Back to the classroom...

The classroom buzzed with morning chatter as students settled in, exchanging greetings and discussing anything and everything except studies, of course.

Aditi and Priya were mid-conversation when a girl walked in, a novel in hand, her expression sour as she shot a disgusted look at someone outside the door.

Priya noticed Aditi's sudden shift in expression, her eyes lighting up with recognition, yet uncertainty lingered in them.

"Do you know her?" Priya asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aditi hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Haan... I guess." Her voice wavered slightly, as if still unsure whether what she was seeing was real.

Priya, intrigued, leaned back in her chair. "She's also a new admission, I think. Never seen her here before."

Before Aditi could respond, the girl's gaze fell on her. For a second, she froze. Then, as if hit by a wave of realization, her face lit up like a firework, and she ran toward Aditi, her excitement uncontrollable.

"ADUUUUU!!" she shrieked.

The entire class turned to look, startled by the sudden outburst. Even the backbenchers who were half-asleep jolted awake. Aditi, eyes wide in shock, barely had time to react before the girl reached her, her face now filled with concern.

"Tu yahan kya kar rahi hai?! Pata hai main kitna dar gayi thi jab tu mujhe nahi dikhi uss din ke baad se?!" The worry in her voice was genuine, her brows knitted together in distress.

("What are you doing here?! Do you know how scared I was when I didn't see you since that day?!")

Aditi blinked, her brain still catching up. Then, in pure dramatic fashion, she rubbed her eyes. "Main sapna toh nahi dekh rahi na? Mujhe Shagun dikhai de rahi hai!"

("I am not dreaming, am I? I am seeing Shagun seriously!")

Priya, catching onto the moment, smirked. "Haan, dikh toh mujhe bhi rahi hai, par thoda doubt ho raha hai."

("Yes, I can see it too, but I am having some doubts.")

Shagun rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Gawaar aurton! Main hi hoon, Shagun!" To prove her point, she lightly smacked both their heads, making them yelp.

"Ab kya naam plate leke ghoomun mai?" she huffed, crossing her arms. Aditi, still unable to believe it, asked again. "Sachii?" Shagun gave her a deadpan look. "Mucchi."

And with that, they both crashed into a tight hug, their excitement bubbling over.

Priya, watching their Bharat Milap unfold, tapped her fingers impatiently. "Acha, yeh emotional reunion ho gaya ho toh koi mujhe batayega ki ho kya raha hai?"

("Well if this is an emotional reunion will someone tell me what is going on?")

Aditi pulled back, finally remembering Priya's presence. "Oh haan, sorry, totally forgot!" She cleared her throat. "Priya, meet Shagun...the most delusional girl I know and my best friend from my previous school."

Shagun placed a hand over her heart, faking offense. "Excuse me? Delusional toh tu hai, main toh bas thodi si extraordinary hoon."

("Excuse me? You are the delusional one, I am just a little extraordinary.")

Aditi rolled her eyes but grinned nonetheless. Turning to Shagun, she gestured toward Priya. "And Shagun, this is Priya...my savior. Agar yeh na hoti, toh pata nahi main kis corner mein kho chuki hoti aaj."

Priya and Shagun exchanged amused smiles, an instant connection forming between them. "Aditi ke doston ko sambhalna koi chhoti baat nahi," Priya joked, shaking Shagun's hand.

("Handling Aditi's friends is no small matter,")

"Mujhe pata hai," Shagun smirked. "Bachpan se experience hai."

They both laughed, and Aditi groaned.

"Great, ab tum dono milke mere khilaf gang banaogi!"

("Great, now both of you will gang up against me!")

Shagun and Priya exchanged a knowing look before high-fiving.

"Ab toh confirm," Priya said mischievously.

And just like that, in a matter of minutes, a new trio was born.

As the students remained engrossed in their chatter, a firm yet calm voice suddenly echoed through the classroom. It was none other than Prateek, the discipline in charge, who had arrived to instruct the class to form a line for the assembly.

common class make a line and move to the ground quietly for morning assembly Prateek said and left the class room.

"hayee....! ek ye aur inki awaaz... dil le jaati hai mera har baari." Priya spoke in a soft, almost dreamy voice, completely captivated by Prateek's cool yet effortlessly charming nature. Her heart fluttered as she gazed at him, admiration shining in her eyes, unable to hide the smile creeping onto her lips.

"Ji aap kiski baat kar rahi h Priya?" Aditi smirked as she leaned in closer to Priya, fully catching on to her friend's obvious admiration.she teased, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.

"Ji aap dono ke jiju ki" Priya said, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink, shyly hid her face in her palms, letting out a small, embarrassed giggle.

("Yes, your brother in law's.")

"Ji aisa hai, to aap bhabhi hui hamari" Aditi tried to stifle her grin but failed miserably, her eyes twinkling with mischief. she teased, only to be met with Priya's utterly confused expression, making her laugh even more.

("Yes, if that is the case then you are my Bhabhi")

"Aisa kyu?" Priya asked.

"Ji aisa isiliye, because jis ladke ko aap taad rahi h vo rishte mai Aditi ke bade bhaiya hai." Shagun smirked, leaning in with a playful glint in her eyes. she teased, her voice dripping with amusement as she nudged Priya lightly.

("Yes, that is why, because the boy you are eyeing is Aditi's elder brother.")

The moment Priya realized that Aditi was Prateek's sister the very fact he had casually mentioned earlier her heart nearly stopped. A wave of panic washed over her as her face turned an alarming shade of red. "Oh no... what if she thinks I'm a total creep?" The thought sent her into a spiral, and she instinctively buried her face in her hands, wishing the ground would just swallow her whole

"Arre n-nahi nahi... main toh bas mazak kar rahi thi yaar... a-aisa kuch bhi nahi hai!" Priya stammered, her voice faltering as she desperately tried to brush off the teasing. Her hands flailed slightly before she awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her face burning with embarrassment. She avoided their knowing looks, but the way Aditi and Shagun exchanged mischievous glances only made her more flustered.

("Oh no no... I was just joking friend... there is nothing like that!")

"Arre pagal, koi baat nahi! I mean, I get it bhaiya dikhta achha hai, lekin baaki toh woh kisi kutte se kam nahi hai!" Aditi said with a dramatic eye roll, making Priya turn even redder.

("Hey crazy, it doesn't matter! I, Shri Geti—bhaiya looks good, but otherwise he is no less than a dog!")

"Par tu toh best hai... ab toh bas, tujhe hi Bhabhi bana ke rahungi!" she added with a wicked grin, playfully tapping Priya's head.

("But you are the best... now I will make you my Bhabhi!")

Priya gasped, eyes widening in horror. "Aditi!" she whined, swatting her friend's arm, but Aditi only burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying Priya's flustered state. Meanwhile, Shagun joined in, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Haan haan, Priya Bhabhi! Kaisi lag rahi hai sunne mein?" she teased, making Priya groan and hide her face in her hands.

"Arre chill bro... Aditi baaki behno jaisi nahi hai, tu bilkul tension mat le," Shagun said with a smirk, casually throwing an arm around Priya's shoulder. "Aur waise bhi, hum hain na? Teri proper setting karwa ke hi rahenge Prateek bhaiya ke saath!" she added, winking playfully.

Aditi burst out laughing, nodding in agreement. "Bilkul! Tujhe toh ab officially 'Bhabhi training program' pe daalna padega!" she teased, making Priya groan in frustration.

"Ughh, tum dono na... main kahi chhup jaungi!" Priya whined, covering her face as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.

Shagun and Aditi exchanged mischievous glances before chanting in unison, "Priya Bhabhi! Priya Bhabhi!" making Priya shriek in embarrassment.

Hearing them, Priya felt a wave of relief wash over her, quickly replaced by bubbling excitement. A huge grin spread across her face as she shyly hid it in her palms.

"Bhai, meri toh nikal padi!" she squealed, barely able to contain her happiness.

Aditi and Shagun burst into laughter as Priya did a little happy dance, swaying and twirling in excitement.

"Bas ab Prateek bhaiya ko bhi yeh bata dein?" Aditi teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Arre chup! Tum dono na... bohot bade shaitaan ho!" Priya whined, playfully smacking their arms, though the glow on her face betrayed her giddiness.

Still giggling, the three linked arms and walked out of the class, heading toward the assembly, their laughter echoing through the hallways.

As they reached the school ground, the students quickly assembled into neat rows, standing shoulder to shoulder in their designated spots. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the field, and a gentle breeze rustled through the air. Priya, Aditi, and Shagun stood together, still suppressing giggles from their previous conversation.

Right next to them, the senior class stood in a disciplined manner, their presence exuding a sense of authority. Dressed in crisp uniforms, they maintained a composed demeanour, chatting softly among themselves while waiting for the assembly to begin. The younger students occasionally stole glances at them, some with admiration and others with curiosity.

Priya smirked mischievously as she spotted the boy nearby. Without wasting a second, she raised her hand and waved dramatically. "Hello, bhaiya ki lugai!" she called out, her voice laced with playful teasing.

Aditi and Shagun immediately burst into laughter, clapping their hands in delight at Priya's boldness. The boy, momentarily confused, turned toward them with furrowed brows before realization hit him. His eyes widened, and a deep blush crept onto his face as he quickly looked around, hoping no one else had heard.

Priya, enjoying his flustered reaction, bit her lip to suppress another giggle. She shot Aditi a victorious glance, wiggling her eyebrows as if to say, "Did you see that? Nailed it! Meanwhile, Aditi shook her head, half amused and half impressed."

Ruhaan Malhotra stood there with quiet confidence, exuding an aura of effortless charm. His deep brown eyes, warm yet intense, held an unreadable depth, as if they carried stories untold. There was something captivating about the way his gaze lingered not intrusive, but commanding, drawing people in without a single word.

His jet-black hair, naturally tousled yet somehow perfect in its imperfection, framed his sharp, well-defined features. A hint of mischief played at the corners of his lips, as if he were always on the verge of a knowing smirk. His tall, lean frame carried itself with a relaxed ease, shoulders squared yet never stiff, as if he belonged effortlessly to the space around him.

"Hello, Miss Trouble Maker," Ruhaan shot back effortlessly, his voice laced with playful mockery. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips—his signature, effortlessly sarcastic yet undeniably charming. His deep brown eyes held a flicker of amusement as he crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly as if challenging her to respond.

As Ruhaan was about to turn away, something or rather, someone caught his attention. His gaze instinctively landed on Shagun, who stood a few steps away, completely engrossed in conversation with Aditi. Oblivious to his lingering stare, she laughed at something Aditi had said, her eyes crinkling with genuine amusement.

For a moment, Ruhaan simply watched. The way her long hair swayed slightly as she moved, the effortless ease with which she spoke, the spark of excitement in her expression it was strangely captivating. His usual air of nonchalance wavered, just for a fraction of a second.

Aditi nudged Shagun playfully, causing her to swat at her friend with an exaggerated pout, making Ruhaan's lips quirk up in an almost imperceptible smile. "Interesting..." he mused to himself before quickly masking his expression, turning away as if nothing had happened.

Without wasting another second, Ruhaan turned back to Priya, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Oye, Trouble Maker! Yeh kaun hai?" he asked, subtly nodding toward Shagun, who was now standing in her class line, completely unaware of the conversation unfolding about her.

Priya, catching the slight intrigue in his voice, smirked. "Oh, they're my new friends," she replied nonchalantly, crossing her arms as if testing the waters.

Ruhaan narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly unimpressed with the vague answer. "Intro nahi karwayegi?" he pressed, his tone casual but laced with expectation.

Priya's smirk widened as she tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Kyuuun? Koi khaas baat hai kya?" she drawled, raising an eyebrow at him, enjoying the rare moment of catching Ruhaan off guard.

Ruhaan scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Haan haan, bohot khaas. Ab jaldi bula unhe," he retorted, masking whatever curiosity he had behind his usual sarcasm.

Priya let out a dramatic sigh before turning toward her friends. "Ruko," she said playfully, before cupping her hands around her mouth. "Oye, suno dono ki dono!" she called out to Aditi and Shagun, grinning as they turned toward her.

Aditi, already sensing mischief, raised an eyebrow. "Ab kya chal raha hai?" she asked, exchanging a knowing glance with Shagun.

Shagun, still clueless, looked between them in confusion. "Kuch toh gadbad hai," she muttered under her breath, as the two made their way toward Priya and Ruhaan.

Ruhaan, still keeping his cool, glanced toward them briefly before looking away, but Priya had already caught the way he shifted slightly on his feet. Smirking to herself, she knew this was going to be interesting

"Meet him, Ruhaan bhaiya, our dear senior... aur mere bhaiya ki lugai," Priya announced with a sly smirk, her voice dripping with playful mischief.

Aditi and Shagun immediately burst into laughter, while Ruhaan shot Priya a flat glare, shaking his head in exasperation. "Bohot bolti hai tu," he muttered under his breath, but the amused glint in his eyes betrayed his feigned annoyance.

Still grinning, Priya continued, "And bhaiya, she is Aditi!" she said, gesturing toward Aditi.

The moment Ruhaan's eyes landed on her, something clicked. His usually sharp and playful demeanour softened ever so slightly as recognition dawned on his face. Wait... she's the same girl from the market last night.

Shaking off the thought, he quickly composed himself and waved at Aditi, his usual confidence returning. "Ohh, toh yeh hai Aditi," he said, his tone noticeably more cheerful.

Aditi, oblivious to his moment of realization, flashed him one of her signature cute smiles and greeted him back. "Haan, aur aap Ruhaan bhaiya," she said playfully

As Ruhaan turned to Shagun, something in his demeanour shifted. Straightening his posture ever so slightly, he cleared his throat and, in his deepest, most impressive voice, said,

"Aap apna naam nahi batayengi?"

His voice was smooth, laced with a deliberate charm, as he extended his hand toward her for a handshake, a confident smirk playing at his lips. He was sure absolutely sure she would at least smile.

But to his surprise, Shagun's expression didn't waver. Instead, she shot him a piercing glare, her sharp eyes practically cutting through his over-the-top theatrics. Crossing her arms, she huffed, her voice crisp and unamused.

"Jaroor... par tumhe nahi!"

Ruhaan's smirk faltered for just a second before he quickly masked it. But before he could even think of a witty comeback, Shagun turned on her heel, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she walked away, completely dismissing him.

A moment of silence. And then, clutching his chest like a tragic hero in a dramatic Bollywood scene, Ruhaan staggered back slightly, letting out an exaggerated sigh.

"Hayee... main toh mar gaya!" he declared, looking skyward as if he had just been struck by Cupid's arrow. "Zara iska toh khayal kar leti!" he added, placing a hand on his forehead as if on the verge of fainting.

Aditi and Priya burst into laughter, shaking their heads at his antics. "Bas bas, Ruhaan bhaiya, bohot ho gaya drama," Aditi teased, wiping away a fake tear.

Meanwhile, Shagun, who had paused just long enough to hear his ridiculous response, rolled her eyes but couldn't quite suppress the amused smile threatening to creep onto her lips

Priya, still enjoying Ruhaan's flustered state, smirked before finally giving in. "Ye Shagun hai, Shagun Shrivastav," she introduced, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Ruhaan, still recovering from his heartbreak, dramatically placed a hand over his chest. "Kaash bhagwaan iss Shagun ko mere naam kar de... meri zindagi mein bhi kuch shagun ho jaaye," he said, sighing as he sneakily admired Shagun, who was now busy adjusting her uniform sleeves, completely unaware of his words.

Priya, never missing a chance to tease, gasped and clapped her hands together dramatically. "Are waah! Chalo, mere bhaiya ka peecha toh chhodenge aap! Bhagwaan ne meri sun li!" she said, looking up at the sky as if thanking the heavens.

Ruhaan scoffed, rolling his eyes at her theatrics. "Haan haan, chal chal, ja ab yahan se. Tere bhai ke peeche waise hi itni ladkiyan hain, aur tera bhai ispe fida hain? Please!" he said, crossing his arms pointing towards Aditi. Then, without thinking, he casually added, "Meri Shagun bura maan jaayegi."

There was a beat of silence. Aditi blinked. "Kya matlab?" she asked, tilting her head, her curious gaze locked onto Ruhaan.

It took Ruhaan a second too long to realize what he had just said. His eyes widened slightly before he quickly shook his head. "Arey, kuch nahi! Pagal hai ye Priya, kuch bhi bol deti hai!" he said hurriedly, trying to dismiss the topic, but the slight crack in his usual confident tone gave him away.

Priya, now thoroughly confused, furrowed her brows. "Par bola toh aapne? Maine kya bola?" she asked, looking between Ruhaan and Aditi, trying to piece together the moment she had just missed.

Ruhaan opened his mouth to reply, desperate to shift the focus, but before he could say another word The assembly bell rang.

The entire ground fell into silence as the teachers stepped onto the stage. The students automatically straightened their postures, and the murmurs quickly faded.

Ruhaan let out a breath of relief, sneaking a glance at Aditi, who was still eyeing him suspiciously. Saved by the bell, he thought. But something told him this conversation was far from over

"Garmi lag rahi hai, bhai!!" Aditi whined, dramatically fanning herself with her hands. "Ye teachers khud toh chhaya mein jaake khadi ho jaati hain aur gappe ladati hain, aur humein dhoop mein sadne ke liye chhod deti hain!" She stomped her foot lightly, making Priya and Shagun chuckle at her exaggerated misery.

Priya smirked, nudging Aditi. "Arre, maut ab aayegi... lo aa gayi chhoti don!" she whispered, subtly pointing toward the approaching Head Incharge. "Bhashan dene!"

Shagun bit her lip to keep from laughing, while Aditi straightened up instantly, pretending to be the most well-behaved student on the planet. "Hehehe, ma'am dekh rahi hain?" she muttered under her breath, making Priya snicker.

As the Head Incharge stepped up to the mic, the students braced themselves for the inevitable another long lecture that no one was mentally prepared for. Ruhaan, who had overheard their conversation, leaned slightly toward them. "Tayyar ho jao, ek aur 'discipline aur punctuality' ka mahaan pravachan sunne ke liye," he whispered, making Aditi elbow him lightly to keep from laughing.

And just like that, the battle against the scorching heat and the endless speech officially began

As the assembly ended, students rushed back to their classes, relieved to finally escape the sweltering heat. Amidst the chatter and chaos, Aditi was happily walking with her friends when a teacher suddenly called out to her.

"Beta, staffroom se ek kaam tha. Jao zara Ansh Singhaniya ko bula lao."

Aditi blinked in confusion. "Ansh Singhania? Ye kaun hai?" she muttered under her breath before turning to Priya with wide, pleading eyes. "Priya, chal na yaar! Mujhe nahi pata ye Ansh kaun hai, beizzati ho jaayegi agar kisi random bande ko bula liya toh!" she whined, shaking Priya's arm dramatically.

Priya, already sensing an opportunity to tease, smirked. "Awww... kuch nahi hoga, babu," she cooed, patting Aditi's head as if she were a lost child. "Bas seedha library chali jaana, wahi par milenge bhaiya. Aur agar koi confusion ho jaaye toh " she paused for dramatic effect, "Ruhaan bhaiya jahaan dikhein, wahi mil jayenge tujhe."

Aditi groaned. "Ughh, tu bhi na! Bilkul shaitaan hai!" she huffed,

Priya grinned even wider, wiggling her eyebrows. "Haan haan, abhi mujhe Shagun se kaam hai, toh main chali! Best of luck, Aditi ji!" she said, waving dramatically before linking arms with Shagun and walking off, leaving Aditi standing there, half-annoyed, half-panicked.

"Ye Priya ki bachii!" Aditi muttered before taking a deep breath and marching toward the library, bracing herself for whatever embarrassment lay ahead.

Aditi, now fully focused on Priya's words ("Library ja, wahi mil jayenge") made her way toward the library, her heart beating just a little faster whether from nerves or anticipation, she wasn't sure.

As she stepped inside, the faint rustling of pages and the low hum of hushed conversations filled the air. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on two boys standing near a bookshelf, engaged in what seemed like a serious discussion.

One of them, she immediately recognized Ruhaan. His usual confident posture, hands casually tucked into his pockets, and that ever-present smirk gave him away instantly.

The other boy, standing opposite him, was someone Aditi had never seen before. He had a composed demeanor, sharp features, and an air of quiet authority clearly someone who carried weight around here. This must be Ansh Singhania, she thought, remembering Priya's instructions.

Taking a deep breath, she walked toward them, mentally preparing herself to interrupt whatever deep, life-altering conversation these two were having. Please, Bhagwaan, koi beizzati mat karwa dena! she prayed as she approached.

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Meanwhile in the library...

Ansh leaned back against the bookshelf, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable as Ruhaan kept rambling on about some mystery girl.

"Arre bhai, maan baat ko... woh ladki yahi padhti hai. Naya admission hua hai uska aur Priya ki dost bhi hai," Ruhaan insisted, his tone somewhere between exasperation and amusement.

Ansh let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Kya bakwaas kar raha hai? Priya ki koi dost nahi hai. Aur kiski baat kar raha hai tu? Kaun si ladki?" His voice was firm, dismissive even, as if he had already made up his mind that Ruhaan was messing with him.

But deep down, beneath the mask of indifference, Ansh felt something stir something unsettling, something he wasn't ready to face.

A part of him wanted to believe Ruhaan was joking because if he wasn't, then it meant that she was real. And if she was real, then so were the strange, unfamiliar emotions he had been trying so hard to ignore.

Ansh wasn't the type to get distracted by people, let alone a girl he barely knew. He thrived in control, in certainty, in logic. But ever since that brief encounter—the fleeting moment when he had caught sight of her there had been a shift, an almost imperceptible crack in his carefully built walls.

The memory came rushing back. The market. The glimpse of a girl who, for some reason, had caught his attention in a way no one else ever had. The way she had stood there, unaware of his gaze, her hair falling over her face as she tucked a strand behind her ear. The way she had laughed at something, her eyes crinkling slightly. It was a split second, nothing more yet, it had left an impression, one he hadn't been able to shake.

And now, Ruhaan was saying she was here, in his world, closer than he had realized. His grip on his arm tightened slightly, an unfamiliar unease creeping into his chest. No. It's just a coincidence. It doesn't mean anything.

But before he could push the thought away, a voice soft yet clear cut through the stillness of the library.

"Umm... excuse me?"

The moment he heard it, something inside him shifted.

His body reacted before his mind did his eyes snapped up, his posture stiffened slightly, his heartbeat picked up just a little. It was her. Ansh turned his head slowly, and for the first time, his guarded, calculated world collided with something entirely unexpected.

There she was, standing just a few feet away, looking slightly hesitant yet composed. Aditi. His breath hitched for half a second, not that anyone would notice. But he felt it. That strange, unfamiliar pull. The way the air around him seemed to thicken. The way his mind, usually sharp and focused, suddenly went blank for a fraction of a second.

He had convinced himself he wouldn't remember her. That she was just another stranger. But now, looking at her up closely, he knew he had been lying to himself.

She wasn't just any girl. And that realization terrified him

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Thank you for reading this reckless chapter (kuch bhi bhar diya isme to 😭)

hope you liked the chapter...💖

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