Chapter 8 (Part B): Final Conclusion

The Threads Reconnect

A few days later, Rocky's phone buzzed. It was a message from Ramya: "Let's meet." PING!

Rocky went to the beach, his heart quickening with anticipation.

Ramya: "I came back from the village quickly because of family. I wanted to see you," she said, her voice soft and relieved.

Rocky was very happy to see her. They spent a lot of time together, walking along the shore, talking. Ramya was clearly happy too, her eyes sparkling. They ate street food nearby, sharing stories and laughter. SLURP! CHOMP!

Ramya: "Will you listen if I tell you my story?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hesitant hope.

Rocky: "Of course."

Ramya: "We have a big family. There are many people in my family. My dad is a fisherman. That's why I used to get comments in school that I smelled of fish. I used to feel very sad every time they said that. So, I used to wash myself a lot before coming to college and keep my clothes separate. I used to go to another aunt's house to get ready, fearing that the college people would trouble me with the fish smell." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "That's my family and my home situation."

She looked at him, her eyes searching his. "Do you know why I held your hand the first time? I used to like holding my dad's hand when we went to the beach as a child. My dad's hands were rough from fishing in the water. But I still liked holding his hand, and my mom used to feed me by mixing rice with fish curry. I used to sit on my dad's lap and eat. When I held my dad's hand, I felt an unknown love. I thought you might understand that, but you hit me." A faint smile played on her lips.

"Do you know when I first saw you? When my dad was drunk and creating a ruckus on the road, our own people left him without caring. Everyone was saying 'fish smell, fish smell.' I don't know where you came from, but you carefully took my dad to the side of the road and gave him a colorful water bottle from your school bag. Even though my dad refused out of shame, you made him drink it, saying it was okay. Then, you took him home and dropped him off. I was standing right next to my dad. You didn't even care about me." She paused, her gaze intense. "Others would have done it for the girl, but you helped my dad. That's why I like you. I always want to hold your hand and sit with you."

Rocky understood completely. He extended his hand, and she immediately took it, holding it tightly, sitting happily beside him. They talked a lot more, a quiet comfort settling between them.

(Cut to Sara, who arrived at the beach to meet Rocky a few days later.)

Sara: "You must have waited a lot, right? Sorry."

She sat beside him, taking a deep breath. "My family is very strict. They don't let me go out easily. They keep me at home. They're very careful and suspicious because I'm a girl. That's why I don't know much about the world or people. But because of you, I learned a lot. I enjoyed a lot. Look how openly I can talk to you now! I've changed a lot. My first kiss was with you. My second kiss was also with you. I can't believe it. I lied at home for you, and now I'm talking about kisses with you!" She giggled softly, a newfound confidence in her voice. "I don't know when all this will end, but until then, I want to spend a lot of time with you and enjoy. Actually, I haven't said 'I love you' until now, right? And I don't know what that feeling is like. I don't even know if this is love or not. But I want to say it now."

She looked at him, her eyes shining. "I love you."

After she said that, Rocky leaned in and kissed Sara softly on the cheek. MWAH! "I love you too," he whispered. Sara blushed furiously, twisting shyly, a radiant smile on her face.

(Cut to Jully, who came to meet Rocky after a few more days.)

Jully bounded up to him, wrapping him in a fierce hug. HUG! "Darling!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with affection. "Let's got room!"

Rocky: "Hey, what are you saying?!" he chuckled, pulling back slightly.

Jully: "Just joking, ya!" she laughed. "Okay, let's sit next to each other."

She settled beside him. "After many days, I got time to spend with you. I'm very happy now. Let's get to know each other. I'll tell you first. I've already told you a lot about myself. Okay, I'll tell you about my family. I've already told them about you at home."

Rocky: "Hey, what?!" he exclaimed, surprised.

Jully: "They agreed too! The marriage is just delayed." She shrugged, a mischievous grin on her face. "Tell me when you want to get married, and we'll go ahead. My parents gave me a lot of freedom. They're very chill. I got my dad's color and my mom's attitude. I say everything straight. I'm very open because I know they'll take care of anything at home. They'll just tease me about my ragging, that's it. I don't have anything else to say about myself. You're with me, that's enough. When I'm with you, I'm just myself. I don't feel shy or awkward. That's why I like it. And your friends are also very nice, like you. That's why I like them too. That's all."

She then leaned on Rocky, her head resting on his shoulder, then slowly laid down in his lap, comfortable and content. "Now, you tell me."

The Unconventional Love Quadrangle

(Rocky, now speaking to all three girls, as visuals show him interacting with each of them in parallel.)

Rocky: "Okay, all that is fine, but how did you three become friends? Don't you feel possessive about me?"

The Three Girls (their voices overlapping): "We don't want to waste time fighting and arguing over you. We already have problems in our lives. We don't want this too. That's why we became friends and decided to spend time with you."

They continued, their collective voice clearer now. "Even though we became friends after understanding each other, our reasons are different. Our characters are also different. You have to handle us. Okay?"

(Rocky began to speak, his voice gaining confidence.)

Rocky: "If I have to talk about my parents, okay, all my traits are from my mom. All that noise, open talk, and mischief are all from her. A little bit from my dad. My mom is very playful and says everything openly."

(Visuals of his parents' playful arguments and teasing.)

"My dad is very silent. He's a bit strict, talks about rules and future planning. But no matter how many rules he makes, my mom rules the house. No matter how many times my parents fight, it feels like comedy to me. My dad teasing my mom or my mom teasing my dad—their silly fights. Growing up watching that, I didn't take anything in life seriously. That's probably why I don't have a plan for what to do next. Because of how they were, I learned to enjoy life. No matter what anyone says, I like doing what I like. I have a bit of a short temper, like my brother. I started listening to friends now."

He looked at each of them. "But when it comes to you three, when I was asked to select one friend, I selected all three of you. I like all three of you. Even if you don't like me or want someone else, I won't force you. Okay?"

The Three Girls (a chorus of happy voices): "We've already decided! We want you! We don't have any problem with each other. We're already friends. But if you hug or kiss in front of us, we won't stay quiet—we'll also do it! We'll also show love!" GIGGLE!

Rocky: "So, what did you all decide in the end?" he asked, a playful grin spreading across his face.

(Cut to the next day.)

Again, all three girls were showering love on Rocky, vying for his affection. Rocky endured it, helplessly, but with a newfound comfort. This was better than suffering alone. He was openly loving all three of them; he wasn't cheating on anyone by hiding it. And they had also truly become friends. It was a good chance, a unique opportunity, one he wouldn't get again. He decided to simply enjoy it.

The inter-college life was over, but a new chapter, wonderfully complicated and undeniably joyful, had just begun.

The End of Inter-College Life.