Even Agastya started to feel dizzy… When he turned toward the kitchen, he saw Vrinda lying on the floor, covered in blood.
Agastya: No... Nooo!!!
Suddenly, everything went dark. The lights were off. Agastya began sweating profusely.
Agastya: Who's there?! Please come out! (in a shaky voice)
Suddenly, he saw people standing with candles, singing in chorus:
Everyone: Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday dear Agastya… Happy birthday to you!
Ahalya walked in with a cake and candles. It was 12 o'clock—Agastya's birthday. The lights came back on!
Ahalya stood in front of Agastya, laughing loudly. Even Vrinda stood up and joined in the laughter. Agastya looked at everyone and laughed too—like a fool.
Everyone went silent.
Ahalya: Agastya! Agastya!
Then Agastya looked at Ahalya's face—and slapped her hard across the cheek. Vrinda rushed to stop him, but he raised his hand to signal her to stay back.
Ahalya's face turned red, and her eyes filled with tears. She dropped the cake and stared at Agastya.
Agastya: Do you think this is just fun? Look at him! (pointing toward Siddh) He's still unconscious. Giving surprises is fine, but not like this. What if this had been real and no one was there to save her? Don't you ever dare play such games with me again!
Everyone tried to speak, but Agastya wouldn't listen.
He sprinkled water on Siddh's face, woke him up, and took him home.
Vrinda went near Ahalya, hugged her, and tried to console her.
Ahalya watched Agastya leave with Siddh, her heart aching.
Next morning at the college campus
Agastya met Siddh.
Siddh: Happy birthday, bro!
Agastya: Thanks, macha. (with a smile)
Siddh: I have something to tell you.
Agastya: Is it about last night?
Siddh: Yes... (with a sad face)
Agastya: I don't want to hear anything about it.
Siddh: Listen, macha... it's not what you think.
Agastya kept walking.
Siddh (shouting): It was my plan!
Agastya turned around quickly.
Agastya: What?! Don't take the blame for her sake.
Siddh: No, really—it was my idea to surprise you.
Ahalya even told me that you don't like surprises like that.
But I didn't listen. I thought I'd make you happy.
Because of my sickness, I passed out. It's all my fault.
Agastya was shocked to hear the truth. He remembered the slap he gave Ahalya—his heart sank.
Siddh: Go and apologize to her.
Agastya: I'll deal with you later for doing all this. (with an angry look)
Agastya ran, filled with love and guilt, searching for Ahalya to apologize.
Siddh (shouting happily): She's in the class!
Agastya reached the classroom window. He saw Ahalya sitting by the opposite window, wearing a blue chudidhar, head down. She was sitting with Vrinda and Adithi.
Vrinda: Hey… are you still thinking about last night?
Ahalya: How can I forget? You know how excited I was to celebrate his birthday.
Vrinda and Adithi (sadly): Yes, we understand… Don't be sad. He'll understand and come to you.
Ahalya: I don't want him. (wiping her tears)
Adithi got a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: Hey there!
Adithi: Who's this?
Unknown: Your BF.
Adithi: Hey… Agastya?
Agastya: How'd you guess?
Adithi: I just knew. How did you get my number?
Agastya: I have my ways… (laughing emoji)
Adithi: So funny! What's up?
Agastya: How's Ahalya?
Adithi: She's really upset about what you did. Go convince her fast. I hate seeing her sad.
Agastya: I don't want her to be sad either.
Ahalya noticed Adithi texting someone.
Ahalya: Who are you texting?
Adithi: Uh… it's Aryan!
Ahalya: Aryan, huh? Okay, okay… carry on.
Adithi (to Agastya): Let's meet in the canteen this afternoon.
At the canteen, Agastya was waiting. Ahalya, Adithi, and Vrinda arrived.
Ahalya saw Agastya and immediately walked away. Agastya followed her.
Ahalya sat on a bench in the park under the shade of a tree.
Agastya sat beside her, leaving some space between them.
Ahalya noticed and was about to leave, but Agastya gently held her hand.
Ahalya: Let me go. I don't want to see your face.
She tried to pull away, and Agastya let go.
Ahalya (turning back): Why'd you let go so easily?
(Her eyes filled with tears)
Agastya: I thought you were uncomfortable… so I let go.
Ahalya: So that's it? Do you know how much love and care I put into that cake? You didn't even look at it!
(She was crying in pain.)
Ahalya: I don't care that you hit me—I understood the situation, and I expected that reaction.
But you didn't see my efforts. You didn't value my love or care.
She wiped her tears and ran toward the canteen.
Agastya, sitting on the bench, was crushed. He liked her deeply, and her words hit him hard.
Next morning – College campus
Agastya arrived at 7 a.m., even though college started at 10.
He was waiting for Ahalya. He called Adithi.
Adithi (sleepy voice): Hello?
Agastya: Hello, Adithi!
Adithi: Huh? Why are you calling me so early?
Agastya: Wake up, dude! Your friend is in trouble and you're sleeping like a buffalo!
Adithi: Trouble?! What happened to Ahalya?! (suddenly alert)
Agastya: Is she your only friend? Don't you see me too? HELP ME convince her! (pleading)
Adithi: Okay, I'll help you—but on one condition.
Agastya: Whatever it is, I'll do it.
Adithi: Hmm… I'll tell you when the time comes. (evil laugh)
Agastya: Hey… don't scare me!
Adithi started laughing louder, mischievously.
Agastya ended the call, spooked. Meanwhile, Adithi was laughing her heart out.