..You're my honeysuckle...?

---

The meeting went exceptionally well. Many students showed a genuine interest in attending the event. 

Prudhvi asked Raya to assist in shortlisting participants. I had no choice but to lend a hand as well. The process of shortlisting took almost an hour, during which we considered everyone's skills, achievements, and past participation. Everyone had their own criteria for analysis. 

Khabir walked in holding a couple of sheets. Priya, a talented senior who was often paired with Khabir, rushed to him with her shortlist. She handed it over eagerly as he made his way toward Prudhvi, asking everyone to submit their respective lists to the group. 

He briefly reviewed each list, but dissatisfaction was evident in his eyes. He circled a few names that seemed chosen based on favoritism rather than merit. Dropping the lists onto the desk with a sigh, he glanced around. 

I hadn't submitted my list yet, thinking it would be futile since he didn't seem pleased with anyone's work. However, to my surprise, he walked directly toward me. His raised eyebrows and outstretched hand silently demanded the papers I was hiding behind my back. 

Reluctantly, I handed them over, expecting him to criticize me in front of everyone. Instead, he carefully reviewed each name, a smirk of satisfaction forming on his lips. Turning to Priya, he said softly yet firmly, "This is the difference between you and her. That’s why I chose her to participate in the event with me." 

Priya, fuming, snatched the shortlist from him and compared it with hers. "They’re exactly the same! How is that possible?" she shouted, enraged. In her frustration, she threw a tea glass, spilling its contents onto the table and partially onto me. 

Khabir instinctively pulled me toward him, shielding me from the mess. Everyone stood in shock at Priya’s outburst. I quickly stepped away, but not before noticing the tea had scalded Khabir's hand, leaving the skin red and irritated. 

Raya yelled at Priya for her behavior, and Prudhvi demanded she leave immediately. Khabir calmly poured cold water over the burn while Prudhvi instructed everyone to leave, announcing that the finalized shortlist would be shared later that evening. 

Once the room cleared, Raya nudged me to thank Khabir. I hesitated before asking him, "Is it painful?" 

His intense gaze met mine. "Don’t let me down at the event. That will hurt more than this," he said with a thin-lipped smile. 

Raya, nudging me again, whispered, "Come on, thank him already!" 

Instead, I extended my hand toward him and said, "A help for a help. Let’s win that cup, Mr. Senior." 

He shook my hand firmly. "Be on time. I can’t stand people who lack punctuality." 

---

The next day, I arrived at the campus half an hour early, excitement buzzing through me. Raya assured me she'd be on time, but I found myself alone, luggage in tow, on an otherwise empty campus. 

Just as I sighed in boredom, a warm voice came from behind. "I didn’t expect you to be here this early." 

Startled, I turned to see Khabir. "I… was actually…" I stammered, struggling to come up with an excuse. 

"Whatever. Get in," he said, opening the bus door and motioning toward the luggage compartment. 

I struggled to lift my bag, but before I could manage, he grabbed it with ease and placed it inside. "You seem weaker than I thought," he teased with a smirk. 

"I’m not!" I shot back defensively. 

"Sure doesn’t look that way," he said playfully, chuckling. 

---

The bus ride began with arguments and bickering between Khabir and me, much to Raya and Prudhvi’s amusement. Although irritated at first, his words lingered with me: *"I wish I could see this energy at the event. Save it."* 

It wasn’t long before everyone settled into their seats. I took a window seat next to Raya, deliberately avoiding looking at the seat behind me, where Khabir and Prudhvi had settled. 

As the bus began to move, my thoughts drifted to Aadhi. The excitement of finally seeing him after so long filled me with butterflies. Watching the road ahead, I imagined it leading me to the kind of adventure you’d see in a Disney movie—the start of something magical. 

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Stay tuned for the next chapter! 

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. 

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Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to tweak!