The principal’s office was suffocatingly silent, the air thick with tension. The rhythmic ticking of the wall clock echoed in the room, amplifying the unease. Manya and Palak stood stiffly, exchanging nervous glances, while Adhvik kept his head down, fists clenched at his sides.

Principal Ma’am sat behind her grand wooden desk, her sharp gaze moving from one student to another, waiting for an explanation. Her piercing eyes, filled with disappointment, bore into them like a judge awaiting a confession. The weight of the moment pressed down on Adhvik’s shoulders. He took a deep breath, knowing he had to speak up.