Arjun, tall and neatly dressed, traces patterns on his polished shoes as he laughs with his friends. Vikram, wearing a faded T-shirt and patched jeans, shares a sandwich from his lunchbox. Rohan, in crisp school uniform, adjusts his branded watch and grins at their jokes. Despite differences in appearance, their camaraderie is seamless.
"One day, I'll buy us all a house with a huge garden—big enough for football, cricket, and a swimming pool," Rohan declares, waving his arms animatedly.
"And who's going to clean that garden? You?" Vikram teases, causing the others to burst into laughter.
Rohan enters a spacious living room, greeted by servants. He sighs, glancing at his parents arguing softly in the corner. Arjun helps his mother set the dinner table, the aroma of dal filling the air. Vikram sits with his little sister on their only bed, reading her a tattered storybook.
"No matter what, we meet at the park tomorrow, right?" Arjun texts the group, his phone screen cracked but still working.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Vikram responds, while Rohan simply sends a thumbs-up emoji.
Arjun's shoes are soaked, but he waits, checking his phone anxiously. Minutes later, Vikram arrives, drenched but smiling, clutching a plastic bag over his head. Rohan calls, his voice muffled by static.
"My dad won't let me out—he says the roads are too dangerous. Sorry, guys,"
"It's okay, Rohan. We'll video call you from here. Rain can't stop us!" Vikram shouts, his laughter echoing in the rain.
Rohan jokes from his warm room, while Vikram mimics swimming in puddles. The three friends talk about their dreams—Arjun hopes to be a teacher, Vikram wants to start a garage, and Rohan dreams of traveling the world.
"Sometimes, I wish things were easier for you both," Rohan admits, his voice soft.
"We have each other. That's enough," Arjun replies, and the others nod in agreement.
Rohan tucks the money into an envelope, writing Vikram's name on it. Arjun delivers it, pretending it's a school scholarship. Vikram's mother wipes her tears, and Vikram hugs Arjun tightly.
"You guys are the best friends anyone could ask for," Vikram whispers, his voice choked with emotion.
Arjun brings homemade samosas, Vikram shares stories from his neighborhood, and Rohan shows off a new football. They play until twilight, shadows stretching long on the grass.
"No matter what happens, we'll always have this bench... and each other," Rohan declares, and the friends link arms, ready to face the world together.















