episode 3

Sana and Shelly ran far from the scene.

Breathing heavily, they finally stopped, then looked at each other and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Shelly, still laughing, said,

“Uff, Sana! You’re number one! Just look at the mess you created today!”

Wiping tears from her eyes, Sana replied,

“Did you see what a brilliant job we did? That boy won’t forget this lesson anytime soon!”

Shelly joked,

“You gave him proper punishment!”

Sana raised her chin proudly,

“We did the right thing! Let him dare to show his face again—this time he’ll know not to mess with an angry girl!”

Both of them laughed gleefully.

Some of the neighborhood kids stared at them in confusion.

Sana placed a hand on Shelly’s shoulder and said,

“Let’s go home. Today I’m in the best mood ever!”

Shelly giggled and walked alongside Sana,

While somewhere far behind, Arup stood helplessly, searching for a repair shop with a flat-tired bicycle.

---

Arup struggled to push his bicycle all the way home.

Drenched in sweat, he looked completely exhausted. As soon as he stepped into the yard, his older brother Amit stood in front of him.

Amit, with a school bag slung over his shoulder and an impatient look on his face, crossed his arms and snapped,

“What have you done to the bike? The tire’s totally flat! How am I supposed to get to tuition now?”

With his head down, Arup leaned on the bicycle and muttered,

“Bhaiya… I… it happened on the way home… I didn’t realize…”

Amit got even more upset,

“Now I’ll have to walk! And fixing the bike will cost money! Don’t you understand how hard our parents work to earn? Stop this nonsense and learn to take care of things properly!”

Arup said nothing, standing there in silence.

All he could picture was Sana’s furious face flashing in his mind. He thought to himself,

“Ugh… that girl got me into real trouble! How do I fix all this now…”

Amit shook his head in frustration, threw the bag over his shoulder, and stormed out.

Arup looked at the bicycle and sighed. He knew if he didn’t get it repaired today, he’d face more scolding tomorrow.

He quietly muttered,

“I have to talk to her now… or this mess will only get worse.”

And with that, he slowly pushed the bicycle out again, searching for a repair shop.

---

Meanwhile, Sana and Shelly arrived at Shelly’s house, still giggling.

The trees in the yard cast long shadows, and a cool breeze blew gently.

Sana said,

“Today was amazing, Shelly! What a special day!”

Shelly laughed,

“Yeah! He got exactly what he deserved for being too bold!”

Just then, the front door opened, and Shelly’s elder sister, Soma, stepped out.

She was in a hurry, with her hair tied in a bun, a small bindi on her forehead, and a bag in hand.

Shelly asked,

“Didi, heading to tuition?”

Soma replied quickly,

“Yes! I’m running really late. Sir is going to be mad today. You girls keep chatting, I’m off!”

Sana grinned,

“Didi, better hurry! Once your teacher sees your angry face, he won’t dare say a word!”

Soma laughed, slung her bag over her shoulder, and rushed across the street.

Sana and Shelly sat on the stairs of the veranda, chatting.

In the middle of their laughter, Sana thought to herself,

“Arup must be wondering what kind of trouble he’s in now…”

Shelly smiled and said,

“Come on, let’s grab a bite. Then I’ll drop you off at home.”

And the two best friends lost themselves in conversation once again.

---

Meanwhile, Soma reached her tuition center in a hurry.

Amit had also reached on foot, exhausted and sweaty. Both of them arrived at the same time at the tuition door.

The teacher was sitting at his desk, looking stern.

He glanced at both of them as they entered and frowned at Amit.

With a sharp tone, the teacher said,

“Amit! Late again? I’ve told you so many times to come on time!”

Amit looked down in embarrassment,

“Sir… my bicycle tire was damaged… I had to walk…”

The teacher raised a hand to stop him,

“No excuses. Just don’t let it happen again.”

Then he turned to Soma,

“Soma, you can sit. I can tell you had some trouble getting here.”

Soma quietly nodded and took her seat.

Amit sulked in the corner, thinking,

“Hmph… A smile for Soma, but scolding for me? Ugh… today’s just not my day!”

He sighed and opened his books as the class began.

---

After tuition, the students began walking home.

The evening breeze had a slight chill in the air. Amit was walking slowly with his friend, frustration still evident on his face.

Turning to his friend, Amit said,

“Did you see that? Sir always scolds boys like us, but never says a word to the girls. How’s that fair?”

His friend chuckled,

“Let it go, man. That’s just how it is.”

Just then, Soma and her friend Disha overheard the conversation from behind.

Disha smirked and said,

“Amit, if sir didn’t scold us, maybe it’s because we don’t arrive late every single day!”

Soma crossed her arms and added,

“She’s right. You’re late almost daily. Can’t blame the teacher for that!”

Amit snapped,

“Hmph… girls are always right, huh? And guys are always wrong? Think before you talk, Soma!”

Soma widened her eyes and replied in an annoyed tone,

“I said what’s true, Amit. No need to unfairly blame girls!”

Amit responded coldly,

“Fine. No point arguing. From now on, I won’t say a single word to you!”

Soma turned away and shot back,

“Same here!”

Both of them stormed off in opposite directions, while Disha and Amit’s friend stood there shocked, wondering how such a silly argument led to such a big fight.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***