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नज़रों से तेरी कुछ तो हुआ है,

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Happy reading ❤️‍🩹

___________________________________________

DING.

The doorbell echoed through the quiet house.

Rani ji gently put aside her knitting, adjusted her dupatta, and walked to the door. As she opened it, her eyes met a bright pair of faces-one girl, her eyes kind and hopeful; and a tall boy beside her, standing with quiet respect.

"Namaste, Dadi. Aria ghar pe hai?" Avni asked politely, offering a soft smile.

Akshat bent slightly and touched her feet.

(Hello grandma. Is Aria home?)

Rani ji's brows lifted slightly in surprise, but her heart warmed. "Haan beta... Tum log?"

(Yes, child... and you are?)

"Dadi, hum log Aria ke dost hain. Thodi baat karni thi unse." Avni replied with sincerity.

(Grandma, we're Aria's friends. We wanted to speak with her.)

A gentle smile tugged at the corners of Rani ji's lips. It was rare-Aria's name, said so warmly by someone her own age.

"Ohh achha... Aao beta, andar aao." she said, stepping aside and opening the door wider.

(Ohh I see... come in, dear.)

She moved slightly to make room for them, her eyes lingering on the two teenagers who had brought something unfamiliar into the house today-the scent of youth, of friendship, and maybe... a beginning Aria had long needed.

As Avni and Akshat stepped inside, they took in the quiet elegance of the house. The living room was simple, with soft beige curtains and an old wooden swing near the window. On the table lay an open book and a half-empty cup of tea-Rani ji had clearly been reading before they arrived.

"Tum dono baitho, main Aria ko bulaati hoon."

(You two sit, I'll call Aria.)

They nodded, settling on the sofa. Akshat looked around, eyes scanning the delicate family photos on the wall-none of them recent. Avni noticed the heavy silence in the house. It wasn't uncomfortable... just still. Like the home had been holding its breath for a long time.

Meanwhile, upstairs-

Aria sat curled up by the window, her diary on her lap and earbuds in. She hadn't written much-just half a sentence. Her pen hovered over the page when she heard a gentle knock.

"Aria?" Rani ji's voice came softly. "Beta, tere kuch dost aaye hain. Neeche baithhe hain."

(Aria? Some of your friends are here, dear. They're waiting downstairs.)

Aria blinked. Friends?

Her stomach twisted for a moment. Was it... them?

She stood up slowly, pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her fingers trembled a little. What if they were angry? What if they only came to say goodbye?

Still-she walked downstairs.

And as she reached the last step, she saw them.

Avni stood up immediately. "Aria..."

Aria's eyes met hers. Something inside her cracked and softened at the same time. Akshat gave her his usual charming smile.

"Can we talk?" Avni asked gently, her voice holding more concern than confrontation.

Aria nodded, eyes flickering briefly toward the kitchen where Rani ji had disappeared to get snacks.

They moved toward the window seat near the living room, just slightly out of earshot. Akshat stayed back respectfully, giving the girls space.

"Why are you distancing yourself from us?" Avni asked, her voice quieter now. "Since Saavi's birthday... you've barely spoken to any of us. Especially after that night."

Aria looked away.

"It's not like that. I just..."

She paused, her voice faltering.

Her fingers twisted the hem of her kurti as she struggled to find the right words.

Avni sighed softly, watching her. "I know you heard everything that Rohan said."

She paused too-then added, gently but firmly,

"And I also know you said you'd keep your distance from us."

Aria's breath caught.

So they knew.

Her eyes dropped to the floor again. "I didn't mean for you to find out like that..."

"Then how were we supposed to find out?" Avni asked, her voice cracking a little. "You just vanished on us, Aria. No calls, no messages. I kept thinking-did we do something wrong? Did I?"

"No!" Aria looked up instantly, panic flashing in her eyes. "You didn't do anything, Avni. You've only ever been kind to me."

"Then why?" Avni whispered. "Why punish us for what Rohan said?"

Aria's eyes filled with tears.

"Because it wasn't just what he said... It was how true it sounded. Like maybe I am difficult. Maybe I don't belong. And if even he-someone I was starting to trust-feels that way... then what am I doing forcing myself into your lives?"

Avni's expression softened instantly. She reached out and took Aria's hand again.

"You're not forcing anything. And Rohan... he was wrong. He was scared, maybe. But that doesn't mean you're not wanted here."

Aria stayed silent, lips trembling.

"We're your friends," Avni continued. "Not just when it's easy. But also when it's messy, confusing, and hard. Especially then."

Aria gave a shaky breath, her walls finally cracking. "I'm just scared. I've always been scared of letting people in.

Avni nodded, tears pricking her own eyes now. "That's okay. But let us stay, Aria. Let us try. You don't have to face everything alone."

"And Rohan?" Avni continued softly.

"I'm not going to defend him. What he said was wrong. But don't punish the rest of us for his mistake. None of us said those things. We didn't feel that way. And we're not going to defend him-not me, not Aksh bhai, not Ansh bhaiya.

Saavi doesn't even know about it."

In the doorway, Akshat stood quietly, watching. He didn't interrupt.

Even he could feel the shift in the room-a slow undoing of pain that had been locked up far too long

And in the kitchen, Rani ji paused with a napkin in hand, her heart full.

For the first time in a long time...

Her granddaughter wasn't silent.

________________

The soft strumming of a guitar filled the quiet room.

Shivansh sat by the window, his fingers lazily moving over the strings-not playing any particular song, just letting the notes flow as they came. The golden hue of the sunset spilled across his desk, lighting up the dust motes dancing in the air.

But his mind wasn't on the chords.

It had drifted. Again.

To her.

To Aria.

The way she smiled-small, unsure, like she didn't think she deserved to.

The way her eyes met his that first day in the cafeteria-guarded, but curious.

He plucked a wrong note and cursed under his breath.

Get it together, Shivansh.

He leaned back, letting the guitar rest against his chest, fingers stilling.

He didn't know what it was. He'd barely talked to her. And yet... it was like she took up space in his thoughts without asking for it. Quietly. Consistently.

Her presence lingered like the last note of a song-soft, fading, but impossible to forget.

____________

Next Morning

"Bhaiyaaa! Ansh bhaiyaaa! Shivansh bhaiyaa!"

Shivansh groaned, already half-dressed in his uniform, trying to fix his tie.

The moment he opened his door, Saavi crashed in like a mini storm-Economics notebook in one hand, pen in her mouth, hair half-tied, and pure panic written all over her face.

But it wasn't him Saavi was after today.

"Ansh bhaiya! Homework crisis! Emergency!" she cried, thundering into Ansh's room like a human tornado, her bag half-zipped, hair a wild mess, and a notebook clutched in one hand.

Ansh, who was already halfway through buttoning his shirt, looked at her through the mirror with a sigh.

"Saavi. Kya hua ab?"

(What now?)

She flopped down on his bed dramatically. "Economics ki three long answers! Due today! And I didn't do anything!"

Ansh crossed his arms, giving her that classic elder brother look. "You had the whole weekend. What were you doing?"

"Thinking about doing it," she mumbled.

"Saavi."

His voice was calm, but firm. "You can't keep doing this every time. One day it won't be me saving you."

She made a face. "I know, bhaiya. I really do. But help me this time. Last time." She pleaded.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Pleaseeee"she said sweetly, scooting to the edge of the bed and opening her notebook.

Ansh sighed, shook his head, but sat beside her anyway. "Fine. I'll dictate. You write."

"Best bhaiya ever," she whispered dramatically.

He ignored that and grabbed her pen, clicked it, then held it out.

"Start. Question one: 'Explain the relationship between marginal cost and average cost.'"

She started scribbling as he spoke-his voice calm, crisp, and annoyingly focused for 6:30 am.

He took a comb and gently began combing her hair, parting it neatly with practiced ease.

Saavi giggled. "You're so multi-talented."

"Focus on writing," he replied, pulling her hair into a quick ponytail and tying it with the rubber band from his wrist.

"There. Done. Keep it neat today, madam. No 'jungle look' in school."

She grinned and looked up at him. "Ansh bhaiya, you're actually the best."

He rolled his eyes but smirked. "Yeah yeah. Write faster. We still have two questions left."

"And aloo paratha left, don't forget that!"

"Write, Saavi."

____________

In School

The classroom buzzed with soft chatter, chairs scraping against the floor, and the dull thud of books being dropped on desks. Shivansh walked in, slinging his bag off his shoulder with a tired sigh. His usually sharp eyes scanned the room before softening as he spotted his usual spot beside Akshat and Rohan.

He made his way over, giving them both a lazy fist bump before slumping into his seat.

He unzipped his bag, already dreading the pile of classwork, but the moment he spotted something familiar, he groaned.

"Ugh, seriously? Saavi's Economics notebook is in my bag."

Rohan leaned over and chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Idhar de, mai dekar aata hoon," he offered, reaching for the notebook.

(Give it to me. I'll return it to her.)

Before his fingers could touch it, Akshat abruptly stood up and snatched it away like it was something precious. His movements were too quick to be casual.

Rohan arched a brow in amusement, while Shivansh stared at him, frowning.

"What the-?"

"Pagal hai kya? Fad gayi agar uski notebook toh? Khun kar degi tera," Shivansh said, lightly whacking Akshat's head.

(Are you mad? If her notebook gets even a single tear, she'll kill you.)

Akshat gave a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head. "Arre, I was just saying I'll go and give it to her."

Rohan smirked, leaning back with that usual glint of mischief in his eyes. "Why? I'll go. Give it to me."

Akshat shot him a glare. "No bro. I'll give. I... uh... yeah-actually, I have to talk to Avni. So I was heading to their class anyway. I'll give it to Saavi.

Rohan raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. Shivansh looked between the two of them, his confusion only growing.

"Tum dono normal ho?" he muttered under his breath.

(Are you two even normal?)

"Mai Ata hu." Akshat said and quickly left the class. Rohan chuckled and Shivansh looked confused.

(I will ge back)

__________

In XI-F

Saavi sat near the window, sunlight painting soft gold streaks across her notebook. Avni has left for sports practice and Aria didn't came yet. She was pretending to read... but her eyes hadn't moved past the same line in five minutes.

Her thoughts? Somewhere else.

On someone else.

Just then, the classroom door opened.

She looked up - and her heart skipped.

Akshat stood there, holding her Economics notebook.

He looked slightly unsure, but tried to act casual. "Tumhara notebook... galti se Shivansh ke bag mein chala gaya tha."

(Your notebook. Shivansh took it by mistake)

Saavi blinked. "Oh-thanks."

She stood up slowly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly too aware of everything-how she was standing, how her voice sounded, whether he noticed her smile.

He stepped closer, holding out the notebook.

She reached for it.

Their fingers brushed.

Just for a second.

Both felt it. Neither said anything.

Saavi pulled the notebook close to her chest. "Shivansh bhaiya ne bheja tumhe?"

(Shivansh bhaiya send you?)

Akshat shook his head. "Nahi... Rohan lene wala tha. But... mujhe laga main de doon."

(No. Rohan was bringing it. But I thought I would give it to you.)

"Tumhe laga?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly but lips smiling.

(You thought?)

"Bas... felt like it," he muttered, voice softer now.

Saavi looked at him for a second longer than she should've. Why does he always look at me like that? she wondered. Or am I just imagining it?

Akshat cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Waise... notes ache banati ho tum."

(BTW Your notes are good.)

"Thanks," she said, suddenly shy. "

Akshat smiled, rubbing the back of his neck.

There was a pause. The kind that makes your heart beat louder than it should.

"I should go," he said, but didn't move.

Saavi looked down at the notebook, then back at him. "Akshat..."

"Haan?"

She hesitated. "Kuch nahi... bas, thank you."

He gave her a small smile. "Anytime.

He turned to leave, walking slowly.

Saavi watched him go, her chest a little full, a little confused.

Does he feel something too? she wondered.

Outside the classroom, Akshat exhaled. Did she smile extra today? Was that... something? Or am I just overthinking again?

Both smiled to themselves.

Both thought of each other.

Neither knew the other was doing the same.

_____________

Aria walked through the quiet hallway, her mind far away, thoughts scattered, eyes flickering from wall to window to floor. Her bag hung loosely on one shoulder, swaying with every slow step.

And then-she turned the corner... and collided into someone.

Her breath hitched. His hand steadied her instinctively.

Shivansh.

For a second, the hallway felt strangely still-like time had paused just enough for their eyes to meet.

Aria looked up into his eyes - deep brown, calm like still water.

So unlike her own, always flickering with too many thoughts, too much silence, too much... everything.

"Are you okay, Aria?"

His voice reached her ears like a whisper carried on a breeze - gentle, careful, almost unreal.

Her eyes flicked to his lips. How they moved.... then back to his eyes.

He spoke like a song, her mind whispered.

Her heart skipped.

Or maybe it just started beating too fast - she couldn't tell.

A strange feeling rose inside her chest. New. Quiet. Unfamiliar.

But impossible to ignore.

"Y-yeah... I'm okay. Sorry, I wasn't looking," Aria finally said, voice barely steady.

"It's fine," Shivansh replied, then added with a half-smile he tried to hide,

"By the way, you're late, Ms. Aria."

"Uhh... umm... yeah," she mumbled, eyes darting to the floor.

He crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. "So... late aana, pass bhoolna-breaking rules is a habit now?"

(So... coming late, forgetting the class pass-breaking rules is your new habit?)

"What? No! I didn't mean to... I just got late. I'm sorry," Aria said quickly, eyes widening a little.

"Aree aree, koi baat nahi," he chuckled, waving a hand. "Main mazak kar raha tha."

(It's okay! I was just joking.)

"Oh..." she blinked, unsure how to respond.

Joke, her mind echoed.

She wasn't used to people joking with her like this. Especially not him.

Especially not... like that.

"OK bye" she said hurriedly and left.

Aria walked past him, her footsteps light, almost hesitant.

Shivansh turned slightly, watching her go - the ends of her hair swaying with every step, the diary still pressed to her chest like a shield.

He didn't say anything.

But for a moment, he forgot why he'd stepped out of class in the first place.

Weird.

It wasn't like they hadn't crossed paths before.

But today... something felt different.

Quieter. Softer.

Like a moment he wasn't supposed to notice - but did.

And now, it stayed.

______

Mixed drill practice," Coach announced loudly, blowing the whistle.

Everyone gathered near the cones, forming a line - sticks in hand, slightly nervous, slightly excited.

"Avni... go with Rohan."

Groans.

From both of them.

Avni turned sharply, glaring at him.

Rohan? He just gave a lazy shrug, totally unfazed.

"Sir, kisi aur ke saath pair up kar do," Avni protested immediately, stepping forward.

(Sir, please pair me with someone else.)

Rohan rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Mujhe bhi shauk nahi hai."

(I'm not excited either.)

Coach didn't even look up from the clipboard.

"No. You two are together. And you'll start the drill."

Avni opened her mouth to argue again-

"No complaints. Teamwork seekho. Life mein har koi se pasand toh nahi hota."

(Learn teamwork. You won't always like the people around you in life.)

Rohan smirked. "Sun liya, Princess?"

Avni gave him a death glare. "Keep talking and I'll accidentally hit your shin."

"Oh no. I'm terrified," he said, clearly not.

They walked to the starting line, tension practically bouncing off them.

Coach blew the whistle again.

And just like that-

Team Disaster was up.

The whistle blew.

Avni dashed to the left cone, calling out, "Ball yahaan!"

Rohan passed-slightly off. The ball slowed.

Avni still managed to catch it, but lost momentum.

"Seriously?" she hissed. "Yeh pass tha ya warm-up?"

(Was that a pass or just a warm-up attempt?)

Rohan jogged beside her. "Tujhe ball de diya na? Kya problem hai ab?"

(I gave you the ball, didn't I? What's the problem now?)

"Problem yeh hai ki tumhare pass mein accuracy zero hai!" she snapped, hitting the ball too hard in irritation. It missed the cone entirely.

Coach blew the whistle again. "Focus, you two!"

Avni groaned. "mena bola tha. Kisi aur ke saath karwate."

Rohan raised an eyebrow. "Haan haan, tum toh Miss Perfect ho na? Tumse kabhi galti hoti hi nahi."

(Yeah right, like you're Miss Perfect. Never make mistakes, huh?)

"You literally stood still for three seconds before passing!"

"Main dekh raha tha ki tum ready ho ya phir se chillane wali ho."

(I was checking if you're ready or about to scream again.)

Coach whistled louder this time. "Stop arguing! Ek team ki tarah behave karo!"

(Behave like a team!)

They both turned away, muttering under their breath.

Avni gripped her stick tighter. "I can't believe I'm stuck with him."

Rohan, right beside her: "Ditto."

Their eyes met - annoyed, stubborn, burning.

Back to position.

Neither of them wanted to admit it...

but they were somehow already moving better together.

Coach blew his whistle sharply.

"Enough! Tum dono ke chakkar mein pura drill bigad gaya."

(You two messed up the entire drill.)

Rohan and Avni both turned to him, still breathing hard, still glaring at each other.

"Five laps. Together. Abhi ke abhi."

"Sir, par-" Avni started.

"Together. Not a word more," Coach snapped.

Rohan muttered, "Great. Ab yeh bhi saath mein."

(Perfect. Now this too, together.)

Avni shot him a look. "Mujhe bhi shauk nahi ho raha. You deserve this."

They started jogging around the field.

Lap 1

Silence.

Except for heavy breathing and annoyed footsteps.

Lap 2

"Tu na bas chillana jaanti hai," Rohan finally muttered.

(All you know is how to shout.)

Avni huffed. "Aur tum bas har baat ko joke banate ho."

(And you make everything a joke.)

"I was being chill. Tumne hi shuru kiya."

(You started it)

"I called for a pass!"

"That was not a pass call. That was a war cry."

She glared. "Tu kabhi serious ho bhi sakta hai?"

(Can you ever be serious?)

"Main hoon. Jab samne waali normal behave kare."

(I am-when the other person acts normal.)

Lap 3

Their pace slowed slightly, but the argument didn't.

"Coach ko sab bataungi. Tum intentionally drill spoil kar rahe the."

Rohan gave a short laugh. "Tujhe laga main itna free hoon ki sirf tumhe irritate karne ground pe aaya hoon?"

(You think I showed up just to annoy you?)

"Wouldn't be shocked."

He turned to her with a tired smirk. "Tumhe toh shock hona hi kuch nahi aata."

(You never get shocked by anything, huh?)

Lap 4

Silence again. This time heavier. Breathless.

Their shoulders nearly brushed as they jogged.

Lap 5

Sweat. Dust. That weird silence again.

Not exactly comfort.

But not pure hate either.

As they neared the finish, Avni muttered, "Next time, tu mere paas mat aana."

(Next time , dont come near me)

Rohan grinned. "Bharosa rakh. Mujhe bhi zyada shauk nahi."

(Trust me. I am not even interested)

But as they slowed to a walk,

neither of them pulled away.

__________

After lunch break, the class had settled down.

Saavi, Aria, and Avni sat in their usual spot, quietly taking down notes as the teacher explained from the board.

The room was calm, the rustling of pages and scribbling of pens the only sounds.

Just then, the door opened with a light knock.

Two senior girls entered, both wearing house badges and confident smiles.

"Good afternoon, class," one of them said.

The teacher paused and turned to them. "Yes?"

The other girl stepped forward slightly. "We have a quick announcement."

The class sat up a little straighter.

"As you all know," the first girl began, "every month we hold house activities. And since this is the first month of the academic year, the house events are starting soon."

Her partner continued, "Students can give their names to the respective house representative for the activity they're interested in-dance, art, music, debate, anything."

She smiled. "Selections will be based on trials. So if you're interested, submit your names by tomorrow lunch break."

The class buzzed with soft murmurs as the girls stepped back.

The teacher nodded. "Alright, thank you. Let's continue."

The class resumed, but now there was a soft buzz of excitement in the air. Pens still moved, but so did whispers.

Saavi leaned closer to Avni and Aria, grinning.

"Tum log kis mein part loge?" she whispered.

(What will you guys take part in?)

Avni spoke first, matter-of-fact.

"Singing. Sports aren't part of house activities anyway. So... singing."

Saavi chuckled.

"Of course. Phir se OG pair - Shivansh bhaiya and Avni. Maza aayega bhai."

(Once again the OG pair - Shivansh bhaiya and Avni. It'll be fun.)

Then she added, "Waise main toh debate mein jaungi."

(I will go for debate)

Avni laughed, and both of them turned toward Aria.

"Aria, tu kis mein legi part?"

(What will you take part in, Aria?)

Aria shook her head slightly, eyes still on her notebook.

"I won't. I'm not interested."

Saavi and Avni exchanged a look.

Avni leaned in, whispering, "Par tu try toh kar. It's fun."

(But atleast try. It will be fun)

Saavi added with a grin, "Bhaag nahi sakti har cheez se, madam."

(You can't run from everything, miss.)

Before Aria could reply, the teacher suddenly spoke from the front.

"And yes, one more thing," she said, turning around from the board.

"Participation in at least one house activity is compulsory for every student. Especially since it's the first month of the academic year. Attendance will be recorded."

Aria froze mid-sentence.

Saavi covered her mouth to hide a giggle.

Avni tried not to smirk.

Aria blinked slowly, then muttered,

"...I hate this school."

______________________________________♡♡♡♡♡_________________________________________

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