The next week passed like any other — books, tests, flashcards, and caffeine-fueled nights — except for one small difference.

Vinna now looked forward to physics.

Not because she'd suddenly fallen in love with the subject, but because physics now came with side benefits: handwritten formula charts from Rishi, funny analogies that made impossible topics easier, and most importantly... an unexpected friendship that was starting to grow roots.

It began subtly. A few extra minutes at the end of their study sessions. Small conversations between concepts. Eye contact that lasted just a second too long.

And then came the first text.

Rishi [9:41 PM]:
"Torque doubts at midnight? I'm charging extra."

Vinna [9:42 PM]:
"LOL. No doubts today. Just wanted to share this meme."
(Image: a skeleton labeled "aspirant waiting for NEET result")

Rishi [9:43 PM]:
"Relatable. That's basically me with JEE rank lists."

What began as one meme became two. Two memes became jokes. Jokes became "hey, how did your test go?" and "don't forget to revise thermodynamics."

By the end of the week, their chat thread was a mix of doubts, daily struggles, and a strange sort of comfort neither of them could explain.

One night, while rewriting her timetable for the fifth time, Vinna sighed and texted:

Vinna [10:18 PM]:
"Trying to fit 27 chapters into 10 days. If I disappear, know that NEET killed me."

Rishi [10:19 PM]:
"Plz leave behind your bio notes. And also the biscuits."

She laughed—out loud this time—and her mother peeked in from the hallway.

"Who are you smiling at, hmm?"

"No one," Vinna replied quickly, turning red. "Just... physics."

They kept studying separately, but never really alone anymore. If Rishi had a mock test, Vinna would wish him luck. If Vinna had a low day, Rishi would drop a one-liner that somehow made it better.

Neither of them had said it aloud, but both had started rearranging their study schedules just enough to align.

Their mothers, of course, noticed everything. Mrs. Basu casually mentioned how nice Rishi was. Mrs. Samtani dropped hints like, "Vinna is such a polite girl." Nothing was ever said directly — but mothers have a sixth sense when it comes to soft blooming things.

One evening, Vinna texted Rishi before a particularly tough test:

Vinna [7:12 PM]:
"I've revised this chapter thrice and still feel like I know nothing."

Rishi [7:14 PM]:
"Knowing you know nothing means you know more than people who think they know everything."

Vinna [7:15 PM]:
"Are you quoting Socrates or just being Rishi?"

Rishi [7:15 PM]:
"Both."

She stared at the screen a little longer than she meant to.
That small flutter was back.

A few days later, they crossed paths in the building lift. It was early morning — both heading out for a Sunday coaching session.

Vinna stood silently in the corner, clutching her backpack.

Rishi yawned. "Another day, another MCQ."

She laughed softly. "Tell me about it."

The lift dinged. As they stepped out together, he turned to her.

"Want to share notes after class? I made a few diagrams for that tricky gravitation section."

She nodded, almost shy. "I'd like that."

They were still just friends.
Still just neighbors.
Still just aspirants chasing big, scary dreams.

But in between exam dates and endless revisions, something else was happening. Something quieter, deeper. The kind of connection that didn't need labels.

Not yet.