🌸🥀ख़ामोशियाँ भी बातें करती हैं,

ज़रा सुनो तो सही कभी।

तुम्हारे स्पर्श से ये खिल उठेंगी,

इन्हें अपने पास बुला लो कभी।

बेचैन हैं कहने को कुछ,

सुन लो इन्हें ज़रा...🥀🌸

Happy reading ❤️

________________________________________

The school seemed to pulse with a different kind of energy that day.

Some students were excitedly signing up for house activities,

some looked bored,

and others wore an expression of complete indifference.

In the house room, Shivansh, Akshat, and Rohan were occupied with the teachers, helping register students for various events.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, Aria, Saavi, and Avni sat together, whispering about their own plans for the activities.

It was the lunch period, but the usual noisy rush to the canteen was absent-

the rain outside kept everyone indoors, the sound of droplets tapping against the windows filling the air.

Preeti, flanked by her two friends, sauntered over with a smug glint in her eyes-her gaze locked on Aria.

"Hey, Aria," Preeti drawled.

The trio turned toward her. Saavi and Avni exchanged an eye-roll, while Aria simply blinked, confused as to why Preeti was even there.

"Uh... hey," Aria replied cautiously.

"So, Aria... are you enjoying it here?" Preeti asked, her tone sugary but laced with something sharper.

"Yeah, this school is good," Aria replied politely.

"Hmhm, it is. But your friends aren't," Preeti said, tilting her chin toward Avni and Saavi.

Avni and Saavi exchanged amused glances, while Aria's smile faltered.

"Ohhh, I'm hurt, Avni. Ya kya bol diya isne."

(Oh wow, what did she just say?) Saavi said dramatically, pretending to wipe away fake tears.

Avni burst out laughing, and even Aria couldn't help but chuckle. Preeti and her friends, however, were fuming.

(How could she say that?)

By now, the entire class had turned to watch the scene unfold.

Aria's smile faded as she noticed Preeti still glaring at Saavi and Avni. The air in the room felt heavier now, the chatter from the rest of the class dying down.

"Preeti, tumhe koi problem hai?" Aria's voice was calm but carried a weight that made a few heads turn again.

(Preeti, do you have a problem?)

Preeti crossed her arms. "Haan, problem hai. Tum galat logon ke saath ghoom rahi ho. Tum nayi ho, tumhe samajh nahi aata ki yeh dono kaise hain."

(Yes, I do. You're hanging out with the wrong people. You're new, you don't understand what these two are like.)

Saavi scoffed. "Oh please, yeh moral lecture kisi aur ko dena."

(Oh please, save your moral lecture for someone else.)

Avni leaned back in her chair, her expression sharp. "Aur waise bhi, Aria ka dost kaun hoga yeh decide karne ka right tumhe kisne diya?"

(And by the way, who gave you the right to decide who Aria can be friends with?)

A few students murmured, sensing tension.

Aria's hands clenched on the desk, but her tone stayed steady. "Preeti, agar tumhe hamari friendship pasand nahi, toh usse tumhare life pe koi farq nahi padta. Aur agar padta hai... toh shayad tumhe apni life pe focus karna chahiye."

(Preeti, if you don't like our friendship, it doesn't affect your life. And if it does... maybe you should focus on your own life.)

Preeti's cheeks flushed, her friends shifting uncomfortably beside her. The class stayed silent, the only sound the patter of rain against the windows.

Without waiting for a response, she turned back to Saavi and Avni, who were both smirking in quiet pride.

Preeti tilted her head, eyes flicking over Aria like she was scanning her for flaws.

"You know... I was just telling my friends how brave you are," she said, her tone syrupy-sweet but edged with malice. "I mean, showing up here all alone... after everything that happened to your parents."

The words dropped like a stone in the middle of the room.

Aria froze.

"What... did you just say?" Her voice was low, almost too calm.

Preeti shrugged, feigning innocence. "Just saying... I do know about you. About your parents. Must be... lonely, right? I checked class register...no parents name..."

A few students gasped. The rain outside seemed to grow louder.

Avni pushed back her chair. "That's enough, Preeti."

Saavi's eyes flashed. "You seriously have no shame, do you?"

But Aria stood up before either of them could do more.

Her voice didn't shake, but the tightness in it was undeniable.

"You think you're being clever?" she said, taking a step forward. "Dragging my parents into your pathetic little ego game?"

Preeti faltered for the first time, but Aria didn't stop.

"You don't know me. You don't know what I've been through. And you don't get to use my pain to get a reaction. That says more about you than it does about me."

Silence spread through the classroom like wildfire.

Preeti opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Aria's gaze stayed fixed on her.

"Unless you want the whole school to know just how low you can sink, walk away."

Preeti's smirk faltered, but only for a second. She turned to the class with a loud, mocking voice.

"Hey, everyone-did you know? Aria's an orphan. A dirty little orphan."

Aria's eyes stung, but she refused to let the tears fall. Beside her, Avni and Saavi bristled with fury. Around them, the class fell silent, their expressions shifting to disgust-not at Aria, but at Preeti.

"Shut up, Preeti," Avni snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut.

Preeti ignored her, leaning closer to Aria with venom in her voice.

"Aww, poor little orphan girl. So unlucky your parents left you behind. Tell me-were they just as pathetic as you?"

SLAP

The sharp crack echoed across the room, snapping every conversation into silence. Preeti's head whipped to the side, her palm clutching her cheek, eyes wide in disbelief.

For a moment, the classroom froze-then whispers erupted like a wave.

"Did she just-?"

"No way..."

"Aria slapped Preeti?!"

Saavi's mouth hung open, her gaze flicking from Aria's trembling hand to Preeti's stunned face. Avni blinked rapidly, caught between shock and a strange surge of pride.

Aria's chest rose and fell, her voice slicing through the murmurs.

"Say one more word about my parents... and you'll regret it."

A few students in the back stifled gasps. Some leaned forward in their seats, wide-eyed, while others exchanged glances as if witnessing something forbidden.

Preeti's glare faltered under the weight of Aria's steady, unflinching stare.

The room stayed charged, every single person knowing this was the moment no one would forget.

Preeti's lips parted, ready to spit something back, but the words caught in her throat when she saw Aria's eyes-cold, sharp, yet burning with something far deeper than anger.

Saavi finally found her voice. "Aria..." she whispered, as if afraid even saying her name too loudly might shatter the moment.

Avni reached out, gently tugging at Aria's sleeve. "It's not worth it," she murmured, though her own gaze never left Preeti.

The rest of the class wasn't just shocked anymore-they were unsettled. Chairs creaked as people shifted uncomfortably. A boy near the window pretended to look outside, but his ears were tuned to every breath. Someone in the back coughed, too loud in the eerie stillness.

Preeti straightened, forcing a smirk that didn't quite hide the flush on her cheeks. "You think you're tough now? Just wait-"

Aria took one step forward, her voice low, almost too calm.

"I'm not trying to be tough. I'm trying to be clear. I don't care what you say about me... but my parents are not for your entertainment."

The air felt heavier, and not a single person dared to interrupt.

Preeti's smirk faltered. For a heartbeat, she looked like she might push back again... but the weight in Aria's steady gaze made her falter.

Her jaw tightened. Without another word, she grabbed her bag from the bench, the metal zipper clinking in the silence. The sound seemed louder than it should have been.

Everyone watched as she slung it over her shoulder and walked toward the door.

Halfway there, she glanced back, as if wanting to throw one last glare-yet she stopped herself and kept walking, her steps echoing against the tiled floor until the door clicked shut behind her.

The room stayed quiet for a few seconds longer, as if no one was sure it was over.

The moment the door closed behind Preeti, the classroom still felt suffocating. Eyes were still on Aria, whispers starting to form in corners.

Aria didn't wait for anyone to speak. She stood, her chair scraping against the floor, and walked out without a word. Her posture was stiff, her hands clenched at her sides - but her face gave nothing away.

Saavi and Avni exchanged a glance. No words were needed. They both grabbed their bags and hurried after her.

They caught up just as Aria pushed open the washroom door. Inside, the cool, tiled space was empty.

Aria leaned against the sink, her breath shaking now that the walls around her were closing in. She gripped the porcelain edge so tightly her knuckles turned white, her reflection in the mirror blurring as her eyes filled.

Saavi stepped closer, gentle but firm. "Aria..."

Avni stayed by the door, keeping an eye out for anyone who might enter, her own chest tight as she watched her friend crumble.

Aria's voice broke as the first tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm fine," she whispered - but her trembling shoulders said otherwise.

Saavi didn't believe her for a second. Without asking, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Aria. At first, Aria stayed stiff - like she didn't remember how to lean on someone - but then, slowly, her weight sank into Saavi's hold.

"It's okay," Saavi murmured, her voice low but steady. "You don't have to pretend with us."

Avni moved closer now, placing a hand on Aria's back, rubbing small circles in silent reassurance. "Whatever happened in there... whatever they said... it doesn't matter to us. We're with you."

Aria shook her head, her voice barely audible. "You'll regret it... people always do."

Saavi pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes. "Not us. We don't care what they think."

For a moment, the only sound was Aria's uneven breathing, the occasional sniffle echoing in the tiled washroom. But beneath the mess of it, there was a tiny flicker - a fragile, hesitant trust - forming in her gaze.

_____

The registration table for Nirbhaya House was buzzing with chatter, papers shuffling, and pens scribbling names.

Aria walked in with Saavi and Avni, her face calm on the surface but her eyes still faintly red from earlier.

Shivansh, Akshat, and Rohan were already there, handling forms and helping juniors sign up.

Akshat glanced up first, catching the subtle tension between the three girls. His brows furrowed.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes scanning Saavi and Avni.

Rohan, leaning against the desk, chimed in, "Yeah, you guys look like you just walked out of a battlefield. What happened?"

Saavi and Avni exchanged a quick glance, both hesitant.

"Nothing," Saavi muttered, picking up a pen.

Avni quickly bent over the form as if the paper was suddenly fascinating.

Meanwhile, Shivansh had walked around the table to where Aria stood, holding her registration slip.

His voice dropped, low enough for only her to hear.

"You okay?" he asked, watching her face intently.

Aria froze for a split second before forcing a small nod. "I'm fine."

Shivansh didn't look convinced, but before he could say anything else, a group of juniors crowded the desk, pulling everyone back into their roles.

Still, his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary.

The long table was covered with registration sheets, coloured pens, and stacks of participation forms. Students were moving in and out, laughing, chatting, signing up for the upcoming House Day events.

Aria stood a little apart from the crowd, quietly filling a form. Her pen moved steadily, but her eyes... they were still red-rimmed, betraying the storm from earlier. Shivansh, sitting beside her, leaned forward slightly.

Shivansh asked gently "You're sure you're fine?"

Aria gave the smallest of nods without looking up. "I'm fine." The words were too quick, too practised.

Meanwhile, a few feet away-Akshat and Rohan were by the side of the desk, glancing between the girls.

Akshat asked frowning: "What's going on? Saavi... Avni... she looks like ahe cried."

Rohan's brow furrowed. "And you three aren't talking like usual. Spill."

Avni hesitated, looking at Saavi. Saavi pressed her lips together, torn for a moment-then stepped closer to Akshat.

Saavi speaks quietly but sharp "Preeti crossed the line."

Akshat's expression hardened instantly. "What do you mean-crossed the line?"

Saavi replied "She insulted Aria. Personal. Cruel. Aria didn't just hear it-she slapped her."

Rohan blinked, startled. "Wait-slapped?"

Saavi nodded "Yes. And if you'd been there, you'd know she deserved worse. Preeti said things no one should have to hear... about her past."

Akshat's jaw tightened, his hands curling into loose fists. "Where's Preeti now?"

Saavi said clenching her fists."Gone. Aria walked out too-Avni and I followed her to the washroom. She... broke down, Akshat. She was shaking."

Akshat glanced over Saavi's shoulder at Aria, who was trying so hard to act like nothing happened. Rohan's usual teasing demeanour was gone, replaced by a silent, uneasy guilt.

....

Shivansh moved around the room, collecting forms from everyone.

Aria stepped forward, handing hers to him. For the briefest second, their eyes met-unexpected and unplanned.

Something unreadable flickered in Shivansh's gaze, his hand pausing mid-movement as if the rest of the world had gone quiet.

Aria's breath caught. She quickly looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she hurried off.

From the side, Akshat and Rohan exchanged a glance, grinning.

"Ya toh gaya," Akshat murmured, amusement dancing in his eyes.

(He's gone.)

"Kya matlab?" Rohan asked, frowning slightly.

(What do you mean?)

Akshat's lips curled into a small, knowing smile as he watched Shivansh exchange that brief glance with Aria. His fingers nervously fidgeted with a pen, memories flooding back.

He remembered the first time he really noticed Saavi-the way his heart had suddenly felt too big for his chest, the way a simple look from her had sent a rush through him. It was strange how something so small could feel so enormous.

Rohan's eyes met his, curiosity flickering as he waited silently.

Akshat shrugged slightly, the warmth of those memories still lingering. Feelings like that didn't announce themselves-they crept in quietly, catching you off guard. Shivansh's moment with Aria wasn't just a glance; it was something more, something heavier.

Rohan nodded slowly, as if understanding what Akshat meant without needing words.

Sometimes, emotions didn't make sense until you were already tangled in them-too deep to step back.

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Hey pyraa logzzz🎀

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