The Seven of Us
It was a bright Monday morning in April.
The school corridors were crowded with students rushing toward their classrooms. Some were discussing homework, some were laughing, and a few were desperately trying to finish assignments before the teacher arrived.
Aditi walked through the corridor with her backpack hanging from one shoulder.
She looked at the clock.
“Two minutes left!”
She ran toward the classroom.
Just before entering, she bumped into someone.
“Sorry!”
The boy looked up.
“Nayan?”
Nayan grinned.
“You're late too?”
“Obviously.”
They rushed inside together.
Their teacher was already standing near the board.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, ma'am,” everyone replied.
The teacher smiled.
“Today, we're starting a special project. You'll work in groups of seven.”
She began reading names.
“Aditi.”
Aditi raised her hand.
“Ishita.”
“Here.”
“Disha.”
“Present.”
“Shubh.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Nayan.”
“Present!”
The class laughed.
“Shaswat.”
“Here.”
“And Vivaan.”
Vivaan raised his hand.
The seven looked at one another.
They knew each other.
But they weren't friends.
Not yet.
The project was called “The Future We Want.”
Immediately, everyone had a different idea. Shubh wanted to make a model. Disha wanted to create artwork. Ishita wanted to organize everything properly. Nayan wanted to make a funny video. Vivaan wanted to build something adventurous. Shaswat suggested keeping the project simple.
Aditi listened to everyone.
Then she smiled.
“Why don't we use everyone's idea?”
Everyone became quiet.
Shubh nodded.
“That could actually work.”
For the next two weeks, they worked together.
There were arguments. There were mistakes. There were paint spills. There were countless jokes.
But there was also laughter.
And somewhere between the messy classroom, shared snacks, unfinished homework, and silly arguments, something changed.
They became friends.
Seven people.
Seven personalities.
One group.
And none of them knew that this was only the beginning.
