chapter 5

Part 5: Strings of FriendshipThe days passed quietly, but something had changed between Riya and Dhirav.  From occasional glances in the classroom to full-fledged conversations on messages, their bond was now growing like a delicate thread pulled by time and curiosity.It started simply.One evening, as Riya sat by her window doing homework, her phone buzzed.Dhirav: "Hey Riya, did you understand the second question of maths yesterday?"She smiled instantly.  Not because of the question, but because it was him.Riya: "yess, there was some confusion... but it happened. I understood it ,do you understand"?Dhirav: "No actually, that's why I asked you,  You thought it would be true."And that was it.  A small message turned into an hour-long chat.  From studies to favorite subjects, then to music, movies, and random jokes.  That night, both of them laughed more than they had in a while.The next day, during class, their eye contact felt warmer.  More familiar.Two days later, Dhirav texted her again at evening.Dhirav: "Are you free? Are you able to call? What can you do?"Riya stared at the screen, her heart suddenly thumping.Riya: "Yes, I do it"Her hands trembled as she called.  The first few seconds were silent—just breathing.Then his voice, soft and calm: "Hello?"Riya: "yes, I am listening."He chuckled a little: "Yaar... I am feeling a little awkward, first of all."She laughed: "Yes, I am also feeling like this..... you tell me, why did you ask me for call"He paused, then said something that stayed in her heart forever.Dhirav: "Look, I wanted to tell you something... I consider yo are my bestie. That's why I share so many things with you."Riya froze for a second.Bestie? A word so simple, but from him—it felt like gold.She replied, her voice almost smiling: "I also want you to be my best friend... really."That evening, they spoke for over an hour. No hesitation, just flow. Jokes, stories, teasing. Riya teased him about his serious face in class, and Dhirav mocked her dramatic texts.Their friendship bloomed—funny roasts, silly bets, and subtle jealousies.  Riya would laugh when Dhirav praised some other girl’s answer in class but secretly feel a pinch inside.  Dhirav would act chill when someone praised Riya’s handwriting but later tease her like, "Madam, do you want to become an author?"There were moments when their words slipped into something sweeter.One night:Riya: "Today was boring, so you came here  on chats and I felt a little better."Dhirav: "I remember you everyday, now it has become a habit for me to talk to you."Neither admitted anything.  But the bond?  It was deeper than words.They were best friends.  But something in the air said maybe... just maybe... there was more.