Two months had passed since the chaotic night, two months since Parth's harsh glare and Rhea's inexplicable fury. The incident had left me shaken, retreating into my studies and avoiding Rhea's house as much as possible. Our friendship, though strained, had endured, but a chasm of unspoken questions and lingering hurt had formed between us. Parth, however, had remained a distant, enigmatic figure, his presence only a fleeting thought in the back of my mind.

It was the end of my second year, the final exam looming, and Rhea had insisted we study together, at her place. I had reluctantly agreed, still wary, still unsure of how things stood between us. The atmosphere in the house was different this time – quieter, more subdued. Rhea was polite, but the easy camaraderie we once shared was gone, replaced by a polite distance.