The trip had ended, but the memories lingered. As they returned home, reality sank in—school was over, and now, they were stepping into an uncertain yet exciting future.
But before that, there was one last thing they had to face.
Their results.
The days stretched endlessly, each one filled with nervous anticipation. Group chats buzzed with messages like "What if I don't score well?" and "Bro, I think I messed up my math paper!" But no matter how much they joked, the truth was, everyone was on edge.
Anaya, too, was anxious. She had worked harder than ever, pouring herself into her studies. But the closer the result day came, the more doubts crept in.
Aarav, on the other hand, hid his nervousness behind his usual calm demeanor. His dream of pursuing AI depended on this. He spent his days coding small projects to distract himself, but deep down, he knew—his future rested on that result.
And then, the day arrived.
The Results Are In
The morning was a blur of anxious hearts and shaking hands. One by one, they opened the portal, their eyes scanning the screen with bated breath.
And then—
They had done it.
All of them had scored well, securing spots in their dream colleges. The relief and excitement were overwhelming. The group chat exploded with celebratory texts, voice messages filled with screams, and emojis flooding the screen.
"WE DID IT!!!"
"Omg, I'm actually going to my dream college!!"
"PARTY TONIGHT!! LAST ONE BEFORE WE ALL LEAVE!!"
And just like that, the plan was set.
One Last Night Together
That evening, they gathered at Karan's terrace—where so many of their memories had been made. Fairy lights flickered above them, casting a warm glow over the rooftop. Soft music played in the background, and the scent of homemade pizza and cold drinks filled the air.
Tonight, they weren't just celebrating their results. They were celebrating the end of an era and the beginning of a new journey.
"I still can't believe we're leaving," Mira said, hugging her knees to her chest. "It feels like just yesterday we were complaining about exams."
"It's crazy," Nyra agreed. "Everything is about to change."
There was a pause.
Change.
A word they had all known was coming but had never truly prepared for.
Dreams, Destinations, and Goodbyes
Karan broke the silence with a grin. "Well, at least Nyra and I are going to the same college for game development. We'll make sure to create the next best-selling game!"
Nyra laughed. "Obviously. And when we do, you all better support us."
Anaya smiled. "You guys are lucky. At least you'll have each other."
Aarav, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "You and I will be in the same city, though. Different colleges, but… not too far."
Something about the way he said it made Anaya glance at him. There was something in his voice—a hesitation, a weight she couldn't quite place.
"Yeah," she nodded, "but still, it'll be different."
Aarav opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it.
Instead, Mira jumped in. "Well, at least we'll always have our group chat. We're not losing each other, right?"
"Right," Rohan agreed, raising his bottle. "To new beginnings."
Everyone lifted their bottles, the clinking sound echoing in the night.
To new beginnings.
As the night went on, the party slowly faded into quieter conversations. Some were lost in laughter, some in nostalgia.
Aarav slipped his hand into his pocket, his fingers brushing against a small velvet box.
A necklace. A delicate silver chain with a tiny pendant—a star.
He had bought it on the trip, in a small shop near the village market. The moment he had seen it, he thought of Anaya. She had always loved stargazing, always talked about how she felt a strange connection to the night sky.
He had wanted to give it to her.
But every time he got close, his courage failed him.
Now, as he watched her laughing with their friends, looking truly happy, he wondered if he should.
Would it even matter anymore?
Before he could make a decision, Anaya stood up and walked toward the terrace railing. She looked out at the city, lost in thought.
Aarav hesitated, then slowly walked over.
"So… architecture, huh?" he said.
She smiled. "Yeah. And AI for you."
"Yeah." He hesitated. "It suits you. You always loved building things. Even back when we made that tiny house out of cardboard in sixth grade."
Anaya laughed. "I remember. You said we should add automatic doors to it."
Aarav chuckled. "Guess I was always into AI."
There was a comfortable silence between them.
Then, Aarav exhaled. "I guess this is it, huh? The next time we see each other… we'll be different people."
Anaya turned to face him, the weight of the moment settling in. "Maybe. But that's not a bad thing."
He looked at her for a long time before nodding.
"No, it's not."
The words sat between them, filled with something unspoken.
Aarav's fingers curled around the small box in his pocket.
Maybe one day, he would give it to her.
But tonight wasn't that day.
The Farewell That Wasn't Goodbye
The night stretched on, but eventually, it was time to go. One by one, they hugged each other, promising to stay in touch, even if deep down, they knew things would never be the same.
As Anaya walked away, she felt something shift within her.
This wasn't an ending.
It was just the beginning.
Aarav watched her go, his grip tightening around the necklace.
Maybe someday.
To be continued…