Aarya stepped out of her room, stretching lightly, her hair tied loosely as she looked around the quiet camp. Most students were still sleeping or too tired from last night’s challenge. But one person was already awake, sitting near the edge of the forest — Hiten, his notebook half open, the pen twirling between his fingers.

She walked towards him slowly.

Aarya: “You wake up this early after all that running last night?”

Hiten: (smiling faintly) “Couldn’t sleep much. The rain kept echoing in my head.”

She sat beside him on the rock. There was no teasing tone in her voice today — just calm curiosity.

Aarya: “You said something last night… that rain always brings us together.”

Hiten: (nodding, looking ahead) “Yeah. Every time it rains, something changes. Either we fight, or something gets better… but it never leaves us the same.”

Aarya smiled softly, looking at the sunlight passing through the trees.

Aarya: “It’s funny, isn’t it? We’ve been through so much since the first rain.”

Hiten: “Yeah. And somehow, it still feels like we’re just getting started.”

They both laughed quietly. It wasn’t the usual kind of laughter — not teasing, not playful — but something light, honest.

A group of students passed by, heading deeper into the forest.

Aarya turned, curious. “They’re going to explore the trails. Want to go too?”

Hiten closed his notebook. “Yeah, let’s go. Maybe we’ll find something worth remembering.”

---

The forest path was damp and alive — chirping birds, the crunch of leaves under their shoes, sunlight flickering like waves through branches. Aarya ran her hand across the bark of a tall tree.

Aarya: “You ever think about how peaceful this is? Like… no phones, no noise, just air and leaves.”

Hiten: “Sometimes I think this is how everything’s supposed to be. Simple. Just enough to make you feel alive.”

They walked slowly, matching steps, the silence between them was comfortable. Occasionally, they’d stop to pick up small flowers, or watch tiny streams trickling between rocks.

Aarya glanced at him after a while.

Aarya: “You’re quiet today.”

Hiten: (smiling) “Maybe because for once, the world’s quiet enough to listen.”

She didn’t say anything after that. But her expression softened — almost proud.

---

After an hour of exploring, they reached a clearing. The teachers were setting up small stalls — wooden tables covered with colorful clothes. There were trinkets, handmade crafts, and small jewellery pieces spread across.

Aarya’s eyes lit up as she looked around.

Aarya: “Oh wow… are they setting up a fair?”

Hiten: “Seems like it. Look — bracelets, rings, necklaces… they’ve got everything here.”

The morning breeze carried faint music from the distance as more students gathered curiously.

Aarya smiled, turning to Hiten.

Aarya: “Then tomorrow, we’ll come early. You’re not skipping this one.”

Hiten: (raising an eyebrow) “Fair means shopping, right?”

Aarya: “Exactly.”

Hiten: “Then I’ll just carry your bags, I guess.”

Aarya: (grinning softly) “Maybe. Or maybe you’ll find something you like too.”

They stood there for a moment, the sunlight glinting off the tiny jewellery pieces as if hinting at something — something yet to come.

The chapter closes on that image — two silhouettes standing before rows of shining bracelets and rings, unaware that one of those small objects would soon change everything again.