WE & MONSOON : Love vs Promise

|| FIRST RAIN OF MONSOON ||

"Say whatever you need to say." Zaid's husky voice pulls Smaran from his thoughts. He continues, drinking his fruit juice as if it were whisky. "Anyway, today marks the end of our school."

Seated at the canteen table, Sristi remarks, "Yeah, let it all out today."

Smaran raises his hand. "Alright, I'll begin. I just had a break-up."

Smaran, his head resting on the table, slowly raises his hand. "Alright, I'll begin. I just had a breakup."

"What?" Zaid's reaction is immediate, juice spraying from his mouth in shock. "When? Why?"

Sristi, sitting beside them, stirs the ice in her juice with her straw, her expression calm. "It's hardly surprising; it was expected."

"Just today. She said I'm not mature enough," Smaran replies, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the admission.

"Really?" Zaid and Sristi exclaim in unison. Sristi, with a hint of irony, adds, "It took her three months to figure that out?"

Zaid shoots her a reproachful look. "Is your joke finished?"

Sristi only smiles lightly, taking a sip of her juice. "Yup."

Zaid turns back to Smaran, his tone softening. "Don't worry, man, it's her loss. She doesn't deserve you." He places a comforting hand on Smaran's shoulder. "It's alright, you'll find someone better."

Smaran shakes his head, frustration bubbling up inside him. "That's precisely what I don't want to do now." He strikes the desk with his fist, the sound echoing through the canteen. "From today, I vow to become self-reliant and focus on myself."

Sristi, unfazed, takes another sip of her juice before commenting, "Better late than never."

Smaran's gaze shifts between them. "Why just me? You two should make a vow as well."

Zaid raises an eyebrow. "Us?"

"Yes, any problem with that?" Smaran challenges, his eyes narrowing.

"N...No," Zaid stammers, avoiding Smaran's gaze. "Bro, you know about my strict father."

"And you both know about my expectations," Sristi interjects, her voice steady.

"Yes, quite well," Zaid mutters, shaking his head. With a teasing grin, he adds, "To the extent that I doubt if such a person even exists."

Smaran's resolve only strengthens. "Great then." He stretches his right hand forward, determination etched on his face. "Extend your hand."

Sristi, with a smile, places her hand on top of Smaran's without hesitation. Zaid hesitates, glancing at the two of them before reluctantly adding his hand to the stack.

Smaran, still chewing on a samosa with his other hand, declares with a grin, "Alright, from today, we are committed to celibacy."

Sristi nods enthusiastically, her eyes bright with determination, while Zaid forces a grin, trying to mask his uncertainty. They all solemnly make the vow, but the moment of seriousness is short-lived.

Almost instantly, a playful scuffle breaks out between the two boys. Smaran and Zaid grapple with each other, laughing as they tumble onto the table, sending juice and food flying across the room. A glass tips over, and a wave of juice lands squarely on Sristi's clothes.

"Guys!" Sristi exclaims, her cheerful demeanor replaced with irritation as she surveys the mess. But her annoyance only fuels Zaid's determination, and he, now visibly angry, jumps back into the fray, escalating the chaos further.