At Mishra's residence

In the soft glow of early morning, the rhythmic sounds of a bustling household echoed through the walls the clinking of utensils from the kitchen, the muffled chatter of family members, the distant honking of vehicles beginning their day outside. Yet, amidst this familiar chaos, Aditi felt a strange unease settle in her chest, a nervous flutter she couldn't quite shake.

She descended the stairs into the dining area, her movements slower than usual, her mind occupied with a thousand fleeting thoughts. Clutching the hem of her new school uniform a neatly pressed white shirt tucked into a dark blue skirt, her blazer adorned with the school's embroidered logo she traced her fingers over the crisp fabric, as if grounding herself in the reality of the day ahead.

Her first day at a new school. A fresh start. A terrifying unknown.

Her feet instinctively carried her toward the small temple in the corner of the house, where the idol of Lord Krishna sat, bathed in the warm golden glow of the early sun. The gentle scent of sandalwood incense lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of freshly made tea.

Taking a deep breath, she folded her hands in prayer, her lips moving in a quiet plea.

"Kanha ji, aap toh sab jaante ho... aur main bhi jaanti hoon ki aap mere saath kuch bura nahi hone doge. Aaj mera pehla din hai, please sambhal lena."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of all her nervous excitement and unspoken fears.

She bent down, touching Kanha ji's feet, seeking the comfort only faith could provide. As she rose, she lit the diya, watching as its small flame flickered gently, as if nodding in silent reassurance.

A faint smile tugged at her lips. I can do this. With newfound determination, she turned and walked away, stepping out of the temple, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store for her

Aditi walked into the dining area, the warmth of home momentarily easing the nervous energy buzzing inside her.

"Good morning, Papa," she greeted cheerfully, wrapping her arms around her father in a quick side hug.

Amit looked up from his newspaper, his face instantly lighting up at the sight of his daughter. "Good morning, beta," he replied, pulling her into a brief yet warm embrace before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Smiling, Aditi made her way to the kitchen, where her mother was busy preparing breakfast. She slipped her arms around her from behind, resting her chin lightly on her mother's shoulder. "Good morning, Mamma," she mumbled softly.

Sweta, startled for just a second, let out a small chuckle before reaching up to caress Aditi's head with affection. "Good morning, bacha," she said warmly.

Then, without turning from the stove, she added, "Chalo jao, nashta kar lo. Bhaiya ke saath school bhi toh jaana hai."

Aditi nodded, taking in the familiar, comforting scents of freshly made parathas and chai before heading toward the dining table.

Aditi plopped down beside him, stealing a glance at his plate before grabbing a piece of sandwich for herself.

Prateek Mishra, Aditi's perfect, charismatic elder brother, sat at the dining table, eating silently, his posture relaxed yet carrying an air of quiet authority. There was an effortless confidence about him the kind that didn't need loud words or dramatic gestures to make its presence known.

His sharp jawline and well-defined features, combined with his slightly tousled yet perfectly styled hair, made him look every bit the effortlessly handsome student that so many admired. His deep-set eyes held an intensity that reflected both intelligence and discipline, a look that had earned him immense respect among his peers.

Pinned neatly onto the pocket of his dark blue blazer was his volunteer brooch of Discipline Incharge, a small yet powerful symbol of the authority he had earned within just one year of joining the school. It was more than just a title; it represented his unwavering dedication, responsibility, and the trust that both students and teachers had placed in him.

With every composed movement whether it was the way he calmly sipped his tea or the effortless way he carried himself he embodied the epitome of discipline and responsibility. He wasn't just a student; he was a leader, someone people naturally gravitated toward, someone who made his presence known not by demanding attention but by commanding respect.

Yet, amidst all that perfection, there was an undeniable warmth in his demeanour, a quiet protectiveness that especially surfaced when it came to his little sister, Aditi.

After finishing his breakfast, Prateek stood up, adjusting his blazer before casually slipping his lunchbox into his bag. With a smirk, he turned to his sister and said in a slightly teasing tone,

"Chaliye, Madam ji! Pehle hi din late hona hai kya aapko?"

("Come on, Madam! Do you have to be late on the very first day?")

Aditi, who was still lazily munching on her sandwich, grinned up at him mischievously. "Arre, abhi toh kaafi time hai... waise jaldi jaakar kise dekhna hai tujhe?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

("Hey, there is still a lot of time... by the way, whom do you want to go and meet quickly?")

Before Prateek could roll his eyes, their elder sister Samaira, who had been quietly enjoying the scene, decided to stir the pot further.

"Haan Adu, zara dhyaan rakhna. Kahin koi special toh nahi jiski wajah se yeh itni jaldi nikalna chahta hai?" she added, nudging Aditi playfully.

("Yes Adu, please be careful. Is there anything special because of which he wants to leave so early?")

Aditi gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. "Bechari! Kaun hogi vo badnaseeb jo iss sadhu ke pyaar mein fasegi?" she said, shaking her head with mock sympathy.

("Poor girl! Who will be that unlucky girl who will fall in love with this Sadhu?"

That was the final straw for Prateek. "Mammmyyyy...!!!" he whined, his voice filled with frustration.

Amit, their father, who had been reading the newspaper, put it down just to enjoy his children's banter. Smirking, he sided with his daughters. "Arre, sahi toh bol rahi hain dono!" he said with a chuckle.

("Hey, both of them are saying the truth!")

Just then, Shweta, their mother, emerged from the kitchen, hands on her hips, ready to defend her son. "Aise baar-baar kyun pareshaan karte rehte ho tum teeno mere bete ko?" she said, shaking her head at her mischievous daughters.

("Why do you three keep bothering my son like this again and again?")

Amit, enjoying the moment, leaned back in his chair. "Haan haan, kyun nahi? Yeh toh hai tumhara ladla." His voice was dripping with mockery, making Prateek groan even louder.

("Yes yes, why not? This is your darling.")

Shweta shot him a glare. "Aap na chup kariye! Jab dekho tab in dono ko sar pe chadha lete hain." She pointed toward Aditi and Samaira, who were busy giggling and exchanging high-fives.

("You should keep quiet! Whenever I see you, you take these two on a pedestal.")

Amit, unbothered, simply smiled at his daughters and proudly declared, "Aur chadaunga! Betiyan hi toh baap ki shaan hoti hain."

("I will offer more! Daughters are the pride of their fathers.")

Aditi clapped her hands in victory. "Dekha bhaiya? Bola tha na humne! Papa humein jyada pyaar karte hain." She wiggled her eyebrows at Prateek, who already looked beyond done with their teasing.

("Did you see brother? I told you, right? Papa loves us more.")

"Tu chup kar, aur jaldi kha! Varna late ho jayegi!" Shweta scolded, eyeing Aditi's half-eaten sandwich.

("You shut up and eat quickly! Otherwise you'll be late!")

Aditi pouted. "Kha toh rahi hoon, Mumma! Ab iski tarah bhukkad toh nahi hoon jo ek hi baar mein sab khatam kar doon!" She pointed at Prateek, who shot her a glare.

("I am eating, Mumma! I am not a glutton like her who can finish everything in one go!")

Prateek groaned, rubbing his temples. "Chhodo yaar! Aap logon se kehna hi bekaar hai!" he huffed, grabbing his bag and storming out of the house while the girls burst into laughter behind him.

Amit chuckled and shook his head. "Bechara ladka... ladkiyon ke ghar mein akele kiya survive karega?" he joked, making Shweta smile despite herself.

("Poor boy... how will he survive alone in a girls' house?")

Prateek stood by his bike, tapping his foot impatiently as he called out, "2-minute ke andar bahar aa ja, Adu! Warna chod ke chala jaunga!" His voice carried both a teasing lilt and a firm warning, making it clear that he wasn't in the mood for any more delays.

("Come out in 2 minutes, Aadu! Otherwise, I will leave you!")

Inside, Aditi, already used to her brother's antics, stuffed the last bite of her sandwich into her mouth in a hurry, barely chewing as she rushed to grab her school bag. "Aa rahi hoon bhaiya!" she mumbled through her half-full mouth before swallowing quickly.

Before stepping out, she turned back to her family, waving happily at her mother, father, and Samaira. Her face radiated excitement, a hopeful energy surrounding her as she embraced the new day with optimism.

As she disappeared beyond the door, Shweta's smile faltered, a shadow of concern clouding her face. She let out a slow sigh, her eyes following the empty space where her daughter once stood.

"Hope sab sahi ho... bechaari ne bohot kuch saha hai. Ab aur kuch na ho uske saath," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

("Hope everything is fine... the poor girl has suffered a lot. Nothing more should happen to her now,")

Amit, sitting beside her, reached out and placed a comforting hand over hers, but even he couldn't find the right words to say. The weight of past wounds still lingered in the back of their minds.

Samaira, sensing her mother's worry, gently wrapped her arm around her shoulder, offering a soft, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mumma. Sab theek hoga. Kanha ji hain na uske saath?" she said, her tone filled with quiet conviction.

Shweta exhaled deeply, nodding at her daughter's words. Yes, Kanha ji... he wouldn't let anything bad happen to Aditi again.

Meanwhile, outside, Aditi practically skipped toward her brother's bike, the nervous excitement of her first day bubbling within her. She hopped on effortlessly, adjusting her blazer as she settled behind him.

Without any further argument, Prateek revved the engine and pulled out onto the road, the cool morning air brushing against their faces as they rode toward school.

The day had begun, and with it, a new chapter in Aditi's life.

(NOTE : Aditi had recently joined her brother Prateek's school for her 11th and 12th-grade studies. Before this, she had been studying in Bhopal, where she lived with her grandmother, whom she was deeply close to. 

For most of her childhood, Aditi had grown up under the loving care of her dadi (grandmother), while her parents and brother were in Delhi due to her father's job. She had built a life in Bhopal her school, friends, and most importantly, the bond she shared with her grandmother, who was her biggest support system. 

However, everything changed after a tragic misadventure an incident that left a deep impact on Aditi's life. Soon after, her grandmother also passed away, leaving Aditi devastated. 

Following these events, her parents decided to bring her to Delhi to live with them permanently, believing that she needed their love and protection more than ever. They didn't want her to be alone in Bhopal anymore, especially after what had happened.

Meanwhile, Prateek himself had joined this school just a year ago, after their father received a transfer order to Delhi. While he had settled in quickly and even earned the position of Discipline Incharge, Aditi was now about to step into an entirely new environment a new city, a new school, and a fresh start, all while still carrying the weight of her past.

Despite everything, Aditi was determined to embrace this new chapter, even if a part of her heart still remained in Bhopal with her dadi and the memories of her past life.)

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Meanwhile at Singhania's residence

As Ansh stood in front of the mirror, dressed in his neatly pressed school uniform, a strange warmth bloomed in his chest one he couldn't quite name but could certainly feel. His dark amber eyes, usually composed and enigmatic, held an unfamiliar gleam, a softness that hadn't been there before. His reflection stared back at him, but his mind was far away, lost in the lingering traces of last night of her.

The moment played in his head like a perfectly captured photograph: the way her laughter had danced through the air, the way her eyes had met his, sending an unspoken thrill down his spine. It was absurd, really. He had never believed in things like love at first sight had always dismissed it as nothing more than romanticized fiction. And yet, here he was, feeling something inexplicable, something that made his heartbeat just a little too fast.

His fingers moved absentmindedly as he buttoned his shirt, his hands steady, but his mind anything but. Every detail of her face, every fleeting glance, every accidental touch they were seared into his memory, replaying in loops he couldn't escape. He adjusted his tie, his fingers tightening around the knot as if grounding himself, as if trying to control the rush of emotions threatening to unravel him.

A quiet sigh left his lips as he reached for his blazer, slipping it on with practiced ease. His hand lingered over the school logo, but for the first time, the weight of responsibility that came with his badge wasn't the only thing occupying his thoughts. He was distracted a rare and unsettling thing for him.

His gaze flickered to the mirror once more, and he almost laughed at himself. Was it truly possible? Was this how it felt? That light, restless energy in his chest? The sudden awareness of every breath? The inexplicable urge to see her again, to hear her voice just one more time?

His fingers brushed through his hair, a nervous habit he hadn't realized he was repeating more than usual. A small, almost embarrassed smile threatened to break across his lips, but he quickly bit down on it, the mole beneath his lower lip becoming more pronounced. Calm down, Ansh, he told himself. But even as he tried, his heart refused to listen.

He grabbed his bag, ready to leave, when his eyes landed on his diary. His fingers twitched at his side, tempted. He never wrote about feelings he was always too rational, too practical for that. But this... this was different.

Taking a deep breath, he turned away, forcing his thoughts back into the recesses of his mind. He wasn't ready to admit it yet not to himself, not to anyone. But as he walked out the door, he knew one thing for sure.

Something had shifted within him. And there was no going back.

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At school.

As the school corridor buzzed with students rushing to their classes, Aditi nervously glanced around, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar surroundings. She clutched the strap of her bag tightly, her heart pounding as she tried to locate 11-F. After a few failed attempts to gather the courage to ask someone, she finally spotted a girl walking alone, humming softly to herself.

The girl had a radiant smile, the kind that could instantly put anyone at ease. Her short hair danced freely with her movements, strands occasionally falling over her face, but she didn't seem to mind.

Taking a deep breath, Aditi stepped forward.

"Excuse me... do you know where 11-F is?" she asked hesitantly, her voice betraying her nervousness.

The girl paused mid-step and turned to her with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

"Hello!! I guess you're new here?" she asked cheerfully. Aditi quickly nodded, almost like a small, unsure child.

"No worries, I'll show you the classroom. By the way, I'm Priya... Priya Singhania. And guess what? I'm your classmate too," she added in an easygoing tone.

Aditi's lips curved into a relieved smile. "Hello, Priya! I'm Aditi Mishra. It's my first day here... Thank you for helping me."

They shook hands briefly, Aditi feeling instantly at ease with Priya's warm and friendly nature. As they began walking together, Priya tilted her head curiously.

"So, are you alone here, or does your sibling study here too?" she asked casually.

Aditi let out an exasperated sigh. "Haan, actually, mera bhai bhi yahi padhta hai. Usi ke saath aayi thi main, par pata nahi kahan phurr ho gaya mujhe akela chhod ke! Kutta kahin ka!" she grumbled, crossing her arms.

Priya couldn't hold back her laughter and burst out laughing, making Aditi blink in confusion before smiling sheepishly.

"Acha hai, saare bhai aise hi hote hain," Priya said between giggles. "Mere bhaiya bhi issi school mein padhta hai, aur woh bhi bilkul aise hi careless hai mere mamle main! Mujhe hamesha chhod ke nikal jaata hai."

Aditi rolled her eyes dramatically. "Seriously! Bhai log ka bas chale toh humein bhool hi jaayein. Bas apni duniya mein mast rehte hain."

Priya nodded in agreement. "Bilkul! Aur jab humein unki zaroorat ho, tab dikhte bhi nahi. Par jab unko kuch chahiye hota hai, tab sabse pehle hum hi yaad aate hain!"

Aditi chuckled. "Exactly! Matlab, hum bas unke free servants hain!"

They both laughed as they finally reached their classroom. The nervousness Aditi had felt earlier had completely disappeared. Priya's warm and easygoing nature made her feel like she had already found a friend on her first day.

"Chalo, welcome to 11-F, Aditi!" Priya said, pushing open the door.

Aditi smiled. Maybe this new school wouldn't be so bad after all

The moment they entered, a few heads turned towards them, and the energy in the room shifted some students glanced up from their conversations, their expressions a mix of interest and mild surprise at the new arrival.

They both didn't mind the surroundings and sat on the empty desks in the middle row.

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The school corridor buzzed with energy students scurrying to their classes, groups huddled together whispering about everything from last night's cricket match to the latest dating rumors. Among the chaos, three figures strolled through the hallway with an effortless grace that turned heads at every step.

Ruhaan, Ansh, and Prateek arguably the most breathtaking boys in the school walked as if they owned the very ground beneath them. It wasn't intentional; it was just them. Girls paused mid-conversation, whispering excitedly, flipping their hair, adjusting their skirts some even pretending to bump into them by accident.

But the trio? They were completely unfazed, deep in their own conversation about some random debate Ansh and Prateek were having.

Ruhaan, however, wasn't paying much attention to their banter. His gaze was drawn elsewhere.

A girl. But not just any girl.

Amid the bustling corridor, where everyone seemed to be either staring at them or talking about them, this one girl was oblivious to it all. She walked in the opposite direction, her nose buried in a novel, turning pages as if the world around her didn't exist. No lingering stares, no stolen glances at him, no attempt to grab attention just her and her book.

Ruhaan's curiosity sparked. Who was she? And more importantly, how was she so unaffected?And that's when it happened. Before he could react, she walked straight into him.

A dramatic silence followed. A few gasps from nearby students. One girl even clutched her chest in shock as if she were the one who had collided with Ruhaan.

The girl finally looked up, her brown eyes meeting his for the briefest second before flicking right back to her novel, as if he was nothing more than a minor speed bump on her reading journey.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you," she said, her tone polite but dismissive.

Ruhaan blinked. Excuse me? Did she just crash into him Ruhaan Malhotra, one of the most sought-after guys in the school and not even care?

He regained his composure, flashing his trademark grin. "It's okay. By the way, I'm Ruhaan."

She nodded. Just nodded. No introduction, no follow-up. She turned to leave as if nothing had happened.

Ruhaan had faced many reactions from girls before shyness, admiration, excitement. But this? This was new. This was... borderline insulting.

Just as he was about to say something else, the girl suddenly stopped.Her eyes landed on Prateek, and her entire demeanor changed.

"Prateek bhaiya?! Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?" she asked in shock.

Ruhaan and Ansh turned to Prateek in confusion. Bhaiya?

Prateek, looking far too amused, smirked. "Main? Main yahan padhta hoon. Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"

The girl crossed her arms and huffed. "Adu ne mujhe bataya bhi nahi ki woh kaha admission le rahi hai! Toh maine Samaira didi se poocha, unhone bola ki woh yaha padhegi. Toh socha main bhi aa jaoon!"

Prateek chuckled. "Acha? Aaj uska bhi first day hai. Hope sab accha ho... Tum bhi jao jaldi class mein, assembly start hone wali hai." The girl nodded and turned to leave.

Ruhaan, still intrigued, suddenly spoke up. "Arey, yeh bhi toh new admission hai. Main chhod kar aata hoon class mein."

Prateek and Ansh exchanged knowing looks, while Ruhaan passed them a very sincere look as if he was doing a public service.

The girl Shagun, as Ruhaan had overheard Prateek call her paused, then gave Ruhaan a tight, fake smile. "No thanks, main khud dhoondh loongi."

Ouch. Ansh stifled a laugh. Prateek smirked. But Ruhaan? Oh, he was not one to back down that easily.

"But you know," he said, flashing a mischievous grin, "you could use a little fun. I can help with that."

Shagun turned back, raising an eyebrow. "I doubt you can help with anything."

The sharpness in her tone caught Ruhaan off guard. No nervous giggle, no blushing just a straight-up burn.

Before he could recover, she was already walking away, leaving Ruhaan standing there, still processing what had just happened.

Prateek clapped a hand on Ruhaan's shoulder. "Bhai, history witness kar raha hai yeh corridor. Pehli baar kisi ladki ne tujhse impress hone se mana kar diya."

("Brother, this corridor is witnessing history. For the first time a girl has refused to be impressed by you.")

Ansh smirked. "Dost, tere liye ek minute ki silence honi chahiye."

Ruhaan, still staring at the spot where Shagun had disappeared, finally let out a breath.

And then... he grinned.

"Interesting," he muttered under his breath. "Bohot interesting."

Because if there was one thing Ruhaan Malhotra loved it was a challenge. And Shagun? Oh, she had just unknowingly become the most interesting challenge of them all.

Ansh waved a hand in front of Ruhaan's face, but the latter was still staring in the direction where Shagun had disappeared, looking as if he had just encountered some rare, mythical creature.

"Ab chalega bhi ya yahi khada rahega?" Ansh asked, rolling his eyes.

Ruhaan let out a dramatic sigh, "Ab main kahin jaane layak bacha hi nahi, yaar..." He still hadn't torn his gaze away, as if hoping she'd magically reappear.

Prateek, who had been watching the whole scene unfold with a mix of amusement and concern, finally decided to intervene.

"Abe Ooo bhai... sochiyo bhi mat!" He pointed a warning finger at Ruhaan. "Meri behen ki dost hai woh, aur bilkul teri range se bahar."

Ruhaan finally turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Tu aise bol raha hai jaise main teri behen ko hi patane ja raha hoon. Arre bhai, Shagun uski dost hai, toh kya hua?" He placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "Ab toh yahi Mrs. Malhotra banegi!"

Ansh let out a low whistle, nudging Prateek. "Bhai, iska to gaya kaam se. Ruhaan ko pehli baar kisi ne ignore kiya hai, aur ye usko seriously dil pe le gaya."

("Brother, he is ruined. This is the first time someone has ignored Ruhaan, and he took it seriously.")

Prateek shook his head, exasperated. "Main pehle hi bol raha hoon, mat phas is chakkar mein. Baad mein mere paas mat aana jab teri izzat ki dhajjiyan udengi."

("I am telling you beforehand, don't get involved in this affair. Don't come to me later when your honour will be ruined.")

Ruhaan smirked, running a hand through his hair. "Bhai, tu samajh nahi raha. Mujhe to aur maza aane laga hai. Jis ladki ne Ruhaan Malhotra se naak chadhakar baat ki ho, usko impress karna ek mission hai ab!"

("Brother, you are not understanding. I am having more fun. Impressing the girl who talked arrogantly to Rihaan Malhotra is a mission now!")

Ansh laughed. "Mission toh tab hoga jab woh tujhse baat karna tak pasand kare. Usne toh tujhe ek second mein dismiss kar diya."

("The mission will only happen if he even likes to talk to you. He dismissed you in a second.")

Prateek sighed. "Bhai, tu nahi jeet sakta. Ye woh ladki nahi hai jo tujhe doosri ladkiyon ki tarah dekhegi. Chal, samajdari se kaam le aur kisi aur pe apni malhotragiri try kar."

("Brother, you can't win. This is not the kind of girl who will look at you like other girls. Come on, work sensibly and try your Malhotragiri on someone else.")

Ruhaan grinned, completely ignoring the advice. "Agar aaj ignore kiya hai, toh kal naam bhi yaad karegi, aur phir ek din... pyaar bhi karegi."

("If she ignores me today, tomorrow she will remember my name, and then one day... she will love me too.")

Ansh facepalmed. "Bhai, tujhe koi cure ki zaroorat hai."

Prateek shook his head, muttering, "Bas baad mein mat bolna ki warn nahi kiya tha."

And with that, the three of them walked off, but Ruhaan? Oh, he was already plotting his next move.

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That's all for this chapter...

Hope you have enjoyed it...

Do vote and comment if you liked the chapter...❤️