Date: Friday, 4th August – Evening in Nandanpur
3:45 PM – Devgarh School Gate
As the final bell rang, the school corridor buzzed with Friday excitement. Meera and Vivaan bounded down the stairs two at a time.
"Weekendddddd!" Vivaan shouted.
Simran walked toward the scooter parking area, slinging her bag over her shoulder with a confident smirk.
"So, it's official," she declared. "I'm staying over in Nandanpur for two whole days!"
"You sure your parents agreed?" asked Ishanvi.
Simran grinned. "Yup. I think they're more excited than I am... maybe they want a break from me."
"Can't blame them," Abhay muttered playfully.
Simran elbowed him. "What was that, stutter-boy?"
Abhay immediately turned red, looking away. Ishanvi burst out laughing.
"Stop bullying him," she said. "Only I get to do that."
4:15 PM – Scooter Squad
The scooter group was all set to zoom back to Nandanpur:
Scooter 1: Ishanvi (driving) – Meera & Simran behind
Scooter 2: Abhay (driving) – Vivaan behind
Scooter 3: Raghav (driving) – Aariv behind
Scooter 4: Vaidehi (driving) – Vrinda behind
"Simran! Ready to experience the power of Nandanpur wind?" Ishanvi winked.
"Let's roll, girl!" Simran whooped, throwing her arms up.
And just like that, eight scooter wheels buzzed across the dusty road, golden rays of the setting sun trailing behind them.
5:30 PM – Kumar House vs Sharma House Debate
In Nandanpur, bags were tossed, slippers scattered, and laughter echoed.
Now came the real problem: Where would Simran stay?
"I say she stays at our place," Raghav said, dramatically bowing. "We have better snacks."
"No way," Aariv interrupted. "Didi and Simran need time together. She stays with us."
"Okay," Simran smirked. "I'll stay with the person whose room is cleaner."
Dead silence.
Ten minutes later, everyone was frantically sweeping, fluffing pillows, and hiding snack wrappers under beds.
Eventually, Ishanvi's side won — mostly because Simran wanted late-night girl talk.
9:00 PM – The Great Truth and Dare Game
The gang gathered in the courtyard under the moonlight, snacks and juice boxes arranged in a circle.
Simran spun the bottle.
First dare:
"Abhay!" Simran grinned. "Say something romantic to Ishanvi. Right now."
Abhay went pale.
"I... uh... you... y-you make... l-l-l-lights brighter."
Everyone exploded in laughter.
"Lights brighter?" Raghav clutched his stomach. "Bro, are you okay?"
Even Ishanvi couldn't stop laughing. "You sound like a talking emergency lamp."
10:30 PM – Slumber Mischief
That night, in Ishanvi's room, Meera had already dozed off with a stuffed toy in her arms. Simran and Ishanvi were sharing the mattress on the floor.
They whispered under a shared blanket, talking about school, Simran's (allegedly non-existent) crushes, and how she used to feel lonely in Devgarh before meeting the gang.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. Ishanvi stepped out to get water.
Just outside, in the dim corridor, she bumped into someone and lost her balance — falling right onto Abhay, who was coming from the courtyard with a mat in his hands.
Thud!
They both fell, tangled and wide-eyed. Abhay froze like a statue.
"I swear I'm not stalking!" he blurted, trying to stand up without making things worse.
Simran peeked out and burst into laughter.
"You two are hopeless."
Ishanvi muttered, red-faced, "I came for water, not romance."