Falling Into Oblivion

Chapter 8: Multitalented

Banhi and Dhriti stood outside Gaurav's house, the sun casting a warm glow over the neatly manicured lawn. They exchanged nervous glances before Banhi rang the doorbell. Moments later, a tall man with kind eyes and a gentle smile opened the door.

"Hello," Banhi began, "we're Banhi and Dhriti. We've come to drop off some notes for Gaurav."

Gaurav's father smiled warmly. "Ah, Gaurav mentioned you'd be coming. Please, come inside."

They followed him into the cozy living room, filled with books and family photos. The smell of freshly brewed tea wafted through the air, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

"Dear, these are Gaurav's friends," Gaurav's father called out.

A woman in her mid-fifties, wearing a simple saree, appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She had the same kind eyes as Gaurav's father. "Hello. Please, sit down."

The girls sat on the comfortable sofa, feeling slightly out of place in the warmth of the family home. Gaurav's mother handed them cups of tea.

"So, how is Gaurav?" Dhriti asked, sipping her tea.

Gaurav's mother beamed. "He's much better now. He'll be going back to college next week. Your notes helped him a lot."

Just then, Gaurav entered the room, walking with a slight limp but looking much healthier than before. His face lit up when he saw Banhi and Dhriti.

"Oh, you came!" Gaurav exclaimed. "Thank you so much for the notes."

Banhi smiled. "No problem, Gaurav. We just wanted you to get better soon."

As they chatted, the girls learned more about Gaurav. He showed them his room, filled with various musical instruments and art supplies.

"Do you also paint?" Banhi asked, amazed.

Gaurav nodded. "Yes, it's my hobby. And I also play the guitar."

Dhriti looked at the neatly arranged trophies on his shelf. "What are these for?"

Gaurav chuckled. "These are from school competitions. I have a little interest in writing and science too."

The girls were impressed. "Wow, Gaurav, you're multi-talented!" Dhriti said.

Gaurav's mother joined them, carrying a tray of snacks. "Yes, Gaurav has always been very smart and talented. We're all so proud of him."

They spent the next hour talking and laughing, getting to know Gaurav better. As they were about to leave, Gaurav's father handed them a small box.

"This is for you," he said. "It's homemade sweets. Thanks for helping Gaurav."

Banhi and Dhriti smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Uncle. Seeing Gaurav get better is reward enough for us."

As they walked back home, Dhriti turned to Banhi. "I thought Gaurav was just an arrogant guy, but he's actually so talented and a really good person."

Banhi nodded. "Yes, sometimes we judge people without really knowing them. Today I've learned that we should give everyone a chance."

With this newfound respect for Gaurav, they looked forward to his return to college, knowing that they had made a true friend.

...

The sleek black car sped through the deserted streets, the sound of tires screeching echoing against the darkened buildings. Inside, Danish Choudhury and his friends—Ranveer, Pranav, and Surendra—laughed uproariously, the smell of alcohol thick in the air. Danish, gripping the steering wheel, swerved dangerously, narrowly missing a parked car.