🌸🥀पल भर ठहर जाओ

दिल ये संभल जाए

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मेरी तरफ आता हर गम फिसल जाए🥀🌸

Happy reading 🙂‍↕️😌

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Post-assembly, the teacher entered the classroom with a girl in school uniform. Unlike the others, her sleeves weren't rolled up-they were buttoned neatly at the wrists. Her hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, with a few soft strands brushing over her forehead. Her eyes were beautiful, wide with curiosity, as she quietly observed the unfamiliar classroom.

"Good morning, class. We have a new student with us today-Aria. Please welcome her and be nice to her," the teacher announced with a warm smile.

"Aria, go and take a seat with Saavi and Avni-third row, last seat," she said gently, pointing toward the empty spot.

Both girls waved at her instantly, making space between them. Aria walked over and sat down without a word.

"Hi, I'm Saavi, and this is Avni," Saavi said cheerfully.

"Hello, I'm Aria," she replied politely, her voice soft.

The two girls exchanged a happy look, already glad to have a new friend.

"Toh Aria, pehle kaunse school mein thi?" Avni asked, trying to make conversation.

(So Aria, which school were you in before?)

"Yeh mera pehla school hai. I was homeschooled my whole life," Aria answered calmly.

(This is my first school. I was homeschooled my whole life.)

"Really? Par kyun?" Saavi asked, genuinely curious.

(Really? But why?)

Aria just gave a small shrug, not wanting to explain.

Before the conversation could go any further, the teacher started the class.

"Umm... kaunsi book nikalni hai? Matlab, kaunsa period hai?" Aria whispered, slightly hesitant.

(Umm... which book do we need? I mean, what period is it?)

"Political Science ki pehli book," Avni said, showing hers.

(The first Political Science book.)

"Thank you," Aria murmured and took out the same book.

---

As the class ended, Aria turned to Saavi and Avni, still a little awkward but clearly trying to be polite.

"Hey... umm, washroom kis side hai?" she asked shyly.

(Hey... umm, which side is the washroom?)

"Come on, we'll show you," Saavi offered with a smile.

"Teen log ek saath kaise jayenge, pagal? Aur History wale sir ki class ha agar late ho gaye toh andar nahi aane denge. Aur agar bhar koi teacher mil gaya toh bas, katam," Avni pointed out logically.

(How can three people go together, crazy? And if we're late to the History sir's class, he won't let us in. And if any teacher catches us outside, then it's over.)

"Oh haan, sahi kaha! Lekin itna sochne ka dimag tere paas kahan se aaya?" Saavi teased.

(Oh yeah, true! But since when did you start thinking this much?)

Avni rolled her eyes dramatically. To their surprise, a small-barely noticeable-smile curved Aria's lips.

"Washroom toh class se left jaake neeche utarna hai. Utarte hi mil jaayega," Avni explained kindly.

(The washroom is to the left from the class and down the stairs. You'll find it right there.)

"Thik hai, thank you," Aria smiled faintly.

(Alright, thank you.)

Both girls smiled back warmly.

---

As Aria headed toward the stairs, she stopped. A large group of students stood blocking the way. She hesitated, her fingers tightening in a fist. She couldn't go back as she needed to use washroom.

She stood there for a moment, frozen in place, when a polite voice came from behind.

"Excuse me?"

Aria turned. A boy stood there, tall, neat, and confident. A badge on his chest read Discipline In-Charge. and just below it-Akshat.

"Why are you standing here?" he asked, voice calm but firm.

"Umm... washroom," Aria replied quietly, not meeting his gaze.

Akshat looked at her for a moment, then asked, "Where's your class pass?"

"Class pass?" Aria frowned, confused.

"Yeah, class pass. Tum bina pass ke bahar aa gayi?" he raised an eyebrow. "Tumhe pata hai na, yeh rule hai-class chhodne se pehle class pass lena zaroori hai."

(Yeah, class pass. You came out without a pass? You do know it's a rule-you must take a class pass before leaving the class.)

"Mujhe nahi pata tha... aaj mera first day hai," she explained, now clearly nervous.

(I didn't know... today is my first day.)

Akshat's expression softened. "Ohh, first day hai? Theek hai, iss baar chhod deta hoon. Par aage se dhyaan rakhna," he said, offering a reassuring smile.

(Ohh, it's your first day? Alright, I'll let it go this time. But be careful from now on.)

Aria nodded quickly.

"Waise yahan aise kyun khadi ho? Washroom jaana hai toh seedha neeche utarna hai," he pointed towards the stairs.

(By the way, why are you standing here like this? If you want to go to the washroom, just go straight down.)

Aria glanced at the crowd again and hesitated.

Noticing this, Akshat stepped forward. "Chalo, main dikhata hoon tumhe washroom," he offered, already making his way forward and clearing a path. Aria followed quietly, a little relieved.

(Come with me. I will show you washroom.)

"Tum kis class mein ho? Aur naam kya hai?" he asked casually as they walked.

(Which class are you in? And what's your name?)

"Main 11th F mein hoon... Humanities. Aur mera naam Aria hai," she answered, her voice more relaxed now.

(I'm in 11th F... Humanities. And my name is Aria.)

"Ohh, toh tum Saavi aur Avni ki class mein ho!"

(Ohh, so you're in Saavi and Avni's class!)

"Ji haan. Main unke saath hi baithi thi. Unhone mujhe washroom ka rasta bataya," Aria said, then added curiously, "Aap unhe jaante ho?"

(Yes. I was sitting with them. They told me the way to the washroom. Do you know them?)

Akshat smiled, "Avni meri chhoti behen hai. Aur Saavi, mera best friend Shivansh ki chhoti behen."

(Avni is my younger sister. And Saavi is my best friend Shivansh's younger sister.)

Aria blinked, nodding slowly. That explained the familiarity.

Soon, they reached the washroom.

"Thank you," she said sincerely, her voice low.

"Koi baat nahi. Bas aage se class pass mat bhoolna," Akshat said with a smile before walking away, leaving Aria standing there with a strange mix of calm and curiosity.

(Its fine. But next time dont forget your class pass.)

She took a deep breath. The hallway, now emptier, still felt vast and exposed. Her eyes scanned in hallway in curiosity, but instead, they snagged on a figure emerging from a science lab down the hall.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, laughing easily with a couple of friends. His head tilted back slightly, a flash of white teeth, and then his gaze, for just a fleeting second, met hers. Not a curious stare, or a mocking glance, but something... different.

A quiet intensity, almost like he saw more than just a new girl, more than her nervous eyes. It was a look that felt oddly familiar, yet completely unnerving.

Aria's breath hitched. She quickly averted her gaze, her heart thumping a frantic rhythm against her ribs. Just a stranger. Just another pair of eyes. But the casual warmth radiating from him, even across the distance, felt like a dangerous invitation to let her guard down. She didn't like it.

---

She stepped into the washroom, a place that felt both familiar and unfamiliar. The white tiles, the faint smell of soap-it was all ordinary, yet strangely distant.

Maybe because she hadn't done this before actually no. She handnt done this for a long time..years.-walked school hallways, faced strangers, asked for directions.

She quickly used the washroom, splashed cold water on her face, and stared at her reflection. It's okay, Aria. Just a classroom. Just people. She thought to herself.

As she walked back, the hallway was silent. Classes had already begun. Her footsteps echoed softly, and with every step, her heart beat faster.

She stopped outside her classroom, took a deep breath, and knocked gently.

"May I come in, sir?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The teacher turned.

"No, you may not. This is a classroom, not a garden where you can walk in late," Mr. Prakash snapped. He was known for his rude behavior and stern demeanor. His tone was sharp, almost theatrical.

Aria froze. That reaction was harsher than she'd imagined.

"And who are you?"

Saavi and Avni, already used to his grumpy attitude, rolled their eyes in unison. "Here we go again," Saavi muttered under her breath.

Aria swallowed. "Sir, I'm Aria. New student. I... got confused on the way back to class. That's why I'm late." Her voice was low, hesitant. She hadn't expected such coldness from a teacher.

Mr. Prakash narrowed his eyes at her for a moment, then finally waved a hand.

"New student, huh? Fine. Come in. But don't be late again. This isn't a movie hall."

Aria walked inside quietly, her eyes on the floor.

Saavi scooted a little to the side. "Bura mat maano inka toh roj ka ha.," she whispered with a grin as Aria sat beside her.

(Don't mind him. He's like this every day.)

Avni leaned over. "Don't mind him. He's allergic to happiness."

Aria managed a faint smile. That tiny exchange-those simple, supportive words-meant more than they knew.

--

It was all too much for Aria.

She didn't want this-didn't want to come to school. She was happy in homeschooling. She was alone there. No strangers. No eyes watching. But here... there were strangers. Too many of them. Too loud. Too close.

And yet-she couldn't believe it-she felt good with Avni and Saavi. Even with Akshat. She wasn't scared. That in itself was terrifying.

Her train of thought was broken by the sound of the bell.

Lunch break.

She looked around, startled by the sudden movement. Students ran out of the class with their lunchboxes, voices bouncing off the walls.

Saavi turned to her. "Hey! Chalo, lunch karte hain ground mein."

(Hey! Come on, let's eat lunch in the ground.)

"Par ground mein kyun? Matlab... class mein lunch nahi kar sakte?" Aria asked, clearly hesitant.

(But why in the ground? I mean... can't we have lunch in the class?)

"Nope," Avni smiled. "It's a rule. No one can stay in class during lunch."

"Yeah! Let's go out, Aria. Eat with us pleaseeee... I promise tumhe achha lagega! Aur hamare bhaiyon se bhi mil lena," Saavi added, making her best innocent puppy eyes. Avni chuckled beside her.

(Yeah! Let's go out, Aria. Eat with us pleaseeee... I promise you'll like it! And you can meet our brothers too.)

Aria couldn't say no. She had promised her grandma she'd try-try to let people in if they felt right.

She gave a small nod.

Both girls beamed, instantly excited.

They picked up their lunchboxes and walked out. On the way, Saavi and Avni pointed out classrooms, labs, and random corners, laughing and chatting while Aria followed-quiet, listening, and just a little more open than before.

As Aria followed Saavi and Avni toward the school ground, the hallway buzzed with noise and scattered footsteps. Her steps were slow, cautious-every laugh felt louder, every look felt heavier. She clutched her lunchbox tighter, silently chanting the same thing in her mind: Just one lunch break. Just sit. Just smile.

Saavi pointed to the stairs with cheerful energy, chatting with Avni like it was the most normal day in the world. For them, it was. For Aria, it felt like walking into the unknown-unarmed.

But somewhere, between the teasing, the laughter, and the genuine warmth in their voices... she felt something unfamiliar.

Not fear.

Something gentler.

Something like... hope