🌤️🚲 Sunday Arrives
Sunday afternoon arrived gently 🌤️
Like the world had signed a temporary peace treaty 🤝
No psychos.
No shouting.
No disasters.
Just sunlight ☀️
Soft wind 🍃
And feelings nobody had planned for.
Barfi stood outside the cinema hall 🎟️
Wearing the clean shirt Laddu bought 👕✨
Buttons aligned.
Collar straight.
Watch centered perfectly ⌚
His hair was combed neatly 🪮
Not stylish.
Just… tidy.
In his pocket —
A small packet of mint candy 🍬
Because Walter had said very seriously:
"Bad breath kills romance faster than bullets." 🔫❌💋
Barfi didn't know what romance was 😐
But bullets sounded dangerous
So he took the mints.
He popped one into his mouth cautiously 😶
Mint exploded 🌱
Eyes widened slightly.
"…Strong," he muttered.
🏃♀️💖 Chichi Arrives
"Barfi!"
A small voice called out 🎶
He turned.
Chichi ran toward him 🏃♀️
Ponytail bouncing 🎀
Smile bright enough to power the city 💡
"You came early!" she said happily 😊
"I don't like being late," Barfi replied simply 😐
Chichi giggled 🤭
"I like that." 💗
Barfi blinked.
Processing… 🧠
Didn't know that sentence had value.
Behind a tree 🌳
Across the road 🚧
Wearing a cap 🧢
Hoodie 🧥
Mask 😷
Oversized sunglasses 🕶️
And holding binoculars 🔭 upside down—
Miko crouched like a badly trained spy 🕵️♀️
"They're early…" 😠
"Why are they early…?"
"Who comes early to a date!?" 💢
A dog barked at her outfit 🐕
Miko hissed softly 😤
"Shut up."
The dog judged her silently 👁️
Then walked away.
🍿🎥 Inside the Theater
They bought popcorn together 🍿
Chichi tilted her head.
"Sweet or salty?"
"Salty," Barfi replied instantly.
"Yay!" she clapped lightly 👏
"I hate sweet!"
Barfi blinked again 😶
"Oh."
He didn't know "oh" could make someone smile that wide 😊
They found their seats 🎟️
Middle row.
Perfect view.
Lights dimmed 🌑
Screen lit up ✨
A romantic comedy started 🎬💞
Chichi laughed freely 😂
Hands covering her mouth sometimes.
Eyes shining.
Barfi…
Didn't understand half the jokes 🤔
But every time people laughed—
He nodded politely 🙂
Like agreement was expected.
Five rows behind them—
Miko sat rigid 🪑
Wearing 3D glasses 🤓
Even though the movie was NOT in 3D ❌
She muttered under her breath 😤
"Why is he nodding…?"
"He doesn't even like romantic movies…"
"Stupid Barfi… trying to act cool…"
The couple in front turned around 😠
Miko stared back 👁️🔥
Unblinking.
They immediately faced forward again 🐢
🎞️💗 The Middle of the Movie
During a soft scene—
Chichi leaned closer 💞
Her shoulder nearly touching his.
"Barfi… do you like this movie?"
"It is okay," he replied honestly 😐
She smiled anyway 😊
"I'm glad you came."
Barfi paused.
Then said softly:
"You asked."
But his voice was different.
Lower.
Gentler.
Chichi's cheeks warmed 🌸
Heartbeat sped up 💓
Barfi didn't notice.
Miko did 😶
From behind her mask 😷
"…Why is she smiling so much…?" 😣
Her fingers clenched around the armrest 🫱
🌞🚶 After the Movie
They stepped outside into bright afternoon light ☀️
Chichi bounced in place 🥰
"That was so fun!"
"Thank you for coming with me!"
"It was nice," Barfi replied calmly 🙂
Her heart melted 💖
She looked down shyly 🙈
"Barfi… can we go on another date… someday?"
He thought for a moment 🧠
"I am free next Sunday too."
💥
Chichi nearly exploded with happiness 💫
"Really!?"
"Then we'll plan something nice!"
"Okay," Barfi nodded.
Behind a newspaper held upside-down 📰⬇️
Miko whispered urgently 😨
"Next Sunday!?"
"He agreed so fast!?"
"WHY IS HE SO CALM!?"
A pigeon flew overhead 🐦
Dropped something directly on her shoe 💩
She stared at it silently.
"…Today is cursed," she whispered ☠️
🚲🌆 The Date Ends
"See you tomorrow!" Chichi waved enthusiastically 👋
"Bye," Barfi replied gently 😊
He rode away on his stitched-up bicycle 🚲
Mint still fresh.
Mind quiet.
Chichi hugged her bag tightly 👜
Skipping home 💃
Heart floating.
Miko watched both paths 👀
Her chest felt tight 😖
Unfamiliar.
Uncomfortable.
"Why…" she whispered softly 🌫️
"…does it hurt when he smiles at her…?"
She pulled her cap lower 🧢
And walked away slowly 🚶♀️
🏫💬 Monday — The Rumors Begin
Chichi couldn't stop smiling 😄
Her friends surrounded her like birds 🐦🐦
"How was the date!?"
"Did he hold your hand!?"
"Is he your boyfriend now!?"
Chichi turned pink 🌸
"No! No!"
"We just watched a movie!"
"But he was calm…"
"Polite…"
"And kind…"
They squealed dramatically 🎉
Across the hallway—
Barfi walked past 📚
Carrying books.
Expression neutral.
"That's him!" Chichi waved 👋
"Bye!"
She ran to him happily 🐶
📚🪑 Library — A New Routine
Barfi sat in his usual seat 🪑
Opened notes 📖
Prepared to study.
Chichi sat beside him instantly 😄
"Help me with this?"
He explained calmly 🧠
Clear.
Precise.
She stared at him like he was magic ✨
"You're so smart!"
"You asked," he replied 😐
She giggled 🤭
From behind a bookshelf—
Miko watched 👁️
Notebook clenched 📒
"…Every day now?" 😠
She turned a page aggressively 📄💥
Almost tore it.
⏳📅 One Week Later
Every day 📆
• Chichi sat beside Barfi
• Chichi brought snacks 🍱
• Chichi whispered questions
• Barfi answered honestly
• Barfi never refused food
Whispers spread 🗣️
"They're dating…"
"She brings him lunch daily…"
"Miko isn't sitting there anymore…"
Miko heard all of it 😶
And every day—
The empty seat beside Barfi
The seat she used to take—
Was no longer empty.
🍱💔 Friday — The Seat
Chichi arrived holding a ribbon-wrapped lunchbox 🎀🍱
"I made this for you!"
"Thank you. I will eat," Barfi replied politely.
Two minutes later—
Miko arrived 🚶♀️
And stopped. 🧊
Her seat was gone.
Taken.
By Chichi's bag 👜
Notebook 📓
Lunch 🍱
Pink pencil case ✏️🌸
Territory claimed.
"Oh… Miko-san," Barfi looked up 🙂
"Hello."
"Hi, Miko-senpai!" Chichi smiled 😊
Miko forced a smile 😶
"…Hello."
She circled the table 🚶♀️
Once.
Twice.
Library full.
No seat.
She sat two tables away 🪑
Far.
Too far.
Opened her book upside down 📖⬇️
Didn't notice.
Just watched silently 👁️
As Barfi ate lunch with someone else.
Her throat tightened 😣
🌒📘 End of the Week
Library emptied slowly 🌙
Only three remained.
Barfi.
Chichi.
Miko.
"I have to go!" Chichi waved 👋
"Bye Barfi!"
"Bye," he nodded.
She left bouncing 💃
Barfi packed his bag 🎒
Miko stood.
Their eyes met 👀
She looked away first.
Barfi didn't understand why.
She did.
A little too well. 💔