Who are you?

“Bro, why am I always the one stuck in these situations?” Aaron’s thoughts tumbled through his mind like loose change thrown into a fountain.

This was supposed to be an afternoon of carefree fun, not some odd babysitting gig following an impromptu rescue. The city square bustled around them, filled with the sounds of laughter and splashing water, but here he was, stuck at the fountain like a lifeguard with no pool.

After the dramatic rescue—most of it involving Ishaan flailing his arms while shouting instructions—the boys had brought the girls to this picturesque fountain, complete with ornate sculptures and the soothing sound of water cascading over stone.

After their great escape, they reached the fountain where they asked the girls to rest. The younger of them was completely flustered and scared by what had happened, and the elder was trying to rinse herself of all the dirt. Aaron has noticed her leg had been grazed. Aaron had some bandages and a bottle of detol in his bag. He is used to carrying it for a certain goofball.

Aaron had felt a bit heroic, at least until Ishaan suddenly declared, “I’ll be right back!” and dashed off in search of snacks, leaving Aaron alone with the girls. It felt like a scene from an awkward romance anime, only instead of it being between the love interests, he was battling his crippling social anxiety.

Ten minutes. Not a single word.

To be fair, he had been busy — bandaging Isebella's leg with the focus of someone defusing a bomb, because it gave his hands something to do and his eyes somewhere to look that wasn't directly at either of them. The Dettol. The gauze. The careful wrapping. He had done this a hundred times for Ishaan and never once thought about it. Right now, he was thinking about every single step.

He could genuinely win an award for this. Both his meticulous bandaging and awkwardness.

Just as he was about to spiral further mentally, the youngest girl broke the silence. “You know, we’re the ones who should be scared right now,” she teased, a mischief dancing in her bright eyes, although clearly she was on edge. “You don’t have to be so nervous, you know.”

Aaron blinked, a little startled as he stood up, tending to the girl. “Uh, it’s not that! I’m just... not good with conversations. My younger brother’s the chatty one.”

“I’m Estella,” the young girl announced, her grin widening as if she’d just cracked a secret code.

“And I’m Isebella, her older sister. Thanks for saving us and mending my wounds,” the older girl chimed in, her voice playful yet genuine. She gestured to the scrape on her leg, her expression a mix of gratitude and cheekiness. “But next time, less on the heroics?”

“Well, Estella and Isebella, I’m Aaron Banerjee. And the snack-hunting raccoon is my brother, Ishaan Banerjee,” he replied, finally loosening his stiff demeanour. “But really, no thanks needed. We just did what anyone else would do—without any capes or superhero music. Though I wouldn’t mind some dramatic background music right now,” he added with a chuckle.

Estella giggled, “Yeah, you missed out on a slow-motion rescue scene. Something like ‘Aaron the hero bravely swoops in to save the day’—but you kind of just stumbled through it!”

With the tension lifting, Aaron found himself laughing along. The colourful fountain splashed behind them, little droplets splashing in their direction as they settled into an easy conversation, mixed with jokes and laughter that echoed off the surrounding buildings.

As they were chatting away, in came Ishaan, bursting with energy like a kid who just found out it’s Saturday. “Feelas, your boy is back!”

“Look who’s here! It's Mr Energy himself,” Aaron quipped, shaking his head. “Took you long enough.”

Ishaan smirked, “Well, well, well! Would you look at that—Aaron, talking to the ladiez! Hope my grand entrance didn’t ruin your romantic moment, bro."

Aaron turned to Ishaan and gave him a hearty karate chop on the head that sounded like a drum solo gone wrong. “Seriously, it was less of a 'good job' and more of a 'welcome to the circus!’ ”

The girls couldn’t help but chuckle, clearly entertained by the chaotic friendship unfolding before them. “What’s next?” one of them teased. “A dance-off?”

“Pardon my rudeness, my lady, but shall this boy ask for your name?” said Ishaan in the most non-chivalric way

Before the girls could reply, Aaron cut in, pointing out, “ Ishaan, this is Isabella, and this is Estella, and these are my idiot brother, Ishaan Banerjee” he placed a hand around his neck as he said, “But please feel free to call him a monkey, that suits him”

“Bro, you know I wanted them to say it, it's boring to hear such beautiful names come out of an emo kid like you”, Ishaan was visibly taunting Aaron.

“WHY YOU LITTLE——”

The girls chuckled a little as this went on.

"Looking at this, bro, I think I'm getting popular with the ladies," said Ishaan most rhetorically.

Isebella looked at Estella. Estella looked at Isebella.

"You saved us from six men," Isebella said finally with a soft giggle, "and this is what you're like."

"We really are… well," Aaron couldn't disagree.