‘Parth, I have news for you.’ Shriya flopped on to the grass.

Before she could tell him, Sister Stella came up to us and said, ‘You should let your friend rest for some time.’

‘Sure, Sister,’ Shriya said. Sister Stella told Parth to come with her to the dormitory.

‘See you in the dorm, buddy!’ Parth said to me, giving me a brief wave.

‘I think we should tell him after the exams. Let’s focus on studies now,’ I said. Shriya nodded and gave me a quick kiss before Sister Stella turned to look at us.

Parth’s operation had been successful. He started practising to walk with his crutches every day, slowly becoming more confident. Since he spent most of his time exercising and studying, we didn’t get to spend much time with him.

The half-yearly exams ended and Shriya left for the pageant’s state selection round. Parth and I went to wish her good luck at the main gate. That was the last time the three of us were together, basking in the joy of true friendship.

During the study holidays in November, Kumaon hills shuddered in the peak of winter. The days were short and the nights were relentlessly cold. There was a high footfall of tourists during this time as always. Away from the hustle, we huddled within the walls of our school, trying to keep ourselves warm.

The day Shriya was supposed to return, Parth and I thought of killing the time by playing basketball. He sat on his wheelchair at the free-throw line and I at the three-point line.

‘Come on, boy!’ I said as Parth hit the ball against the backboard. But his gaze was fixed on Shriya who was walking towards us. Her aura was truly magnetic.

‘Hey, champs! I got selected. I am leaving for the nationals tomorrow. My father finally gave me permission.’

‘All the best, Shriya.’ Parth went closer to her and gave her a good-luck hug. ‘You are so beautiful that no one will even come close to you. I think, like Madhav, I am also learning how to impress a girl with words,’ he joked and stood up from his wheelchair holding his crutches.

‘Thank you, Parth,’ she said. She didn’t hug him back, instead, she walked over to me and clutched my hand. ‘I think you can beat him at anything you try, except for when it comes to impressing girls with words. He is the best at that.’ She giggled a little.

‘Congratulations, love,’ I whispered in her ear. Parth looked at us intensely.

‘Parth, we wanted to tell you something,’ said Shriya. For some reason, I felt it wasn’t the right time to tell him. Perhaps it was the strange expression on his face. I signalled Shriya to stop but she wasn’t looking at me.

‘Parth, I know you will be very happy to hear this. Madhav and I are finally in a relationship,’ she said, with a beatific smile on her face. My heart skipped a beat. I could sense a strange fury in Parth’s eyes. His crutches slipped from his grip.