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तुम्हारे संग आवारगी भी
आवारगी भी देती है जैसे सुकूं
तुम्हारी संग हर एक लम्हा
हर एक लम्हा, यादें नई मैं बुनू
तुम हो तो सुबह नई हैं, तुम हो तो शामें हसीं हैं
एक दुनिया सपनों सी है, तुम हो तो इस पे यकीं है
तुम हो तो सब अच्छा है, तुम हो तो वक़्त थमा है
तुम हो तो ये लम्हा है, तुम हो तो इस में सदा है
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VOTE: 260+
COMMENTS: 280+
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Author’s Note
Hello My cute little bubbles….hope you all are doing well in life and were in great health…so I wanted to share something critical with you all.
I was having consistent fever from 2 months now for which I had to take like 3-4 PCMs per day as the fever keeps coming back in 7-8hr so it made me kind of weak physically then side by side all my tests were also going on to find out what’s the real cause of my fever and for which mere body se khoon aise nikaal rahe the jaise ki pani ho….
anyways the reason for my inactiveness from past few days were because i’ve been admitted to the hospital for a week for further higher tests and in that tests it is revealed that I have a Spinal tuberculosis jo ki hoti bhi hai mujhe abhi pta chala so now the medication has started and i’m doing better then before but still I’ve been on complete bed rest for a month.
That’s why there was this much delay in uploading the chapter because my mind was not supporting me to write anything and I don’t wanna just write anything i wanted to keep the very essence of the story that’s why I took time to first heal my mental health and then work on it.
so yeah that’s all i wanted to share with you all because life is so unexpected we don’t know what will happen next so yeah stay safe…be happy…and enjoy your life to the fullest.
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The first rays of morning slipped through the glass windows of the venue, tinting the corridors gold. After a night loaded with rituals, music, and endless relatives, the elders had returned to the mandap for the final morning rites. The kids, exhausted beyond measure, had crashed into their rooms, sprawled everywhere like fallen petals after a storm.
Aditi’s family was the first to leave. The incident from the previous night, her fainting, and Amit’s sudden urgent work meant they had to rush back earlier than planned. Riva’s family followed, heading straight to Delhi to prepare for the reception.
Outside the venue, the cool morning breeze ruffled Aditi’s hair as she hugged Priya tightly.
“Chal school main milte hai,” Priya whispered against her shoulder.
“Haa… byee… jaldi aana tum log bhi,” Aditi smiled weakly.
“Haa shaam ko hum bhi nikal jayenge,” Priya assured before moving aside.
But Aditi wasn’t looking at anyone anymore. Her eyes-tired, hazy, searching-found him.
Ansh stood a little behind the crowd, hands in pockets, quiet as ever… but his entire focus was on her. His gaze softened the moment hers met his. As the car began to roll forward, he lifted his hand-slow, subtle-almost shy.
Aditi’s lips curved into the faintest smile. A smile meant just for him.
From behind Ansh, a whistle cut through the moment.
“Hmm..hmmm,” Ruhaan teased with a knowing grin.
“Chup kar,” Ansh muttered, heat creeping up his neck.
But even as he snapped back at Ruhaan, his eyes didn’t leave the car until it turned out of sight… and that hollow ache of missing her settled in his chest faster than he had expected.
Inside one of the venue rooms, the leftover gang had gathered. The atmosphere was strangely serious-like they were planning a mission, not gossiping.
Ansh sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, his mind looping Aditi’s expression from the night before. That moment right after his confession-the way she had looked at him.
Ruhaan was pacing so fast across the room that the floor might’ve developed a pattern.
Aman was sunk into a chair, fingers steepled, looking like he was about to negotiate a peace treaty.
Vivaan was sprawled on the floor like a dead battery, but his forehead creased with intense concentration.
Priya sat beside Ansh, close enough to be comforting.
“Tune sach main confess kar diya?” Ruhaan paused mid-stride for the tenth time, staring at Ansh like he still couldn’t believe it. Ansh sighed for the tenth time. And nodded for the tenth time.
Ruhaan threw his hands up. “Aur Aditi ne ha ya naa kuch nahi bola?” Another sigh. Another nod.
Vivaan sat up straight, eyes wide. “Iska kya matlab samjhe hum?”
“Simple… haa hi bola usne,” Aman replied confidently.
Ruhaan scoffed. “But usne khud yes to nahi bola ya I love you too nahi bola.”
“To matlab usne bhaiya ko reject kar diya,” Vivaan said, dramatic as ever.
Ansh’s heart dropped. His breath hitched-just for a second-but Priya noticed. His fingers clenched on his knees, a cold ripple of dread crawling down his spine.
What if she did want to reject him gently? What if silence was her way of stepping back? What if he had ruined everything?
But Priya jumped in instantly. “Naa bhi to nahi bola na usne.” Ansh’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. Just enough to breathe again.
Ruhaan groaned, sitting beside Vivaan. “To phir hum unhe relationship main samjhe ki nahi?”
Aman leaned forward. “I guess she needs some time to answer… like you know ladkiya leti hai time.”
Vivaan fell back dramatically. “Are par ab kitna time legii vo?”
Ruhaan jabbed a finger toward Ansh. “Pehle inn mahaashay se bola nahi ja raha tha, ab bol diya hai to un devi ne jawaab hi nahi diya!”
Aman chuckled under his breath but nodded. “Ruk jaate hain bhaii thoda. Maybe use thoda time chahiye ho.”
Vivaan groaned, grabbing his hair. “Main to pakka jaunga yrr… inke chakkar main… kuch to karo aap dono yrr!”
“Okk let’s just wait for sometime,” Aman decided, the voice of reason.
Ansh finally spoke, his voice low, betraying the fear he’d been hiding. “Tab tak kya?”
Ruhaan didn’t miss a beat. “Jhunjhuna hila baith ke.” And he marched out dramatically. Vivaan followed with equal intensity, muttering curses under his breath.
Priya stayed behind. She placed a gentle hand on her brother’s shoulder, steadying him the way only she could.
“Bhaiya don’t worry… main hoon na,” she whispered. Ansh let himself breathe-not in relief, but in hope. The fear was still there, quietly eating at him… but so was the warmth Aditi had given him last night when she held his hand.
That warmth was enough to keep him waiting. Enough to keep him believing.
________________________________
The house was quiet, the kind of silence that settles only after a long, exhausting, overwhelmingly beautiful day. Aditi closed her bedroom door softly behind her, her heartbeat still dancing to memories she wasn’t ready to let go of.
She walked slowly toward her cupboard, her fingers trembling with a tiny, secret excitement she hadn’t felt in years. When she opened the wooden door, the faint scent of old paper drifted out. Tucked safely between her clothes was her old journal-the one she had avoided for so long because it held too much of her heart.
The moment she touched its familiar cover, a shy smile bloomed on her lips. A girlish, uncontrollable, hopelessly-in-love smile.
She sat on her bed, legs folded, lamp glowing softly beside her. The room felt warm… intimate… like it was holding her secret along with her. She pressed the diary against her chest for a second, eyes shutting as the memory of his voice washed over her-the way he had said her name, the way his confession had trembled and yet felt so sure.
“Then give me a chance to be your sun, Aditi…”
Her breath hitched. Her cheeks exploded with heat. She buried her face in her hands, half-laughing, half-squealing silently like she wasn’t a normal girl anymore but a girl hopelessly gone for a boy who looked at her like she was the only thing that made sense.
When she finally opened the diary, her fingers shook again-soft, nervous, fluttery. Inside were old scribbles… pressed flowers… half-written confessions from a younger her who never thought Ansh would ever feel anything for her.
Aditi bit her lip, cheeks fully blooming pink now. Her eyelashes fluttered like she was trying to calm herself down, but it wasn’t working at all.
She picked up a pen, took out a small pouch of little things she’d kept safe for years, and then-
she began working on something inside the diary.
Something delicate. Something personal. Something she wouldn’t let anyone in the world see.
Her hands moved softly, slowly… like she was crafting a piece of her heart into it. Every stroke, every little addition made her blush harder.
Not a normal blush. A full-on, cute, girlish, “oh-my-god-he-loves-me” blush that made her bury her face in her pillow every five minutes.
Sometimes she paused just to hold her cheeks because they were too hot. Sometimes she pressed her lips together to stop yet another shy smile.
And sometimes… she looked up at the ceiling with teary eyes, whispering a tiny, breathless,
“Did this really happen? Did he really… love me?”
Her heart felt too full, too soft, too overwhelmed. She felt like the younger version of herself had reached out from the pages of the diary and hugged her-finally happy that the boy she had secretly loved for so long loved her back.
Aditi gently shut the diary after a long time, holding it close to her chest again.Her smile was soft… glowing… dreamy. Her cheeks were still pink. And her eyes sparkled with a happiness she didn’t even know she was capable of.
_______________________________
The gang was finally back in school after the wedding hangover, but mentally… not a single one of them had returned.
The classroom was buzzing like a vegetable market in peak hours. Boys were playing pen-cricket, girls were gossiping, and the backbenchers were already planning their mid-year rebellion.
The gang sat in their usual corner-bored, slumped, and very obviously still in shaadi mode.
“Yrr school main mann hi nahi lag raha,” Priya complained dramatically, tossing her pen like it offended her.
“Haan… mann kar raha hai phir se kisi shaadi main chale,” Shagun joined, flopping on her desk like a tired cat.
“Haa aur khoob mazaa kare phir se,” Aditi added, twirling her pencil with zero interest in being a student again.
“Whii na… baitha hi nahi ja raha seat pe ab to,” Shagun whined, shifting for the tenth time in one minute.
“Nachne ka mann kar raha hai… koi DJ baja do,” Priya said, already half-standing, ready to break into Kala Chashma.
“Hn school thodi hai ye… ye to banquet hall hai na jaha shaadi hogi,” Aditi mocked with a straight face, making Priya roll her eyes.
Suddenly-
“GUYS GUYS GUYSSS!” Vivaan burst into the class like he had discovered Panipuri was being sold for free. He practically slid into the seat beside Aditi.
Aditi looked at him with pure suspicion. “Kya hogya?”
“Ik good news mili hai,” he said, chest puffed with pride.
Priya leaned in dramatically. “Kya?”
Vivaan paused for effect, lifted his hand like he was delivering a life-changing prophecy and declared,
“26 ko annual function hai.”
Silence. Dead silence.
Aditi blinked. “Annual function hi to hai… usme kya badi baat hai?” Her tone was straight-up unimpressed-as if he had just announced the discovery of a new vegetable.
Priya smacked her arm. “Aree… tum dono ko nahi pata? School ka annual day matlab 15 din tak NO PADHAIII!”
Aditi’s eyes widened. Shagun sat straighter. Interest level was instantly reborn.
“Hein… vo kaise?” Shagun asked.
Vivaan flipped his hair dramatically. “Aree agar hum participate karenge na kisi cheez main to hum practice main hi rahenge. Aur practice main rahenge to padhai thodi karenge. Upar se teachers bhi itna padhate nahi iss time main.”
Aditi leaned forward. “Matlab agar hame padhai nahi karni school main ye 15 din… to hame participate karna hoga kisi cheez main?”
Priya and Vivaan nodded enthusiastically like two overexcited penguins.
“Ye sahi hai yrrr!” Shagun clapped like a seal discovering fish.
“Haina… hui na khush khabri?” Vivaan asked proudly.
Aditi looked at him with a straight face. “Tujhe nahi hogi khush khabri… you don’t have uterus.”
The group SNORTED. Priya literally slapped the table. Shagun choked on air.
Vivaan just stared at her like, “Dimaag kharab hai kya is ladki ka?”
Aditi waved him off. “Mazaak kar rhi hu, chill.”
Regaining her breath, Priya asked, “Pakka ye confirmed news hai na?”
Vivaan placed a hand on his chest dramatically. “100 percent… staffroom main Dimple ma’am bhaiya se issi baare main baat kar rahi thi. Main washroom se ghoom ke aa raha tha to maine suni.”
Shagun narrowed her eyes. “But what iff tune galat sunn liya ho?”
Priya immediately came up with the solution. “Bhaiya se hi confirm kar lenge na phir lunch main.”
“Hnn good idea.” Shagun nodded like a board member approving a million-dollar deal.
___________________________________
The lunch table looked less like a group of students and more like five detectives trying to extract state secrets from one very irritated Head Boy.
Ansh sat in the middle, quietly eating his fried rice like a retired soldier who had seen too much nonsense in life. Meanwhile, the entire junior gang stared at him with eyes so wide and hopeful that any outsider would assume he was distributing prasad.
Their tiffins were untouched. Their gazes? Uncomfortably intense.
Ansh finally looked up, jaw ticking.
“Now what you all want?” he asked, not even bothering to hide the fatigue like he’d already accepted they were about to disturb his peace.
“Kuch nhi bhaiya,” Vivaan blurted out.
“Aise kaise kuch nhi… pooch na,” Shagun hissed.
“Tu khud pooch le,” Vivaan shot back.
Prateek blinked, already done with their drama. “Hua kya h tum pancho ko?”
Now Riva straightened like she was about to give an Oscar-winning performance.
“Vo actually bhaiya… hame na kahi se udti udti khabar mili hai…” she sang, swaying innocently.
“Kaisi khabar?” Ruhaan asked, leaning in like he was ready for gossip.
“Annual function hone wala hai,” Priya declared.
“Isi 26 ko,” Aditi added and that one line made Ansh freeze mid-bite.
“Kya baat kar rhi hai? sach main!” Ruhaan’s eyes lit up like Diwali.
“Vo to bhaiya batayenge,” Vivaan said proudly, pointing at Ansh like he’d just exposed a criminal.
“Bol bhai… sach main hi rha hai 26 ko annual function?”Ruhaan immediately grabbed Ansh’s shoulder.
“Bhaiya bas haan ya na bol do,” Shagun begged dramatically.
“Pleaseeeee,” the younger ones chorused, looking like abandoned puppies.
“Jab hoga notice mil jayega.”Ansh didn’t even look up. Cold. Sharp in Head Boy mode.
Ruhaan scoffed. “Saale kya fayda tere Head boy hone ka… jab tujhe itna hi nhi pta ki school m kya ho raha hai kya nhi.”
“Bta do na bhaiya yrr… hame pta h aapko sab pta hai.”Vivaan nodded rapidly.
“Chup kar.”One glare. Vivaan folded like a cheap umbrella.
Even Prateek tried, “Bta de na-” He didn’t finish. Ansh’s death stare did the job.
Vivaan, however, had no fear of death. “Ha theek hai bhaiya theek hai… dekh lenge aapko bhi… ham pooch rhe hai to nhi bata rhe aap… abhi Aditi pohchegi jhatt se muh khul jayega inka dekh lena sab.”
Ansh choked on his rice. Aditi smiled, quiet, soft, hidden, but oh-so-victorious. When Ansh looked at her, she raised her brows in a mock “caught you” expression. He panicked.
“Shut up… aisa kuch nhi hai.” ansh tried to protest.
“To phir batao… aaj Dimple ma’am ke sath staffroom main kya baat kar rhe the aap?”Priya crossed her arms.
“Vo to bas aise hi kuch-” he tried to change the topic.
“Bata bhi dijiye.”Aditi finally spoke. Her voice was calm… but it hit him harder than everyone else combined.
“Fine.”Ansh sighed like a defeated soldier. He closed his eyes, resigned.
“School is hosting annual function on 26 October… fine… happy now?” he declared.
“OH FINALLY!” Shagun, Vivaan, Riva, Priya, and Aditi squealed together, shaking the whole corridor.
“Waah bhai… fayda to h tere Head boy hone ka!”Ruhaan slapped Ansh’s back.
“Par abhi to time hai.”Prateek shrugged.
“To kya hua… annual function to hai na!” Riva chirped.
“Matlab 15 dinn no padhaiii… only masti!” Priya screamed.
But then Ansh raised a finger. Instant silence. Like the principal just walked in.
“Ik sec… tum sare apna muh band rakhna… aur please kisi aur ko mat batana.
It’s a secret till now. Agar news faili to meri khair nahi hogi. So please.”
And instantly
“OK SIRRRRRR!” They all saluted together like patriotic soldiers given a top-secret mission. Ansh just rubbed his forehead.
____________________________________
The Mishra house buzzed with its usual chaotic energy, but inside Prateek’s room, a very different calm existed. Prateek lay sprawled across his bed like a certified lover boy, grinning at his phone as he texted Priya. His feet were dangling off the bed, his hair messy, his entire existence radiating “I am in love and unbothered.”
So unbothered, in fact, that he didn’t hear the storm thundering into his room.
Aditi marched in, fury practically steaming from her ears, holding an empty can like evidence from a crime scene. “Meri cold drink kisne pii?” she demanded, voice sharp enough to slice through steel.
“Mujhe nhi pta, di se pooch.”Prateek didn’t even look up. Didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe.
Aditi’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Didi bahar hai 2 ghante se.”
“Haan to mujhse kyun pooch rhi hai? Maine nhi pii,” he said with the confidence of a man who had absolutely drunk it.
Aditi lifted the can between her fingers like she was about to interrogate him CID-style.
“Achhaaa… to phir ye can apne aap hi khali hogya na?”
Prateek froze. His soul left his body, took a walk, and never came back. “A… hehehe… vo… mera mann kar raha tha. To…mai pee gaya. Sorry,” he said, scratching his neck nervously.
“Kyu merii cheeze hi kyuu peeni ya khaani hoti h tujhe?” Aditi shot back, grabbing a pillow with the ultimate sister-rage.
Prateek immediately jumped off the bed like a scared squirrel. “Tu kyun gussa ho rhi h… achhi behen h n tu… meri,” he tried puppy-eyeing.
“Haan kyun nahi… bohot achhi hu… bas abhi ke ye 15 minutes chhod ke.”
And she lunged.
Prateek yelped and darted out of the room, sliding across the hall tiles while Aditi chased him, throwing pillows like a war commander launching missiles. He dodged dramatically, she missed every time until she caught him from behind and smacked him on his back.
But this time… it actually hurt.
Prateek’s laughter died instantly. Aditi gasped. “Sorry bhaiya… vo thoda zyada tez lag gaya.”
“Thoda?” he said, offended like she had betrayed his entire bloodline. Before she could blink, Prateek flipped the situation.
Now he was the predator. Aditi was the prey.
She screeched and ran to her room, trying to slam the door, but he shoved it open easily.
“Ab kaha jaayegi mogambo?” he smirked as she scrambled onto the bed like a terrified kitten.
“Bhaiya sorryyy… galti se laga tha… ab to apni chhoti behen ko marega? Daya kar le thodi!” she pleaded dramatically.
“Daya to marne ke baad dikhayunga.” He pounced.
She threw her blanket at him, wrapping him like a samosa. “Ab maar ke dikha!” she declared victoriously. Her victory lasted three seconds.
Prateek exploded out of the blanket like Hulk. “Aaja beta… tu toh gayi.”
Aditi desperately threw her plushies at him one after another. “Oyee lag rhi hai!” Prateek complained. “Haan to isiliye to bol rhi hu chod de mujhe!”
Then Prateek made a grave mistake. He picked up her favourite penguin plushie. “Isse maarunga tujhe.”
Aditi gasped as if he’d threatened her child. “Oyee… haggu se mazaak nahi!” He tapped her leg with the plushie.
“Aja leke ke dikha!” Prateek yelled triumphantly as he bolted down the hallway.
“Yrr bhaiya dede!” Aditi chased after him, her steps frantic and her voice panicked like he had stolen something priceless well, to her, it was priceless.
“Hai to achha ye waise… main rakh lunga isse,” Prateek teased, holding the plushie high above her reach like a trophy.
“Kyaa haaiiiii… main maar dungi tujhe, dede wapas!” Aditi snapped, her annoyance now bubbling over. She grabbed the pillow from the floor and, without a second thought, launched it at him.
Prateek ducked instantly almost smugly and the pillow sailed past him, landing perfectly at the feet of someone who had just stepped into the house.And it was Ansh.
He stopped in the doorway, blinking slowly like he needed three full seconds to process the scene in front of him.
“Ohh hiii!” Prateek said, suddenly all sunshine.
“Hiii…” Ansh whispered, still confused. “ye sab kya ho raha hai?” he asked hesitantly, eyes flickering from the pillow to the plushie to Aditi’s murderous expression.
“Ohh ye… main apni behen ko thoda pareshan kar raha hu. Bohot tez mara hai isne mujhe,” Prateek announced.
Ansh glanced at Aditi, and honestly if looks could kill, Prateek would’ve needed seven reincarnations. Her cheeks were puffed, brows scrunched, lips tightly pressed… a whole portrait of annoyed little sister energy.
“Tu andar aa na,” Prateek said, waving him in casually.
The second Ansh stepped inside, Prateek pointed a commanding finger at Aditi. “Ja, jake paani la.” Aditi glared like she was deciding which heavy object to throw next.
“Nhi nhi…mujhe pyaas nhi lagi,” Ansh tried to protest, but Prateek cut him off “Chup reh.”
Then he turned back to Aditi with all the authority of a dictator. “Ja paani la. Tab dunga tera haggu.”
Aditi grumbled something distinctly murderous and stomped off toward the kitchen. “Samajhta kya h khudko… kutta kahi ka,” she muttered under her breath.
She returned after a moment, placed the glass of water on the table, and immediately stretched out her hand silently demanding her plushie… only for Prateek to grin wider and pull it back.
“Chai peene ka mann ho raha hai mera. Jaa chai bana. Phir milega.” he said with absolutely no guilt.
“Kyaa haiii!!” Aditi almost shrieked, her annoyance now spiraling.
“Shaam hai… ja, chai bana,” he insisted shamelessly.
“De de yrr, kyun pareshan kar raha hai,” Ansh finally said, trying to mediate.
“Meri behen hai, main toh karunga,” Prateek said, puffing his chest out.
Aditi’s eyes found Ansh’s soft, pleading, silently begging for rescue. Ansh held her gaze for a second, read the whole novel of helplessness there, and gave her a tiny reassuring nod.
“Jaaa ab… chai bana ke la. Hum room mein hai mere ja, chal,” Prateek said, already turning toward the hallway.
But just when he was about to walk away with the plushie, Ansh moved quickly, smoothly, almost like he’d rehearsed it. He reached forward, snatched the penguin from Prateek’s grip in one swift motion.
“Sorry… par karna padha,” he said with a soft smirk.
“Kamine!” Prateek barked in outrage.
Aditi, meanwhile, lit up like Diwali. She actually hopped in excitement and snatched the plushie from Ansh, hugging it to her chest with a tiny, victorious giggle.
“Ye tune achha nhi kiya, Ansh,” Prateek growled.
“Maine kab bola main hamesha achha hi karunga?” Ansh replied coolly.
Aditi stuck her tongue out at her brother, absolutely shameless now that she had won.
“Tuuu…” Prateek lunged toward her, but she immediately ducked behind Ansh like he was her personal shield. Ansh stepped slightly forward, blocking Prateek without even thinking.
“Uski side mat le ab tu,” Prateek complained.
“Jaane de… choti si bachi hi toh hai,” Ansh said casually.
“Choti bachhi? Chashma lagwa le. Choti don hai ye,” Prateek muttered. “Pata nhi kaise hi pasand aa gayi tujhe ye,” he added dramatically, sighing like life had personally betrayed him.
“Chal aa ja room mein. Yahan rahunga toh pagla jaaunga,” Prateek grumbled, finally walking away.
“Ha, aaya,” Ansh said, following behind.
Just before leaving, he paused when Aditi softly whispered, “Thank you.”
“Koi baat nhi… itna toh kar hi sakta hu,” he said, gently ruffling her hair before walking off.
Aditi froze heart thudding, face heating, her plushie squished against her chest like she needed it to survive the moment.
And once he disappeared down the hallway, she finally exhaled, cheeks glowing pink and eyes sparkling like she’d just lived a whole rom-com scene in real life.
______________________________
The cafe was warm and alive with the soft hum of music, the gentle chatter of people, and the clinking of cups behind the counter.
Aman sat at a corner table, fingers tapping nervously against the wooden surface, eyes flicking toward the door every few seconds. His heart steadied only when Samaira finally walked in cheerful as ever, sunlight practically following her inside. The moment she spotted him, her face lit up, and before he could even stand properly, she leaned in and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back, grounding himself in that familiar warmth.
They settled into their seats, and the waiter came over for their order. After a quick discussion, they placed it and watched him leave, the atmosphere between them still easy and light at least for now.
“Yrrr ab internship ka letter aana baaki hai bss… phir iss college se mukti,” Samaira sighed dramatically, taking the first sip of her cold coffee.
Aman smiled faintly, but his mind was elsewhere. “College ke baad ke kya plans hai?”
She shrugged with excitement in her eyes. “Socha nahin hai… maybe I’ll go for higher ones… ya phir baking school join kar lungi.”
He nodded, watching her talk with that spark that always made him admire her. “Ohh… internship ke liye kaha kaha apply kara tha tumne?”
“Nothing fancy. Just jo sabne bhara wahi bhar diya. Yahi aas paas koi company mil jayegi toh badiya hoga,” she said, sipping again, relaxed and unaware of the storm brewing in his mind. “Tumne?” she asked casually.
Aman hesitated, fingers tightening slightly around his cup. “Umm… vo actually I wanted to tell you something.”
Samaira frowned at the tension in his voice. “Kya hua… why are you hesitating? Kuch serious hai kya?”
“Nhi nhi… it’s not like that,” he reassured quickly.
“To phir?” she pressed, eyebrow raised.
He exhaled slowly. “Vo… actually I got my internship letter approved by a company.”
Samaira blinked and then burst into excitement. “Oh my goddd… are you serious, Aman? That’s so great! Tum udaas kyu ho rhe ho isme itna?”
Aman lowered his eyes. “Because it’s TCS which accepted my letter.”
She froze for a second before exploding again. “OH MY GOD… seriously!? TCS ne accept kara hai!? Main toh khushi ke maare marr hi jaati. It’s so great… just say yes, Aman!”
He swallowed. “It’s London branch which accepted that.”
Her entire excitement came to a screeching stop. She blinked again… slower this time. “So what just-” she began, but then realization hit her.
“Wait… London…? It means you’ll move to London for that?” she asked, her voice suddenly small. Aman nodded gently.
“Oh… achha…” Samaira whispered, her tone dropping like her heart had slipped from her hands.
“But tumne bhi toh hum sabke saath hi forms bhare the… phir ye London?” she asked, confusion curling around her words.
“I know it’ll sound absurd but… I just filled that form casually at that time. Mujhe nahi pata tha they’ll accept it for real,” he tried to explain.
Samaira leaned back, disbelief clouding her face. “But tumne mujhe bhi ye baat nahi batayi… you should have told me.”
“I know, I’m sorry… par mere dimaag se utar gayi thi ye baat,” he said truthfully, too truthfully, because it earned him a scoff from her.
“To matlab tumhara mann hai jaane ka… London for internship?” she asked sharply.
“I don’t know, Samaira… I’m just confused,” he said, voice soft but heavy.
“Kab tak last date hai portfolio bhejne ki?” she asked, back to business but her eyes still glassy.
“Three days,” he admitted.
“Wow… 3 din dekar meherbaani nahi kar di un gadho ne?” she snapped, folding her arms.
“Actually it was 1 week… maine bas dekha kal. And now it’s just 3 days,” he confessed, guilt piling up.
Samaira stared at him, stunned. “Are you serious, Aman… like seriously? 3 din main how will I convince myself that we’re not together anymore?” Her voice cracked with frustration as she raised it slightly, drawing a few glances from nearby tables.
Aman leaned forward. “Why do you think we can’t be together if I go to London?”
“Because it will happen for sure,” she said bluntly. “Long distance relationships don’t work out these days… especially in this generation.”
“But we’ll find ways for it,” he insisted, trying to soothe her panic.
“Matlab you’ve made your mind to go there for sure,” she declared, shutting down every attempt he made to explain.
“It’s not like that, Sama-” he began helplessly.
“It’s definitely like this! Fine. Go and enjoy. Hope you get success,” she said abruptly, standing up and gathering her things with trembling hands.
“Samaira, suno to!” Aman quickly followed her outside, but she was already speeding away on her scooty before he could take two steps.
He stood still for a second, shoulders sinking, breath leaving him in one frustrated exhale.
“Damn ittt,” he muttered, running both hands through his hair as the weight of what just happened crashed onto him
_______________________________________
The school building buzzed like a chaotic beehive the moment the notice for the annual function went up. Excited shouts echoed through the corridors, chairs scraped, shoes thudded, and students mad with the idea of escaping classes ran around volunteering for literally anything, dance, drama, anchoring, even backstage work. Anything to avoid textbooks.
Priya weaved through the crowd with determination. “Chal bhai auditorium mein names deke aate hain apna apna, varna jagah fill ho jayegi to participate bhi nahi kar payenge,” she said urgently.
Shagun blinked at her. “Aisa bhi hota hai?”
“Aur nahi to kya,” Priya said, grabbing her wrist.
Aditi joined them, already half-running. “Chal phir jaldi chal… teacher aa jayegi to jaane bhi nahi degi.”
Then she turned back slightly. “Aja chuhe, tu bhi!” she shouted at Vivaan, who was hunched over his notebook, copying notes with the kind of concentration he never used in class. Whether any of it was entering his brain was a mystery known only to God.
Vivaan looked up, annoyed but obedient. “Haa tum chalo, main 2 minute mein aaya.”
The girls nodded and hurried away, leaving him to wrap up his scribbling. Once done, he closed the notebook with a satisfying thump and practically bounced down the corridor, humming in excitement like a five-year-old ready for recess.
But the moment he turned a corner, his steps slowed. There she was.
Riva, walking alone, head slightly down, her ponytail swaying gently. No group of friends. No comeback-ready glare. No fire.
Vivaan smirked instantly, rubbing his palms together. “Ooo… chudail yahi mil gayi… let’s have some fun,” he muttered like a cartoon villain, his grin wicked.
He strutted toward her, mischief written all over his face. As soon as he reached her, he playfully tugged her hair from behind, making her head tilt back a little.
“Aur phoolan devi… gang kaha hai chudailo ki tumhari?” he teased, expecting her usual explosive reaction. But instead of shouting or glaring or even rolling her eyes…
“Not now, Vivaan,” Riva whispered. Soft. Tired. Almost defeated.
Vivaan blinked. She kept walking, shoulders drooped, not even sparing him a glance.
“Ohhh… khoon nahi mila kya choosne ko kisi ka?” he said louder, trying harder to provoke, to hunt for that spark he was used to fighting with.
But she didn’t react. Didn’t stop. Didn’t turn around. She just walked away.
Vivaan stood frozen for a second, his smirk slowly fading. His brows furrowed, annoyance turning into confusion, and confusion turning into something he wasn’t ready to name.
“Is she fine…? Muh kyun utra hai iska?” he muttered to himself, frowning deeply as he stared at her retreating figure.
For the first time ever… He wasn’t sure if he wanted to fight her, or find out what was wrong.
________________________________
The auditorium buzzed with chaotic excitement students crowding around the registration desks, voices echoing, the faint thump of speakers being tested on stage.
Aditi, Priya, and Shagun squeezed their way through the mess, holding onto each other’s hands so they wouldn’t get lost in the crowd.
Aditi and Priya had already scribbled their names under the Dance column, grinning like kids who’d successfully stolen a chocolate from the kitchen. Shagun, however, hovered near the Debate panel, chewing the inside of her cheek as she stared at the sheet where only a few names were written.
“Tu pakka kar legi na?” Aditi asked, leaning slightly toward her, voice soft but full of concern.
Shagun made a face, shoulders dropping as she sighed. “Kya pata.” She sounded unsure, like a student being asked to solve quantum physics on the spot.
Priya immediately stepped closer, looping an arm around her. “Dekh agar pressure zyada banaye na tere upar koi, toh hame bata dio… I’ll do something.”
Shagun raised her brows. “Tu kya karegi?” she asked, already suspicious because Priya’s definition of ‘something’ was usually ‘something chaotic’.
Priya’s face lit up with mischievous pride. “Arey Ansh bhaiya se bolke idhar udhar kuch karva dungi.” She said it with so much confidence that Shagun and Aditi both blinked.
Aditi burst into laughter first, leaning onto Shagun’s shoulder, while Shagun shook her head, trying not to smile. “Haan theek hai… par I guess main yahi kar lungi. Kuch naya bhi ho jayega, upar se kaichi jaisi jabaan bhi use ho jayegi.”
The way she said it dead serious made Aditi and Priya laugh even harder
______________________
The final bell rang, and the entire school burst into its usual dispersal chaos. Bags zipped. Benches scraped. Voices overlapped in the crowded corridor. Students practically ran out of classrooms, relieved that another long day was finally over.
Outside the school gate, Priya, Aditi, Vivaan, Ruhaan, and Prateek were standing together.
“Riva kaha reh gayi?” Priya asked, craning her neck to look through the sea of students.
“Uski class bhi nikal gayi… par vo kaha hai?” Aditi muttered, worry forming between her brows.
“Main dekh ke aata hoon,” Prateek said immediately, adjusting his bag straps, already stepping back toward the building. Vivaan, too, was ready to join him until Shagun interrupted.
“Bhaiya rehne do… usne bola tha use late hoga aaj,” Shagun said calmly.
Prateek paused. “Tumhe kaise pata?” Ruhaan asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Are main last period mein washroom gayi thi na… toh she told me. She said not to wait for her. She had some work with Nisha ma’am.” Shagun explained, and everyone nodded in understanding.
“Oh okay,” Prateek sighed.
“Aur I guess Ansh bhaiya bhi rukenge thodi der… toh unke sath hi aa jayegi,” Shagun added.
“Theek hai, chalo phir,” Ruhaan said as everyone agreed and began walking out of the school gate.
Everyone except Vivaan. His chest tightened. Something felt wrong. Her behavior earlier… that distant tone… the tired eyes…
“Ohh no… main apni notebook bhool gaya class mein!” Vivaan suddenly exclaimed loudly.
“Kya hai yrr chuhe… dhyan se rakhta na!” Aditi scolded him.
“Sorry sorry sorry! Tum log jao, main notebook lekar aata hoon, peeche peeche aa jaunga,” he said quickly and sprinted inside before anyone could ask more.
“Gadha hi hai ye bhi,” Priya muttered.
Vivaan tore through the corridor again, his footsteps echoing in the emptying school. His heart hammered harder with every place he checked and found empty. First the classrooms…no sign. Then the labs…silent. He even ran back to the auditorium where a few students lingered.
“Where did she disappear?” he thought.
He stopped only when he spotted Nisha ma’am near the staff room. Breathless, he rushed toward her.
“Ma’am… Riva? She was supposed to meet you?” he asked her.
Nisha ma’am blinked in confusion. “Meet me? No, beta. I didn’t call her today.” His stomach dropped like a stone.
“I knew it… something is definitely wrong,” he muttered under his breath, dragging a stressed hand through his hair. A restless panic crawled through him now more than annoyance, more than curiosity. Something was off. And he had to find her.
He decided to take the shortcut through the basketball court tired, frustrated, and worried beyond measure.
As soon as he turned the corner, he froze mid-step. There she was.
Riva sat alone on the cold bleachers, her bag lying carelessly beside her. Her head hung low, her shoulders trembling slightly as if holding something in. In the fading evening light of the empty court, she looked incredibly small… and heartbreakingly lost.
Vivaan’s chest tightened.
“Oyeeeee!” he yelled, louder than he intended.
Her head jerked up instantly, eyes wide and startled. The moment her gaze met his, something inside him twisted, fear, anger, frustration all rising at once.
“What the hell are you doing here all alone?!” He stormed toward her, his voice coming out harsher than he planned, fueled by panic.
Riva didn’t even flinch. She simply looked away, her voice dull and tired. “It’s none of your business.”
“It is my business!” he shot back. “Do you even know how dangerous it gets yaha iss time pe? Upar se tum akeli yaha jadoo tona toh karne nahi aayi hongi ki kuch nahi hoga!”
She clenched her jaw, but before he could continue, she snapped “ENOUGH!”
Her sudden shout sliced through the silence, and Vivaan froze, stunned. Her voice trembled, raw with something he had never heard from her pain.
“Samajhte kya ho tum log khud ko huh?” she burst out, tears flooding her eyes. “I’m not a puppet! Tum sab jo bologe main chup chaap follow karu. main ye sab kyu karun? Doesn’t anyone care what I feel?” Her voice cracked like breaking glass.
“Doesn’t anyone ask me if I’m okay? Mujhe kya chahiye? Mujhse kya ho raha hai? I’m not a fucking robot! ki koi bhi akar order deker chala jayega and i’ll simply obey it”
Her tears streamed freely now, years of swallowed anger collapsing in one moment.
Vivaan felt something inside him collapse too. He didn’t think. Didn’t calculate. He just stepped forward… and pulled her into his arms.
A tight, grounding hug, gentle but desperate, protective without asking for permission. Her face pressed into his chest immediately, as if her heart had been waiting for a place to fall apart. Her fingers clutched his shirt like a lifeline, and his hand automatically moved to her hair, stroking softly.
“Calm down… shhh… it’s okay,” he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. But she cried harder like she had finally allowed herself to break.
After a long moment, realization hit her and she pulled away suddenly, wiping her tears with trembling fingers.
“I’m… I’m sorry…” she whispered.
“It’s okay,” he said, much gentler now, his eyes still glued to her face.
“I was just exhausted… isliye chilla diya. It wasn’t because of you. I’m sorry.” she wispered.
“Hey… look at me.” he said gently.
She hesitated, then lifted her eyes and something twisted violently inside him. Her lashes were wet, her eyes red and glassy, like she had been holding this storm alone for too long.
“Tum mujhe bata sakti ho… kya hua?” he asked
“Nahi… kuch nahi hua. Bas… stress.” She forced a small smile and reached for her bag, turning to leave.
“You can’t leave like that,” Vivaan said firmly.
When she still moved away, he reached forward and gently caught her wrist.
“Ahh!”She flinched.
He instantly let go, horrified. “Sorry! Sorry! I’m so sorry…are you okay?”
Before she could hide it, his eyes caught the glimpse of red on her skin.
“Riva… wait. Let me see.” he asked worriedly
“It’s nothing.” riva protested
“Vo main decide karunga,” he said, stepping closer. His tone left no room for argument. “Let me see.”
He carefully rolled up her sleeve. His breath stopped. Red finger marks. Slight swelling. Clearly someone had grabbed her hard.
“Are you mad?! Is this nothing? Seriously?” he whispered, shock and anger threading his voice.
“Just leave it, Vivaan… it’s nothing-“
“Who did this?” His voice dropped, deep and dangerous. She stayed silent.
“No one… mujhse hi lag gayi hogi,” she mumbled.
“Haan bilkul,” he scoffed. “Kyuki tum itni bewakoof ho ya mujhe samajh rahi ho?”
“Tumhe samajhna kya hai? Tum pehle se hi bewakoof ho!” she fired back immediately.
“Thanks for the compliment.” He picked up both their bags. “Ab chalo.”
“Kaha?” she asked.
“Medicines lagwane. Obviously.” he said in too obvious tone.
“Are, itna kuch nahi hua, ghar jaane do-” she pressed further.
He stepped close again, his voice low but firm enough to send a shiver through her spine.
“Aakhri baar bol raha hoon… pyar se.” He looked straight into her eyes. “Chup chap medical room chalo. Warna mujhe majbooran tumhe utha ke le jaana padega. And I swear, I don’t care if the whole school starts assuming we’re a couple. Samjhi?”
Her breath hitched. Her feet stopped moving. And slowly… she nodded. Quiet, shaken, but compliant.
Vivaan walked beside her not teasing now, not mocking just quietly protective, like a storm guarding the girl who never let anyone see her break.
And Riva walked with him, for the first time not arguing… because deep inside, the darkness in his eyes felt safer than standing alone in the light.
as they reached the medical room it was quiet, smelling faintly of antiseptic and warm Dettol. The nurse looked up from the register when Vivaan pushed the door open, Riva trailing behind him with cautious steps. Her eyes were still swollen, her sleeve still half-rolled from where he had checked the bruise.
“Ma’am… she needs help,” Vivaan said, his voice unusually calm yet firm.
The nurse stood and gently took Riva’s hand. The moment her fingers lightly brushed the bruised skin, Riva flinched.
“Oh dear…” the nurse murmured, concern filling her face. “Yeh toh kaafi zor ka pressure lag raha hai. Kisi ne pakda tha haath?”
Riva looked away, lips pressed tightly, but Vivaan’s jaw clenched on its own.
“don’t know ma’am keh rhi hai khud se lag gyi isse,” he said, trying very hard not to sound furious.
The nurse nodded and carefully applied an ointment to the swollen area. Riva inhaled sharply at the slight sting, and Vivaan’s eyes flickered protectively toward her.
After wrapping a soft crepe bandage around her wrist, the nurse straightened up. “Beta, for the next two–three days, try not to move your wrist too much. No heavy lifting, no sudden movements, and definitely no strain.”
Riva’s eyes widened instantly. “Par ma’am… I’ve participated in the annual function for dance…”
Vivaan’s head snapped toward her at that. Dance? With this injury?
The nurse shook her head firmly. “No, beta. Absolutely not. Dance needs full wrist control. Tumhari haalat abhi theek nahi hai. If you dance, swelling badh sakti hai… aur fracture ka risk bhi ho sakta hai.”
Riva’s heart sank. “But ma’am… I really wanted to-“
“No.” The nurse’s tone softened but didn’t bend. “I know you wanted it, but health comes first. Kuch bhi ho jaye, iss hafta dance bilkul nahi.”
Riva looked down, disappointment washing over her face like a heavy wave. Her fingers curled slightly, and she blinked hard to stop another set of tears from forming.
Vivaan watched her quietly her crushed expression, her trembling lashes, the way she swallowed her hurt. Something inside him tugged painfully.
The nurse added gently, “Just rest, beta. It will heal quickly if you don’t strain it.”
Riva nodded weakly, her voice barely audible. “Okay ma’am thankyou…”
The nurse smiled sympathetically and went back to her desk.
The late-afternoon sun cast long shadows on the empty lane as Vivaan and Riva walked side by side. Vivaan looked absolutely ridiculous her bag slung across his chest, his own bag hanging behind him, both straps digging into him unevenly. He looked like a confused cartoon character carrying half of Flipkart on his shoulders. Riva didn’t say anything, but the corner of her lips twitched every time she glanced at him.
They walked in silence for a minute until Vivaan dramatically cleared his throat.
“Tum roti bhi ho… aaj pata chala,” he said, as if announcing a national discovery.
Riva’s head snapped toward him. “Haan, aur tum soft bhi ho… mujhe aaj pata chala,” she countered quietly.
Vivaan gasped. “Haan vo toh hounga hi… tumhari mari hui chudailein dost udd ke mujhse chipak jaati, usse achha tha jinda chudeil ko hi sambhaal lu main,” he said proudly, laughing at his own joke.
Riva stared at him like she was two seconds away from murdering him.
“Sorry,” he blurted out quickly, but the suppressed laughter still shook his shoulders.
They walked a few more steps before Riva spoke softly, “Thank you.”
Vivaan stopped so suddenly that Riva almost bumped into him. He turned to her with widened eyes and began inspecting her from head to toe like she had grown horns.
“Kya kar rahe ho?” Riva frowned.
“Dekh raha hoon kahi haath ke sath sath sar mein bhi toh chot nahi lag gayi jo mujhe thank you bol rahi ho,” he said seriously.
Riva’s reflexes kicked in-THUMP! Her foot smacked him right on his hip.
“Owwww!” he yelped, rubbing his butt. “Main toh mazak kar raha tha! Tum toh phir se haathapai pe aa gayi!”
“Issi layak ho tum. Tareef bardaash hi kahan hoti hai tumse,” Riva shot back, rolling her eyes.
“Accha sorryyy… toh kya keh rahi thi tum?” he asked again, this time with fake innocence dripping from his voice.
“I said thank you for helping me today,” she repeated softly.
“Mention not, mention not… Delhi jaise shehro mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain, senorita!” he said in his best Shah Rukh Khan impression.
“Oye! Don’t call me senorita. I’m NOT your senorita,” Riva snapped.
“Haan vo toh pata hai… chudeil bhala senorita kaise banegi. Khair, tumne bataya nahi?” he said, slipping into seriousness.
“Kya?” she asked.
“Tumhe ye chot lagi kaise,” he asked, expression tight.
Riva’s face blanked instantly hesitation, fear, embarrassment flickering for a moment. Vivaan noticed. His tone changed.
“Dekho, tum nahi bataogi toh bhi main pata laga hi lunga. Mere liye badi baat nahi hai ye sab,” he said, smugness creeping in.
“Vo kaise?” she questioned.
“Poore school mein mere connections hain. Kaho toh chalaun connections?” he said proudly.
“Nahi… there is no need.” She sighed. “Actually there is this girl in my class… Divya.”
Vivaan’s brows rose. He listened carefully.
“And you know Rahul? Every girl in my class has a crush on him. But Divya… she’s obsessed. Aur pata nahi kaise ya kisne bola ki Rahul likes me.” She scoffed bitterly. “Jo mujhe khud nahi pata.”
Vivaan’s jaw clenched.
“And since then… she and her friends keep troubling me. Aaj… things got worse.”
Vivaan felt something twist sharply inside him anger, protectiveness, and disbelief all at once.
“She sounds like some sort of psycho,” he muttered.
“Obviously she is. Bas… bhaad mein jaaye. Abki baar aake dikhaye na… muh tod dungi kutti ka!” Riva growled, gritting her teeth fiercely.
“Iss haath se?” Vivaan pointed at her bandaged wrist.
“…Nahi, matlab isse.” She lifted her other hand confidently.
“Main toh kehta hoon cockroach bhar dete hain uske bag mein! Ya kisi baby ka potty wala diaper…mast maza aayega!” he suggested with way too much excitement.
“NAHIII! In sab ki zaroorat nahi hai,” she laughed despite herself. “I’ll handle her.”
Their bickering continued naturally, flowing like it always did irritating, sweet, loud, and weirdly comforting.
Before they knew it, they reached Riva’s house.
Vivaan handed her bag over, adjusting his own strap again. “Chalo, main chalta hoon”
“Achha suno,” Riva called softly.
He turned. “Haan?”
“Tumne ye sab kyun kara? Matlab… we’re enemies, right?”
Vivaan blinked too many answers flashed through him, but he settled for the safest one.
“Haan vo toh abhi bhi hain,” he said, shrugging. “Help kar di because hamari gang ka naam doob jata. Baaki abhi bhi you’re chudeil for me.”
Riva narrowed her eyes. “I knew it. Banrakas kahin ke.”
Vivaan stuck his tongue out at her like a five-year-old. She huffed and went inside. He turned to leave.
But something warm tugged at both their chests as they walked away opposite directions, yet inexplicably closer than before.
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that’s all for this chapter…hope you liked it.🫂
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till then be safe… be happy… keep smiling… and always keep reading…💖🎀
lots of love❣️
~Prachi💌
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