The bell rang lazily, and sunlight spilled across the half-empty classroom.

Aarya was scribbling on her notebook, tongue slightly out in focus, while Hiten leaned back on his chair, spinning his pen like life was just too peaceful to rush.

“Still thinking about the wedding?” he asked with a grin.

Aarya smiled faintly, “A bit. It was… warm, you know?”

“Yeah,” he said, looking out the window. “Feels weird how quiet school looks after that.”

Before she could answer, their class teacher entered with an unusually bright tone.

“Everyone! I have great news — the school is organizing a trip this weekend!”

The class instantly erupted. Desks rattled, voices rose, and Hiten straightened.

“Where?” someone shouted.

The teacher smiled. “To Rainvale Hills. A hill town where, they say, it rains almost every day of the year.”

Hiten looked at Aarya — she was already staring at him with wide eyes.

“The place where it always rains?” she whispered.

“Guess the rain’s calling us again,” he replied, smirking.

They both signed up immediately, handing the slip together.

“This one’s gonna be magical,” Aarya said.

“Or chaotic if you forget your raincoat again,” Hiten teased.

She narrowed her eyes. “I’ll bring two this time, Dumbo.”

He chuckled. “Good. One for your head, one for your excuses.”

---

Later that afternoon, the two sat at their usual canteen table, papers spread everywhere.

Aarya was making a checklist while Hiten drew doodles beside her writing.

“Raincoats, rain boots, thermos, snacks…” she read aloud.

“Add camera,” Hiten said, “for memories we’ll probably forget to take.”

Aarya nodded. “And umbrellas!”

Hiten doodled a little cloud with raindrops and labeled it ‘Muffin-proof zone’.

Aarya glanced at it and gave him that look.

“Seriously?”

“Fully serious,” he said calmly, sipping his juice.

She sighed but couldn’t hide her smile. “You’re impossible.”

“Not impossible,” he replied with a small grin. “Just hard to replace.”

For a moment, she didn’t know what to reply — so she just smiled and went back to her checklist.

---

The Shopping Day

The next evening, they met near the mall. Aarya wore a cozy cardigan, her hair tied up. Hiten, hands in pockets, looked a bit more serious than usual.

“You’re on time?” she asked, pretending to be shocked.

He shrugged. “Old habits change when the company’s good.”

They went from shop to shop — trying out raincoats, boots, and warm clothes.

Aarya stopped near a bright yellow coat. “What do you think?”

Hiten tilted his head. “You’ll look like a walking sunshine in that.”

“Not bad then,” she smiled.

At another store, he picked up a dark blue jacket.

“Don’t tell me—” she started.

He grinned. “Matching energy.”

She groaned. “You copied my color again!”

“I call it coordination, Muffin.”

Her cheeks puffed, but she ignored it — they were standing near an old café where they used to go since their early school days.

When they entered, the old owner, Mr. Verma, immediately waved.

“Hiten! It’s been months, son. Still keeping her safe?”

Hiten smiled respectfully. “Always, sir. She still argues more than she studies though.”

Aarya gasped, “Hey!”

The old man laughed. “Some things never change.”

For a few moments, Hiten’s teasing tone softened — he helped the man carry a small box, asked about his family, and even paid for their muffins without saying a word.

Aarya watched quietly, realizing how different his tone became — polite, calm, grounded.

When they left, she said softly, “You really respect everyone here.”

Hiten looked at her. “They’ve seen me grow up. I can’t act like a kid forever, right?”

She smiled faintly. “Maybe not forever. But I like that you’re still you.”

He smiled back. “That’s the plan.”

---

As they walked back, the winter air had turned cooler, the streets filled with dry leaves brushing under their feet.

They reached a familiar turn — the same one where they had first met months ago.

Aarya stopped and stared at it for a second.

“This is where it all started,” she murmured.

Hiten looked around, a soft smile on his face. “Yeah. Same road, same turn — just colder now.”

She chuckled. “And quieter.”

He nodded. “Maybe the world’s giving us time to breathe before the next storm.”

Aarya smiled. “You always say things like that.”

“Because you never listen the first time,” he said, bumping her shoulder gently.

They both laughed.

---

As they reached near their homes, Hiten stretched his arms.

“So, Muffin, sure you packed everything?”

“Stop calling me that, Dumbo.”

“Never,” he said, teasingly.

She rolled her eyes. “One day I’ll make you regret that name.”

“Promise?” he said with a grin.

They both laughed as the chilly wind brushed past, carrying the faint sound of leaves rustling behind them.

Somewhere deep down, both knew — this trip wasn’t just another school journey.

It was a step closer to something… they hadn’t yet named.

---