the day we first met : version [ enhanced ]

VOL 3 - The Exam!

Results Celebration (Filler)

"So, the results are out today? Sooner than last year, huh?" Ritika spoke while licking her ice cream. Raitha and Shyam walked alongside her, enjoying the warm weather without any treats in hand.

The three friends were heading to the public forest to hang out—a place they had grown fond of since their first outing together. [Refer to Chapter 3 of Volume 1!] Though they hadn't known each other for long, their bond had strengthened. The hesitation Shyam once felt toward both Raitha and Ritika had melted away. Now, he could talk to them as if they had been childhood friends.

As they ascended the hill leading to the forest, the sound of birds filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of nature. The moment was serene, a perfect escape from the chaos of school and exams.

When they reached the top, they found their usual bench overlooking the horizon. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the area in warmth and light. They sat down together, each of them soaking in the view—except for Raitha, who seemed lost in her phone.

"What are you looking at?" Shyam asked, concern evident in his voice.

Startled, Raitha looked up as though someone had hit her with a jolt of electricity. She clutched her phone tightly and replied with a nervous smile, "I… I was just looking at our test results."

Though her face wore a smile, there was an unmistakable sadness in her eyes. Sensing that she wasn't telling the whole truth, Shyam leaned closer. "Why are you so worried about it?" he asked gently.

Before Raitha could respond, Ritika chimed in. "Don't worry, we passed!" she said with a laugh. "She's just upset because her score wasn't as high as she hoped. But honestly, I think it's great! Way better than mine—or yours, Shyam!"

Her lighthearted comment broke the tension, drawing a chuckle from both Shyam and Raitha. Despite Ritika's playful tone, Shyam couldn't help but wonder about his own score. He hadn't even checked the results yet—he'd been too caught up in other things to bother.

Deciding to put the topic aside, Shyam stood up and stretched, gazing out at the horizon. "Well, whatever. We're here to enjoy ourselves, and that's exactly what we should do, right?"

His words brought a small sense of relief to Raitha, who nodded in agreement. Though the regret of not preparing better for the exams lingered in her heart, she knew it was too late to change anything. For now, she resolved to let it go.

---

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the clouds with streaks of orange and pink, the three friends sat together in comfortable silence. The golden light of the sunset gave Raitha's smooth cheeks a soft glow, her eyes sparkling as they reflected the sky's brilliance.

Shyam's heart began to race. Her beauty in that moment was overwhelming, and it took every ounce of his composure to hide his feelings. His mind compared it to a Toyota AE86 at full throttle—unstoppable, uncontrollable. He swallowed hard and forced himself to speak, breaking the spell.

"This sunset is amazing, isn't it?" he said casually, his voice betraying none of his inner turmoil.

Raitha turned to him with a smile. "It really is."

Ritika, sitting on the other side, sighed dramatically. "I think I could stay here forever. No tests, no studying—just this view."

Shyam chuckled, grateful for Ritika's carefree attitude. "Let's not forget why we're here," he said, reaching into his bag. He pulled out two small boxes, each tied with a ribbon, and handed them to Raitha and Ritika.

"What's this?" Ritika asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Just a little something I made," Shyam replied. "Handmade chocolates. Consider it a token of friendship—or maybe a celebration for surviving the exams!"

Both girls were touched by the gesture. Raitha opened her box and took a bite of one of the chocolates. The rich flavor melted in her mouth, bringing a genuine smile to her face. "These are amazing, Shyam. Thank you."

Ritika, too, expressed her gratitude, though her focus quickly shifted back to the chocolates themselves. "You might've found your true calling, Shyam. Forget studying—you should open a chocolate shop!"

Their laughter echoed through the forest, blending with the rustling leaves and distant chirping of birds.

---

As the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, the trio began their walk back home. The day had been simple yet memorable, a moment of calm amid the chaos of exams.

For Shyam, the chocolates were more than just a friendly gesture. They were a small step forward, a way to bridge the gap between himself and Raitha. Brick by brick, he was building something special—though only time would tell where it would lead.