episode 3

Sara ignored Ishan’s friend request at first. She stared at it for a while, confused why he would even send it. After some thought, she accepted it anyway. He’s just a classmate, she told herself. Nothing happened after that and the day passed normally.

The next morning, her phone buzzed.

Ishan: Hi. What’s up?

Sara frowned. She didn’t like him, but she also didn’t want pointless drama. Maybe if they talked normally, things would improve.

Sara: Hi. Do you need anything?

His reply came instantly.

Ishan: Someone sounds pissed.

Sara rolled her eyes.

Sara: If you’re texting to mock me, stop.

Ishan: Relax. I’m just talking.

Even his “normal” sounded annoying.

Sara: if you going to keep talking like then I’ll block you.

A moment later:

Ishan: Do I care?

That was enough. Sara blocked him immediately.

A few minutes later, another message request appeared from a different account.

Hey, it’s Ishan. Open my block. I need to talk.

Sara stared in disbelief.

Sara: Say it here.

Ishan: No. Open it.

Sara: What if I don’t?

Ishan: Just one minute.

Annoyed, she unblocked him.

Sarahl: What do you want?

His reply came instantly.

Ishan: Nothing. Why are you texting me?

Sara froze, then glared at the screen.

He was mocking her again.

Sara: Want me to block you again?

Ishan: You’re rude, you know that?

Sara smirked.

Sarahl: Do I care?

There was a pause before his next text appeared.

Ishan: Fine. Let’s be friends.

Sara stared for a second before replying:

Sara: Not interested.

Then she left the chat. This time, he didn’t text again.

The days passed peacefully after that. Sara grew closer to Maria, Adrita, Rohit and especially Mohit. Mohit quickly became one of her closest friends. He was funny, playful and always knew how to make everyone laugh.

One afternoon, Mohit leaned toward her dramatically.

“Dude… I like someone.”

Sara raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“A girl from Section A.”

Sara blinked. Section A students always acted superior to Section B, but she smiled anyway.

“Alright. I’ll help.”

She gave him advice, told him to talk confidently and even suggested buying her chocolate and a ribbon.

Later, Mohit returned looking calm.

“What happened?” Sara asked. “Rejected?”

“She already has someone.”

For a second, everyone was silent. Then they all start laughing.

“Wow,” Mohit sighed. “Such supportive friends.”

Sara patted his shoulder. “It’s fine. You’ll find better.”

Mohit shrugged. “Honestly, it doesn’t even hurt.”

The group stared.

“You didn’t like her that much?” Rohit asked.

Mohit grinned awkwardly. “It was just a crush.”

Everyone burst into laughter again and dragged him off for a “rejection treat.”

Later in class, Ishan and his friend realized they had forgotten their books. Maria kindly lent hers to them. When Ishan returned it, he smirked.

“Well… looks like at least someone here knows how to help people."

Maria simply smiled awkwardly and took her book back.

A little later, Ishan was casually talking with Mohit and another friend near their desks. Sara, Maria and Adrita were sitting nearby, not paying much attention.

Then Ishan chuckled and said loud enough for them to hear,

“Your group is funny. One stays quiet like she’s too innocent, one acts like she owns the place and the other just keeps glaring at people for no reason.”

For a second, the room went silent.

Everyone knew exactly who he was talking about.

Sara’s face darkened.

Maria looked down, uncomfortable.

And Adrita—

Adrita stood up instantly.

The words had barely left Ishan’s mouth when Adrita moved. One second he was standing there with that usual careless smirk and the next, her hand had fisted tightly around his collar, yanking him forward so suddenly that his expression changed at once.

The classroom fell silent.

“What did you just say?” Adrita’s voice was sharp enough to cut through the room.

For the first time, genuine surprise flickered across Ishan’s face.

“Whoa,” he muttered, instinctively catching his balance. “Relax.”

But Adrita’s grip only tightened.

Her eyes burned with warning, daring him to say another word.

“Don’t talk about us like that again.”

The sharpness in her tone made even the nearest students go quiet. Chairs scraped softly as people turned to watch.

For a moment, Ishan said nothing.

Then the surprise faded, replaced by something colder. His jaw tightened and when he looked back at her, there was clear irritation in his eyes.

“Don’t cross your limit,” he said, his voice low and controlled.

Instead of backing away, Adrita gave his collar another small jerk, forcing him even closer.

“Then don’t test mine.”

A tense silence followed.

The air felt heavier now, charged with something dangerous enough to make everyone hold their breath.

Ishan’s expression darkened.

He looked angry—really angry—but still restrained, as though forcing himself not to react.

Finally, he spoke through clenched teeth.

“Listen carefully. I don’t disrespect girls. So let go before this becomes unnecessary.”

That was when Mohit hurried forward, raising both hands between them.

“Okay, okay—enough. Calm down, both of you.”

But Adrita didn’t release him immediately.

From her seat, Sara tried to hide her smile and failed.

Watching Ishan—usually so smug and untouchable—standing there completely caught off guard was strangely satisfying.

“Alright, Adrita,” she said, laughing softly. “Let him go now.”

For another long second, Adrita held his gaze.

Then, at last, she let go.

Ishan stumbled back half a step before straightening himself. He fixed his collar slowly, his face unreadable now, though the anger in his eyes hadn’t disappeared.

No one spoke.

And then, suddenly, a few quiet laughs broke through the silence.

The entire class had enjoyed the show.

And from that moment on, she, Maria and Adrita disliked Ishan even more.

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