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  Part- 301:

  She nodded but quickly added, “I’ll admit, I thought some of those rumors might be true too.”

  “Ouch.” James clutched his chest dramatically. “You wound me, Dipa. I thought we were friends now.”

  Dipa rolled her eyes but smiled. “That’s exactly my point. Spending time with you, I realized you’re nothing like eople say. You’re not selfish. You’re just... different.”

  James tilted his head, curious. “Different how?”

  “Well,” she said, a little shyly, “you’re the kind of guy who cracks jokes to make people feel fortable. You don’t push too hard, but you know when to step in. Like today, encio eat without making a big deal out of it.”

  James grinned. “That’s just part of my secret strategy—keep the team happy, well-fed, and slightly off-guard.”

  Dipa ughed, her shoulders rexing. “And here I thought you were just being nice.”

  “’t it be both?” James teased. “Master strategist *and* nice guy?”

  She gave him a skeptical look. “I’m still not vinced about the master strategist part.”

  James gasped in mock offense. “How dare you! My chi-wing strategy was fwless.”

  Dipa shook her head, still smiling. “You’re ridiculous.”

  “And proud of it,” James replied with a wink. “But seriously, I’m gd you had a good time today.”

  Dipa hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “I think I more than I realized.”

  James gave her a warm smile. “That’s what teammates are for.”

  For a moment, they stood there in fortable silence, watg the rest of the group milling around outside. The night air was cool, and the noise of passing cars filled the background, but her felt the o rush.

  “You know,” James said after a pause, “it’s funny how people see only the surface, huh? They think they’ve got you all figured out, but they never bother to look deeper.”

  Dipa nodded. “Yeah. But I guess that’s just how people are. It’s easier to believe what you hear than to figure out the truth for yourself.”

  James smirked. “Well, I’m gd *you* did your homework.”

  Dipa nudged him with her elbow. “Don’t get cocky. I’m still figuring you out.”

  “And what’s your verdict so far?” James asked, grinning.

  She preteo think for a moment. “Hmmm... you’re annoying. And you talk too much.”

  James burst out ughing. “Fair enough. But admit it—you’re starting to like me.”

  Dipa smirked. “Like a bad habit.”

  James chuckled. “I’ll take it.”

  They shared another easy ugh before Dipa goward the rest of the team. “We should probably catch up before they leave us behind.”

  “Yeah,” James agreed, but he made no move to walk. Instead, he looked at her thoughtfully. “You know, Dipa... I’m really gd we’re on the same team.”

  Dipa smiled, the kind of smile that felt genuine and rare. “Me too, James.”

  They walked together toward the group, their versation flowing easily. It wasn’t just the ba was the subtle shift in how they saw each other. In a way, the walls between them had started to e down, brick by brick.

  “So,” James said as they rejoihe others, “since I made you eat tonight, does that mean you owe me a favor now?”