Resilience: A Student-Teacher

Resilience: A Student-Teacher Alliance Against Bullying

Disclaimer: This story is made solely for the reader's entertainment and is a work of fiction and may contain depictions of bullying and related themes. This story also contains themes of attempted suicide. The story is not based on and/or intended to be based on any true event, the life of any person dead or alive, Companies, Timelines, etc. Any Similarity/resemblance to the life or events in the life of any person living or dead is merely coincidental and unintentional. The portrayal of bullying in this story is intended for narrative purposes and does not endorse or condone such behaviour.

 If you or someone you know is a victim of bullying or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please seek immediate help and support from a mental health professional or a trusted individual. There are also organizations and hotlines dedicated to helping individuals in these situations. Your mental and emotional well-being is important, and there is help available to you. The story is mainly in English; however, Hindi dialogues have also been used.

This story contains strong language which is creatively placed to support the storyline.

 This story is intended for audiences aged 16 and above due to language, bullying depictions, and attempted suicide.

Arun was nervous as he entered the campus of his new college. He had just completed his class 12 exams and got admission to one of the top mass communication colleges in Mumbai. He had always been a quiet and introverted person, who preferred to watch rom-com films and web series. He had no friends in his previous school, and he was afraid that he would not fit in here either.

He looked around and saw groups of students talking, laughing, and having fun. He felt like an outsider. He wished he could go back to his home, where he felt safe and comfortable. He wondered how he would survive the next three years of his life.

He checked his timetable and saw that his first class was Journalism. He was interested in journalism, and he hoped that the teacher would be good. He followed the directions and reached the classroom. He saw that there were already some students sitting in the front rows, while the back rows were empty. He decided to sit in the last row, hoping to avoid any attention.

He took out his notebook and pen and waited for the teacher to arrive. He heard some whispers and giggles from the other students, but he ignored them. He felt lonely, but he tried to suppress it.

The teacher entered the room and greeted the class. She introduced herself as Ms. Thakur and said that she would be teaching Journalism for the first semester. She had a pleasant smile and a friendly voice. She seemed to be experienced and knowledgeable.

She started showing some slides on the projector and explained them with clarity and enthusiasm. She asked some questions to the class, but no one answered. She looked disappointed, but she did not give up. She tried to make the class more interactive and engaging.

Arun listened to her with interest and admiration. He found her explanations easy to understand and follow. He felt a spark of curiosity and excitement in his mind. He wanted to answer her questions, but he was too scared to speak up. He feared that he would make a mistake or say something stupid. He feared that the other students would make a joke of him and laugh at him.

He kept quiet and wrote down everything she said in his notebook. He noted down the points and assignments she gave in his mind, but he did not show his work on paper. He hoped that she would notice him and appreciate his intelligence.

Ms. Thakur noticed Arun sitting in the last row, alone and silent. She wanted to encourage him and help him overcome his shyness. She decided to approach him after the class.

She finished her lecture and gave some assignments to the class. She asked them to submit their work after 2 days. She dismissed them.

She saw Arun packing his bag slowly as if he had nowhere else to go. She walked towards him and smiled.

"Hello, Arun," she said softly.

Arun looked up and saw her standing in front of him. He felt a surge of nervousness and fear.

"H-hello, ma'am," he stuttered.

She sat down next to him and said, "I hope aapko aaj ki class samajh me aayi."

He nodded slightly, without meeting her eyes.

She continued, "I noticed that you were very attentive and focused during the lecture"

He felt a faint blush on his cheeks.

"Thank you, ma'am," he muttered.

She said, "You're welcome, Arun. But I also noticed that tumne class discussion me participate nahi kia aur na hi kisi question ka answer dia. Aisa kyun?"

He lowered his head and said nothing.

She gently touched his shoulder and said, "Arun, you don't have to be afraid or ashamed of speaking up in class. I want you to express yourself freely and confidently."

He looked at her with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

"Hume sharm aati hai" he said.

She nodded earnestly.

"Isme kya sharmana, koi aapko judge nahi karega," she said. "You have nothing to lose by sharing your thoughts and ideas with others. You might even learn something new or help someone else understand better."

He felt some hope in his heart.

"Maybe," he said.

She smiled warmly.

"Trust me," she said. "I'm here to support you and guide you in your learning journey."

She paused for a moment and then said, "You know, Arun.Mai bhi jab tumhare umar ki thi mai bhi bahut shy and introverted thi"

He looked at her with surprise.

"Aap sahi me introverted the?" he asked.

She nodded again.

"Haan" she said. "Hume hamesha se public me baat karna se bahut darr lagta tha.I felt like I didn't belong anywhere."

She sighed softly.

"It was quite difficult," she said.

"How did you overcome it?" he asked.

She smiled slightly.

"Well, it took me some time and effort, but I eventually realized that I had to face my fears and challenge myself. I joined some clubs and activities that interested me, and I met some people who shared my passions. I also found some mentors and role models who inspired me and motivated me. I learned to be more open and confident in myself."

She looked at him with a hopeful expression.

"And you can do the same, Arun," she said. "You can find your voice and your place in this world. Aap dost bana sakte hai, unse apne feelings share kar sakte hai."

She reached out and held his hand.

"All you need is a little courage and a little help," she said.

He felt a warmth in his hand and in his heart.

"Thank you, ma'am," he said softly.

She smiled and said, "You're welcome, Arun.

She stood up and said, "Well, I have to go now. But I'll see you again in the next class. And remember, agar tumko kuch bhi chahiye hoga toh humko bata dena. I will always be there for you."

He smiled and said, "Thank you, Ma'am I'll see you soon."

She waved at him and left the room.

Arun felt a surge of happiness and relief. He felt like he had found a friend and a teacher in Ms. Thakur.

He packed his bag and left the room too. He walked towards the cafeteria, hoping to find something to eat. He was hungry after the long class.

As he walked, he saw some students from his class coming towards him. They were laughing and joking among themselves. They looked happy and carefree.

He tried to avoid them, but they noticed him and stopped him.

"Arey arey,dekho kaun aa gaya?!!" one of them said mockingly. "Yeh toh Arun hai, the silent genius."

The others laughed and joined in.

"Yeah, Arun, the journalism wizard," another one said sarcastically. "Tum kar kaise lete ho,yaar? What's your secret for crafting engaging stories?"

"Maybe he has someone like Doraemon who gives him gadgets," another one suggested.

"Or maybe he's himself Doraemon," another one added.

They all laughed louder and louder.

Arun felt humiliated and angry. He hated these people who made fun of him for no reason. He hated these people who did not understand him or respect him.

He tried to ignore them and walk away, but they blocked his way.

"Kahan ja rahe ho, Arun?" one of them asked tauntingly. "Aapko khana nahi khana hamare saath?"

"Arun, aao na," another one said mockingly. "Hamare paas svadisht khana hai tumhare liye."

They showed him their plates, which had some leftover food scraps on them.

They threw the food at him, hitting him on his face and clothes.

They all laughed hysterically as they watched him get covered in food.

Arun felt disgusted and furious. He wanted to scream at them hit them or run away from them. But he did none of those things.

He just stood there, frozen and silent, as they continued to torment him mercilessly.

Arun felt helpless and hopeless as they continued to tease him and throw food at him. He wished he could disappear from this place and never come back.

Suddenly, he heard a voice shouting at them.

"Hey, you imbeciles! Leave him alone!"

He looked up and saw a girl standing in front of him. She had long black hair and brown eyes. She wore a blue kurta and jeans. She looked angry and determined.

She glared at the bullies and said, "What the heck do you think you're doing? How dare you treat him like this? Usne tum log ka kuch nahi bigada hai."

The bullies looked surprised and annoyed. They stopped laughing and said, "Tum kaun ho? Kya chahiye tumko?"

The girl said, "I'm Vasudha, and I'm a new student here. And I want you to stop harassing him right now."

The bullies sneered and said, "Accha, girlfriend ho?? How sweet. But you know what? Hume ghanta farq nahi padta. Vo ek number ka chu*iya hai aur hum uske saath kuch bhi kar sakte hai. Samjha?"

They moved towards her, trying to intimidate her.

But Vasudha did not back down. She stood her ground and said, "No, you can't. You have no right to bully him or anyone else. Chu*iye tum log ho, vo nahi. He's smart and kind, and he deserves respect. Aur saale gaali toh mai bhi de sakti hoon,bhencho ro padoge agar ek baar dena shuru kardia toh!"

She looked at Arun and said, "Don't worry, Arun. I'm here to help you. Tumhe inki bakwas sunne ki zarurat nahi hai."

She took out her phone and said, "You know what? I'm going to record this and show it to the principal. And if they don't stop, I'll file an FIR against them. They'll be in big trouble then."

She turned on her camera and pointed it at them.

The bullies looked scared and angry. They realized that she was serious.

They said, "Hey, hey, hey, calm down. It was just a joke. Hum bas le rahe the tumhari. No need to be so dramatic."

They tried to grab her phone, but she dodged them.

She said, "No, it was not a joke. It was harassment and abuse. And I'm not going to let it slide. Tum logon ko sabak toh sikhana padega."

She pushed them away and said, "Come on, Arun. Let's go."

She took his hand and led him away from them.

The bullies watched them go, feeling ashamed and furious.

They muttered, "Damn it. Who does she think she is? Poore mood ka ma bhen kardia yaar!"

They decided to leave him alone for now, but they vowed to get their revenge later.

Arun followed Vasudha, feeling confused and grateful.

He said, "Thank you, Vasudha. Thank you for saving me."

She smiled and said, "You're welcome, Arun. I'm glad I could help."

She said, "You know, Arun, Tumhe inse ya fir kisi aur se darne ki zarurat nahi hai. You have to stand up for yourself and fight back."

He said, "But how? They're stronger than me. They'll beat me up."

She said, "No, they won't. They're cowards who prey on the weak. But if you show them that you're not weak, that you're brave and confident, they'll back off."

He looked at her with admiration and curiosity.

He said, "How do you know that?"

She said, "I can see it in your eyes."

Arun felt a sense of relief and gratitude as he walked away with Vasudha. He felt like he had found a friend and a protector in her.

But he also felt a deep wound in his heart and mind. He felt the pain and humiliation of being bullied and abused by his classmates. He felt the fear and anxiety of facing them again. He felt the stress and pressure of coping with his studies.

He tried to forget about it and focus on the positive things. He tried to listen to Vasudha, who was talking to him with enthusiasm and kindness. She was telling him about herself, her hobbies, her dreams, and her opinions. She was asking him about his interests, his goals, and his views.

She was trying to make him feel comfortable and confident. She was trying to make him smile and laugh.

But he could not. He could not shake off the negative feelings that haunted him. He could not enjoy the conversation that she was having with him. He could not respond to her questions or comments.

He just nodded or mumbled some words, without really paying attention to what she was saying or what he was saying.

He felt dizzy and nauseous. He felt his vision getting blurry and his ears ringing. He felt his legs getting weak and his chest tightening.

He realized that he was having a panic attack.

He stopped walking and said, "Vasudha, I-I don't feel well."

She looked at him with concern and said, "Kya hua Arun? Are you okay?"

He shook his head and said, "No, I-I think I'm going to faint."

He collapsed on the ground, unconscious.

She gasped and said, "Arun! Arun!"

She knelt down beside him and checked his pulse and breathing. She saw that he was still alive, but he was pale and cold.

She took out her phone and called for help.

She said, "Hello, I need an ambulance. There's a student who fainted on the campus. Please hurry."

She gave them the location and waited for them to arrive.

She held his hand and said, "Don't worry, Arun. You'll be fine. Mai tumhare saath hoon."

She hoped that he would hear her and wake up soon.

She wondered what had caused him to faint. She wondered if it was because of the bullying or something else.

Arun recovered from his panic attack and was discharged from the hospital. He thanked Vasudha for her help and support.

Arun decided to take action against the bullies, yet he grappled with the concern of how others might perceive him; he feared that they would dismiss him as foolish for considering the idea of filing an FIR.

While on the other side, Ms. Thakur was having a hard time teaching her class. She loved her subject and her students, but she was also an introvert who struggled with public speaking and classroom management. She often felt nervous and anxious in front of a large group of students, especially when they were noisy and disrespectful.

She tried to be patient and polite with them, but she also felt frustrated and angry. She wished they would listen to her and learn from her. She wished they would appreciate her efforts and respect her authority.

She tried to use different methods and techniques to make her classes more interesting and engaging. She used slides, videos, quizzes, and discussions. She tried to relate the topics to their lives and interests. She tried to encourage their participation and feedback.

But nothing seemed to work. The students were still bored and distracted. They still talked among themselves, played with their phones, or slept in the class. They still ignored her questions or comments. They still made fun of her or each other.

She felt like she was wasting her time and energy. She felt like she was failing as a teacher.

She wondered what she was doing wrong. She wondered if she should quit her job and find something else.

She wondered if anyone cared about her or her feelings.

One day, she was teaching a lesson on media ethics. She was explaining the importance of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility in journalism. She was showing some examples of good and bad practices in the media.

She hoped that the students would find the topic relevant and interesting. She hoped that they would pay attention and participate.

But she was wrong. The students were still indifferent and rude. They still did not care about her or her lesson.

She heard some whispers and giggles from the back rows. She saw some students passing notes or texting on their phones. She saw some students yawning or sleeping on their desks.

She felt annoyed and hurt. She tried to ignore them and continue with her lecture.

She said, "So, as you can see, media ethics are very important for journalists and media professionals. They have to follow certain principles and standards to ensure that they report the truth and respect the rights and dignity of their sources and audiences."

She asked, "Can anyone tell me what are some of the ethical issues that journalists face in their work?"

She waited for an answer, but no one raised their hand or spoke up.

She sighed and said, "Come on, students. Itna bhi mushkil sawaal nahi hai. You must have some ideas or opinions about this."

She looked around the class, hoping to find someone who would answer her.

She saw Arun sitting in the front row, looking at her with interest and curiosity. He was one of the few students who always listened to her and respected her. He was also one of the brightest and most sincere students in the class.

She smiled and said, "How about you, Arun? Do you have any answer to this question?"

Arun nodded and said, "Yes, ma'am. I think some of the ethical issues that journalists face are:"

How to verify the accuracy and credibility of their sources and information. How to balance the public interest and the privacy of their sources and subjects? How to avoid bias and prejudice in their reporting and analysis? How to deal with conflicts of interest and pressures from their employers? How to handle sensitive or controversial topics such as violence, crime, corruption, or politicsHe said, "These are some of the ethical issues that I can think of, ma'am."

He looked at her with a hopeful expression.

He hoped that she would appreciate his answer and praise him.

She nodded and said, "That's a very good answer, Arun. You have covered some of the key ethical issues that journalists face in their work. You have shown that you have a good understanding of media ethics."

She smiled and said, "Thank you for your answer, Arun."

She clapped her hands and said, "Let's give a round of applause for Arun, everyone."

She hoped that the other students would join her in applauding Arun.

But they did not. They did not clap or cheer for Arun.

They did not respect him or his teacher.

They did the opposite.

They booed and jeered at Arun.

They said things like:

"Arun toh M/s Thakur ka chamcha hai!"

"Haan! Arun is a piece of shit!"

"Arun ki aukaat kuch zyada hi neeche gir chuki hai!"

They laughed and mocked him mercilessly.

Arun felt humiliated and angry. He hated these people who made fun of him for no reason. He hated these people who did not understand him or respect him.

He wished they would stop and leave him alone.

He wished they would disappear from his life.

Ms. Thakur felt outraged and sad. She hated these people who bullied her students for no reason. She hated these people who did not appreciate her efforts or respect her authority.

M/s Thakur decided to confront them and scold them.

She said, "Hey! Stop it right now! Mind your language. Usne aapka kuch nahi bigada hai"

She said, "He's given a very good answer to my question."

She said, "You need to apologize to him right now. And you need to behave yourselves in my class."

She hoped that they would listen to her and obey her.

But they did not. They did not stop or apologize to Arun.

They played a video on the projector that showed one of them talking very badly about Ms. Thakur.

The video was recorded by one of them as a prank, but it was accidentally played on the projector by another one who was trying to stop the fight.

The video showed one of them saying things like:

"Ms. Thakur kitna bekaar padhati hai!"

"She's such a b*tch, she doesn't know how to teach."

"Ms. Thakur ko degree kis college ne dedi??!"

"Ms. Thakur kitni rude hai,tameez nahi hai unhe baat karne ki"

 The video also showed him making fun of her appearance, her voice, and her teaching style.

The video also showed him saying that he hated her and wished she would die.

The video was loud and clear, and everyone in the class could hear and see it.

Ms. Thakur felt outraged and hurt. She felt the pain and humiliation of being insulted and abused by her students. She felt the fear and anxiety of facing him again. She felt the stress and pressure of coping with her reputation.

She tried to ignore it and turn it off, but she could not.

She felt like she was losing control of herself and her class.

She felt like she was failing as a teacher.

She wondered what she had done wrong. She wondered if anyone cared about her or her feelings.

She decided to leave the class and run away from them. She decided to quit her job and find something else.

She decided to end her life with sadness and despair. She ran out of the class, crying and screaming.

She ran towards the hallway, and then she ran towards the stairs.

She ran towards the roof, and then she ran towards the edge, hoping to find a way off.

Arun saw her running out of the class, crying and screaming.

He felt outraged and sad. He hated these people who bullied him and his teacher for no reason. He hated these people who did not appreciate their efforts or respect their authority.

He decided to follow her and save her.

He decided to stop her from quitting or dying. He decided to make her happy and alive again.

He ran after her, calling out her name.

He said, "Ms. Thakur! Where are you, ma'am?"

He ran towards the hallway, trying to catch up with her. He ran towards the stairs, trying to reach her before she reached the roof. He ran towards the roof, trying to stop her before she jumped off the edge.

He ran towards the edge, trying to pull her back from the abyss.

He reached her just in time, as she was about to jump off the edge. He grabbed her hand and said, "Ms. Thakur! Don't do this! Please don't do this!"

He looked at her with concern and respect.

He said, "Ms. Thakur! You don't have to do this! You have so much to live for!"

He said, "Ms. Thakur! Aap buri teacher nahi hai! Actually, you're an amazing and such an sweet teacher who has taught me so much!"

He said, "Ms. Thakur! You're not hated or wished dead by everyone! You're loved and admired by me and many others!"

He said, "Ms. Thakur! Please don't give up on yourself or your life!

He pulled her back from the abyss and hugged her tightly.

He said, "Ms. Thakur! I'm here for you. Mai hamesha aapke lie rahunga! You're not alone, Ms. Thakur. You have me as your friend."

He smiled at her and wiped her tears.

He said, "Ms. Thakur! Please come with me. Let's go back to the class and face them together. Let's show them that we're not afraid of them or anyone else. Let's show them that we're strong and confident in ourselves."

He held her hand and led her back to the class.

She nodded and followed him, feeling a sense of gratitude and friendship.

She felt like she had found a friend and a student in him.

They entered the class and saw the bullies still laughing and playing the video on the projector.

They saw the other students watching them with curiosity and fear.

They saw Vasudha standing in the corner, holding her phone and calling for help.

They walked towards the bullies and confronted them.

Arun said, "Hey! Stop it right now! Tumhari himmat kaise hui? Ma'am se respect me baat kia karo!

Arun said, "She's given a very good lecture on media ethics. She's shown that she's experienced and knowledgeable."

He said, "You should be ashamed of yourselves. You're being very rude to her."

He hoped that they would listen to him and obey him.

But they did not. They did not stop or apologize to Ms. Thakur.

They did not listen to him or obey him.

They did something worse.

They laughed and insulted him.

They said things like:

"Arun gadha hai!""Arun is such a nerd!"They pushed him and punched him.

They tried to hurt him and humiliate him.

Arun felt angry and hurt again. He felt the pain and humiliation of being bullied and abused by his classmates again. He felt the fear and anxiety of facing them again.

But he also felt a surge of courage and strength again. He felt the urge to defend himself and his teacher again. He felt the need to teach them a lesson again.

Arun fought back again.

But this time, he could not control his anger.

Arun grabbed the main bully leader and started hitting him very much.

Arun said, "Shut up! You're the losers and the cowards, not me or her. You have no right to bully us or anyone else."

Arun gave him a tight slap on his face.

Arun said, "You're the idiots and the jerks, not me or her. You have no clue about media ethics or anything else."

He hit him hard on his stomach.

Arun said, "You're the rude and the cruel ones, not me or her. You need to learn some manners and some morals."

Arun slapped him again.

Arun said, "You're the boring and the pathetic ones, not me or her. You need to get a life and some brains, and even stop bunking classes."

Arun made him feel his anger and his pain. Arun made him feel his dignity and his pride. Arun made him feel his respect and his love for his teacher. It made him feel his power and his voice.

The other bullies were stunned and scared. They felt the pain and humiliation of seeing their leader being beaten up by Arun. They felt the fear and anxiety of facing him again. They felt the stress and pressure of coping with the consequences.

They tried to help their leader, but they were too late.

Vasudha intervened and stopped them.

She said, "Enough! Enough of this violence! Stop fighting right now!"

She said, "Arun, I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself and your teacher. But you shouldn't have resorted to violence. Violence is never the answer."

She said, "And you, you bullies, I'm ashamed of you for harassing him and your teacher. You should have respected them and learned from them. Respect is always the answer."

She said, "You all need to calm down and apologize to each other. And you all need to face the consequences of your actions."

She said, "I've called the police and they're on their way. You'll be in big trouble then."

She hoped that they would listen to her and obey her.

But they did not. They did not calm down or apologize to each other.

They did not listen to her or obey her. They did something worse.

They tried to escape from the class and run away from the police. They tried to avoid responsibility and justice. They tried to hurt themselves and others.

They ran out of the class, pushing and shoving anyone who came in their way.

They rushed down the hallway, then toward the gate, hoping to escape. Sprinting towards the road, they tried to stop a passing car, still seeking a way out.

But their escape efforts ended in failure. They accidentally ended up inside the car, then in a hospital, and finally in jail. They found a way into their doom.

The police arrived and arrested them.

Arun also filed an FIR against them, with the help of Vasudha and Ms. Thakur. They were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, such as:

Section 294: Obscene acts and songs Section 306: Abetment of suicideSection 323: Voluntarily causing hurt Section 339: Wrongful restraint Section 340: Wrongful confinement Section 504: Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace Section 506: Criminal intimidationSection 509: Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman The court found them guilty and sentenced them to imprisonment and fine. The court also ordered them to undergo counselling and rehabilitation.

The college authorities also took action against them. They expelled them from the college and revoked their certificates. They also issued a public apology to Arun and Ms. Thakur.

Arun felt a sense of justice and relief. He felt that he had finally stood up for himself and his teacher. He felt that he had regained his dignity and self-respect.

He also felt a sense of gratitude and friendship towards Vasudha and Ms. Thakur. They had been his pillars of strength and support throughout his ordeal. They had helped him to heal and recover.

He decided to continue his studies and pursue his dreams. He decided to join a therapy group and a nutrition program. He decided to make more friends and have more fun.

He decided to live his life with courage and confidence.

Ms. Thakur felt a sense of justice and relief too. She felt that she had finally stood up for herself and her students. She felt that she had regained her dignity and self-respect too.

She also felt a sense of gratitude and friendship towards Vasudha and Arun. They had been her pillars of strength and support throughout her ordeal. They had helped her to heal and recover.

M/s Thakur decided to continue her teaching. She decided to join a therapy group and a meditation program.

They celebrated their victory and happiness by going out for lunch. Arun, who was a foodie, suggested a nearby restaurant that served delicious food. He asked Vasudha and Ms. Thakur to join him.

He said, "Come on, guys. Let's go and eat something. I'm starving."

He said, "I know a place that serves the best food in town. You'll love it."

He said, "Please, please, please. Say yes."

He looked at them with a hopeful expression.

He hoped that they would agree and join him.

They did. They agreed and joined him.

They said, "Okay, Arun. We'll go with you. But only if you promise to behave yourself and not eat too much."

They said, "We don't want you to get sick or fat."

They said, "And we don't want you to forget about your studies or your health."

They smiled and teased him.

They hoped that he would laugh and enjoy himself.

Arun did. He laughed and enjoyed himself.

Arun said, "Don't worry, guys. I'll behave myself and not eat too much."

Arun said, "I won't get sick or fat."

He said, "And I won't forget about my studies or my health."

He smiled and thanked them.

He said, "Thank you, guys. You're the best."

He said, "You make me happy."

They walked towards the restaurant, feeling a bond of friendship and trust between them.

They knew that they had a long way to go before they could heal completely.

But they also knew that they had each other to support them along the way.

They knew that they had found a ray of hope in their dark lives.

They reached the restaurant and entered it. They saw that it was cozy and clean. They smelled the aroma of various dishes. They heard the sound of music and laughter.

They felt hungry and excited.

They sat down at a table and looked at the menu. They saw that it had a variety of cuisines and dishes. They saw that it had something for everyone's taste and preference.

They ordered their food and drinks. They waited for them to arrive.

They talked and laughed with each other. They shared their stories and experiences. They expressed their feelings and opinions.

They enjoyed each other's company and conversation.

Their food and drinks arrived. They looked delicious and tempting.

They thanked the waiter and started eating and drinking.

They complimented each other's choices and preferences. They enjoyed their food and drinks. They finished their meal and asked for the bill. They paid for it and left a tip.

They thanked the staff and left the restaurant.

They walked back to the college, feeling happy and relaxed. They decided to take a selfie to capture their moment of happiness. Arun took out his phone and they all posed for the camera. They smiled brightly and clicked the button. They looked at their selfie and liked it. Arun decided to post it on social media to share it with their friends and followers. Arun asked Ms. Thakur for her social media account so that he could mention her in his post. He looked at her with a curious expression. He hoped that she would give him her account details. But she did not give him her account details. She said, "No, Arun. Until you graduate, you cannot follow me on social media."

She said, "It's against the ethics and principles of our profession." She said, "I'm your teacher, not your friend." She looked at him with a serious expression. She hoped that he would understand. And he did understand. He felt disappointed but respectful. He said, "Okay, Ms. Thakur. I understand." He said, "It's okay. You're still my friend in my heart." He smiled and winked at her. He hoped that she would laugh. And she did laugh. She felt amused but grateful. She said, "Okay, Arun. You're very sweet." She said, "It's okay. You're still my friend in my heart too." She smiled and winked back at him. She hoped that he would be happy. And he was happy. He felt happy and grateful too. He posted the selfie on social media without mentioning her name or account details. He wrote a caption that said:

"Today was amazing! I had a delicious lunch with my best friend Vasudha at 'Latitude.' We enjoyed tasty food like Aloo Parathas, Paneer Tikka Masala, Chole Bhature, and Lassi, along with fresh lime soda, and we had delicious Jalebi and Gulab Jamun with Rabdi. We also spent time with our favourite teacher, Ms. Thakur, who taught us about media ethics and life lessons. She even helped us out when some bullies bothered us, and they're now in trouble. I'm lucky to have such great people in my life. Thank you, Vasudha and Ms. Thakur, for being there for me. You're the best!"

He tagged Vasudha in his post and added some hashtags like #bestfriends #bestteacher #bestday #bestfood #bestlife.

People expressed their happiness and support for him in the comment section. People showed their respect and love for him.

Arun felt happy and grateful. He liked their comments and replied to them. He expressed his happiness and gratitude to them. He showed his respect and love for them too.

However, when Vasudha told Arun, that she liked him more than as a friend. Arun felt something wrong, he had stopped talking to her, getting to know that the girl whom he saw as a friend was assuming that he would be her boyfriend.