•~• TARA'S POV •~•

Even after Ahaan and I had our argument, the weird tension in the classroom refused to fade.

The air felt stiff, almost like everyone was waiting for something to happen again. I could feel occasional glances thrown my way—some curious, some entertained, and a few probably waiting for "Round Two" to begin.

I clenched my jaw, deciding to ignore it. I wasn’t in the mood for any more drama today.

I tapped my fingers on my desk, my mind drifting until my gaze landed on the wall clock.

Recess was about to end in 20 minutes.

And then it hit me.

My eyes widened, and I shot up straight in my seat.

"Oh crap!"

Vaani, who had been casually doodling on the corner of her notebook, almost jumped in shock. "Ab kya ho gaya?"

I smacked my forehead. "Maine tujhe apni doston se introduce karaya bhi nahi! Itna sab ho gaya, aur mujhe yaad bhi nahi raha!"

Vaani blinked at me before smirking. "Wow, Tara. What a great best friend you are. Main emotional ho gayi ab toh." She even wiped an imaginary tear for extra dramatic effect.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed her wrist. "Chal, zyada natak mat kar. Let’s go before recess ends, warna phir lunch tak wait karna padega."

She let out an exaggerated sigh but got up anyway.

The Canteen Chaos

As soon as we stepped into the canteen, the familiar chaos hit us—the loud chatter of students, the constant clatter of plates, and the overwhelming mix of smells.

Samosas, stale fries, cold sandwiches, and something that vaguely smelled like burnt toast.

I wrinkled my nose. How does this place always smell like this?

Vaani, on the other hand, breathed in dramatically. "Ahh, canteen ka asli essence. Kitna yaad aata tha ye sab lunchbox wali boring life mein."

I spotted Kriti and Nirma at our usual table, deep in conversation. Kriti was talking animatedly, using her hands as she explained something, while Nirma lazily munched on her fries, nodding along like she wasn’t really listening.

I walked up to them and cleared my throat.

"Ahem."

Kriti looked up and, the moment she saw me, crossed her arms with a dramatic expression.

"Look who finally remembered we exist."

Nirma placed a hand over her chest. "Tara, dil tod diya tune. Hum toh bas yaadon mein hi zinda hain na?"

I groaned. Why are my friends so extra?

Kriti smirked. "Nope. Ab tu sorry bolegi tabhi baat karenge."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Tu apni overacting band karegi tabhi main sorry bolungi."

Vaani, standing beside me, leaned in and whispered, "Tara, I think tere friends bhi mere jitne hi overdramatic nikle."

Kriti gasped. "Excuse me?! Overdramatic nahi, emotionally expressive!"

Nirma nodded seriously. "Bilkul."

Vaani burst out laughing. "Okay, okay, bohot ho gaya. Tara, bas sorry bol de. Bechari yon ki feelings hurt ho gayi hai."

I sighed, giving in. "Theek hai, sorry. Bahut badi galti ho gayi. Maaf kar do, maharani yon."

Kriti grinned. "Much better." Then she glanced at Vaani curiously. "Ab bata, yeh kaun hai?"

I turned to Vaani. "Meet Vaani. Meri Bachpan ki best friend, jo ab yahan bhi mere jaan ke peeche pad chuki hai."

Vaani elbowed me. "Shut up, Tara." Then, with a bright smile, she looked at them. "Hi guys!"

Kriti and Nirma chuckled before smiling back at her.

"Hi, Vaani!" Kriti said cheerfully. "I’m Kriti, aur yeh Nirma hai." Then, with a teasing grin, she added, "Agar tu Tara ki best friend hai, that means you must be just as boring as her."

"Agreed," Nirma nodded.

Vaani smirked. "Are you kidding? Main toh level up hoon!"

We all laughed at that.

Then, as expected, Vaani’s attention shifted to Nirma.

She tilted her head slightly. "By the way… Nirma?"

Nirma sighed, already knowing what was coming. "Haan haan, naam sunte hi hasi aayegi. Pehle has lo sab."

Vaani didn’t even pretend to hold back. "Nahi nahi, bas ek baat batao… tumhare ghar wale washing powder se inspire hoke naam rakhte hain kya?"

Silence.

Then Kriti let out the loudest laugh, almost choking on her juice.

I covered my face, trying (and failing) to stifle my own laughter.

Nirma gave us all a deadpan look. "Tum sab bakwas ho!"

Vaani grinned. "Haan, aur tu washing powder!"

That was it. Kriti was laughing so hard she had to hold her stomach. I tried to control myself, but Vaani was making it impossible.

We couldn’t stop laughing for the next five minutes. Even Nirma, after rolling her eyes a hundred times, ended up giggling.

Finally, she sighed. "Uff, Vaani, tu bhi na…"

Vaani smirked. "Kya kare, mazak bana diya tumhare naam ne!"

Kriti wiped away a fake tear. "Tara, tu late introduce karwa rahi thi, but maza aa gaya yaar!"

I shook my head, exhaling. "Baat toh sahi hai, Vaani ke sath koi moment boring nahi ho sakta."

The Comfort of Friendship.

As the conversation continued, we fell into a natural rhythm—Vaani cracking jokes, Kriti and Nirma throwing sarcastic comments back, and me… just sitting there, soaking it all in.

This was nice.

Despite the stupid fight with Ahaan, despite the chaos of the day, despite everything—this moment right here felt good.

A familiar warmth settled in my chest as I watched my friends bicker and laugh like they’d known each other forever.

And just like that…

Vaani fit right in.

As the bell rang we move towards aur class to continue lectures.

As time passed, the school day slowly crawled toward its end.

I tapped my pen against my notebook, my gaze flickering toward the clock. Just five more minutes before the final bell.

I could already hear the faint shuffling of students packing their bags, whispering to each other, eagerly waiting to escape.

Then—finally.

RING!

The bell echoed across the school, and within seconds, the classroom erupted into chaos.

Students rushed out, teachers sighed, and the hallway buzzed with excited chatter about after-school plans.

As I zipped up my bag, Vaani stretched her arms dramatically.

"Okay, since today was my first day, I’m treating you all to ice cream!"

Kriti cheered, immediately jumping up. "YES! Free food is my love language."

Nirma nodded in agreement. "I don’t say no to ice cream."

I smiled but shook my head. "You guys go ahead. Mujhe thodi der rukna padega line management ke liye. I'll meet you at the school gate in 15 minutes."

Vaani groaned, crossing her arms. "Why are you such a responsible citizen, Tara?"

I smirked. "Unlike you, I actually take my duties seriously."

"Ugh, whatever. Don’t take too long," she huffed before linking arms with Kriti and Nirma, dragging them toward the exit.

I watched them leave, then sighed. Duty first.

After finishing my duty, I finally made my way toward the gate where they were waiting.

I was lost in my thoughts, wondering what ice cream flavor I should get when—

BAM!

Something HARD slammed into my left arm with full force, and before I could react—

I lost my balance.

With a startled gasp, I stumbled and crashed onto the ground.

A sharp pain shot up my arm, making me wince.

"What the hell—"

Before I could even process what had happened, a hand appeared in front of me.

And just like that… my pain turned into pure frustration.

Ahaan.

He was standing there, offering me his hand, but instead of looking remorseful, he was… laughing.

Like a total idiot.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you blind?" I snapped, ignoring his outstretched hand.

His grin widened. "Sorry, sorry! That wasn’t intentional. I didn’t see you coming from that side," he said, flashing all his teeth like a toothpaste model.

I glared at him. "Kya tumhari aankhein kisi tour pe gayi thi jo tumhe ek zinda insaan aata hua nahi dikha?"

He sighed dramatically, as if I was the unreasonable one. "Arre yaar, galti ho gayi, sorry bol raha hoon. And by the way, I’m being polite, toh tum bhi toh tameez se baat kar sakti ho?"

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Kahan hai tumhari tameez? Bulao use. Ussi se baat kar leti hoon, kyunki tumhare andar toh dikh nahi rahi."

Before he could retort, his friend Yuvraj appeared out of nowhere.

"Bro, tu kabhi bhi shanti se nahi reh sakta na?" Yuvraj sighed, giving me an apologetic look before pulling Ahaan away. "Sorry, Tara. It won’t happen again."

And just like that, he dragged Ahaan off before another round of fighting could begin.

I huffed, brushing the dust off my uniform.

Great. First a fight, then getting hit by a stupid football. What else could go wrong today?

My entire mood was ruined because of that idiot.

I was still muttering under my breath about Ahaan when a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Kya hua, Rajdhani Express? Itni fast kahan ja rahi hai? Ruk, ice cream nahi khani kya?"

I looked up to see Vaani, standing with her hands on her hips, watching me curiously.

I quickly shook my head. "Kuch nahi, bas aise hi."

She narrowed her eyes. "Aur yeh chot kaise lagi?"

"Kuch nahi," I lied. "Main aa rahi thi aur galti se gir gayi."

Kriti and Nirma were busy talking amongst themselves, but Vaani wasn’t convinced. She took a step closer, studying me.

"Jo ladki mujhe girne se bachati rehti hai, voh khud gir gayi?" She crossed her arms. "Main pagal dikh rahi hoon kya?"

I sighed. There was no point in lying anymore.

"Theek hai, I'll tell you—"

I explained everything except Ahaan’s name.

Vaani’s jaw clenched. "Tu aise kaise bina ladayi kiye aa gayi?! Chal, mere saath, abhi batati hoon usko!"

She looked dead serious.

I grabbed her arm. "Chhod na yaar, ice cream khaate hain."

"Nahi! Aise kaise chhod doon us idiot ko?!"

I sighed. "Us idiot ke chakkar mein hum apni ice cream party kyun kharab kare? Chal na, mood mat kharab kar."

She still looked mad but, after a few moments, she exhaled. "Fine. But agar mujhe voh kal mila na, toh main nahi chhodne wali."

I just shook my head as we walked toward the ice cream shop.

After some time, Vaani’s mood returned to normal, and by the time we reached the shop, she was back to her usual excited self.

We ordered our ice creams, and while waiting, Kriti turned to Vaani.

"So, how was your previous school? Like, how many friends did you have there?"

Vaani licked her ice cream before grinning. "Actually, I love making friends, toh maine poori class ko dost bana liya tha."

Kriti raised an eyebrow. "Puri class?!"

"Haan! Matlab, ek do exceptions the… Jaya jaisi ladkiyon ko chhod kar," she said, making a disgusted face.

Nirma chuckled. "Tum dono kitne alag ho yaar. Tara barely talks to people, aur tu poori class se dosti karti hai."

Vaani smirked. "Opposites attract, darling."

Kriti laughed. "Not gonna lie, it’s really fun having you around."

We spent the next half an hour laughing, eating ice cream, and talking about random things. It felt nice.

Finally, after we were done, we all started heading back home.

As we reached the crossing, Vaani stretched her arms. "Okay, see you all in the evening!"

I smiled. "Bye, guys."

And as I turned to leave, I couldn’t help but think—

Maybe today wasn’t that bad after all.

•~•AUTHOR'S POV•~•

Vaani and Tara walked toward their respective houses, exhausted from the long day at school. After saying goodbye, Tara disappeared into her house while Vaani pressed the doorbell of her own.

Once… twice… three times…

No response.

She frowned, pressing it again. And again.

Still nothing.

Frustrated, she continuously rang the bell for the fifth time. Finally, the door swung open, revealing Ritvik standing there with an annoyed expression.

"Sunayi nahi deta kya? I’ve been ringing the bell forever!" Vaani snapped, pushing past him into the house.

Ritvik rolled his eyes. "Are you a guest or something? You live here too. Just open the door yourself next time."

Vaani shot him a glare. "Oh wow, so now I should welcome myself into my own house too? Amazing."

Ritvik scoffed. "At least that would save me from dealing with your never-ending complaints."

"Ugh! You are so annoying," she muttered, rubbing her temples. The argument had drained whatever energy she had left.

Without another word, she threw her bag on the floor and collapsed onto the sofa, sighing loudly.

What she failed to notice, however, was that she wasn’t alone in the living room.

Sitting on the other sofa were three boys—Ekansh, Ayaan, and Vihaan. Ritvik’s friends.

Vihaan, who had known Vaani since childhood, smirked as he watched her lie down. "Thak gayi, Princess?" he teased.

Without even opening her eyes, Vaani groaned. "Shut up, Vihaan. I don’t have the energy to deal with you right now."

Vihaan chuckled. "Oho, someone’s cranky. Anyway, how was your first day at school?"

That question instantly changed her mood. Eyes still closed, she sat up slightly and started talking excitedly.

"Oh, it was so much fun! Tara introduced me to her friends. Kriti and Nirma, by the way, they are just as dramatic as me! And the canteen—oh god, it still smells so good! And —"

Mid-sentence, her eyes finally landed on Ekansh.

Her words died in her throat.

She froze.

For the past five minutes, she had been casually talking while sitting right in front of a complete stranger.

Embarrassment hit her like a truck.

Without saying another word, she shot up from the sofa and rushed toward her room, leaving the boys confused.

Vihaan burst out laughing. "Well… that was unexpected."

Ayaan smirked. "Looks like she finally realized we were here."

Ekansh, who had been silently watching the whole time, raised an eyebrow. "She didn’t notice us at all until now?"

Ritvik sighed. "Welcome to my life."

•~•EKANSH'S POV•~•

The morning started just like any other.

As always, I arrived at school early—being the head boy came with responsibilities, and I made sure I was never late. While most students dragged themselves to school, still groggy from sleep, I was already there, ensuring everything was in order.

With my bag slung over one shoulder, I made my way toward the main building, my usual composed and focused self. Everything about my day followed a routine—structured, predictable, and exactly how I liked it. There was comfort in discipline, in knowing what was to come, and I had no intention of letting distractions interfere with that.

Within minutes, I spotted Ritvik leaning against one of the benches near the entrance, waiting for me.

“Punctual as ever, Mr. Head Boy,” Ritvik teased, pushing himself up.

I rolled my eyes but smirked slightly. “And you’re surprisingly late today.”

He grinned. “Oh haan, actually meri behen ka aaj first day hai school mein. Uski wajah se late ho gaya.”

I nodded. I knew he had a sister, though I had never seen her. Whenever I visited Ritvik’s house, she was either at school or out somewhere. From what I gathered, she had been studying in another school before this, but now, in the middle of her 11th grade, she had transferred here. Strange, wasn’t it? People usually didn’t switch schools during mid-term unless there was a compelling reason. But I didn’t ask. It wasn’t my business.

My world had little space for unnecessary curiosity.

Now, about my friends—Ritvik, Ayaan, and Vihaan had been my closest friends for years. Vihaan and Ayaan practically grew up with me. Our families lived nearby, and our bond had formed early, rooted in years of shared childhood memories, mischief, and unbreakable trust.

Ritvik, on the other hand, had been my friend for the past three years. Unlike us, his life was a series of movements from one city to another. His father was in the army, which meant constant transfers. Three years ago, he had returned to Mumbai—this time permanently. That was when Vihaan introduced us, and somehow, despite our differences, we clicked.

Even though Ritvik and I had known each other for a shorter time than the others, our bond was strong. Maybe because, in some ways, we were alike. He was reliable, someone I trusted without hesitation.

As for me, my father was in the Air Force. Unlike Ritvik, however, my family never moved. My dad had been posted to different places over the years, but we always stayed in Mumbai. Maybe that’s why I valued stability so much—I never had to face the uncertainties of changing schools, making new friends, or starting over. My life had always been here.

And I planned to keep it that way.

"Bro, tu sun raha hai?" Ayaan’s voice pulled me back to reality.

I blinked. Right—school, responsibilities, routine. No distractions.

Before we could talk more, Ayaan and Vihaan showed up, both looking as relaxed as ever.

Ayaan nudged my shoulder. “So, sir head boy, ready for another day of maintaining discipline?”

I scoffed. “Like I have a choice.”

Vihaan chuckled. “And you still wonder why you don’t have a life.”

I shook my head, used to their teasing. While they were more social, more carefree, I was… different. An introvert. Disciplined. Someone who followed the rules. That’s how people saw me, and honestly, I didn’t mind. I had my priorities straight.

I wasn’t like them, no doubt they are great. But My goal was clear—to become a doctor.

Not just any doctor. A great one.

I had seen my father’s dedication to his work, his unwavering discipline, and the sacrifices he had made for his country. That kind of commitment inspired me. He had always told me that true success didn’t come easy. It required focus, effort, and the ability to ignore distractions.

And I had taken those words to heart.

While others my age were busy in relationships, parties, and meaningless drama, I had no interest in any of it. Love? Infatuation? Those were distractions. Temporary emotions that clouded judgment and derailed ambitions.

I didn’t have time for that.

After some casual banter, we agreed to meet at Ritvik’s house after school. Then, it was time for the morning prayer.

I had to ensure everything was in order. As we stepped out of the classroom and into the corridor, my gaze automatically scanned the students—making sure there was no unnecessary talking, no chaos.

And that’s when I saw her.

For the first time in my life, my world stopped.

A girl.

Not just any girl—her.

I’ve never been the kind of guy to get distracted.

My world has always been structured, predictable. School, responsibilities, studies—everything runs on routine. And people? They’ve always been just that—people. Some familiar, some forgettable.

But her?

She was neither.

For the first time, I found myself staring—really staring—at someone.

Her long, wavy hair cascaded in a ponytail. It wasn’t perfectly tamed, and somehow, that made it even more distracting. A few loose strands had escaped, framing her face in a way that almost seemed effortless.

And then—her eyes.

Even from a distance, they held an intensity, like she was constantly thinking, constantly feeling. They weren’t just eyes; they were expressive, alive, holding a kind of unapologetic fire that made it impossible to look away.

Her brows were slightly arched, as if she carried a silent challenge, daring the world to keep up with her.

And that mouth—God.

There was something infuriatingly captivating about it. Maybe it was the way her lips curved—not into a delicate, shy smile, but something sharper, full of untold mischief. Like she was always one step away from saying something that would either make you laugh or ruin your peace completely.

She walked with a quiet confidence, an ease that set her apart.

She wasn’t just another student. She wasn’t just another face in the sea of uniforms.

She was something more.

The kind of person you don’t just look at—you notice. The kind of person who makes you forget what you were doing, makes you question why, for the first time, everything else seems… irrelevant.

I had never seen her before.

And yet, somehow, in that moment, it felt like she had existed in a space I never knew was empty.

I didn’t even realize I had stopped walking.

Who… is she?

I barely registered the students hurrying around me. All I knew was that my eyes had unknowingly followed her until she disappeared into the crowd.

And then, just like that, she was gone.

I forced myself to turn away, to focus on my duties. But even as I made my way to the prayer area, a part of my mind was still stuck in that moment.

I wasn’t supposed to be affected like this.

By the time I reached the front stage, my thoughts were no longer mine to control.

The prayer began. As head boy, I stood up front, my posture straight, eyes closed. But unlike every other day, my mind wasn’t focused on the words being recited.

Instead, it was filled with her.

Who was she?

A new student, obviously. But why did I feel like I needed to know more?

Why did she make my heart race—something that had never happened before?

Why did it feel like, in a school full of familiar faces, she was the only one who mattered at that moment?

The prayer ended, and I opened my eyes. But my mind?

Still lost.

As the students made their way back to their classrooms, I followed. On the outside, I looked the same—calm, composed, indifferent.

But inside?

All I could think about was her as the prayer was over everyone move towards their respective classes.

I had sat through every single lecture, but I might as well have been absent. Words were spoken, notes were written, questions were asked—none of it registered. The teachers could’ve called my name, and I wouldn’t have even noticed.

Because my mind?

It was stuck somewhere else.

Or rather—on someone else.

“Bro, tu theek toh hai?” Ayaan’s voice pulled me out of my trance. I blinked, realizing that my pen had been resting against my notebook for the past five minutes, completely unmoving.

I glanced at him and forced a nod. “Haan, bas thoda tired lag raha hai.”

Vihaan raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Tired? Tu?” He scoffed. “Tu toh tab bhi fresh lagta hai jab hum subah neend se laash bane hote hain.”

Ritvik smirked. “Mujhe lagta hai kisi ka dhyaan kahin aur hai.” His tone was teasing, but I ignored it.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, flipping a random page in my notebook, pretending to be interested in it.

The truth?

I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me.

The entire day had been a blur.

As planned, we all headed to Ritvik’s place to study. Prelims were around the corner, and even though I usually preferred studying alone, this was one of those rare times when we all sat together, surrounded by open books, scattered notes, and an unspoken agreement that we needed to be serious.

At least, I was trying to be serious.

But even now, even with the weight of academics pressing down on me, a certain image kept replaying in my mind.

A girl in the corridor.

Hair catching the light.

Eyes that saw too much.

A presence that refused to fade.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. What is wrong with me?

The doorbell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Bell was ringing continuously and then "Main dekhta hoon,” Vihaan said, getting up.

Before he could even reach the door, Ritvik sighed. “Chhod, main jaata hoon. Vaani hogi.”

Vihaan shrugged and sat back down, flipping through his book.

The door creaked open.

And then—her voice.

"Sunayi nahi deta kya? I’ve been ringing the bell forever!" She snapped, pushing past him walking towards the sofa.

I froze.

My head instinctively turned toward the door.

And there she was.

Vaani.

Ritvik rolled his eyes. "Are you a guest or something? You live here too. Just open the door yourself next time."

This time, arguing with Ritvik like she had all the energy in the world left to fight.

She shot him a glare. "Oh wow, so now I should welcome myself into my own house too? Amazing."

Ritvik scoffed. "At least that would save me from dealing with your never-ending complaints."

"Ugh! You are so annoying,"

I didn’t hear what Ritvik said next.

Because I wasn’t focused on their words—I was too busy watching her.

The way her eyes narrowed when she argued.

The way she crossed her arms, weight shifting onto one foot, completely unbothered by the fact that she was yelling at her brother like she owned the place.

She didn’t look like someone who had just had a long day at school.

But the moment she stepped inside, her energy faded instantly.

She exhaled dramatically, dragging her feet toward the sofa, and—before anyone could say a word—she dropped onto it, curling up like she had been waiting for this moment all day.

Like she belonged here.

Like this wasn’t just Ritvik’s house—it was hers too.

And then I noticed something else.

She hadn’t even looked at us.

Didn’t even realize there were three other people in the room.

Except for Vihaan.

"Thak gayi, Princess?" he teased.

Without even opening her eyes, she groaned. "Shut up, Vihaan. I don’t have the energy to deal with you right now."

I watched as she adjusted herself, still not looking up.

And that’s when it hit me—she knew Vihaan.

Her voice, her body language—everything was relaxed. Like she wasn’t talking to a stranger but to someone familiar.

Something inside me twisted at that realization.

I didn’t know why.

Vihaan chuckled. "Oho, someone’s cranky. Anyway, how was your first day at school?"

The moment the question left his mouth, she suddenly sat up.

And for the first time since she entered—I saw her face properly.

Eyes bright.

Excitement replacing exhaustion.

That mischievous smile back in place.

"Oh, it was so much fun! Tara introduced me to her friends. Kriti and Nirma, by the way, they are just as dramatic as me! And the canteen—oh god, it still smells so good! And —"

She dived into a dramatic retelling of her first day, hands moving, voice rising and falling with every detail.

And I—

I just sat there.

Staring.

Listening.

Feeling something I didn’t quite understand.

Then suddenly—

She turned.

And looked right at me.

Or more accurately—past me.

Because she wasn’t looking at me.

She was surprised.

The moment her gaze landed on me, something changed.

Her expression froze.

For the briefest second, I saw realization flicker across her face—like she hadn’t known I was here all along.

And then—

Hef cheeks turned in dark red colour.

A deep, unmistakable shade of it.

She scrambled to her feet.

And before anyone could ask her what was wrong—

She was gone.

Straight to her room.

Without another word.

Without looking back.

And I—

I was left sitting there, wondering why her sudden absence felt so much louder than her presence.