Journey Through Seasons

Arina faced an incredibly tough time as the 12th board exams approached. She dedicated most of her days to rigorous exam preparation while her bunny, a year junior to her, seemed to breeze through his days playing football matches and enjoying his time with friends. Despite her seriousness about exams, she sometimes wondered why he didn't initiate conversations more often. However, she brushed aside these thoughts, focusing solely on her studies.

One afternoon, amidst her relentless study schedule, Arina decided to visit his house. Their homes were close enough that such visits were a normal occurrence. His mother warmly greeted her, expressing delight at seeing Arina again. They exchanged pleasantries, and Arina couldn't help but notice how genuinely kind and caring his mother was. She wondered if he took after her in that respect.

As she made her way further into the house, Arina spotted him in the kitchen. He was wearing earbuds and appeared deeply engrossed in cooking something. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to approach him. Memories flooded her mind, taking her back to the first time she had visited his house years ago.

She was just ten years old then, part of a group of friends on a picnic. He had taken charge of cooking that day, with Arina eagerly assisting him. She remembered how she had read and translated recipes for him, feeling important and valued in his company. The day had taken a playful turn when he suddenly splashed water on her face, sparking a spirited water fight between them. Laughter had echoed through the kitchen as they chased each other around, their youthful energy filling the air.

Later that afternoon, during a game of hide and seek with their friends, he accidentally bumped into her, causing her to stumble and scrape her knee. Tears had welled up in her eyes, more from shock than pain. He had immediately rushed to her side, apologizing profusely and wiping away her tears with gentle hands. "I'm so sorry, Arina. Are you okay? Here, let me get you some water," he had said earnestly, his eyes filled with concern.

Despite the mishap, the day had ended on a sweet note as they had sat together in a tent, enjoying the meal they had prepared. Before she left for home that evening, he had knelt down in front of her, promising to buy her ice cream the next day as a way of making amends. She had smiled, accepting his apology and feeling a warm sense of affection for him.

But now, as Arina watched him in the kitchen, lost in his own world with earbuds in, she couldn't help but contrast those carefree days with their current reality. She wondered how they had drifted apart, from playful companions to near strangers passing by in their separate worlds.

Spring was now knocking at the door, and with it came the eagerly awaited board exam results. On result day, Arina sat nervously by her laptop, refreshing the result page repeatedly. Finally, her father's voice rang out through the house, announcing that she had passed with flying colors—83% in the board exams. Joy erupted within the household as calls and messages poured in from friends and relatives, congratulating her on her achievement.

But amidst the celebrations, Arina couldn't shake off a nagging feeling of disappointment. Her bunny hadn't come by to congratulate her, nor had he called or messaged. She wondered if he even knew about her results or if he simply didn't care anymore. Doubts crept into her mind, overshadowing the pride and happiness she should have felt.

Later that evening, as she sat in her room reflecting on the day's events, Arina couldn't ignore the ache in her heart. She picked up her phone several times, contemplating whether to message him, but each time she hesitated. Deep down, she knew that something had changed between them, and she wasn't sure how—or if—they could ever go back to being the carefree friends they once were.

As the night wore on, Arina's thoughts drifted back to their childhood memories, to a time when their bond had been simple and uncomplicated. But now, as she faced the complexities of growing up and navigating relationships, she wondered if their journey through seasons would lead them back to each other or if it was time to embrace a new chapter in her life, one where she learned to rely on herself more than anyone else.

In the quiet of her room, with the soft spring breeze whispering through the window, Arina made a silent vow to cherish the memories of their past while bravely facing the uncertainties of her future.

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