The bus rattled along the road, packed with students murmuring formulas. Naveen leaned against the window, half-asleep, while Deepak flipped through a chemistry guide.
The bus jolted to a stop in front of the exam center. A swarm of students poured out.
"Best of luck," Naveen said, slapping my back.
"Yeah, yeah," I smiled, grabbing my bag. "See you after."
We split ways. I found my center, and as I walked past the line of classrooms, a familiar figure caught my eye. Pavani was already there, adjusting her dupatta, her hall ticket in hand.
I lifted my hand in a small wave. She raised hers too—just a subtle gesture.
The bell rang. Papers were handed out. Pens scratched across pages. Time melted.
I finished mine with about 30 minutes left and waited for the bell.
The bell rang sharp, and one by one, answer sheets were stacked in the invigilator's hands.
I walked out into the bright afternoon sun and heaviness of the exam lifted with every step only English and Sanskrit are left which are not a big deal.
Ahead, Pavani was walking out with her friends. She noticed me almost instantly, her tired smile breaking into something softer.
"So?" she asked as we started walking side by side.
So," I shrugged, grinning. "Not bad. You?"
"Could've been worse," she said, rolling her eyes. "But thank god it's over."
We drifted to the side of the road where most students were waiting for buses, bags slung loosely, everyone comparing answers in noisy bursts. Naveen and Deepak were already there, arguing over a question.
Pavani glanced at them, then back at me. "Your friends, huh?"
"Yeah," I said lightly.
Pavani adjusted her bag and looked at me.
"Do you have anything to do now?"
"Yeah," I said. "I was thinking of buying earphones."
She smiled. "Okay, let's go. I'll come with you."
"Do you want to meet Aditi? Her exam center is also here."
"Oh, is it?" I asked, a little surprised.
"Yeah," she nodded. "But we'll have to walk a little on the opposite side. If we go there, we won't be able to buy earphones today." She gave me a teasing smile. "So if you're okay with speaking from the cupboard for another night, we can go."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Let's buy earphones today. My friends are also waiting. We'll meet after the next exam."
Pavani nodded with a small smile. "Okay, fair enough."
We walked together to the same shop where we had bought the mobile. The shopkeeper looked up and smiled in recognition. Within a few minutes, I picked out a pair of earphones.
Pavani stood beside me, half-smiling, as I paid the bill. With the small packet in hand, we stepped out of the shop.
"Okay then, all set," she said.
"Yeah. Thanks for coming along," I replied.
We waved goodbye at the junction, and I headed off to find Naveen and Deepak. They were waiting near the bus stop, arms folded, expressions halfway between curious and impatient. After a quick exchange, we boarded the bus back.
By the time we reached the hostel, we were hungry. I tucked the earphones safely into my bag and went straight to the room. We hid the earphones and went down to have lunch.
After lunch, we returned to class and slid into the same bench as always. The next exam was Sanskrit—not much to read. So instead of burying ourselves in notes, we let the books rest and started talking.
Naveen leaned back, a mischievous grin on his face."Today, the phone will be ours," he declared. "And since there's no exam tomorrow, if you want, we three can listen to songs tonight."
Deepak's eyes lit up immediately. "Finally! I was waiting for this day."
I raised an eyebrow."But how can three people listen? Earphones work with two. And if we put the music that loud, You know we three aren't alone in the room—there are four others too. And it's not even my room. If we play it loud, it'll disturb everyone."
Deepak scratched his head. "True… one of us will always be left out."
That night, after lights-out, the three of us lay on our beds. The room had settled into its usual rhythm.
"Shall we start?", Naveen said.
"how?" Deepak asked
Naveen smirked. "We'll just manage somehow. Come on, it's one night."
I sighed and leaned back. "You guys go ahead. I'm already tired. Better I sleep early and save my brain for Sanskrit."
Naveen groaned. "Good Kid act again?"
"Exactly," I said, closing my eyes with a small smile. "Wake me up if you discover a magic way for three people to listen secretly."
The morning bell rang, dragging me out of sleep. I blinked awake, my neck stiff, and turned to see Naveen and Deepak still fast asleep beside me.
Then my eyes fell on it—the phone.
Right there on the bed between us—not hidden. Not tucked away. Just lying there in plain sight.
My chest tightened. Shit.
"Wake up!" I hissed, shaking Naveen by the shoulder. "Get up, get up—hide the mobile before the warden comes!"
Deepak stirred, confused. "Huh? What… what happened?"
"The phone, idiots!" I pointed, my voice low but sharp. "It's right there. If anyone walks in right now, we're dead."
Naveen snatched the phone in a rush and shoved it under the mattress, and we were still catching our breath when—
The door creaked open.
The warden's voice boomed, "What are you still doing in bed? Get ready fast!"
We mumbled quick "Yes, sir" in chorus, sitting up straight. He gave us one more glare and walked off.
Only after the footsteps faded did we finally exhale.
I turned to Naveen. "By the way… did I get any messages last night??"
Naveen rubbed his head. "Oh yeah… it shocked us. It said, 'Tell Sid Good night from us. I know phone is with you guys tonight.'"
I froze mid-step, the words echoing in my mind.
That has to be Aditi… who else would send something like that?
After breakfast, the three of us split off with our books. Page after page, I underlined, revised, and scribbled until the words began to stick.
If I finish this well… tonight I can talk without that exam fear hanging over me.
By evening, the hostel was humming again—boys chattering, footsteps echoing in the corridors. We ate, washed up, and finally came back to our room.
The others shuffled into their blankets one by one. I leaned against the wall, phone in hand, earphones coiled neatly, waiting for the right moment.
"I'll tell you in advance," I whispered, grinning, "I'm climbing the cupboard again tonight. So don't get scared if you wake up and see me on top."
Naveen rolled his eyes. "As if that image from last night wasn't enough. Fine, just don't fall and break your neck."
I laughed softly, nodded, and sent a message, "are you awake? Or already in exam-mode and asleep?".
Finally, the screen lit up: "We're up. We'll call once we're actually up… you know, on top of the cupboard".
Just as I settled in, the mobile buzzed softly in my hand. My heart skipped a beat. I quickly plugged in the earphones, and answered.
Both (on call): "Hii!"