Author's POV:

The warm glow of the evening sun filtered through the windows of Ayaan's room, casting long shadows on the walls. The room was its usual mess—books scattered on the desk, a half-empty water bottle rolling on the floor, and a cricket bat leaning against the bed. Ayaan sat cross-legged on the bed, lazily tossing a ball in the air, while Avika sprawled across the couch, munching on a packet of chips. Idika, sitting on the floor with her back against the bed, was scrolling through her phone.