"If my shine threatens your shadow, that's not my fault."

Happy reading🥹❤️‍🔥

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Saavi and Avni took their usual seats at the back of the classroom. Just as they settled in, their classmate Preeti walked over, wearing her signature smug expression.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show up. The little spoiled brats," she said, rolling her eyes. She absolutely loathed the two of them.

Saavi and Avni exchanged a glance. Saavi stood up casually and measured their heights with her hand.

"Avni, Preeti ko shayad nazar ka ilaaj karwana chahiye," Saavi said sweetly.

("Avni, I think Preeti needs to get her eyes checked," Saavi said sweetly.)

"Hum dono usse lambi hain, phir bhi 'little' keh rahi hai. Bechari confused ho gayi lagta hai."

("We're both taller than her, yet she's calling us 'little'. Poor girl seems confused.")

Avni chuckled, catching on instantly.

Preeti rolled her eyes again. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Apne ameer baap ke paiso pe udd rahi ho dono. Typical rich brats."

("Flying high on your rich daddy's money, huh? Typical rich brats.")

Avni stood up, her voice sharp. "Abe sun! Haan, hum ameer hain. Aur pata hai kyun? Kyunki hamare papa ne mehnat karke kamaya hai sab kuch. Tujhe problem hai toh jealousy ka ilaaj karwa aur nikal yahaan se."

("Hey listen! Yes, we're rich. And you know why? Because our fathers earned it with hard work. If you've got a problem with that, get your jealousy treated and move along.")

Preeti glared and walked off in a huff. Saavi and Avni exchanged amused looks.

"Bhai, ye itni jealous kyun hoti hai humse?" Saavi asked, genuinely frustrated.

("Dude, why is she so jealous of us?")

"Pata nahi bhai, pagal hai ladki. Matlab family wealth se jealousy? Chor usse," Avni replied.

("No idea, bro. She's crazy. Jealous over family wealth? Forget her.")

"Pakda kab tha jo chhodenge?" Saavi joked, and Avni gave her a blank, unimpressed look.

("When did we even hold on to her that we'll have to let go?")

"Rehne de bas. Ab bata, tu speech dene wali hai na aaj assembly mein? Topic kya hai?" Avni asked, changing the subject.

("Forget it. Now tell me, you're giving the speech in today's assembly, right? What's the topic?")

"Feminism," Saavi said, pulling out her handwritten speech.

"Oho! Controversial topic alert!" Avni chuckled. "Kaafi log offend hone wale hain tujhe sunke."

("Oho! Controversial topic alert! A lot of people are going to get offended when they hear you.")

"Kya pata bhai," Saavi shrugged. "Mujhe toh lagta hai jab logon ke paas poori information nahi hoti, tabhi offend hote hain. I just hope they listen and understand."

("Maybe. I feel people get offended only when they don't have the full information. I just hope they listen and understand.")

"Haan, woh toh hai," Avni said, patting her shoulder.

("Yeah, that's true.")

"Hmm... chor na mujhe kya. Mujhe toh apne bolne se matlab. Jisko jo sochna hai soche. Teachers ne diya hai topic, unko problem hogi toh unhi ko bola." Saavi grinned confidently.

("Hmm... whatever. I only care about saying what I have to. People can think what they want. The teachers gave me the topic-if there's a problem, they'll have to speak up to teachers.")

"Yeh hui na baat! Chal, mujhe dikha kya likha hai tune." Avni reached for the speech, but Saavi pulled it back.

("That's the spirit! Come on, show me what you've written.")

"Abe hatt. Assembly mein sun lio. Chal, ab chal assembly ke liye."

("Hey, back off. Listen to it during the assembly. Now come on, let's go.")

---

Saavi joined the students on stage, gripping her paper a little tighter than usual. Avni returned to the class line, still watching her best friend.

Rohan and Akshat stood with their classmates, sneaking glances toward the stage. Avni gave Saavi a thumbs-up, followed by warm smiles from both boys.

Shivansh stood slightly apart, arms folded loosely - eyes fixed on Saavi with a soft, proud smile.

Not just another student. A brother who already knew - she would own that stage.

Saavi looked around the assembly hall. She stood tall, head high, but her fingers clutched the paper with just a hint of anxiety. Her eyes searched the crowd... and found them: Avni, Rohan, Akshat, Shivansh.

She smiled. They smiled back. Silently rooting for her.

She breathed in, holding confidence and nerves in the same breath.

The assembly began.

After the prayer and pledge, students shared news and thoughts of the day.

And then - it was her turn.

Her heart thudded. Once. Then again - slower this time.

She walked to the podium. Adjusted the mic.

Looked up.

"Yes. I am a feminist." This was her first line which got almost everyone attention. Her voice was clear and confident.

"Yes, I am a feminist.

A very pleasant good morning to respected teachers and my fellow mates.

Today, I, Saavi Rawat, stand before you to speak on a topic that's often misunderstood, sometimes misused, and frequently judged - Feminism."

Avni, bold as ever, grinned and winked at her. Saavi smiled back.

She scanned the crowd, eyes connecting with students who looked curious, bored, skeptical - but listening.

"Feminism is not just about women. It's for everyone.

When a boy is told, 'Don't cry, be a man' - feminism says: it's okay. Emotions don't have a gender.

When a girl is told, 'You can't do this, it's not for you' - feminism says: you can do anything you want to.

When a woman is paid less for doing the same job - feminism fights for her.

When a boy is mocked for choosing dance over cricket - feminism stands beside him.

Feminism means freedom. Freedom to be yourself - no matter your gender."

She paused. A calm silence.

Then she leaned slightly forward.

"Before I continue, I want to ask you something.

What is feminism - according to you?"

The question sliced through the quiet.

Whispers. Side-glances. Some looked down. A few teachers leaned forward with interest.

She wasn't looking for answers. Just thoughts.

"Let me tell you what it's not -

It's not hatred.

It's not rebellion.

And it's definitely not about overpowering men.

It's about fairness.

Equal chances.

Respect."

She looked around, voice unwavering.

"Let's stop using feminism as a joke or an insult.

Let's start using it as a reminder -

That we're not here to be better than one another.

We're here to be equal.

And equality... means respect for all genders.

Equal opportunities for all.

Thank you."

She said and step back to her position. She could see different reaction from students. Some were smiling. Some were impressed ang well some were rolling their eyes and scoffing. Though everyone clapped, real or forced.

After the national anthem, everyone went back to their classes. Saavi and Avni headed to theirs, with Saavi receiving compliments from teachers along the way.

----

As they entered the class everyone congratulated her except few boys and preeti and her friends.

Those boys approached her. One of them stepped forwad and said.

"Agai madam smart. Ban gai cool? Karli bakwass?" He said giving her a dirty look.

("So Madam Smart is here. Feeling cool now? Done with your nonsense?" he sneered.)

"Hn ban gai cool. Ban gai smart aur karli bakwas. Tu bta? Tujhe kya? Tera against toh kuch nhi boli mai. Tu kyu chid rha ha." Saavi fired back.

("Yes, I became cool. Became smart. And yeah, I said what I had to. So what? I didn't say anything against you. Why are you so triggered?")

"Dikh raha tha kitna 'against' nahi bola tune. Khud ko superior bana rahi thi,"

the boy scoffed, folding his arms, trying to sound confident - but even his friehnds were starting to fidget awkwardly behind him.

("Yeah right, it was clear how you weren't targeting us. Acting all superior.)

Avni stepped forward, but Saavi held out a hand, stopping her gently.

She tilted her head and smiled - not sweetly, but the kind of smile that meant she wasn't here to play nice anymore.

"Sun," she said calmly, her voice steady,

"Agar mere sach bolne se tujhe apni value kam lagne lagi, toh problem mere feminism mein nahi, teri insecurity mein hai."

(Listen - if my truth makes you feel less valuable, then the problem isn't with my feminism, it's with your insecurity.")

A small "oof" echoed from the back of the class.

"Ab hatt yha se teacher ana vali ha." Saavi said moving with Avni past them.

("Now move. The teacher's about to come.")

Rest of the boys gave her a reassuring smile.

As they sat down Avni nudge her.

"Bhai tuna toh rula dia. Matlab the shy girl Ms saavi itna bolgai." Avni teased her.

("Dude, you made me emotional. I mean, the shy girl Ms. Saavi spoke so boldly!")

"Haat" saavi said laughing .

("Shut up.")

"Vasa tuna dekha?" Avni said wiggling her eyebrows.

("By the way, did you see?")

"Kya?" Saavi asked giving her attention.

("What?")

"Koi clap kar rha tha bhot smile krka tera lia." Avni said making saavi blush as she knows whom she was indicating.

("Someone was clapping... smiling a lot - just for you.")

"Chal bakwas mat kar." Saavi said looking her closed book.

("Stop talking nonsense.")

"Mazak nhi kr rhi hu. Sach mai yrr. Tera itna lamba balo ki kasam." Avni said grinning pulling her hairs playfully.

("I'm not joking, seriously. I swear on your long hair!")

Saavni rolled her eyes and jerk her hand.

"Teri practice ha aaj hockey ki?" Saavi asked changing the subject.

("Do you have hockey practice today?")

"Haan hai toh." Avni replied taking her own book out.

("Yeah, I do.")

"Aaj mat ladio Rohan bhaiya se. Daily ladna hota ha na tujhe bhi unse." Saavi said chukling.

("Don't fight with Rohan bhaiya today. You fight with him every day!")

"Oyee mai nhi ldti ussa. Vhi ldta ha. He is a complete idiot." Avni said making a face.

Saavi laugh " zyda mat bol kahi tujhse extra warm up na kra de Mr. Sports caption."

("Don't talk too much or he'll make you do extra warm-ups, Mr. Sports Captain style.")

"Chor uski baat mat kr merese." Avni said getting irritated making saavi laugh .

("Ugh, don't even talk to me about him.")

Just then the teacher enter the class and with someone new....

"But what none of them expected... was who walked in next