How we became more

Diya and Maya had walked into their new classroom without much thought. The students were already pouring in, a mix of excitement and nervous conversations filling the air.

And then it happened.

She saw them.

Jaahnav, Amith, Tarun, Dileep and Shaan

They were all there. Sitting, laughing, already forming their little groups. Faces familiar from years of shared classes, conversations, and memories.

And there he was. Shaan.

His voice was the same-light, familiar, and easy. His smile? Just as bright as it had always been.

Diya froze.

It had been years. Yet, seeing him brought back a whirlwind of old feelings and memories. She wasn't sure how to process it.

"Wait, is that...?" she whispered to Maya, unable to take her eyes off them.

Maya followed her gaze. "Wait, do you know them?"

Before Ritika could answer, Tarun's voice cut through the air.

"Ritika?"

And that was the moment everything shifted.