AUTHORs' POV

"Amu!" Three-year-old Savi's voice echoed through the school corridor adorned with vibrant cartoon figures. Children were scattered: some enjoying lunch, others engrossed in classes, and many playing outside. The air buzzed with laughter and chatter, the sounds of youthful energy reverberating off the walls.

Clutched tightly in Savi's hand was a slightly wilted marigold, freshly picked from her mother's garden, intended for daily prayers. Since the day Amulya had apologized for teasing her and invited her to his birthday party—where she had gifted him a marigold—Savi made it a ritual to pluck a new bloom whenever one appeared.

"Amu," she called again, her eyes scanning the bustling hallway but finding no sign of Amulya. Her shoulders drooped, lower lip quivering, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Just as she was about to retreat to her classroom, a familiar voice called out, "Savi!" She spun around to see Amulya waving from a distance. A radiant smile bloomed on her face, mirroring the marigold in her hand.

"Amu! Amu!" Savi bounced with excitement, her joy palpable. She dashed toward him but, in her eagerness, tripped over her untied shoelace, scraping her ankle.

Savi burst into tears, her tiny sobs filling the air. The scratch on her ankle wasn't big, but to a child, even the smallest wound felt like a deep cut. No teacher was around, and the other kids were too lost in their games to notice.

Amulya, however, did. Pushing past everyone, he ran straight to her.

He knelt down, his eyes scanning her ankle before gently wiping her tears away. "Don't cry, Savi," he murmured, his voice soft yet firm.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a white handkerchief embroidered with his name—Amulya. With careful hands, he tied it around her right ankle, securing it snugly.

"It's okay, Amu is here, okay?" he reassured her, wiping her tears again. Then, he helped her stand and dusted off her pink-and-white school uniform.

"Amu... Amu... I—" Savi hiccupped between sobs, clutching a marigold in one hand. With the other, she rubbed her eyes, her tiny fist pressing against her tear-streaked cheeks.

Amulya glanced around, searching for something to help. His gaze landed on his friend, chatting nearby. Without a second thought, he dashed over, grabbed their water bottle, and called out, "I'll bring it back!" before hurrying back to Savi.

Savi was still crying, her little sniffles breaking the silence.

"Savi, don't cry... Amu is here. See? I got some water for you," Amulya said softly, holding the bottle to her lips. He helped her take a sip, easing the hiccups she always got whenever she cried too much.

Once her breathing steadied, he cupped some water in his hands and gently wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "Now tell Amu, why were you looking for me?" he asked, his voice full of warmth.

Savi sniffled, her grip tightening around the marigold in her hand. "Amu... I... I have a flower for you..." she mumbled. She wasn't crying like before, but her face still held a trace of sadness. "But it looks ugly..." Her small fingers curled around the marigold, its petals now slightly crushed from her fall.

Amulya took it from her with careful hands. "It's beautiful. Just like my Savi." His voice was steady, his words certain, as if the flower was the most precious thing he had ever received. His smile was like a ray of sunshine, filling the moment with warmth.

"Really?" Savi's face lit up, her sadness forgotten in an instant. With the biggest grin, she jumped and threw herself into Amulya's arms, hugging him with all her tiny strength.

Amulya staggered slightly but held on to her, never letting go. Then, as if remembering something, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leaf.

"This is for you," he said, placing it in her palm.

It was a four-leaf clover—one his Bubu had given him. His grandmother, his Subi.

Just like Savi gave him flowers, Amulya had been giving her clover leaves for as long as he could remember. Ever since his birthday. Ever since they became best friends, that very first time in his treehouse.

The treehouse wasn't just a place to play. It was the beginning of something special. A place where new journeys started and countless memories waited to be made.

———-

Sorry I keep my excitement in check but couldn't

I was suppose to post it tomorrow but that will be too much for me.......

How was the prolonge???

I just love these two 😭😭😭