BETTER FRIENDS

THE AFTER STORY

THE AFTER STORY!

They were all in 9th grade, enjoying life to the fullest. Finally, they reached 10th grade, and a twist awaited them. Abhay, Ananya, and Nidhi were admitted to the same school as Sanskar. Fortunately, thanks to their strong friendship bond and good grades, the principal offered them a place in Sanskar's class. They joined Sanskar's class during the 2nd period of the day and managed to secure two front benches in the middle row. However, Sanskar wasn't seated with them because he couldn't change his seat. But after the class teacher's period ended, he switched his seat to be closer to them for the rest of the day.

Finally, the recess bell rang, and they all officially reunited in the new school, though it was already familiar territory for Sanskar. He took it upon himself to help them settle in, providing them with class notes and other essential materials. An old, mischievous boy from the class tried to play a prank on Abhay, assuming he was a new student. However, Sanskar was quick to intervene, putting a stop to the boy's antics and causing him to feel embarrassed in front of the entire class.

As the Board exams drew near, they all had their own phones and began to use social media more actively. To keep their friendship open and transparent, they shared their accounts and passwords with each other—not out of doubt, but to strengthen the trust among them and avoid any issues that could arise in their friendship.

One typical school day, the bell rang, signaling the start of the first period: Moral Science. The teacher announced a new chapter, titled "Friendship." Before beginning, she decided to ask the students about their friends and best friends, asking each one to name their friends and explain why they considered them as such. When the question reached Sanskar's squad, the teacher first asked Ananya to share her answer. She confidently named Sanskar, Nidhi, and Abhay as her friends before mentioning some other friends as well. When asked about her best friend, she replied with the same three names. This response drew laughter from the entire class—except for Sanskar, Abhay, and Nidhi. The teacher pointed out to her that each person can only have one best friend, and then passed the question to Abhay, who gave the same response as Ananya. The question then went to Nidhi, who also gave a similar answer.

Finally, it was Sanskar's turn. He listed all his friends' names but added, "I have no best friend." This answer caused Ananya, Nidhi, and Abhay to pause, confused by his response. But then Sanskar continued, telling the teacher, "I have three better friends: Ananya, Abhay, and Nidhi." His words caught everyone's attention, and the whole class erupted in applause. It might sound a bit like a movie moment, but this was a true display of genuine friendship. Ananya, Nidhi, and Abhay clapped along with the others, and the teacher, though she didn't say anything, was visibly pleased with Sanskar's answer, her expression reflecting her approval.

That same evening, while chatting, Sanskar accidentally typed "DHDK" in a message. The word had no meaning, but an idea struck him—it could mean something special to them. He suggested to the others that they could call each other DHDK. The word had no dictionary meaning, yet it represented a bond that meant a great deal. In the following week, during the same Moral Science period, Sanskar announced to the teacher and the class, "If we can have many friends but only one best friend, then I have something even better—I have better friends than a best friend, and we call each other DHDK." And with that, their friendship group officially adopted the name DHDK.

From that day on, DHDK became a common word in their conversations, spreading rapidly throughout the school. Soon, everyone recognized them by this unique name. After completing 10th grade with outstanding marks and achieving zonal-level ranks, they moved forward to the next challenge: 11th grade.

If someone calls you their DHDK, then you are among the most valued people in their life. It signifies that this person will always be loyal, friendly, and respectful towards you, never intentionally causing you hurt. Being a DHDK means you hold a special place in their heart and their life.