Aarya hurried through her morning routine, her mind half-focused on the exam awaiting her. She glanced at the clock; it was almost time to leave. Her bag was packed, stationery checked, and her heart raced with a mix of nerves and anticipation.

Hiten arrived at her doorstep right on time, giving her a teasing grin as she stepped out. “Ready for today?” he asked, his tone playful yet encouraging.

Aarya rolled her eyes, fumbling with her bag strap. “As ready as I’ll ever be… though I don’t think ready exists for exams.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’ve got this. I’ll be with you anyway.”

The walk to the bus stop was filled with light, playful banter — Hiten teasing her about forgetting her lunch, Aarya pretending to ignore him, and both laughing at small, shared jokes. Even the mild morning chill seemed less daunting with Hiten by her side.

At school, the corridors buzzed with students whispering nervously. Hiten and Aarya made their way to their classroom, weaving through the crowd. For examination students from other sections were shuffled, And Hiten and aarya ended up in the same class. She felt her anxiety spike again, and he noticed.

“You’ll be fine,” he said softly as they reached her seat. “Just breathe. I’ve seen you tackle worse.”

Aarya smiled faintly, grateful for his presence.

The exam began. Pens scratched on paper, chairs creaked, and the soft murmur of the classroom was punctuated by the occasional cough. Aarya concentrated, but soon, doubt crept in. Her pen hovered mid-sentence, her brow furrowed.

Hiten, sitting beside her, noticed immediately. She had stopped writing for a moment, lost in uncertainty. Without speaking, he gave her a small, comforting smile — quiet, subtle, but full of reassurance. Aarya’s shoulders relaxed, and slowly, the words began to flow again.

The rest of the exam passed in a blur of concentration, Hiten stealing glances to make sure she was okay, occasionally scribbling his own notes with a satisfied nod.

Finally, the bell rang. Pens were set down, and the classroom emptied with a collective sigh of relief. Outside, students chatted about tricky questions and tricky answers.

Aarya exhaled, smiling with relief. “That wasn’t too bad… I think I managed to handle most of it.”

Hiten nudged her lightly. “See? I told you, you’d be fine. But tomorrow’s math… you’ll need me. Come to my house at twelve. I’ll teach you everything.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Twelve? Isn’t that a bit early?”

“Perfect timing,” he replied with a grin. “Plus… I already made a little treat for you too! And there’ll be a tasty lunch. But remember, the surprise treat is only if you study properly.”

Aarya clapped her hands playfully, excitement lighting her face. “Yayyy! Studying will be fun!”

Hiten leaned closer, teasing, “Only if you study properly, got it?”

“Fine… sir!” she said in a mischievous, playful tone, making him chuckle.

And with that, the first exam was done, hearts light and spirits high, and tomorrow’s plans already making their morning seem brighter.

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Author Note:

Volume 2 kicks off with exams, nerves, playful banter, and the start of new memories. Hiten’s little comforts and teasing promises remind Aarya that even stressful days can have warmth, laughter, and surprises. Stick around… the fun is just beginning! 😏