Aarya looked at her watch. “Right behind your house?” she said.

Hiten grinned. “We never knew we were neighbors! That’s amazing.”

The rain poured harder outside. “Oh, I’m really sorry, it’s too late,” he said. “I brought you here because the rain is heavy—you can’t even go home. But if you don’t mind, you can stay at my place. I have an extra bed; my sister barely uses it, maybe once or twice. Don’t worry, I change the sheets regularly.” He said it teasingly, and Aarya smiled.

“Okay, if you don’t mind, I can stay,” she said.

“What about your school uniform? You’ll get late,” she added.

Hiten shook his head. “Don’t worry. You can go home to get it while I make breakfast and take a bath. Then we can go to school together. It’s not a big deal.”

Aarya laughed. “Damn, Hiten, you’re so smart!” she said teasingly.

“C’mon, yar, don’t do that, or I’ll feel embarrassed.” His cheeks turned red as he spoke.

He set up the bed for her. “Good night,” he said softly.

Later, Hiten couldn’t sleep. He peeked at Aarya and saw that she was awake too. “We were strangers just a few hours ago, and now everything’s changed,” he said quietly. “Time is such a weird game—it can make or destroy things in seconds.”

Aarya nodded. “Yeah…”

Hiten teased lightly, “For now, just sleep. Otherwise, you won’t wake up in time.”

Morning came. Hiten softly woke her. “Go bring your bag and uniform. I’m taking a bath.”

“Okay,” she replied, grabbing her things. Thinking Hiten was in the kitchen, she went into the bathroom to take a bath.

At that moment, Hiten was in the bath himself, foam covering his face. Aarya walked in and screamed. Hiten panicked and slipped in the tub.

“What’s going on?” he yelled.

“I’m sorry! I got scared!” she exclaimed.

“I should be scared?” he said, still slipping.

“I’m really sorry,” she said, laughing nervously. “Anyway, we’re late for school. Let me make breakfast for you.”

“Okay,” Hiten said. Aarya went to the kitchen, and their morning together began.

---