"Hey, you keep saying you'll meet us at the gate, and I had to come to you instead," Mrigank joked as he entered the classroom.

Sirin lifted his head from the book with a light-hearted taunt, "You’ve spent a whole week on vacation, and yet you still don’t feel like coming to class."

Mrigank laughed and replied, "Come on, let’s put that aside. By the way, an old friend of mine is also joining the class today. I don’t think he’s here yet."

Just then, a voice called out, "Hello Mrigank! How are you? I was looking for you, where have you been?"

Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, Sirin looked up and saw the newcomer. He had a somewhat serious yet attractive demeanor—tall, slightly tousled hair, and deep brown eyes. There was a confidence in his voice that caught Sirin's attention.

Mrigank's voice was filled with the joy of meeting an old friend, "I’m right here! You’ve come all the way from Dehradun, joined college, but I had no idea!"

"Hey Sirin, now for a moment, put the book down and meet him. This is Anmay—my school friend and old neighbor. He was in Dehradun for a while, just got back yesterday, and now he’s joined our college," Mrigank said in one breath.

Anmay looked at Sirin and smiled gently, extending his hand, "Hello Sirin! Nice to meet you."

Sirin hesitated a bit, closing his books and turning his gaze towards him. His face was filled with a touch of awkwardness as his slender fingers brushed lightly against Anmay’s strong hand. There was a warmth and calmness in Anmay's grip.

Sirin looked up at Anmay, his eyes a bit unstable, but he gestured to shake hands. Between his slim frame and nervous expression, Anmay’s confident personality made Sirin feel slightly uneasy.

Sirin’s mild tremor seemed to be noticed by Anmay, yet he maintained a friendly smile on his face.

"Forget about him; he’s just a bookworm—either here or in the library," Mrigank teased Sirin.

"Oh! So he’s the complete opposite of you, who brings books and then forgets about them," Anmay chimed in, teasing Mrigank back. A faint smile flickered on Sirin's lips, but it quickly hid behind his shyness.

Mrigank feigned anger, saying, "Hey! Are you my friend or his?"

Anmay chuckled, "A friend of a friend is also a friend, right? So I’m friends with both of you. Isn’t that right, Sirin?"

Sirin nodded slightly in agreement, but his gaze lingered on Anmay once again.

Just then, the professor entered the classroom, and Sirin and Mrigank sat together, while Anmay found a seat at the front. The class began, and time passed quickly as they got absorbed in their studies.