. “Yeah, really.”
She placed her bag on the small table near the wall, feeling the stiffness in her arms from the long day. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she felt the mattress dip under her weight. Shreya immediately flopped down beside her with a grin.
“It’s really soft,” Shreya said, pressing her hand into the sheet.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Khushi announced, already heading toward the bathroom.
“Okay,” Ishika replied, watching her disappear behind the door.
Once the water began to run, the room settled into a quieter atmosphere. Shreya shifted a little closer to Ishika, her expression turning thoughtful.
“Say, Ishika?” she began.
“Yes?” Ishika turned her head, curious.
“What do you think about Aarav?”
The question caught Ishika off guard. “Huh? What’s with this sudden question?”
“Come on, just tell me,” Shreya urged with a knowing smile.
Ishika hesitated. She hadn’t really given the matter much thought before, at least not consciously. But deep down, she knew it was true that she cared for him.
“Well… Aarav is… a really nice guy. He always supports me, worries when I’m not feeling well, and…” she paused, searching for the right words, “…he just always makes sure I’m okay.”
“Uh-huh?” Shreya tilted her head, clearly waiting for more.
“But why are you asking this?” Ishika asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.
“I think he likes you,” Shreya said simply.
The words landed like a small shock. Ishika felt her heartbeat quicken. Why did Shreya think that? Had someone—maybe Vivan—said something?
“How… do you know?” she asked cautiously.
Shreya raised her brows. “Isn’t it obvious? You just listed all the ways he cares about you.”
Ishika fell silent. Shreya wasn’t wrong. Aarav had always been there for her, and he was the reason she had learned to stand up for herself. But Ishika had always believed he did these things because they were friends. Could it really mean something more?
“And what about you?” Shreya’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“Huh?”
“Do you like Aarav?”
Ishika felt her cheeks warm instantly. “Wha—what? Me?”
“Yes,” Shreya said, leaning forward slightly. “How do you feel about him?”
“I… I don’t know. I never really thought about it,” Ishika admitted, her voice softer now.
She wasn’t sure if it was love, but there was no denying that she cared for him. Aarav was… well, he was a good person. And maybe, just maybe, that meant more than she realized.
