You Are Only Mine

32

Rohan pulls up in front of the college, dropping off Summer and Arav.

Rohan: (Smiling) Have a great time at the camp, you guys. And don’t get into too much trouble.

Arav: (Grinning) We won’t, Rohan. Thanks for the ride!

Summer: (Waving) Yeah, thanks, bro. See you!

[Summer and Arav step out of the car, grabbing their bags. They spot Saurav and Subham helping the seniors store things in the bus.]

Arav: (Walking over) Hey, guys! Need a hand?

Saurav: (Smiling) Hey! Yeah, we’re just about done here. Where's Prachi?

Suddenly, they hear a familiar voice shouting from a distance.

Prachi: (Running towards them with a large luggage) I’m here!

Everyone turns to see Prachi running towards them, struggling with her luggage. They burst into laughter.

Subham: (Teasing) Prachi, why are you bringing so much stuff? We’re only going for three days!

Prachi: (Rolling her eyes) Oh, shut up, Subh! I’m a girl; I need many things.

Everyone laughs at their playful banter. A senior steps forward, calling for attention.

Senior: (Clapping hands) Alright, everyone, time to board the bus!

[Prachi and Arav head to the front seats, while Summer, Saurav, and Subham sit one row behind them.]

Summer: (Looking at Prachi and Arav) It’s so weird seeing them together like that.(But saurav notice it)

Saurav: (Nudging Summer) They do make a cute pair, don’t they?

Subham: (Chiming in) Yeah, they seem to be getting along really well.

[Summer watches as Prachi and Arav chat animatedly, laughing and joking. He feels a pang of something he can't quite identify.]

Summer: (Quietly, more to himself) Yeah, I guess they do.

[Saurav and Subham exchange a knowing look, noticing Summer's unease.]

Saurav: (Lightly) You okay, Summer?

Summer: (Snapping out of his thoughts) Huh? Yeah, I’m fine. Just... tired, I guess.

Subham: (Smirking) Sure, tired. We believe you.

[They all settle in as the bus starts moving. Summer keeps glancing at Prachi and Arav, who are still engrossed in their conversation. The bus ride is filled with laughter and chatter, but Summer can't shake off the strange feeling growing inside him.]

                The bus arrives at the destination, a rural area with an old school building. The students exit the bus, stretching and looking around with curiosity and smiles.

College President: (Stepping forward) Alright, everyone, listen up! We have 42 students, 26 boys and 16 girls. There are only 3 rooms available here, so girls will share one room and boys will split into two rooms—13 in each. Now, head to your rooms, get some rest, and we'll regroup soon to assign tasks.

[The students nod, grabbing their bags and heading towards their designated rooms. After some time, they gather in an open area where the class president starts assigning tasks.]

Class President: (Holding a clipboard) Okay, everyone, we have a lot of work to do. And assign the task group wise.

Arav and Prachi in  posters and charts team. Saurav, Subham, and Summer in handling the preparation of chairs, tables, and coloring the walls.

Prachi: (Smiling and nudging Arav) Let's go, Arav! We're in the same team.

Arav: (Grinning, giving her a high-five) Yeah, let's make some awesome posters!

[They head off to their designated area, chatting and laughing. Summer watches them, feeling a twinge of something he can't quite place. Saurav and Subham notice his distraction.]

Saurav: (Teasing) Summer, are you coming or are you just going to watch them all day?

Summer: (Snapping out of it) Huh? Yeah, yeah, I'm coming.

Subham: (Smirking) They're just making posters, man. Focus on our work—lots of chairs and tables to move.

[They all get to work, with Summer occasionally glancing over at Arav and Prachi, who are enthusiastically working on their posters. The day is filled with laughter, sweat, and teamwork as they clean, paint, and prepare the school for the local students. As evening falls, everyone returns to their rooms, exhausted but satisfied with their progress.]

[In the boys' room, Summer lies on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Arav notices and sits next to him.]

Arav: (Concerned) Hey, Sammy, you okay? You've been quiet.

Summer: (Sighs) Yeah, just tired, I guess. It was a long day.

Saurav: (From across the room) A very long day. But we did good work, didn't we?

Subham: (Nodding) Definitely. The kids are going to love it.

Arav: (Smiling) Yeah, we all did great. Let's get some rest; tomorrow's another busy day.

They all settle down for the night, with thoughts of the day's work and the friendships they cherish. But for Summer, the night is filled with restless thoughts about his feelings and the moments that made him question what he truly feels