Morning sunlight crept over the café sign 🌞Warm. Careful.Like it didn't want to touch yesterday's wounds 🤍
Outside—Barfi's bicycle leaned against the wall 🚲
Repaired.Standing.
But repaired the way Walter repairs things 😐🔧
Crooked handle 😬Bandaged seat 🩹Extra tape hugging the frame like a desperate hug 🧷A basket stitched together like a patient fresh out of surgery 🪡
It didn't look fast.It didn't look pretty.
But it stood.
Alive. 🌱And loved. 🤍
☕ Barfi's Morning
Barfi came downstairs, stretching gently 😮💨
"Good morning, boss."
Walter saluted with a frying pan 🍳🫡"Morning, doctor!"
The little girl pointed excitedly 👧✨"Mister Barfi! Your cycle looks like it had an operation!"
Barfi smiled softly 😊
"It recovered."
He ate quickly 🍞Fixed his collar 👕Checked his watch ⌚And walked out 🚶♂️
Normal.Calm.Quiet.
As if yesterday had never happened 😶
🏫 College — The Quiet Storm
The moment Barfi stepped onto campus, heads turned 👀
Whispers floated behind him 🌬️
"That's him…""He beat Pablo…""…but he's walking like nothing happened…""Look at his eyes. So calm.""Terrifying calm…"
Barfi heard none of it 🧠🚫
He attended every lecture 📚Took notes neatly ✍️Asked questions politely 🙂
Even the professors changed.
Less shouting ❌More respect ✔️
After class, he went to the library 📖Sat in his usual seat 🪑Opened his bookAnd started studying
Like always.
🍱 Miko Arrives With Lunch
Miko walked quietly between the tables 🌸A lunchbox wrapped in pink cloth held carefully in her hands 🎀
Her eyes kept drifting to Barfi's hands 👀Still bruised 🤕Still red 🔴Still trembling just a little when he turned pages 📄
She sat beside him 🪑🤍
"Barfi-san… your hands…""…are you okay?"
Barfi nodded once 😐"I'm fine."
His voice was steadyBut distant 🌫️
Miko opened the lunchbox carefully 🍱Rice 🍚Fish 🐟Miso soup 🍲
She placed it in front of him gently 🤲
"You should eat properly," she said softly 🌸
Barfi gave a small smile 😊"Thank you, Miko-san."
She relaxed a little 😮💨
Just a little.
💌 The Envelope
Footsteps approached 🚶♀️
A girl from their class stood there 😳ShyTremblingHolding an envelope ✉️
"Um… Barfi…""This is… for you."
Barfi blinked 😶"For me?"
She nodded quickly and placed the letter on the table 📩"It's from someone in first year," she whispered
And ran away 🏃♀️💨
Miko froze 🧊
A letter…?For Barfi…?
Already…?
Students nearby whispered excitedly 🎭
"Is that a love letter!?""After he beat Pablo… girls are crazy.""I knew it. Dangerous boys get attention."
Barfi stared at the envelope, confused 😕
Miko stared at the envelope, shocked 😳
Her fingers tightened around her chopsticks 🥢✊
Just slightly.
Enough to bend the wood.