Outside the palace gates, the atmosphere was pure chaos. The air smelled faintly of roses from the entrance decorations, mixed with the crisp, late-morning breeze. Shopping bags was being tossed into one corner, cars lined up like shiny soldiers, and the entire group was practically buzzing like a swarm of bees about to attack a sweet shop.

The boys had clustered near the fountain, their laughter echoing through the marble courtyard. Rishaan was animatedly narrating some stupid joke, making Varun double over with laughter while Ashvin slapped his thigh dramatically, tears forming in his eyes. Ruaan, though laughing along, kept sneaking glances toward the girls’ group across the courtyard.