🥀🌸पहली दफ़ा है, पहली दफ़ा है

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पहली दफ़ा है, पहली दफ़ा है

कुछ खोने का डर पाया है 🌸🥀

Happy reading 💫

___________________________________________

Aria blinked slowly, then muttered under her breath,

"...I hate this school."

Saavi stifled a laugh while Avni bit her lip, both clearly amused.

Their soft chuckles earned them a sharp look from the teacher, who paused mid-sentence to raise an eyebrow.

Silence fell like a warning.

The girls immediately buried their faces in their notebooks, pretending to take notes as if the last few seconds hadn't happened.

After class...

______

XII -D

The last bell of the period echoed faintly as the Accounts teacher walked out.

Shivansh, Rohan, and Akshat slumped into their chairs, dropping their notebooks with exaggerated relief.

"Bhai thak gaya yaar... lunch ke baad Accounts? Hadh hai!" Akshat groaned, resting his head dramatically on the desk.

(Bro, I'm exhausted... Accounts right after lunch? This is torture!)

Shivansh let out a quiet chuckle, while Rohan lightly smacked the back of Akshat's head.

"Nautanki."

(Drama king.)

Laughter lingered for a moment before settling into a comfortable silence. But Akshat soon noticed the subtle shift-Shivansh wasn't laughing anymore.

His brows were slightly furrowed. Elbows on the desk. Eyes... distant.

Akshat exchanged a glance with Rohan, then leaned closer.

"Oye... kya hua? Tu itna chup kyun hai?"

(Hey... what's wrong? Why are you so quiet?)

Shivansh blinked, as if snapping out of a loop. He opened his mouth to reply-but paused.

"...Kuch nahi." He gave a weak smile.

(...Nothing.)

But Rohan wasn't convinced.

"Aria?" he asked, voice low and teasing.

Shivansh didn't answer. He just looked away and tapped his pen against the desk.

That was enough for both of them to know-he didn't have the answer either.

Akshat turned toward Rohan, raising a brow.

"Tu ne sorry bola usse?"

(Did you apologise to her?)

Rohan's smirk faded.

He hesitated for a moment, eyes flickering to the floor. Then, with a small sigh, he shook his head.

"Nahi." His voice was quieter than usual.

(No.)

"Mujhe laga... time de du usse. Mood thoda theek ho jaaye toh baat karunga."

(I thought... I'd give her some time. Maybe once she cools down, I'll talk.)

Shivansh scoffed softly but didn't look at him.

"Time toh diya hai. Lekin tu samjha kya uske silence ka matlab?"

(You've given her time. But did you even try to understand what her silence means?)

Rohan looked at him, guilt washing over his expression.

"Main... bas mazaak kar raha tha, yaar. Itna bura lag jaayega, nahi socha tha."

(I was just joking, man. I didn't think it would hurt her so much.)

Akshat crossed his arms.

"Kabhi kabhi mazaak bhi chubhne lagta hai... especially jab banda already sabse doori banake chal raha ho."

(Sometimes even jokes can hurt... especially when the person's already walking through life keeping everyone at a distance.)

There was silence.

Only the soft noise of the fan above, and a distant laughter from another classroom.

And then Shivansh spoke-softly, but firmly.

"She heard you, Rohan. Every word. And it broke something."

Rohan swallowed hard, words stuck in his throat.

Because for the first time in a long while, he didn't know how to fix what he broke.

Rohan leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, frustration visible.

"She's a mystery, bhai... I don't even know how to talk to her."

His voice wasn't defensive-it was uncertain, almost defeated.

Shivansh let out a small exhale, more to himself than anyone else.

"True that. Mystery toh hai..."

(She really is a mystery.)

His gaze drifted to the window, and for a second, his tone softened in a way that didn't go unnoticed.

Akshat smirked, catching it instantly.

"Mystery ya crush?" he teased under his breath.

Shivansh ignored him.

"Mystery ho ya alien, sorry toh bol usse."

(Whether she's a mystery or an alien, you still owe her an apology.)

His voice was firm this time, older-brother serious.

"Tujhe samajh aaye ya na aaye, par usne feel kiya. Aur uska hurt hona valid hai."

(Whether you understand her or not, she felt it. And her pain is valid.)

Rohan looked down, jaw clenched.

"Main usse hurt nahi karna chahta tha, Shivansh. Sach mein."

(I never meant to hurt her, Shivansh. Truly.)

There was a beat of silence.

Then Akshat clapped a hand on Rohan's shoulder.

"Toh chalo, aaj sorry bol de. Usse zyada mature move kuch nahi hoga."

(Then today, just say sorry. Nothing's more mature than that.)

Rohan nodded slowly.

Not sure if it would fix anything-but knowing it had to be done.

______

At water point.

The corridor buzzed softly with the sound of footsteps, normal chatter, and the occasional ring of laughter. Aria stood near the water point, filling her bottle quietly. Hair tied up in ponytail, eyes a little tired-but calm as always.

Rohan spotted her from the end of the hallway. His steps slowed.

His palms felt sweaty. His heart? Loud.

"Ab bol de, Rohan," he muttered to himself.

(Just say it, Rohan.)

She turned slightly as if sensing someone behind.

"Hey..." Rohan's voice came out softer than intended.

Aria glanced sideways. Her expression didn't shift-neither cold nor warm. Just unreadable.

"Hmm?" she said, wiping her bottle and capping it.

Rohan took a breath. "I... I wanted to talk to you."

She didn't move, didn't walk away either. That was something.

"Okay," she said, cautiously.

He stepped closer but left a respectful distance.

"That day... I said things I shouldn't have. About you. Without knowing anything. It was wrong."

Aria looked at him. Eyes clear. Guarded, but listening.

"I judged. And I'm sorry," he continued, voice steady now. "You didn't deserve that."

There was silence. Not tense-but heavy.

She finally spoke. "Why did you say it?"

Rohan looked down. "I don't know... maybe I thought I was being protective. Maybe I was just being stupid. But I promise-it wasn't about you. It was about my own assumptions."

Aria blinked slowly, her voice calm.

"You hurt me. I trusted this group. A little. You made me regret that."

He nodded. That hit harder than her walking away.

"I know. And I'm not expecting you to forgive me right away. I just... wanted you to know I regret it."

A small pause.

Then, almost quietly, she said, "Thank you. For saying it."

Rohan looked up. Aria's expression hadn't softened much, but her voice had.

She turned to walk back toward class, then stopped and glanced at him.

"Next time... ask. Don't assume."

And just like that-she left.

Rohan stood there a moment longer, shoulders slightly lighter, but eyes thoughtful.

He knew one thing for sure:

This mystery girl? Was braver than most he knew.

"Aria!" he called out again, a little louder this time.

She paused mid-step and turned back slowly, her brows raised slightly, waiting.

Rohan jogged up to her.

"Konsi house activity mein part le rahi ho? Aur konsa house mein ho?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light-normal. Like nothing was heavy between them.

(Which activity are you participating in? And which house you are in?)

Aria looked slightly confused but answered politely,

"I don't know about my house yet. I asked the class monitor to check from the list."

She adjusted her bottle in her hand, looking ready to leave again.

But Rohan added quickly, "And activity?"

A faint flicker of hesitation crossed her face. Then, softly-

"Uhh... d-d... dance."

Her voice barely above a whisper.

Rohan blinked in surprise. "Dance? Really?"

His tone was a mix of genuine interest and curiosity, not mockery.

"Yeah," Aria replied, hugging her bottle a little tighter.

Then, after a short pause, she added quickly-

"I have class. I should go. Bye."

Before Rohan could say anything more, she turned and walked away.

He stood there, watching her disappear down the corridor-his thoughts tangled.

She didn't smile. But she didn't shut him down either.

Maybe, just maybe... that was a start.

____

Aria entered the class. The teacher was absent, so it was a free period.

She quietly made her way to her seat and sat down beside Saavi and Avni.

Just as she settled, class monitor Shreya approached her with a friendly smile.

"Areee, Miss Monitor humari seat par? Wah wah!" Saavi teased, nudging Aria lightly.

Avni and Shreya chuckled, and for once, Aria let out a small smile-soft, but real.

"Aria, you're in Nirbhaya House," Shreya informed her with a quick grin before walking away.

Saavi's eyes lit up.

"Yesss! Aria, tum humare house mein ho!" she said excitedly, giving her a happy little shake.

"Tum dono bhi Nirbhaya House mein ho?" Aria asked, a little surprised but clearly at ease now.

(You both are also in Nirbhaya House?)

"Haan," Avni nodded. "Main, Saavi, Ansh bhaiya, Aksh bhai... aur woh lal muh wala bandar bhi."

(Yes. Me, Saavi, Ansh bhaiya, Aksh bhai... and that red-faced monkey too.)

Aria blinked. "Lal muh wala bandar?"

(Red-faced monkey?)

Saavi burst out laughing. "Arey, Rohan bhaiya ko bol rahi hai."

(She's talking about Rohan bhaiya.)

Aria couldn't help it-she laughed. A small one, but it echoed.

_______

Later - At Aria's house

She came home, tired but calm.

Rani ji, her grandmother, sat down on the living room couch after picking her up from school. The housemaid brought water and a plate of snacks.

Aria quietly took off her shoes and sat beside her.

"Amma, mujhe activity mein part nahi lena," she said softly, avoiding eye contact.

(Amma, I don't want to participate in the activity.)

Rani ji looked at her calmly. "Kyu, Aria?"

(Why, Aria?)

"Mujhe bas... nahi karna."

(I just... don't want to.)

There was a pause. Then Rani ji gently asked,

"Dar lag raha hai?"

(Are you scared?)

Aria didn't reply.

But she didn't have to.

Her silence said it all.

Rani ji reached for her hand.

"Kab tak daregi, Aria?"

(How long will you keep being afraid?)

"School jaane se bhi darr lagta tha na? Par tu gayi. Aur dekh... itne ache dost mile.

(You were scared to go to school too, right? But you still went. And see... you made such good friends.)

She cupped Aria's cheek, voice firm yet full of warmth.

"Dar ka samna kar. Main hoon na."

(Face your fear. I'm here.)

Aria blinked fast, nodding silently.

___

Aria walked to her room.

The familiar silence wrapped around her like a blanket.

She changed out of her school uniform slowly, folding each piece neatly. Then she lay down on her bed, her back sinking into the soft mattress.

Her fingers reached under the pillow.

She pulled out a worn photograph.

Her parents-smiling, young, frozen in a moment that no longer existed.

Without a word, she hugged the picture to her chest.

Her eyes shut tight as her heartbeat echoed in the quiet room.

"Mujhse nahi hoga, Mumma..."

(I can't do it, Mumma...)

But somewhere deep inside her... a voice whispered,

"Par karna toh padega."

(But I have to try.)

Aria clutched the photo tighter, the edges worn from how often she'd held it.

She looked at her mother's smile. At her father's eyes-eyes she saw every time she looked in the mirror.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"You said I'll never be alone..." she whispered, voice trembling.

"But you both left... and I... I don't even know how to breathe on stage anymore, Mumma. Papa."

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, as if doing that would make her voice steadier.

"Everyone says I'm strong."

Her laugh cracked.

"They don't know I still sleep hugging your sweater."

She stared at the picture, searching for something-warmth, strength, maybe a miracle.

"I made two friends ," she whispered with a ghost of a smile.

"They're nice. They make the noise in my head a little less... loud."

Her fingers traced her mother's smile.

"But will they stay?"

Her voice broke on the last word.

Silence answered.

So she hugged the photo tighter, buried her face in the pillow, and let herself cry. Her body shaking with sobs.

"I miss you..I miss you so much. I wanted to make you both proud by my dancing.. but now..now I am scared of wearing them."

Her breaths turned shallow, like she was drowning in memories too heavy for her chest.

"You used to say I was born to shine, Mumma. That my eyes had stars in them, Papa. But now... all I see is fear."

She closed her eyes, tears soaking the pillow.

The only answer was the quiet hum of the ceiling fan above and the distant ticking of the clock-both sounding far too loud in the silence they left behind.

______

Next day in school

Aria walked up the stairs, lost in her thoughts, the echo of children's laughter behind her like a faint memory. She turned slightly to look, her steps slow and distracted.

From the other end, Shivansh was rushing down, eyes glued to the notes in his hand, completely unaware of what was ahead.

CRASH.

The impact was sudden-papers flew, her bag slipped from her shoulder, and she stumbled back against the railing, breath caught in her throat.

He instantly grabbed her arm, steadying her before she could fall.

Their eyes met.

Wide. Breathless. Still.

For a moment, the corridor noise dimmed. The chaos of footsteps, laughter, and announcements blurred behind that one stare.

I'm-sorry," Shivansh said, his voice uncharacteristically soft, almost unsure.

"I am sorry," he repeated, calmer this time, gently pulling her fully onto the stair landing, away from the edge.

"It's okay. I wasn't looking either," Aria whispered, her voice barely audible over her racing heart.

Her pulse thundered like a train, but her gaze didn't waver.

She looked into his eyes. Again. Twice in two days.

So calm. So peaceful.

As if nothing in the world could shake him.

And yet... something in those eyes felt like they'd been through storms she couldn't name.

He blinked, just once, then gave a small nod.

"Still... be careful next time."

Aria nodded, still a little breathless.

Shivansh gave a slight smile, the corner of his lips tilting up.

"By the way... this-our bumping-into-each-other thing? It's becoming kind of a tradition now."

A tiny laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"I'm starting to think you're doing it on purpose," she said, trying to sound casual, but her voice trembled just a little.

Shivansh raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening voice teasing.

"Careful, Aria. That almost sounded like a challenge."

And before she could respond, he was already walking down the stairs again, papers fluttering slightly in his hand.

She stood frozen, a strange warmth blooming in her chest.

Their fingertips hadn't even brushed this time.

But somehow, it still felt like... something had touched her.

But somehow, it still felt like... something had touched her.

"Dangerous... so dangerous," Aria thought as she walked away, trying to steady her steps, trying to calm the thudding storm inside her chest.

"This boy... is dangerous."

"His eyes. That calm voice. That tiny, effortless smile. And today... what the hell was that?"

Her hand brushed against her chest, instinctively, as if to shield her heart from the very memory.

"Why... why did everything inside me go quiet the moment he looked at me like that?"

She shook her head slightly, as if it would shake off the feeling too.

"No. I can't afford this. I came here to survive, not feel."

But the truth was, in that one fleeting second-amidst the chaos of stairs, papers, and heartbeats-

Aria felt something she hadn't felt in years.

Safe.

And that... was the most dangerous feeling of all.

_______

The class had just begun. Aria, Saavi, and Avni sat at their usual spot, heads bent, pens moving swiftly across notebooks. Yet, a buzz lingered in the air-restless, excited.

There were two reasons behind the unusual energy:

One - the house activity registrations were happening today.

Two - a new Economics teacher had joined.

Just as the lecture found its rhythm, the classroom door creaked open.

Akshat and Shivansh stepped in.

Their discipline in-charge badges caught the sunlight, a gleam of quiet authority on their crisp uniforms.

"Good morning, class," Shivansh greeted, his voice smooth and composed. "We're here to take names of Nirbhaya House members for the upcoming activities. Please stand and mention your name along with the activity you wish to participate in."

Students from Nirbhaya House began rising one by one, calling out their choices.

Avni and Saavi exchanged a quick, excited glance.

Saavi's eyes, however, kept flicking toward Akshat - subtly, hopefully.

Aria, in contrast, kept her gaze low, her grip on the pen tightening.

As they made their way through the rows, Akshat reached the trio and, without asking, scribbled down names - clearly prepared.

"Activities?" he asked, glancing at the three girls, though his eyes lingered on Saavi for just a moment longer.

"Debate, right?" he asked, lips curving into a knowing smile.

Saavi bit her lip, cheeks tinted, and nodded silently.

"And you, Avni?" Akshat asked.

"Tumhe nahi pata? Behen ka interest bhi bhool gaya?"

("You don't know? Forgot even your sister's interest?")

Her tone was sharp but hushed, careful not to disturb the class.

"Arey, shant ho ja," Shivansh said with a quiet chuckle, stepping in. "Aksh, singing mein likh de. Mat chadh ise."

("Hey, calm down, Aksh, put her down for singing. Don't mess with her.")

Akshat held back a grin and made the note.

And then, five pairs of eyes fell on Aria.

"Aria?" Shivansh asked, his tone softer, gentler.

She hesitated for a heartbeat. "Um... dance," she said finally, voice barely above a whisper.

Shivansh and Akshat exchanged a glance and nodded, jotting her name down.

"Everyone report to the house area after lunch break," Akshat announced, voice firm and formal as he turned to leave.

But as they exited, both boys glanced back.

Shivansh's eyes found Aria. Calm. Curious.

Akshat's gaze drifted back to Saavi - and a small, unreadable smile tugged at the corner of his lips.