4 – Group Study — Scene 1 – A Busy Morning The morning bell rang across Devison High School.
Students filled the corridors.
The notice boards were surrounded by groups discussing upcoming events.
“Mid-term exams are next month.” “I need to improve my maths.” “The science exhibition registrations started.” Devison was never quiet.
There was always something happening.
In XI-A, Dhruv sat near the window, solving a set of questions before class began.
Rohan looked at his notebook.
“Already studying?” Dhruv looked up.
“Just revising.” “You do this every day?” “Not every day.” Rohan raised an eyebrow.
“Sometimes I waste time watching anime.” The honesty surprised him.
“You admit that?” “Why wouldn’t I?” Dhruv smiled.
“If I make a mistake, I fix it.” Rohan nodded.
“That’s probably why you’re always near the top.” — Scene 2 – A New Assignment Their class teacher entered.
Everyone returned to their seats.
“Good morning.” “Good morning, ma’am.” She placed some papers on the desk.
“You have a group assignment.” The class became louder.
“Groups are already decided.” She started reading names.
“Dhruv Sharma.” “Rohan Mehta.” “Naina Patel.” “Mitsuri Kanroji.” The classroom immediately reacted.
Several boys looked disappointed.
Dhruv simply wrote the names down.
Mitsuri looked at her paper.
A small smile appeared.
She was relieved to have someone familiar.
— Scene 3 – First Conversation After class…
Mitsuri approached Dhruv.
“Dhruv?” He turned.
“Yes?” “About the assignment…” “Do you know when we should start?” Dhruv checked the instructions.
“Today would be better.” “Tomorrow we might get busy.” Mitsuri nodded.
“Okay.” A small pause.
“Where should we study?” Before Dhruv could answer…
A voice interrupted.
“Obviously at Dhruv’s house.” Deep appeared from nowhere.
Dhruv looked at him.
“Why are you here?” “Friendship instincts.” “You’re in ninth grade.” “Friendship has no class limit.” Alya, standing behind him, sighed.
“Ignore him.” — Scene 4 – The Plan After school.
Sunrise Residency.
Deep and Alya walked with Dhruv.
“So.” Deep looked serious.
“Group study.” Dhruv immediately understood.
“No.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You were thinking something.” Deep smiled.
“Maybe.” Alya looked at him.
“Please don’t make this weird.” “I’m just helping.” “Your help usually creates chaos.” “Sometimes beautiful chaos.” Dhruv shook his head.
“You two are impossible.” — Scene 5 – House No.
7 Evening.
Dhruv cleaned his study table.
Urvi entered.
“Guests coming?” “Assignment.” She smiled.
“Who?” “Deep, Alya, Mitsuri.” A small pause.
Urvi’s expression changed.
“Mitsuri?” Dhruv immediately noticed.
“Don’t.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You were thinking.” “Maybe.” Dhruv sighed.
“Everyone in this house is the same.” Urvi laughed.
— Scene 6 – Group Study Begins The doorbell rang.
Dhruv opened it.
Deep entered first.
“Study mode activated.” Alya followed.
“Please don’t say that again.” Mitsuri stood behind them.
“Hi.” Dhruv smiled.
“Come in.” Urvi greeted everyone.
“Welcome.” Mitsuri bowed politely.
“Thank you for letting us study here.” “No problem.” Urvi looked at the group.
“Snacks are on the table.” Deep’s eyes immediately moved.
“Best house ever.” Alya pulled him back.
“First study.” — Scene 7 – Small Discoveries They sat around the table.
The assignment was about a science topic.
Dhruv explained one concept to Mitsuri.
He didn’t rush.
He didn’t act superior.
He simply explained.
“Oh…” Mitsuri understood.
“You’re actually good at explaining.” Dhruv smiled.
“I just practice.” Deep whispered to Alya.
“He’s accidentally impressive.” Alya whispered back.
“Accidentally?” Deep nodded.
“That’s his biggest problem.” — Scene 8 – Beyond Studies After two hours…
The assignment was almost finished.
Everyone relaxed.
Deep picked up Dhruv’s sketchbook.
“Wait.” “You draw?” Dhruv quickly took it back.
“A little.” Mitsuri looked curious.
“Can I see?” Dhruv hesitated.
Then opened it.
There were drawings of characters, places, and small everyday scenes.
Mitsuri smiled.
“These are really nice.” Dhruv looked away.
“Thanks.” Deep grinned.
“Our serious topper has hidden talents.” “Stop calling me topper.” “Second ranker then.” “That’s worse.” Everyone laughed.
— Scene 9 – Evening Walk After finishing the assignment…
The group walked back through Sunrise Residency.
The sky was orange.
Children played cricket in the park.
Deep joined them immediately.
“One over!” Alya shook her head.
“He forgets everything when he sees cricket.” Dhruv smiled.
“Same.” Mitsuri noticed.
“You like cricket?” Dhruv nodded.
“More than anything.” “Why?” He looked toward the children playing.
“Because it teaches you.” “Sometimes you win.” “Sometimes you fail.” “But you always get another chance.” Mitsuri quietly remembered that.
— Scene 10 – Mitsuri’s Journal Night.
Mitsuri sat near her window.
She opened her journal.
> Today was my first time studying with everyone.
Dhruv is different from what I first thought.
He is serious about his goals.
But he laughs a lot with people he trusts.
He draws.
He plays cricket.
He helps without making anyone feel small.
I think I want to understand him more.
She closed the journal.
A small smile appeared.
— Outside…
In House No.
7…
Dhruv was already back at his desk.
The assignment was finished.
But his next goal remained.
Improve.
Become better.
One day at a time.