As they wrapped up the day's fun, the neon lights of the arcade dimmed into the evening glow outside. It was already past 7pm, and the rush of laughter and games slowly faded into the background hum of the city. Everyone was tired but content, chattering about silly wins and lost tickets.

"Main thak gayi hoon, bilkul nahi chala jaa rha" Manya whined dramatically, clutching her stomach.

["I'm exhausted, I can't walk another step,"]

Adhvik rolled his eyes. "Drama queen. Bas do minute chalna hai parking tak."

["Drama queen. It's just two minutes to the parking lot."]

Manya shot him an annoyed glare. "Tujhse baat ki maine? Aur bhool mat, tune mujhe piggyback ride nahi di hai abhi tak... haarne ke baad bhi fraud kahi ka." Her tone was bratty, but the way she held her stomach betrayed the truth jumping on trampolines during her periods hadn't been her best idea.

["Did I even ask you? And don't forget, you still owe me a piggyback ride... you fraud even after losing!"]

Adhvik exhaled, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. He hadn't forgotten her dates since that school trip to Imagica when she had complained in whispers, red-faced, and he had wordlessly handed her a chocolate bar and held her bag for the whole day, just to shut her up. From then till now, he remembered. Always.

Stepping closer, he smirked, his voice low. "Aa jaa chal. Adhvik Patel apne baaton se palat ta nahi hai. Tu bhi kya yaad rakhegi... plus, meri muscles test karne the vaise bhi aapko."

["Come on. Adhvik Patel never goes back on his word. This, you'll remember... plus, you had to test my muscles anyway."]

Manya made a face, assuming he was joking again. "Haan haan, bada hero ban raha hai." But before she could protest further, Adhvik bent slightly, caught her wrist gently, and in one swift motion pulled her up onto his back.

["Yeah yeah, stop acting like a hero."]

"Pagal ho gaya hai kya!!? Utaar! Main toh bas bol rahi thi, main chal lungi!" she squealed, her arms instinctively wrapping around his shoulders for balance.

["Are you insane!!? Put me down! I was just joking, I can walk!"]

"Shut up, warna gir jaayegi," he said, tightening his grip as if she weighed nothing at all. "Aur waise bhi... tu bahut bhaari hai toh balance mat bhigaad." he said to irritate her because for him she is not heavy she is too light like a feather.

["Shut up, or you'll fall,"

"And by the way... you're really heavy, so don't mess up my balance."]

Her face turned red, she didn't know it was blush or anger. She stayed quiet. For the first time Manya Oberoi was quiet, she muttered under her breath, "Fraud, dumbbell, bewakoof ghanta..." But this time, the words didn't have the same bite; they sounded weaker, softer, almost like she was hiding something else behind them.

["Fraud, dumbbell, idiot, useless..."]

Adhvik smirked to himself. For once, she was quiet. And he liked it that way.

Vatsal and Pranjal exchanged glances as Adhvik walked steadily with Manya on his back, her arms looped around his shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. Neither of them said anything, though both were clearly fighting and bickering

"Gir na jaaye, Adhvik sambhal ke," Vatsal called out, his tone deliberately serious. "Varna toh bacchega nahi."

["Careful, Adhvik, don't drop her,"

"Otherwise, you won't survive."]

Adhvik rolled his eyes, but his grip on Manya tightened instinctively. Manya, meanwhile, popped her head up from his shoulder and narrowed her eyes at Vatsal. "Tension mat lo, iss chamgaadar ko leke girungi giraya toh" she replied.

["Don't worry. If I fall, I'm dragging this bat down with me,"]

Behind them, Palak shook her head, muttering under her breath, "Ye bhaiya zabardasti miya–biwi ke prem ke dushman bane hue hain."

["These two are hell-bent on being villains in this husband–wife love story."]

Anushka, walking beside her, perked up. "Kya? Kon miya, kon biwi?" she asked innocently, brows furrowed in confusion.

["What? Who's the husband, who's the wife?"]

Palak smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Tum biwi... Vatsal miya," she replied smoothly, biting back her laughter at her own boldness.

["You're the wife... and Vatsal is the husband,"]

Anushka's cheeks flushed an instant shade of red, so quick and so deep that even she seemed startled by it. Palak, catching it, exaggerated a weird face and dramatically pointed at her as if she had uncovered a hidden scandal.

"Sab pyaar mein pagal ho gaye hain yahan," Palak declared dramatically. "Tu normal Anushka ban jaa FOR REAL... kyunki tujhe mere saamne itna blush karta dekh mujhe lag raha hai, ye wahi ladki kaun hai jo Vatsal ke naam sunte hi gusse se laal ho jaati thi?"

["Everyone here's going mad in love,"

"You better return to being the normal Anushka... because seeing you blush this hard in front of me makes me wonder where's that girl who used to turn red with anger the second she heard Vatsal's name?"]

Anushka, utterly flustered, shoved Palak lightly. "Pls mai koi blush nahi kar rhi hu" she mumbled, glancing away, as she walked ahead quickly but her lips betrayed the tiniest smile she couldn't hide.

["Please, I'm not blushing,"]

The playful chaos of their banter filled the parking lot, making even Palak smile faintly as she watched them.

Meanwhile, Vatsal stood a little apart, quiet amidst the laughter. He wasn't smiling not like before. His gaze was fixed on something far away, his mind heavy.

Leaning close, Vatsal whispered something quickly in Adhvik's ear as they reached the parking lot, slipping Adhvik's bike keys into his palm in exchange for his car keys. Adhvik raised a brow but didn't question him, just gave a small knowing smile before heading toward the car. Manya, Palak, and Anushka trailed behind, while Pranjal and Adhvik walked a little ahead, lost in their own conversation.

Anushka was about to climb into the car with Manya and Palak when the sharp honk of a bike startled her. She turned and froze.

There he was.

Vatsal sat astride Adhvik's bike, one hand on the handle, the other tapping nervously against the clutch. His usual confident smirk was gone, his face was distant, thoughtful, almost hesitant. But his eyes... they were fixed on her.

"Anu..." his voice was softer than she had ever heard it. He cleared his throat and tried again, this time steadier. "Mai drop kar dunga tumhe. Aur... kuch baat karni hai." His ears turned a shade of red that betrayed every ounce of the nerves he was trying so hard to hide.

["I'll drop you home. And... I need to talk to you."]

Behind her, Manya and Palak exchanged an instant glance, their grins widening like conspirators. "Go," Manya mouthed, biting back a laugh. Palak gave Anushka a playful nudge from behind, whispering, "jaao"

["Gooo"]

Anushka's heart raced, her fingers tightening on the strap of her sling bag. For a second, she thought of protesting, of brushing it off with an excuse but the way he was looking at her made her stomach flip.

Finally, with a small smile tugging at her lips, she turned to her friends and said a soft, "Bye."

Manya and Palak waved, smirking shamelessly, while Adhvik honked the car horn impatiently, yelling, "Bas romance movie mat bana lena raste pe!"

["Just don't turn this into a romance movie in the middle of the street!"]

Anushka rolled her eyes, cheeks heating, and then without looking at anyone else she walked toward the bike. Her steps were hesitant but sure.

She climbed on behind Vatsal, her hands hovering awkwardly before she finally placed them gently at the back of his jacket.

For the first time that day, Vatsal exhaled a long breath. A small, relieved smile crept onto his face as the engine roared to life and the two of them pulled away into the evening.

Throughout the ride, the cool evening breeze whipped against them, but Vatsal barely noticed. His eyes kept flicking to the side mirror every glimpse catching Anushka's hair flying, her laughter echoing behind him. Each time she smiled, his grip on the handle tightened, as though steadying himself against the sudden rush in his chest.

Anushka, balancing the paper bag on her lap, held both the soft toys they'd won earlier. She poked the bag at his back teasingly, her laughter bubbling through the sound of the bike.

"Tumhari mummy ne ghar me dekh liye soft toys le jaate toh?" she teased, picturing the scene. "Unki reaction soch ke hi hassi aa rhi hai."

["If your mom had caught you sneaking soft toys into the house?"

"Just the thought of her reaction makes me laugh."]

Vatsal smirked, eyes still on the road but voice low enough for her to catch over the engine's hum.

"Meri Mumma is very chill... vo toh khush ho jaayengi."

["My mom's pretty chill... she'd actually be happy."]

Anushka frowned in confusion. "Khush? Kyu?"

["Happy? Why?"]

He let a beat of silence hang just long enough to make her restless before he added casually, his lips curving into a grin,

"Unko lagega... bahu mil gayi, Mishrayin."

["She'd think... she found her bahu, Mishrayin."]

The word Mishrayin hit her harder than she expected. Anushka's heart skipped, her cheeks warming instantly. She lightly smacked his shoulder, half laughing, half trying to hide how her stomach had suddenly turned into butterflies.

"Bakwaas band karol!" she said, though her voice betrayed the smile she couldn't stop.

["Stop talking nonsense!"]

Vatsal chuckled, eyes sneaking once more into the mirror. He caught her blushing reflection, and for once, he didn't look away.

It was already 7:20 when they pulled up outside Anushka's house. The porch light flickered faintly, but the house was quiet, her parents still not home. Climbing off the bike, Anushka pulled out the little hippo soft toy from the bag, along with a couple of photo booth pictures. She handed them over to Vatsal, leaving the rest for him to keep.

Vatsal just stood there, his hand brushing against hers as he took the toy, his eyes fixed on her in a way that made her heart skip.

"Kya?" Anushka asked, raising a brow, a little flustered under his gaze.

["What?"]

"Kuch nahi..." he murmured, his voice lower than usual.

["Nothing..."]

She exhaled, breaking eye contact. "Thank you for dropping."

"It's my duty," Vatsal replied simply, but there was weight in his tone.

Silence stretched between them, only the sound of distant traffic filling it. Vatsal still hadn't moved, his gaze steady, as though he wanted to say something but couldn't. Anushka shifted uncomfortably, her pulse quickening under his intensity.

"You can go," she finally said softly, looking anywhere but at him.

"Nahi jaana," Vatsal's reply came without hesitation.

["I don't want to." ]

Her eyes flicked back to him, startled. "Toh yaha kya karoge?"

["Then what will you do here?"]

He took a step closer, his voice careful but firm. "Mujhe tumhe kuch dena hai... park chale? Zyada time nahi lagega."

["I want to give you something... let's go to the park? It won't take long."]

Anushka hesitated, her mind racing, but something in his expression, the mix of nervousness and determination stilled her protest. She nodded.

They walked side by side, neither speaking, the quietness between them louder than words. The warm streetlights lined their path, the sky painted in shades of dusky orange slowly fading into night. By the time they reached the small neighborhood park, it was almost empty.

The lamps cast soft golden halos over the benches, the faint rustle of leaves echoing in the evening air. They stopped near a bench tucked under a tree, the world around them hushed, as though it had cleared just for this moment.

Vatsal turned toward her, his hand tightening on the paper bag he still held, and Anushka felt her heartbeat climb, waiting.

"So... as on the day of house party, I wanted this moment to be special for us. I had planned it all," Vatsal's voice wavered as he stared at the dimly lit park, "but it got ruined. And I cannot bring any of it back."

The chaos of that night still flickered in his eyes the frustration, the unsaid words, the guilt of losing his chance. He had nothing now, no roses, no fairy lights, no carefully rehearsed lines. Just him. Just her.

And he had realized he didn't need perfection. He needed truth.

His fingers instinctively reached for the chain resting against his chest the Shiv Trishul with the Dhamru, the one constant that had never left him since the day his mother tied it around his neck. It was his anchor, his strength, his faith.

Slowly, he unclasped it, his fingers trembling, and held it out to her.

"I don't have anything else to give you," he said, voice unsteady yet fierce, "but this... this has been with me my whole life. Maa gave it to me, telling me it would protect me, guide me, remind me of who I am. And today..." he paused, swallowing hard, "I want it to protect you, guide you... remind you that no matter what, I'm yours. Always."

For a moment, the world fell utterly silent, the breeze still, the distant laughter faded. It was just them.

Anushka's breath caught. She stared at the chain lying in her palm, its weight far heavier than the silver it was made of. Her lips parted, but words wouldn't come. All she could feel was her heart pounding, her throat tightening, her eyes burning.

She looked up at him, at those earnest eyes that rarely showed this kind of vulnerability, and for the first time, she saw not just the boy who annoyed her with his flirtings and is a heart throb of the entire St. Mary, but the man who was laying down his soul before her.

"It's not needed, I can't accept it." she whispered, voice breaking.

Vatsal stepped closer, his gaze locked with hers. "You have to accept it," he said firmly, though his voice carried a softness that almost pleaded. "If you don't... it'll feel like you're refusing me, not the chain."

Anushka's eyes widened at his words. She wanted to protest, to argue like she always did but her throat tightened, and nothing came out. The chain trembled in her hand as if it carried the weight of his heartbeat.

"Anu..." he breathed, the nickname leaving his lips in a way that wasn't teasing, wasn't playful, just raw and full of meaning. "Maa kehti thi, jo cheez tumhari hifazat karegi, usse tum kabhi alag mat karna. Aaj main tumhe de raha hoon... kyunki ab meri hifazat tum ho."

["My mother used to say never part with the thing that protects you. Today, I'm giving it to you... because now, you're my protection."]

Her chest rose sharply as the words hit her. For the first time, she couldn't hide behind sarcasm, couldn't mask her feelings. He had stripped her walls down in a single moment.

Her fingers slowly curled around the chain. She swallowed hard, and before she could stop herself, a small tear slipped free.

Vatsal's thumb instinctively rose to brush it away, his touch lingering against her cheek. "Abhi bhi kahogi... ki tumhe iska haq nahi hai?" he asked gently, his lips quivering in the faintest, nervous smile.

["Will you still say... that I don't have the right?"]

Anushka laughed softly through her tears, shaking her head. "Tum phena do. Khud se" she whispered, but this time there was no irritation, only tenderness.

["You put it on me. Yourself," ]

And then, before either of them could overthink it, she leaned in. A soft, hesitant brush of her lips against his cheek was quick, fleeting, almost like a secret but it was enough to make his entire body still.

Vatsal blinked, his heart thundering in his chest as she pulled back, her face crimson, her eyes darting away.

"That's all you get, just because I lost in bowling" she murmured quickly, clutching the chain to her chest as if hiding her own heart.

For the first time in forever, Vatsal was left speechless his grin slow, stunned, but brighter than anything.

—--

Palak was sitting quietly in her room, a diary lying open in front of her. The pages were blank, but her gaze was fixed on them as if the emptiness mirrored her own heart. She hadn't written a single word.

Across the room, Kriti was busy arranging clothes in her closet, speaking endlessly about something or the other. But Palak wasn't listening at all. The lack of response began to confuse Kriti.

Kriti, still folding her clothes and growing impatient, kept calling out, stretching her voice in a playful yet concerned tone:

"Palkuuu... palkuuuu... sunnn rahi h bachaa? Kuch keh rahi hu!"

["Palak... Palaaaak... are you listening, child? I'm saying something!"]

When no reply came, Kriti finally turned around. She walked closer, and her smile faded the instant she saw Palak's eyes brimming with tears. Shocked, she immediately placed her hand gently on her sister's shoulder. Palak looked up at her, her lips trembling, and without a word she suddenly wrapped her arms around Kriti's waist. Kriti, now worried, placed her palm on Palak's head, slowly caressing her hair.

Her voice carried a mix of tension and love as she asked,

"Kyaa hua hain tereko? Aise ro rahi h... yeh, yeh zindagi main non-existening cheezon mein se h tera roona. Kya huaaa hain? Bata mujhe!"

["What happened to you? Why are you crying like this... this, this is one of those non-existent reasons in life for you to be crying. What happened? Tell me!"]

But Palak only sobbed silently, refusing to reply.

Kriti's concern deepened; her tone grew serious,"Dekh Palak, bata de... warna main Anu ko call kar dungi. Aur tujhe pata h woh dinner pr gayi hain apne parents ke sth rare case hota h yeh. Aur main call krungi toh waha se bhaag ke aayegi tere liye."

["Look Palak, tell me... otherwise I'll call Anu. And you know she's gone out for dinner with her parents. It's such a rare case. But if I call her, she'll rush back just for you."]

Palak quickly shook her head, her voice breaking between sobs,

"Naaaa... naa... waise bhi woh kam time spend krti uske sth. Aisa naa krnaaa."

["No... no... she already spends less time with them. Don't do that."]

Kriti sighed, crouching down to meet her sister's eyes. She cupped Palak's cheeks with both hands and softly caressed them, her words dripping with affection,

"Kyaa hua h mere gulab jamun jaise bache ko? Kya hua bachaa?"

["What happened to my little child, my sweet gulab jamun? What's wrong, baby?"]

Finally, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, Palak stammered,

"Main bhudhu hu didi... main naaa pyaar ke chakkar main dosti kharab kr leti. Jaise... dekho maine Pranjal se dosti kharab kr li."

["I'm such a fool, didi... I always ruin friendships because of love. Just like... look, I ruined my friendship with Pranjal."]

Kriti raised her eyebrows in confusion, trying to piece things together. Her tone sharpened with curiosity,

"Kya huaa? Ache se btaa."

["What happened? Tell me properly."]

And with that, Palak broke her silence and began explaining everything to Kriti, her voice trembling as she laid bare her heart.

Kriti held Palak's trembling hands gently, her lips curving into a soft, reassuring smile. Her voice was calm, as if she wanted her words to sink into Palak's heart and soothe the storm within.

"Tune use apne dil ki baat bol di... aur usne tujhe yeh kah diya ki woh kisi aur ko pasand karta hai ya phir woh tujhe pasand nahin karta. Par iska matlab yeh toh nahin hai na... ki tumhari dosti khatam ho jaaye."

["You told him what's in your heart... and he told you that he likes someone else or that he doesn't like you. But that doesn't mean... that your friendship has to end, right?"]

She paused, brushing her thumb lightly across Palak's knuckles, trying to ease away her guilt.

"He said that he likes someone else, and yes, he avoided you a little... but maybe he had his own reasons. We can't look inside someone's heart to know what they're truly feeling. But that doesn't mean you should start blaming yourself. You should have asked him... why? Instead, you assumed everything on your own. That's where you went wrong. Communication is the key. Did you even try, bachaa? No, right? You also could have spoken up. Why do you always think the other person should be the one to do it? Even if you take the first step, it doesn't make you small. Tell me, does it?"

Kriti tilted her head slightly, studying her sister's tear-streaked face. Then, softening her tone even more, she asked,

"Achha chal... tune use bata diya na ki tujhe woh pasand hai? Bata diya na?"

["Alright then... you told him, didn't you? That you like him? You did tell him, right?"]

Palak, cheeks damp and eyes lowered, gave a small, hesitant nod.

Kriti smiled faintly and placed her palm gently on Palak's head, caressing her hair with sisterly warmth.

"Alright... it took you a little time to understand, but now you have. You understand, don't you, that he doesn't have those feelings in his heart? Now you can move forward. Maybe he doesn't see you in that way, but the bond of friendship is still there, that relationship can still exist... and that doesn't mean your friendship has to end."

Her tone grew firm yet tender, like an elder sister guiding without scolding.

"Usne tujhe hurt kiya, mujhe pata hai. Lekin tujhe sawal karna chahiye tha na... ki tumne mujhe aisa kyon karwaya? Woh jawab deta na kuch na kuch toh! Shayad woh tujhe avoid kar raha hai isliye, kyunki usko lag raha hai ki tu usse baat nahin karna chahti. Aur aaj... aaj usne koshish toh ki thi na... ki thi naaa?"

["He hurt you, I know that. But you should have asked him, shouldn't you... why did you make me do this? He would have given some answer, something at least! Maybe he's avoiding you because he feels you don't want to talk to him anymore. And today... Today he did try, didn't he? He did, right?"]

Kriti's words weren't just advice; they were comfort, a bridge of understanding she was trying to build so Palak wouldn't feel alone in her pain. She gave her a reassuring smile and continued gently,

"Look... you spoke your heart out. And he said that he doesn't have the same feelings for you. But what's so bad about that? At least you didn't keep it buried inside... you lightened your heart."

"Ek taraf ka pyaar bhi kabhi-kabhi do taraf ke pyaar se zyada khoobsurat hota hai... kyunki usmein tumne apna dil saaf rakhkar diya hai. Tumne jo mehsoos kiya, usse chhupaya nahin. Tumne himmat dikhayi. Yehi sabse badi baat hai."

["Sometimes, one-sided love is even more beautiful than mutual love... because in it, you've given your heart with complete honesty. You didn't hide what you felt. You showed courage. And that... that's the biggest thing of all."]

Kriti tilted her head, a faint teasing smile flickering to lighten the mood.

"Aur ab soch... tumne mann mein toh nahin rakha naaa? Tumne keh diya, bas. Toh ab guilt kaisi? Ab tum aage badh sakti ho."

["And now think... you didn't keep it locked inside your heart, did you? You said it out loud, that's it. So why the guilt now? Now you can move forward."]

She tapped Palak's forehead gently with her finger, as if reminding her to free her mind, then leaned in and hugged her tighter.

"Life doesn't end where we think it does. Sometimes, we just need to let go of the things we hold inside and move on. Crying over something that was never going to be yours is not what you're meant to do your whole life. Life is unpredictable, bachaa... but at the very least, we should cherish the moments we do have."

Palak listened carefully, Kriti's words slowly sinking into her heart. Her tears had softened, and she looked up at her sister with wide, doe-like eyes, vulnerable yet searching for guidance.

"Then what should I do now, didi?" she asked in a trembling voice.

Kriti smiled gently, brushing her thumb over Palak's hand. Her tone was calm but firm, filled with the wisdom of an elder sister.

"Kal uska behaviour dekhna. Agar lage ki we can fix it, so go and talk to him... and just be friends."

["Watch his behavior tomorrow. If you feel there's a chance to fix it, then go and talk to him... just as a friend."]

She paused, cupping Palak's face tenderly, her voice affectionate yet serious.

"Friendship mein ego nahi aati, bachaaa. Aur dosti mein ego aa jaye toh woh dosti hoti hi nahi. Hum ek baar jhuk sakte hain, agar woh aapka sabse accha dost ho toh. Dosti aur ego ek sath nahi laate."

["In friendship, there's no place for ego, child. And if ego enters, then it's not friendship anymore. We can bend once, if he's truly your best friend. Friendship and ego can never walk together."]

"You can't hurt someone you love... intentionally, you don't. But you only end up hurting those who love you."

Palak's lips trembled as fresh tears welled up, but this time they weren't of guilt, they were of relief. Without another word, she leaned forward and hugged Kriti tightly, burying her face in her sister's embrace.

Kriti closed her eyes, holding her baby sister close. She pressed a tender kiss on Palak's forehead, her heart swelling with love.

---

Next morning, Vatsal was loitering outside the door of Class 11, just waiting for a glimpse of Anushka. But instead, his eyes caught Arnav pacing the corridor, a book in hand, muttering lines to himself as he roamed back and forth.

Curiosity pricked Vatsal instantly like a cat who couldn't resist sneaking into a closed box. He edged closer, trying to steal a peek at the book. Arnav, however, noticed him immediately, narrowed his eyes, snapped the book shut, and jabbed his elbow straight into Vatsal's side.

Arnav, glaring sharply, hissed,

"Tujhe har jagah naak ghusane ki bimari kab se ho gayi? Yeh Adhvik wali chochlebaazi na kar. Ek wohi eklauta sir dard kaafi hai."

["When did you develop the habit of poking your nose everywhere? Don't do that Adhvik-style mischief. One headache is more than enough!"]

But Vatsal, stubborn as ever, craned his neck behind Arnav's shoulder, desperate to see what he was hiding.

"Ek baat bata... tujhe kuch ashleel wali bimari toh nahin ho gayi na? Matlab kahi tu woh sab"

["Tell me one thing... you haven't developed some... uh... perverted habit, right? I mean, are you into that kind of stuff?"]

Arnav raised his eyebrows, staring in disbelief.

"Kya? Woh sab? Suar-chand ki bisadi hui aadmi, kya 'woh sab'?"

["What? That kind of stuff? You crazy, pig-faced man—what 'stuff' are you even talking about?"]

Vatsal's lips curled into a mischievous smirk.

"Palak ki sangati is too bad... aur woh sab, matlab... yk na?"

["Palak's company is bad... and that stuff, you know what I mean, right?"]

Arnav paused, trying to decipher what nonsense Vatsal was cooking up. And the moment the meaning hit him, he recoiled with disgust, his face scrunching.

"—Chiiiiiiii! Mishra khandan ka nayalak aulaad! Apne jaisa samajh rakha hai kya? Nikal idhar se! Main school mein woh sab padhunga? Hatt saale! Mahesh daaleee!"

["—Eww! You rotten kid from the Mishra family! You think I'm like you? Get out of here! Am I supposed to study that kind of stuff in school? Idiot! Mahesh, help!"]

He began thrashing Vatsal with the book.

Vatsal ducked, dodging with both hands raised as he scampered away.

"Ayeeee bhaiiii! Matlab tu ghar par aisi cheez padhta hai? Pakda gaya, saaleeee! Dahi bhalleee!"

["Heyyy! You read that at home too? Gotcha! You scoundrel! Dahi bhalleee!"]

Arnav roared back, chasing after him with the book still raised like a weapon.

"Meri baat ko ghuma mat, saale kamine! Tujhe toh chhodunga nahi!"

["Don't twist my words, you little rascal! I won't spare you!"]

He lunged forward, but fate had other plans. The floor had just been mopped; the marble gleamed with a treacherous wet shine. Arnav's foot slipped, his balance gave way, and with a startled flail he went crashing down. Vatsal instinctively reached out to grab his hand, but the pull only dragged him along.

In the next second, both of them landed sprawled across the floor, Arnav flat on his back, Vatsal tumbling right on top of him.

And just at that very moment, Anushka, Palak, Manya, and Kriti stepped into the corridor. Their eyes fell straight on the scene of two boys tangled on the ground, one on top of the other, the book lying abandoned beside them.

For a moment, silence hung in the corridor like a held breath. Then kriti suddenly burst out laughing, clapping her hands together in pure delight.

"—Arre wah! Yeh toh scene seedha-shaadi wala lag raha hai. Sirf varmala hi reh gayi hai."

["—Wow! This scene looks straight out of a wedding. All that's left is the varmala!"]

Manya tilted her head, her lips curling into a wicked grin as she pretended to think hard.

"Varmala kahan se laun main? Aur jaise chipke hue hain, varmala ghusayenge kahaan inke beech?"

["Where should I even get a varmala from? And with them stuck like that, where would it even go?"]

Palak her lips curling into a wicked grin,"Varmala chhodo, yeh toh seedha suhagrat mana rahe hain dono... woh bhi school corridor mein! Bhai, inke liye koi room dhoondo, room!"

["Forget the varmala, they're practically celebrating their wedding night... right here in the school corridor! Someone get them a room, quick!"]

Kriti raised her eyebrows, a sly glint sparking in her eyes as she smirked.

"Aur dekho toh, kitna pyaar se haath pakad rakha hai dono ne. Bilkul film ke hero-heroine jaisa."

["Look at that... holding hands so lovingly. Just like a hero-heroine in a movie."]

Anushka crossed her arms, shaking her head slowly, her smirk refusing to fade.

"Mujhe toh pehle hi lagta tha... par tum dono ne confirm kar diya. Jab bhi dekho, dono saath hi hote ho. Jahan dekho, paas-paas ghoomte ho. Bhai, inka kuch toh chakkar hai."

["I had my suspicions... but now it's confirmed. These two are always together. Wherever you look, they're side by side. There's definitely something going on."]

Palak bent down dramatically, whispering loud enough for the entire corridor to hear.

"Arre Vatsal, bata na... shaadi ka function humein bulaya bhi nahi? Matlab yeh sab chupke-chupke school corridor mein hi nipta rahe ho?"

["Hey Vatsal, tell us... did you even invite us to the wedding? Or is all this happening secretly in the school corridor?"]

Manya nudged Palak, her grin wider than ever.

"Shaadi kya... mujhe toh lagta hai yeh dono honeymoon practice kar rahe the. Humme bewajah disturb kar diya."

["Wedding? I think these two were just practicing their honeymoon. And we disturbed them for no reason."]

By now, Vatsal was still struggling to roll off Arnav, his face red partly from the effort, mostly from embarrassment.

"Arey oyeee! Aisi koi baat nahi hai! Woh toh... woh toh...!"

["Heyyy! That's not true! It's... it's...!"]

Arnav, still pinned beneath him, roared in frustration, his face crimson with anger.

"Chup karo tum sab! Saale Vatsal ki wajah se hua yeh sab! Saari izzat mitti mein mil gayi!"

["Shut up, all of you! This is all because of Vatsal! My dignity's ruined!"]

But Vatsal, refusing to let the moment die, shot back with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Abhi bataoon unhe tu kya padh raha tha?"

["Wanna tell them what you were reading?"]

Arnav froze. His eyes widened for a split second, then without wasting another moment, he shot his hand up and clamped his fingers tightly across Vatsal's mouth, silencing him on the spot.

Palak smirked, leaning against Manya as her voice dripped with mockery.

"Koi toh rokh lo... mmmmmmmm."

["Someone stop them... mmmmmmmm."]

Manya clasped her hands dramatically, her laughter spilling through.

"Sabar nahi hota janab... mmmmm."

["Patience isn't an option... mmmmm."]

Kriti rolled her eyes theatrically, pressing her palm to her heart as if overcome by emotion.

"Uffff, prem toh dekho... mmmmmmm."

["Uffff, look at the love... mmmmmmm."]

Even Anushka, knowing very well that nothing was actually going on between them, didn't let the chance slip. Her lips curved into a playful smile as she joined the chorus.

"Mmmmmmmmm."

The four girls broke into uncontrollable laughter, their giggles echoing down the corridor as they walked away, leaving Arnav and Vatsal behind in their awkward mess.

Arnav shoved Vatsal off him and scrambled to his feet, his glare sharp enough to cut through steel.

"Sabki jhaad hai tu! Chawal ke aate kahi ka! Hatttttt!"

["You're the cause of all this! You're useless! Get lost!"]

With that, he stormed away, his shoes thudding against the wet marble.

Left sitting on the floor, Vatsal pouted, muttering under his breath, numbering his fingers as if listing his complaints.

"Bhaiii... maine toh kuch kara hi nahi..."

["Bhai... I didn't even do anything..."]

---

Pranjal was busy solving some problems, while Adhvik kept roaming here and there. He desperately wanted to sit with Manya, but had no idea how to convince Pranjal to exchange seats. Of course, he only wanted to sit with her to irritate her, that's what he thought, or at least that's what he told himself. But you know, you know...

Suddenly, Adhvik's mind lit up with an idea. With a mischievous smile tugging at his lips, he walked towards Pranjal. Pranjal looked up at him, raising his eyebrows, his hair falling carelessly over his forehead. The glasses perched on his nose made him look effortlessly well, the sexiest thing.

Adhvik slowly caressed his cheek, while Pranjal shot him the most disgusted look.

Adhvik said in a sweet, dramatic voice,

"Hayeee Pranjaluu, tu itna handsome lagega toh mera irdaa badal jaayega..."

["Hayee Pranjalu... if you look this handsome, my loyalties will waver..."]

Pranjal quickly pushed his hand away and held his book like a shield, as if protecting his dignity.

"Subah-subah daaru chadha li hai kya? Sanki! Durrr reh Adhvik... tujhe na epilepsy ke daure padte hain!"

["Did you drink alcohol first thing in the morning? Psycho! Stay away, Adhvik... you get epileptic fits!"]

But Adhvik leaned closer again, eyes gleaming.

"Aisa kahogi haan? Aisa kahogi tum, baby? Mere prem pe shaq karogi tum? Tumhe nahi pata hum tumko kitna chahte hain..."

["Is this what you'll say? You'll doubt my love like this, baby? Don't you know how much I love you...?"]

He rolled his finger along Pranjal's cheek.

Pranjal pushed him away again, exasperated.

"Ayee durrr! Nahi jaana mujhe... Bhagwaan! Teri wajah se mujhe apne gender pe doubt hone laga hai. Main straight hoon! Mere se dur reh, Adhvik!"

["Heyy stay away! I don't want this... Oh God! Because of you I've started doubting my own gender. I'm straight! Stay away from me, Adhvik!"]

Adhvik gave him the most filmy, dramatic look, clutching his chest as if wounded.

"Pranjlu baby... hum tumko etna chahte hain... etna chahte hain... ki humara pyaar tumko chah-chah ke hi chahne lagta hai!"

["Pranjalu baby... I love you sooo much... so much... that my love itself starts loving you again and again!"]

Pranjal, utterly helpless now, looked around for rescue. But the classroom was empty.

"Hey maaa mata ji... meri izzat ka balatkaar hone se pehle kisi ko bhej do!"

["Dear mother goddess, before my honour gets destroyed, please send someone here!"]

And just when things couldn't get worse, Adhvik shoved the book aside and plopped down on Pranjal's lap, placing both hands on his shoulders.

Pranjal's eyes widened in sheer horror. Adhvik leaned in, lips puckering, about to kiss his cheek—

That's when Palak and Manya entered the classroom. Their eyes went wide with shock.

Anuskha, who walked in behind them, at first looked confused at their expressions until her gaze fell on Pranjal and Adhvik. Her eyes too widened instantly.

There was Adhvik, forming a pout, leaning dangerously close to Pranjal's cheek. And Pranjal... well, his expression was that of a man whose world had just collapsed. He looked like he'd rather die on the spot.

Manya's voice trembled in disbelief.

"Palak... tujhe reject karne ki wajah... sirf aur sirf Adhvik tha? Mera bhai BL hai?! Aur inka... chakkar chal raha tha? Tabhi toh kehta tha kisi aur ko pasand karta hai. Aur koi nahi tha!"

["Palak... the reason he rejected you... it was only Adhvik? My brother is BL?! And they... they had a thing going on? That's why he always said he liked someone else. And it wasn't 'someone' it was him!"]

Anuskha cut her off sharply, eyes narrowing.

"Adhvik Patel tha! Tera ghar iski wajah se barbaad hua hai, Palak!"

["It was Adhvik Patel! Palak, your house was ruined because of him!"]

Palak gasped, clutching her chest as if she had just witnessed the biggest betrayal of her life.

"Adhvik Patel... tu?! Matlab mera ghar... mera ghar iski wajah se toota?!"

["Adhvik Patel... you?! You mean my home... my family broke because of you?!"]

Pranjal, still frozen with Adhvik on his lap, wanted to scream. His eyes darted from Palak to Manya to Anuskha, silently begging the heavens for a hole to swallow him.

"Arreeee koi toh samjhao inko!" he muttered under his breath, his voice breaking.

["Somebody please explain to them!"]

Adhvik, however, was in full-on filmy hero mode. He leaned against Pranjal's shoulder dramatically, one hand pressed on his own forehead.

"Mayandari... "समझिए तो सही... हमारा प्यार कोई छुपा हुआ राज़ नहीं, बल्कि एक खुली किताब है। सिर्फ़ आप लोगों ने पढ़ना नहीं चाहा!"

["Ladies... understand this... our love isn't a hidden secret, it's an open book. You people just never tried to read it!"]

Pranjal almost choked on his own breath.

"Abe pagal! Kya bol raha hai tu? Khuli kitaab? Yeh bakwass kar raha hain yaar aisa kuch nahi haii!"

["You idiot! What nonsense are you spouting? Open book?! There's nothing like that!"]

She threw her hands up in despair.

"Meri kismat hi kharaab hai! itna bada dhokaa hey rabba!"

["My destiny is cursed! Such a huge betrayal—oh God!"]

Anuskha, who was till now glaring at the scene like a judge in a courtroom, finally snapped.

"Bas! Mujhse yeh sab nahi dekha jayega hayee dono jagah bromance chal raha kya ho gaya h aaj kal ke ladko ko ladkiyan kam padh gayi h kya."

["Enough! I can't watch this anymore. Bromance here, bromance there, what's wrong with boys these days? Have girls suddenly gone extinct or what?!"]

As if on cue, the classroom door creaked open again. The peon uncle entered with a duster in hand. His eyes fell on Adhvik, who was still perched on Pranjal's lap, and he dropped the duster in shock.

"Arre baap re! Yeh school hai yaa kuch aur yeh sab kya ho raha h ram ram ram?!"

["Arrey baap re! Is this a school or something else? What's going on here Ram Ram Ram!"]

And he hurriedly left from there numbering ram ram ram!

Pranjal felt his soul leaving his body.

"Ab toh mera jeevan barbaad hai. Main ghar jaa ke sanyas le lunga. Koi Himalaya mein ashram dilwa do mujhe!"

["My life is ruined. I'll renounce everything and go become a monk in the Himalayas. Someone please find me an ashram!"]

Adhvik, still enjoying every second, looked around proudly as though he were announcing an engagement.

"Sab log gawah ho jao! Aaj se Pranjlu aur main... ek doosre ke hain!"

["Everyone be my witnesses! From today, Pranjlu and I... belong to each other!"]

And with that, he blew a flying kiss to Pranjal.

Pranjal pushes him away and stands up and hurriedly runs out of class numbering.

"Dur reh! Bhagwaan kasam, tujhse door hi rehna meri sabse badi dua hai!"

["Stay away! I swear to God, staying away from you will be my biggest prayer!"]

Adhvik spread both his arms in classroom, dropped to his knees on the floor, and shouted with all the passion of a tragic hero—

"Pranjluuuu..."तुम मेरे प्यार से भाग सकते हो, लेकिन मेरे दिल से कभी नहीं! ये मोहब्बत वो आग है, जो तुम्हारे भागने से और भी भड़क उठेगी!!"

["Pranjluuuu... you can run from my love, but never from my heart! This love is a fire that will only burn brighter the more you run!"]

Manya, Palak, and Anuskha all screamed in unison.

"Drama queen!"

—

During the lunch break, Vatsal and Arnav were already waiting, seated on the wooden chairs placed in the corner of the school lawn. Arnav had his nose buried deep into a book, reading with an unusual seriousness that didn't escape Vatsal's sharp eyes.

Vatsal smirked, leaning slightly forward to peek at the cover, and in his typical teasing tone said,

"Bhai, aisi kitaabein khule aam mat padha kar."

["Bhai, books like this shouldn't be read in public."]

Arnav shot him a glare, his patience snapping. He hurled the book straight at Vatsal's face and snapped,

"Dekh le chutiye! Kya padh raha hu. Usi time se dekh raha hu teri yeh harkatein."

["See for yourself, idiot! What I'm reading. I've been watching your cheap antics for a while now!"]

Rubbing his nose, Vatsal caught the book and blinked. It wasn't a novel or some secret diary, but a simple guide about how to make a wind chime—an art and craft book. His brows knitted in confusion before widening in realization.

"Yeh kis liye..." he muttered, and then suddenly his eyes popped open,

"Bhai, ladki ka chakkar!"

["This is for..."

"Bhai, there's a girl involved!"]

Arnav panicked instantly. He tore a piece of paratha and stuffed it into Vatsal's mouth, holding his hand tightly as he hissed,

"Chup kar! Muh band rakh. Raaz ko raaz rehne dena, please."

["Shut up! Keep your mouth closed. Let the secret remain a secret, please!"]

Just at that moment, Kriti entered the lawn. Her eyes immediately fell on the sight of Arnav clutching Vatsal's hand, both of them caught in a rather dramatic pose. A mischievous smirk spread across her face.

In her perfectly teasing tone, she quipped,

"Kuch toh chal raha hai... kaho na pyaar hai! Vibe match ho gayi, haan haan?"

["Kuch toh chal raha hai... come on, admit it—it's love! The vibe matches, right?"]

Arnav froze, then made a face as if he had just smelled something rotten. He theatrically wiped his hands as if purifying them and broke into his thick Punjabi tone, his voice dripping with overacted disgust:

"Vatsal? Ohde naal? Oh bande naal pyaar? Rab rakha! Chii! Oh taan lagda expired acha!! Menu Kriti naal pyaar, Vatsal de taan gatekeeper vi na baithe! Meri vibe ohde naal match? Ewww! Wifi da signal vi reject kar de ohnu!"

["Vatsal? With him? In love with that guy? God bless!"

Ew! He looks like an expired pickle!

I'm in love with Kriti. Vatsal isn't even fit to be a gatekeeper! My vibe matching with him? Ew, even Wi-Fi would reject his signal!"]

Kriti's cheeks flushed crimson with blush, and without uttering a word, she quietly sat down, her smirk gone. Vatsal, on the other hand, looked utterly confused, his brain working overtime to make sense of Arnav's dramatic rant.

Finally, after a long pause and a visible struggle to put two and two together, he burst out,

"Ek sec... mujhe bas itna samajh aaya ki isne mujhe gatekeeper kaha, aur tune Kriti ko wifi se compare kiya, hai naa? Oyeee! Tu meri dost ko wifi se compare nahi kar sakta, samjhaaa?"

["Wait a sec... all I understood is that he called me a gatekeeper, and you got compared to Wifi, right? Oyee! You can't compare my friend to Wifi, samjhaaa?"]

Arnav glared at him, his voice rising like thunder,

"Oyeee! Kaali naath ke ashur kahi ke! Maine Kriti ko kuch nahi kaha. Maine toh usko chod! Tu na muh band kar, warna takla phod dunga tera!"

["Oyee! Son of dark clouds! I didn't say anything to Kriti. Forget her you just shut your mouth, or I'll smash your bald head open!"]

Within seconds, the two of them were bickering like little kids from the junior section, throwing empty threats and words at each other.

Kriti pressed her palm to her forehead, shaking her head in utter disbelief. These two were hopeless.

Moments later, Pranjal and Adhvik joined them, followed by the rest of the trio. Soon the chaos dissolved into the warmth of shared food, as everyone gathered for lunch.

Palak and Pranjal's hands brushed against each other as they both reached for the same water bottle at the exact same moment. Their eyes locked instantly, neither of them blinking, as though time itself had paused. A strange silence lingered between the soft, unspoken. Then, almost abruptly, Palak snapped back to her senses. She quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks glowing red.

Sitting a little away, Adhvik had been silently observing the entire exchange. A mischievous smirk curved on his lips, but before he could tease, something struck his memory. He leaned forward with sudden excitement.

"Guys, guys! Yaad hai jab humara Palak ke ghar movie ka plan tha? Aur sabka wahan jaane ka plan bana tha?"

["Guys, guys! Remember the day we all planned to watch a movie at Palak's house?"]

Anushka, who was lazily munching on her food, nodded without looking up.

"Haan... aur us din Palak ghar mein akeli thi. Hum sab bahar the... aur yaad hai, isne achanak se call kiya tha, kyun ki..."

["Yeah... and that day Palak was home alone. We were all outside, and suddenly she called us because—"]

Before she could finish, Manya broke into laughter, barely able to hold it in.

"Pranjal bhai Palak ka dance dekh ke behosh ho gaye the! Sexy sexy wala dance dekh ke!"

["Because Pranjal bhai fainted after watching Palak's sexy sexy dance!"]

Pranjal, who had been casually sipping water until then, choked at her words. He spluttered, spraying the entire mouthful straight onto Vatsal's face. Vatsal froze in disbelief, dripping wet, while the whole group exploded into uncontrollable laughter.

Adhvik shot up from his seat, dancing around Vatsal like a maniac, chanting at the top of his lungs,

"Nananananana! Mere saath jo kiya tha, yaad hai? Aaj mera badla poora huaa! Chandramukhi ko bulane ki zaroorat hi nahi!"

["Nananananana! Remember what you did to me? Today my revenge is complete! No need to call Chandramukhi now!"]

Vatsal, wiping his face furiously, glared at him, but no one came to his rescue. The table had turned into a comedy stage, with everyone clutching their stomachs from laughter.

Amidst the chaos, Anushka quietly leaned closer, gently dabbing the water off Vatsal's face with a tissue. It was a small, almost tender gesture yet no one noticed, too busy howling in amusement.

Meanwhile, Pranjal's entire face had turned crimson. His hands trembled slightly as he put the bottle aside. When he finally dared to glance up, his gaze collided with Palak's. She was already looking at him.

Her eyes lingered, soft and questioning, while his heart thumped louder than ever.

—-

Flashback...

That afternoon, Palak was curled up on her bed, drifting between sleep and daydreams, when her phone suddenly buzzed. It was Anushka.

"Palak! Sab log tumhare ghar aa rahe hain movie ke liye. Ready ho jao!" Anushka's excited voice rang through the speaker.

["Palak! Everyone's coming over to your place for movie night. Get ready!"]

Palak's drowsiness vanished instantly, replaced by a rush of excitement. Her heart gave a little leap at just one thought Pranjal was also coming.

A shy smile spread across her lips as she turned her laptop screen towards herself. Her wallpaper lit up, and there was Pranjal's face frozen in the picture she secretly adored. She traced her fingers lightly over the screen, whispering as if the image could hear, the same way she did every night before sleeping. It had become her silly little habit talking to him through pixels, letting out feelings she could never say aloud.

She sat up, hugging the pillow tight, her cheeks warming at the thought. So much time left before everyone comes... Her eyes sparkled suddenly with mischief.

"Why don't I dance a little? Get ready properly too?" she murmured to herself, already rising from the bed.

Palak's room glowed softly as she stood in front of

her mirror, lost in her own little fantasy. She wore a delicate white slip dress, airy and feminine, its lace hem swaying with every step she took. Bare shoulders, soft curls, and those cream-toned heels gave her the look of a dream, almost too tender for the real world.

The music began, and she moved graceful at first, then playful, her body flowing like water.

"Latoo, latoo, latoo main uspe latoo...

Latoo Latoo Latoo Main

Al Al Al Al Ala.."

she sang under her breath, twirling lightly, her dress spinning with her, eyes sparkling with mischief. Her hips swayed gently, hands trailing through the air as if drawing invisible patterns. She brushed her hair back dramatically, a smile breaking free on her lips as she stepped closer to the mirror, admiring the flush in her own cheeks.

When the lyrics softened—"Palak kyu phadke re, dil kyu dhadke re...

Khitak Si Jau Re,Kyu Mein Sharmau Re,"

—her movements slowed, becoming coy, almost shy. She clasped her dress at the sides and swayed, her knees bending playfully as though teasing someone unseen.

"Aaj Yeh Kaun Aaya,Khushboon Sa Chaaya,

Chaal Mein Ghughroo Hai,

Mausam Hai, Oh Oh Oh Oh Wooohh"

Then, as the beat lifted again, she spun, arms wide, whispering—"Yaar, yaar, yaar mera yaar aaya..."—before collapsing onto her chair with a laugh, her chest rising and falling with excitement.

On the laptop screen, Pranjal's picture glowed—him with his guitar, caught mid-song. She stretched her hand toward it, her eyes soft, as if he were right there with her — "Latoo Latoo Latoo Main Uspe Latoo

Latoo Latoo Latoo Main Uspe Latoo.."

Every move she made, every twirl and every sway, was for him alone. Her dress fluttered, her heart raced, and in that moment, Palak was no longer just dancing she was confessing, silently but fully, to the rhythm of her own heartbeat.

Pranjal had just stepped out of the library, his bag slung over one shoulder, the quiet determination of a long study session still on his face. The evening air was calm, but inside him there was a rush to return something that always drew him to Palak's house first. He reached her door and pressed the bell. Once. Twice. Silence.

His brows knit together. "Yeh Palak... darwaza kyun nahi khol rahi?" he muttered, glancing around anxiously. He knew where the spare key was kept and he knew about this. Hesitation flickered for a second, then worry overpowered it. Without another thought, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.

["Why isn't Palak opening the door?"]

The house was quiet, the faint hum of music drifting through the hallway. Pranjal's heart thudded faster. "Kahaan gayi hogi?" he whispered, his steps quickening as he moved toward her room.

["Where could she have gone?" ]

And then he stopped dead in his tracks.

Through the half-open door, he saw her. Palak, in a delicate white dress that floated with every turn, was lost in her own rhythm. Her hair spilled like a soft wave over her shoulders, her movements playful, graceful, almost intoxicating. She spun lightly, lips parting with a smile, Her laughter rang out like music itself.

Her finger lifted playfully toward the mirror, as though pointing at an invisible lover, then she twirled, the dress fanning out, her hair spilling in waves. She stopped mid-spin, bending slightly, her gaze dipping low, confident, yet lost in her own world.

"Uske aane se bass jaaye, sune sune mann ka ilaaka..."

Palak tilted her head back, closing her eyes for a moment, her body swaying like a whisper carried by the wind. She ran her hand slowly down her own arm, the movement graceful yet teasing, as though the music itself were caressing her.

"Woh bass kar de ishara..."

"Aur main bolu jo hukm ho aaka..."

Palak lifted both arms above her head, her body arching gracefully, then let her hands trail down her sides with deliberate slowness. The move was fluid, bold, and utterly captivating like a secret dance meant only for someone's eyes.

Pranjal's breath hitched. His chest tightened, his fingers curled against the doorframe. His throat went dry, and his lips parted in disbelief. "Palak..." he whispered, though his voice barely escaped. His eyes were locked, unblinking, as though even a blink would mean losing a moment of this sight.

Her movements were a fire graceful yet dangerous, pulling him deeper into a spell he didn't know he had stepped into. He tried to breathe, but his breath caught in his lungs, refusing to move. It was as if the very air around him had thickened.

"Ye... ye main dekh kya raha hoon?" he whispered under his breath, his voice barely audible.

["W-what... what am I even looking at?"]

Pranjal froze. His eyes widened, his breath caught. It was as if time itself had stopped. His lips parted but no words came out. His whole body stiffened, rooted to the ground.

Palak, lost in her own world, didn't notice. She swayed, stretched her arms, and smiled toward her laptop where his picture glowed with a guitar in hand. Her voice softened with the lyrics—

"Oh Palak Kyu Phadke Re,Dil Kyu Dhadke Re,Khitak Si Jau Re,

Kyu Mein Sharmau Re,Aaj Yeh Kaun Aaya,
Khushboon Sa Chaaya,Chaal Mein Ghughroo Hai,

Mausam Hai, Oh Oh Oh Oh Wooohh
Yaar Yaar Yaar Mera Yaar Aaya,

Mera Yaar Yaar Yaar Mera Yaar Aaya..."

Pranjal's heart skipped. His throat went dry. His mind screamed to look away, to move, to say something, but his body betrayed him. He stood there, stunned, eyes locked on her, as if someone had whispered a spell that refused to break.

His chest rose sharply, his hand gripping the doorframe for support. "Pearl..." he murmured, but the sound died in his throat.

A loud thud interrupted Palak's mid dance, she turned toward the sound's source, only to witness her crush lying on the floor.

"AHHHHH!!!!" She screamed, her lungs could burst if she would have screamed a little louder, but this scream could have torn someone's ear if they heard. "Yei yaha, zameen mai kya kar raha hai? Or so kyu raha hai?" she muttered to herself, eyes narrow at the lying body of Pranjal.

["What... What is he doing here, lying on the floor? And why is he not moving?"]

"Pranjal!!" She called his name loudly.

Her heart sank, when she got no response in return. "Pranjal, uth jao na! Kya ho gya hai?" tension was clear on her face, brows knight together, while the flash of tears building in her eyes. Nervousness shoots down to her spine, making her shiver with the bad thoughts clouding over her brain.

["Pranjal, get up! What happened to you?"]

"Ab mai kya karu?" she talked to herself. She kneels down in front of him, cupping his face between her small palms, "Pranjal, please. Mazak na karo yrr" she begged him to open his eyes, but how could Pranjal listen to her, when he is unconscious, lying on the floor?

["What should I do now?"

"Pranjal, please... don't joke like this, yaar,"]

Fear builds inside her heart, "Anushka or Manya ko batati hu. Nahi nahi Manya ko nahi, usko laga ki maine uska bhai tapka diya toh? But I guess yei zinda hai...shyad?" She talked to herself for a good five minutes.

["Should I tell Anushka or Manya? No, no... not Manya. What if she thinks I killed her brother? But I guess he's still alive... maybe?"]

"Han Han Zinda hai" She checked his breathing and pulse rate. "Ab bulaugi Manya ko" she stood up from the ground, her eyes gleaming with fear and tension of Pranjal.

["Yes, yes... he's alive."

"Now I'll call Manya."]

She called Anushka and Manya together, "Bhai utha le yei dono call. Nahi toh maar daalugi" muttering to herself, she looked down at Pranjal.

["Brother, please pick up this call... or else I'll kill you!"]

After a few rings, Anushka picked up the call, "Hello"

"Bhai Pranjal tapak gya. Vivda hogyi mai" she said dramatically as if he was really dead.

["Bhai... Pranjal is gone. I'm ruined!"]

"Hein? Pagal hogyi hai kya bolri hai?" Concern dripped from Anushka's voice at Palak's trembling tone.

["What? Have you gone mad? What are you saying?"]

"Bhai mujhe dar lag raha hai!!" Palak shouted at the call, "Kuch kar na". She was almost trembling with stress.

["Bhai, I'm scared!!"

"Do something..." ]

"Acha, ruk mai aari hu, tu tension na le." Anushka tried to console her.

["Okay, wait, I'm coming. Don't panic."]

"Manya ko bhi lekr aana" Palak added.

["Bring Manya along too,"]

After a few minutes of pacing nervously, Palak heard footsteps. But they weren't just two pairs, they were four. Her heart sank, fear trembling through her bones, making her breathing shallow.

"Kya hogya mere Pranjlu ko?" Adhvik came running toward the unconscious body of Pranjal. "Palak, tune mere suhaag ko mita diya?" Adhvik added dramatically.

["What happened to my Pranjlu?"

"Palak, you killed my husband?"]

Maybe he is showing his dramatic side to everyone, but somewhere in the back of his heart, fear was making a wall. Brick by brick. A small corner of his heart was fearing at the condition of Pranjal. But he was way too lazy to show everyone his side.

"Behosh hua hai, tapka nahi hai" Anushka added, after finding Pranjal's pulse rate normal.

["He's unconscious, not dead,"]

"Bhai, behosh kaise hue?" Manya's concern added the thickening sensations in the atmosphere,

["Bhai, how did he faint?"]

Hearing her, a small smirk crept on Adhvik's face, leaning closer to her ear, he said, "Mere pyaar mai beh gya" His cheesy lines made Manya's concern turn into anger.

["He drowned in my love."]

She swung her hand that landed on his stomach, "Chup re!! Terse gyaan nahi manga maine"

["Shut up! Nobody asked for your nonsense."]

Adhvik cried in pain, but a small smirk on his lips refused to fade up, "Jalti hai na tu apne bhai se!!" His eyes gleamed up as he witnessed the irritation on Manya's face.

["You're just jealous of your brother, aren't you?"]

"Delulu is not a solulu everytime, Mr. Chamgadar" Manya smiles forcefully.

["Delulu is not solulu every time, Mr. Batman,"]

"Bhai bass kardo, vo behosh hai, at least kahi toh argument nah kiya karo!!" Palak sobbed, looking at Pranjal's unmoving body. Her heart thumped like a drum at a parade, her eyes blurred with fresh tears. Her hands were so cold that even ice water would feel warm. Her mind was clouded with bad thoughts, dark as thunderclouds.

["Stop it, you two! He's unconscious. At least don't argue right now!"]

"Serious ho jao chalo" Adhvik smirked, hiding the mischief in his eyes.

["Come on, let's get serious,"]

"Vatsal, bolo kuch. Tumahara bhai behosh hai, shant kyu ho?" Anushka nudged him, he was the only one who was silent in the bickering of Manya and Adhvik.

["Vatsal, say something. Your brother's unconscious why are you so quiet?"]

"Mai kya bolu, Miss topper. I am so out of words." Vatsal rubbed his forehead, his hands freezing with tension he refused to accept. "Samjh nahi aara kaise uthau isko. Or yei pakoda behosh kaise hua?" His eyes darted toward her.

["What should I say, Miss Topper? I'm out of words."

"I don't understand how to wake him up. And how the hell did this pakoda faint?"]

"Palak?"

"Bhai I really don't know, I was dancing when I saw him like this.." Her voice trembled. Her hands shakes with fear.

["Bhai, I really don't know. I was dancing when I saw him like this..."]

"Jab uthega tab puch lena issi se" Adhvik yawned, as if caring for someone was the last thing he could ever do.

["When he wakes up, just ask him yourself,"]

"Uske liye uthana padega na usko!!" Vatsal's voice echoes loudly.

["For that, we have to actually wake him up!!"]

Meanwhile, Manya's eyes darted toward Palak's dress which was showing her most of the skin, her face lightened up with an evil smirk, "Bhai, Palak. Tu dress change kar le, nahi toh bhai uthe or tujhe ese dekh kr seedha yumraj pass na chale jaye" She giggled.

["Bhai, Palak... go change your clothes. Otherwise, if he wakes up and sees you like this, he'll go straight to Yama (God of Death)."]

Palak's face turned into a prettiest shade of red, her lips thinned a line, making her gulp down the lump of shyness she was having in the middle of her throat.

"Hmm. Mai jaati hu"

["Hmm... I'll go."]

"Gooo!" Manya chuckled.

As she went to change her clothes, Manya felt someone was sneaking in her bag, and as far as she knew, these kinds of things were always done by Adhvik. Without any second thought, she yanked her bag, and shouted at the intruder, "Besharm—" Her words hung in her throat when her eyes landed on the familiar face she adores– Anushka. Her eyes got narrow at her un-Anushka behavior.

["You shameless—"]

"Tereko Adhvik se dur rehne ki need hai, kya chori chakari ke kaamo mai aagyi hai" Manya eyes went wide in disbelief.

["You need to stay away from Adhvik. Are you into stealing now too?"]

"Chup baith!! Tu palak se baat kar rahi toh maine socha kya disturb karu..Paani ki bottle chaiye thi merko" Anushka shoved her hand on Manya's shoulder.

["Shut up! You were talking to Palak, so I thought I shouldn't disturb you. I just needed a bottle of water,"]

"Seedhe seedhe mang na.." Manya hung her bag on one shoulder as she took out the water bottle. "Yei le, or sun maii zara Bhai or us chamgadar ka plan sun kar aau..Pranjal ko uthane ka"

["Then just ask directly..."

"Here. And listen, I'll go hear what my brother and that batman are planning about waking Pranjal."]

Anushka nodded while drinking water.

"Hospital jane ki need nahi hai,Yawrrr isko moja sungha do na. Itny kya tension leni, uth jayega" Adhvik argued with Vatsal, as he told him to take Pranjal to the hospital.

["There's no need to go to the hospital, yaar. Just let him smell a sock. Why take so much tension? He'll wake up,"]

"Oye Bhaalu. Terko har behosh admi ko moja sunghane ka shok hai kya?" Manya interrupted, remembering the way he also gave the same advice when Anushka went unconscious.

["Oye, Bear! Do you enjoy making every unconscious person smell a sock?"]

"Han. Adhvik Tameez se, Bhai hai vo mera" Vatsal agreed with Manya, his voice dripping with seriousness and gaze darkly boring into Adhvik's soul, making him tremble to his spine. After a pause of a few seconds.

["Yes. And Adhvik, behave—it's my brother we're talking about,"]

Vatsal looked at Adhvik with the same expressions on his face, "Adhvik, apna underwear sungha isko"

["Adhvik, let him smell your underwear instead."]

Manya's eyes went wide at his unbelievable statement, while Anushka who was drinking water, her water spits out from her mouth. "Konse drugs lera hai yei Hippo?" She muttered to herself.

["What drugs is this hippo on?"]

"Adhvik ka underwear kyuuu!!??" Palak yelled, as she came after changing her clothes, her voice laced with jealousy.

["Why Adhvik's underwear!!??"]

"He bhagwaan!!" Anushka slapped her forehead being done with the whole group of hers.

["Oh God!"]

"Adhvik ka hi underwear kyuuu?" Palak argued, "I mean kisi or ka bhi toh le sakte hai na" she complained.

["Why only Adhvik's underwear?"

"I mean, you could use someone else's too!"]

Anuskha looked at her in disbelief and she felt her whole life was useless because she is a friend of these senseless people.

Everyone's gaze fixed on Palak and her dramatic jealousy. Adhvik trying to hide her laugh, while Manya who was trying to figure out how to get out of this chutiyap.

"Abee tu jal kyu rahi hai.." Vatsal smirked, teasing her further.

["Why are you jealous?"]

"Mai kyu jalugiii!!??" Palak yelled.

["Why would I be jealous!!??"]

"Nahi jal rahi toh mujhe mera underwear sunghane de na, mere Pranjaluu baby ko" Adhvik tried to take off his pants, to which Palak and Anushka shut their eyes.

["If you're not, then let me make him smell my underwear, my dear Pranjalu baby,"]

Adhvik was not truly opening his pants, he was just doing it intentionally to tease everyone.

"Agar yei utra toh tu samjh lena, wapas phenne layak nahi bachega" Manya threatened him, although her heart was also beating like a drum at his dark joke.

["If those pants come off, I swear you'll never be able to wear them again,"]

Adhvik's face turned creamy red at her words, maybe he took her words in a different way instead of getting it as a threat, but he chose to shut his mouth and stop his non-vegitarian jokes.

"Bhai mai jinda hu!!" Pranjal's faint voice came in everyone's ears, making everyone's gaze shift to him.

["Bhai, I'm alive!!"]

"Isse phele aap log kuch puche, maine ispr paani daal diya, kyukki Adhvik ka kachaa sungane se toh badiya hi thaa yei" Anushka confessed.

["Before you ask, I poured water on him. It was better than letting him smell Adhvik's underwear,"]

Palak sighs in double relief.

Vatsal's chest puffed up with pride and happiness, that's my girl. "Thank you," he muttered.

"Yei sab choro yei batao, tum behosh kaise ho gye the?" Manya interrupted, losing her interest in the further chaos.

["Forget all this. Tell us—how did you faint?"]

Pranjal's eyes trails at everyone who was looking down at him, concern and fear in some pair of eyes. He knows why he fell, maybe the thread of his fear is connected with the boldness of Palak. "Vo palak ka dance–" Before he could say anything else, everyone burst into laughter.

["It was... Palak's dance—"]

Manya burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she leaned closer to Anushka and muttered under her breath,

"Eeee bhai, dance dekh ke hi behosh ho gaya... suhagrat mein toh Palak ke saath kya hi karega?"

["Eeee bhai, he fainted just by watching the dance... what will he even do on the wedding night with Palak?"]

Flashback ends.....

Everyone burst into laughter, their voices echoing across the canteen. Pranjal, unable to bear the humiliation, lowered his head and tried to hide his face behind his palms, his ears turning red with embarrassment. His shoulders hunched, as though he wished he could melt into the chair and disappear.

Just then, breaking the chaos. The peon stepped in, his voice sharp and clear above the noise, "Adhvik, your parents are in the office."

Adhvik's expression changed, her laughing face turned blank, almost unreadable. Without saying a single word, he pushed himself up from his seat. He didn't look back, didn't react, and simply walked away to meet his parents.

Anisha and Harshit were already waiting when Adhvik walked into the office. Harshit wore the same stern expression, as if he had come not to discuss but to declare.

Adhvik stopped at the doorway, his eyes narrowing. His voice carried an edge of challenge.

"kya kar rahe ho yaha?"

["Why you guys are here?"]

Harshit leaned forward, his tone firm, every word laced with authority.

"We spoke to your teacher. You will sit for the entrance exam of a business college. It's time you take responsibility."

A bitter laugh escaped Adhvik's lips. His fists clenched at his sides as he snapped back,

"You don't decide for me, Mr. Patel. This is my life, and I'll choose my own career. Agar mujhe sab chhodna padhe, toh main chhod dunga."

Anisha quickly stepped in, her voice softer, almost pleading.

"Beta, tumhare papa tumhara bhala hi chahenge..."

["Beta, your father only wants what's best for you..."]

But Adhvik only smirked, his eyes burning with anger.

"Haan... apne extra-marital affairs se time mil gaya?. Wahan bacha nahi kar paye na joh inke bekar business ko sambhale isliye toh ab mujhe par toph rahe hai."

["Oh really? He found time for that after all his extra-marital affairs? Couldn't get one child properly, who will save his so-called business, and now he wants to dump all his failures on me?"]

The words hit like a slap. Harshit's face flushed crimson. He shot up from his chair, his voice booming with rage.

"Zubaan sambhaal ke baat kar! Main tera baap hoon! Aur wahi karega jo main kahunga!"

["Watch your tongue! I am your father! And you will do exactly what I say!"]

Adhvik didn't flinch. Instead, he straightened, his smirk curling into a cold defiance. His voice was calm, yet sharp enough to cut through the air.

"Jo karna hai kar lijiye. I will choose football as my career. Aap mujhe decide nahi karenge. Aur meri life h mein aapke hisab se rahunga samjhe aap maa nahi hu main ki joh bologe kar lunga. Baap banna seekhiye pehle... kyunki baap ka farz toh kabhi samjhe h nahi kabhi bane nhi aap mere baap sirf papers main h smjhe."

["Do whatever you want. I will choose football as my career. You don't get to decide for me. And I won't live my life on your terms. Understand this I'm not like my mother, that I should blindly obey everything you say. First, learn what it means to be a father... because you never understood a father's duty, you never acted like one. You're only my father on paper, nothing more."]

And then, without another word, Adhvik turned and stormed out of the office. As he pushed the door open, he froze for the briefest moment Manyaa was standing there. Her wide eyes and pale face made it clear she had heard everything.

For a second, her lips parted, as if she wanted to stop him, to call his name, to hold him back. But Adhvik didn't wait. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable, and without sparing her a glance, he walked past her, leaving only the cold trail of his silence behind.

Adhvik sat on the ground, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze fixed somewhere far away. His face carried the weight of a storm silent, heavy, and restless. He didn't want to speak to anyone, because deep down he knew if he opened his mouth right now, everything inside him would come spilling out, and he would definitely mess it up.

Manya spotted him from a distance. She walked quietly over and lowered herself beside him on the playground, not saying a word at first. She simply sat there, her presence steady, waiting for him to feel her calm.

After a moment, she spoke softly.

"It happens, Adhvik... they're parents. Who really pays attention to every single word they say? Half the time, they just talk without realizing how much it affects us."

She glanced at him, searching for the slightest change in his expression. When he remained quiet, she continued, her tone a little firmer but still warm.

"You don't need to think so much. We can't take every little thing to heart, you know? Life is already complicated, and if you carry every word like a burden... you'll drown in it. We need to keep things sorted, not pile up unnecessary pressure."

She leaned back slightly, letting out a sigh before speaking again.

"Look... pressure will always be there. But you don't have to let it control you. If you keep your mind clear, you'll be able to handle it. That's the real strength. And you—" she pointed lightly at him, "—you're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

Adhvik shifted a little but still didn't speak. His silence made her push further, her voice a mix of seriousness and playfulness.

"Tell me something, what do you get from overthinking like this? Does it solve anything? No, right? It just makes you more miserable. So why waste your energy on things that won't even matter a year from now or maybe not even tomorrow?"

She nudged his shoulder gently.

"Come on, Adhvik. Don't let these small things ruin your peace. Parents scold, they complain that's just what they do. But that doesn't mean you lose yourself over it."

She paused, then added in a softer voice, "Your energy... it's too precious to be wasted on things like this. You should be focusing on where you want to go, not where you're stuck. Do you get what I'm saying?"

Finally, she leaned closer, her voice teasing but kind.

"Stop sulking like the world is ending. It's not. It's just one bad day, not a bad life. Smile a little, hmm?"

For a long moment, Adhvik just sat there, listening to her words spill out gentle. But instead of softening completely, something inside him tightened. He finally turned his head, his voice low but edged with bitterness.

"You think it's that simple, Manya?" he said, his eyes sharp now. "Of course you'd say all this. Your life is easy. You have freedom. Your parents support you. You don't know what it feels like to live every single day being... controlled. To have people decide what you should do, how you should act, what you should become."

He let out a dry laugh, but it wasn't humor it was anger mixed with hurt.

"You'll never understand it. You've never felt what it's like to be trapped in your own life. So don't stand here and give me advice as if you know everything. You don't. You don't know how it feels to carry someone else's expectations like chains."

Adhvik finally lifted his head, his eyes burning with a mixture of anger and exhaustion. His voice came out rough, almost trembling with the weight he had been carrying.

"You know what, Manya? It's easy for you to say all this. You have supporting parents. Everything you want you get it. You live the way you want, you do what you need, and no one stops you. You're not controlled by your parents, not forced into decisions you don't even want. That's why it's so easy for you to sit here and tell me to stay calm, to take things lightly."

He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.

"But me? I don't have that luxury. I don't get to choose. I don't get to live the way I want. So don't stand here and give me advice about something you'll never understand."

His voice grew heavier, his eyes dark with the storm that had been brewing inside.

"Don't tell me how to live, Manya. Don't advise me when you don't even know half of what I go through."

And with that, he pushed himself up from the ground and walked away, leaving Manya sitting there with her words caught in her throat.

Manya lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the ground, her fingers nervously fighting with each other. She didn't know what to say, what to feel. That's when her gaze fell on a cockroach crawling slowly across the dust. Almost instinctively, she reached out and cupped it carefully in her palms, as if it was the only listener she had in that moment.

With a broken smile, she whispered to the little creature,

"Main toh use samjhane aayi thi... par usne toh mujhe itna suna diya ki main kya bolun? Aisa toh nahin hai ki meri life itni easy hai. Samne se jo dikhta hai... hamesha vaisa hi hota hai kya? Zaruri toh nahin..."

["I only came to make him understand... but instead, he said so much to me that I don't even know what to say now. It's not like my life is that easy either. Just because something looks simple from the outside... Does it always mean it's really that way? Not necessarily..."]

Her words trembled in the air, her voice soft, but her pain heavy. She forced a small smile at the cockroach, as if sharing a secret only it could carry. Only she knew how much she had endured as a single girl child in her family.

Her parents loved her, yes, she knew that but their love was wrapped in rules and invisible chains. They never left her alone, never let her breathe freely. Every place she went, one of her brothers had to go with her, to pick her up, to drop her off. She was never trusted to just be by herself. The only exceptions were Anushka and Palak girls whose parents trusted them. Only with them was she allowed some space.

She had to be the good child. Always. Because one day she would have to handle her father's industries after her studies. Their trust was heavy, not light; it was the kind of trust that suffocated. She had to be the perfect daughter, the best in everything, so that they would never feel sad, never feel disappointed.

And yet, in protecting her so much, her parents forgot that they were also caging her. That their love, as deep as it was, often made her feel trapped.

Looking down at the cockroach still resting in her hands, Manya's smile turned painfully soft, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Sab ko sab kuch nahi milta, hai na..." she murmured, her voice breaking into the silence.

["Not everyone gets everything in life, right..."]

Adhvik, now walking down the corridor, felt a sting of regret with every step. His thoughts started shouting at him louder than his own voice had earlier.

"What the hell, Adhvik? You can't talk to her like that! Behan ka rasgulla hain tuh, yaar. She only came to make you feel better. Aur tu gadha... behen ki biryani hadd hai, seriously! Mood kharab hai toh iska matlab yeh thodi hai ki tu kisi se bhi kaise bhi baat kar le. Yeh koi tareeka hota hai kya?"

["What the hell, Adhvik? You can't talk to her like that! you're behan ka rasgulla. She came only to make you feel better. And you like an idiot you lashed out at her. Unbelievable! Just because your mood is bad doesn't mean you get to talk to people any way you like. That's not how it works!"]

He ran a hand through his hair, guilt tightening in his chest.

"Bas ab... jaa aur sorry bol."

["Now go. Go say sorry to her."]

Without wasting another second, Adhvik turned and sprinted back toward the playground, his only thought now to find Manya and to apologize before it was too late.