The lunch bell rang, and everyone rushed to the cafeteria.
Ram joined his usual group of boys, while some girls invited Sita to eat with them.
As Ram's group ate, his close friend Aditya leaned over and asked, "Hey buddy, you're my close friend, right? Then tell me honestly — did you already know Sita?"
Ram frowned. "What? No! I just met her today!"
But his friends stared at him suspiciously.
Across the room, their female friend Radha waved at them. "Hey boys! Look who's here — Sita!"
Soon, both groups were sitting at the same long table. Ram and Sita didn't even glance at each other.
Radha smirked and asked, "Sita, did something happen between you and Ram?"
Sita, trying to stay calm, said, "No, nothing happened."
Radha grinned. "Are you sure? You don't have a crush on him, right?"
Sita, holding a glass of water, froze. The glass slipped from her hand and fell with a clink.
Her face turned red. "What—? What are you talking about! Me? With him? Never!"
The table erupted in laughter. Sita covered her face in embarrassment.
After lunch, the math class started. Ram, as usual, answered everything easily, while Sita sat in confusion, her notebook half-empty.
She stared at the clock. "When will this end…" she murmured.
Finally, the bell rang — school was over.
"See you tomorrow!" Radha said cheerfully as everyone left.
Outside, Sita's mother Jessica was waiting in the car.
"Hey, sweetheart," she said softly as Sita got in. "You look a little down. Did something happen at school?"
Sita sighed. "No, mama… it's just that I don't understand the lessons very well."
Jessica smiled warmly. "Don't worry, dear. I'll talk to the principal tomorrow. Maybe she can help us find a good tutor."
As the car rolled away, Sita looked out the window — and saw Ram running along the road in his school uniform. His white shirt clung slightly with sweat, his tie was loose, and earphones dangled from his ears.
For a second, she forgot her worries.
Why is he running like that? she wondered.
Jessica noticed her daughter's gaze but said nothing, only coughed lightly. "Do you know him?" she asked teasingly.
Sita quickly looked away. "No, mama. I don't know who is he."
Meanwhile, Ram reached home, shouting, "Maa, I'm home!"
His little sister came running and hugged his leg. "Did you bring me candy?"
"Oh no!" Ram gasped dramatically. "I forgot!"
Her eyes welled up instantly — but before she could cry, Ram pulled a candy from his pocket and handed it to her. "How could I ever forget my little angel?"
She giggled happily, hugging him tighter.
"Don't hug your brother now," their mother said with a laugh. "He's all sweaty. Let him wash first. Then you can hug him as much as you want."
The little girl nodded eagerly and ran toward the TV. "Yay! Chhota Bheem time!"
Ram smiled softly. Another day, another chaos.
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