the narrow lane of the neighborhood echoed with laughter every evening. Children ran barefoot, chasing each other between the small houses, their voices filling the air like music. Among them, two were always together—Sanya and Ram.
They had grown up side by side, their homes separated only by a low fence that Sanya often climbed over without a second thought. If Sanya was the calm, graceful one, Ram was the quiet shadow who followed her everywhere.
"Ram!" Sanya called, waving a notebook in her hand as she leaned against the gate. "Come quick! We have homework to finish."
Ram came running, his hair messy, his shirt half untucked. "You and your homework," he teased, panting. "Can't we play first?"
"No," she replied firmly, though a smile tugged at her lips. "If I don't do this now, I'll forget. And you'll copy my answers anyway."
Ram laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You caught me."
They sat on the verandah steps with their books spread out. Sanya bent over her notebook, her handwriting neat and elegant, while Ram scribbled hurriedly, his letters uneven. Every now and then, he sneaked a glance at her, his eyes softening in ways he never let her see.
To him, Sanya wasn't just his best friend. She was the center of his little world. But he never told her. She was too bright, too full of dreams, and he was just Ram—the ordinary boy next door.
"Done!" Sanya announced, shutting her notebook with a satisfied clap. "Now let's play."
They ran to the small temple courtyard at the end of the lane, where the peepal tree spread its shade. Sanya picked up chalk and began drawing hopscotch squares on the ground.
"Ready?" she challenged.
Ram grinned. "You're going to lose today."
But of course, he let her win, just as he always did. Watching her laugh, her eyes sparkling as she jumped across the squares, felt more rewarding than any victory.
As the sun dipped below the rooftops, painting the sky in hues of orange, Sanya sat on the temple steps, her breath still fast from playing. Ram sat beside her, their shoulders brushing.
"Ram," she said suddenly, looking at the sky. "Do you think life will always be like this? Simple and happy?"
Ram looked at her, his chest tightening. He wanted to say I hope so, because I don't want to lose this. But instead, he forced a smile.
"Of course," he said softly. "As long as we're friends."
Sanya smiled and rested her head briefly on his shoulder, her innocence unaware of the storm it stirred in his heart.
And in that quiet moment, with the bells of the temple ringing faintly in the distance, Ram silently made a promise to himself: whatever life brought, he would always protect her happiness—even if it cost him his own.