🥀🌸ज़िन्दगी ने की हैं कैसी साज़िशें,

पूरी हुई दिल की वो फरमाइशें।

माँगी दुआ एक तुझ तक जा पहुँची,

परवरदिगारा, परवरदिगारा।

कैसी सुनी तूने मेरी ख़ामोशी,

ओ परवरदिगारा।🌸🥀

Happy reading🎀

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Target- 10 votes, 5 comments. 🎀

Don't be silent reader please🙂

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"Bhai yeh assembly kisne banayi hai?" Saavi groaned, slouching on her chair even though it was still early morning at school.

(Bro who made this assembly?)

"For real yaar!" Avni agreed, casually trimming her nails with a tiny nail cutter she had illegally snuck into school. "Subah subah khada kar dete hain dhoop mein 30-45 minutes ke liye... kitni garmi lagti hai!"

(They make us stand in the sun for 30-45 minutes early morning... it's so hot!)

Aria couldn't help smiling listening to their complaints. She felt comfortable with them now. Smiles, little laughs, small touches - it had all become normal for her now, at least with these two girls.

Suddenly Saavi sat up straight, eyes shining. "IDEA!"

"Kya?" Aria asked, raising an eyebrow - she already knew something dramatic was coming.

Saavi leaned forward, already proud of herself.

"Hum log assembly mein jayenge... aur thodi der baad faint hone ki acting karenge. Matlab koi ek faint ho jayega, fir usko leke baki dono medical room chale jayenge aur assembly skipkr denga!"

(We'll go to assembly... then after some time one of us will pretend to faint. Then other two will take her to the medical room and will skip assembly!)

Aria blinked in disbelief, while Avni looked instantly interested.

"Lekin kaun faint hoga? Mujhse nahi hogi acting. Main aaj tak zinda hi rahi hoon... dream hai waise mera faint hona ka," Avni said dramatically.

(But who'll faint? I can't act. I've never fainted in life... actually it's my dream to faint once.)

Aria stifled a laugh. "Faint hone ka dream? But yeah... I won't be able to act either."

Saavi rolled her eyes like a superhero. "Ohhhh don't worry. Main kar lungi acting."

(Ohhh don't worry. I will do the acting.)

_____

As soon as the assembly began, Saavi, Aria and Avni exchanged a quick nod, ready to start their brilliant drama plan. Saavi positioned herself perfectly, took a deep breath and was just about to collapse dramatically when-

THUD.

A girl from the class line next to them actually fainted for real. Just fell.

Everyone around froze.

Avni, Saavi and Aria slowly turned their heads to look at each other - pure shock in their eyes.

Before anyone could react, two male helpers came rushing in from the front. Instead of helping her gently like a normal person, they picked her up like she was a sack of flour - one held her arms and the other grabbed her legs.

The poor girl was literally lifted horizontally above the ground... like some wet towel.

Students tried to stay serious but people around were already trying so hard not to laugh.

Saavi, Aria and Avni stared in horror. What if it was Saavi instead of that girl.

_____________

As the assembly dispersed and students headed back to their classes, Saavi stopped by the water point to wash her face.

"Bahut prank karne ka shauk hai tumhe?"

A voice came from behind. Saavi turned, still gulping down water. Akshat was standing there.

(You really like doing pranks, don't you?)

"Hehe... hi," she said, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. Akshat raised an eyebrow.

"Hi hello baad mein. Pehle yeh batao-parso ka prank kya tha? Rakhi? Seriously? Bahut mazak pasand hai tumhe?" he asked, trying to hide his smile.

(Hi hello later. First tell me-what was that prank the other day? Rakhi? Seriously? You really like joking around, don't you?)

"Woh toh bas aise hi. Rohan bhaiya ne bola toh maine kar diya," Saavi said with a sheepish grin.

(It was just for fun. Rohan bhaiya told me, so I did it.)

"Rohan bhaiya ne bola toh maine kar diya," he mimicked her in a mocking tone. "Rohan bhaiya bolega murder kar do toh kar dogi?"

('Rohan bhaiya told me, so I did it...' If Rohan bhaiya tells you to commit murder, will you do it too?)

"Obviously," Saavi shrugged casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Akshat blinked, caught off guard.

Then a slow smirk curved on his lips. He stepped closer. The corridor was still buzzing with students, but here-at the corner by the water point-there were no cameras, no teachers.

"Aur agar Rohan bhaiya bole toh... kuch bhi kar dogi?" he asked, his voice low, eyes locked with hers.

(And if Rohan bhaiya said... will you do anything?)

This time, the question made her pause. It wasn't the words-it was the intensity with which he said them.

"Uhhm... haan." Saavi muttered, her eyes flickering up at him.

Akshat stepped closer, and instinctively she stepped back. Not out of discomfort, but because her heart was racing, her cheeks heating.

"A-Akash... my class-" she trailed off, only to freeze when her back bumped against the waterpoint.

He closed in, arms braced on either side, caging her without even touching. His presence was overwhelming, but not suffocating-dangerously close yet careful.

Leaning in, his voice dropped to a whisper, brushing against her ear.

"Next time you even think of pranking me like that... trust me, Saavi, you won't like the revenge. Got it?"

Her back brushed the cold wall, breath catching in her throat. She forced herself to lift her chin, refusing to look away, but her trembling fingers gripped the hem of her dupatta too tightly.

"I- I only said yes because it was about Rohan bhaiya," she muttered, trying to sound firm. But the crack in her voice betrayed her.

Akshat's eyes flickered to her flushed cheeks, a ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips.

He stepped back, folding his arms across his chest.

"Yeah, yeah... Rohan bhaiya ki behen. Ab class mein jao," he said, though his own heartbeat drummed faster with every second of their closeness.

(Yeah yeah..Rohan sister now back to class.)

Saavi blinked, as if breaking free from a spell, and nodded quickly before hurrying toward her class.

Akshat closed his eyes for a moment, a smile tugging at his lips. One thing was certain now-his feelings weren't one-sided. Her blush, her refusal to meet his gaze... they had told him everything he needed to know.

_________

As Saavi walked back to class, her mind was still racing, cheeks warm from what had just happened. Without even glancing inside, she pushed the door open and entered-only to feel the weight of every pair of eyes snapping toward her.

She blinked, confused, as Aria and Avni immediately covered their mouths, shoulders shaking with laughter. Avni pointed toward the front of the class.

Saavi turned slowly-and froze.

Saavi's steps faltered as her eyes landed on the tall figure at the front. Not the usual middle-aged, dull-voiced economics lecturer, but someone new. Young. Sharp-featured. Broad shoulders wrapped neatly in a crisp shirt.

And worst of all-his gaze was fixed right on her.

Her stomach dropped. Of course, the day I walk in late without even knocking, economics decides to send a Greek god to humiliate me.

The class went completely silent, the tension broken only by Avni's muffled laugh and Aria's wide-eyed amusement.

"Miss...?" The teacher's deep voice cut through her panic, smooth yet firm. "Do you plan on joining us, or were you just here to... inspect the classroom?"

Heat rushed up her neck.

"I-uh... I'm Saavi, sir," she managed, biting her lip. "Sorry for... the... interruption."

The corners of his lips lifted, not quite a smile, but enough to make her cheeks flame harder.

"Well, Saavi," he said, sliding his glasses up the bridge of his nose with practiced ease, "since you already made an entrance, let's hope your answers in this subject are just as confident."

A low ripple of laughter spread through the class. Saavi wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

She rushed to the seat between Avni and Aria, whispering furiously, "Shut up, don't say anything."

For the first time, the entire class sat upright, their chatter dying down. The man at the front wasn't just teaching-he was making them listen. Concepts that had always seemed like a blur suddenly made sense, every word landing with unusual clarity.

After wrapping up his first explanation, he looked up, scanning the rows with calm confidence.

"Ok class," he said, his voice steady but commanding, "let me introduce myself. I am your new Economics teacher. My name is Rishabh Arora."

A quiet buzz rippled through the room-half admiration, half relief. Finally, a teacher who made sense.

His gaze swept across the rows, sharp yet patient. No face went unnoticed-Saavi's quick grasp, Avni's restless energy, backbenchers forced seriousness. And then his eyes rested on Aria.

She had the book open, pen hovering, but her hesitation was written all over her face. Confused yet determined, trying to keep pace without drawing attention.

Rishabh sir didn't call her out. He just paused for the briefest moment, as if making a mental note, before moving on with effortless ease.

_____

"Avni, yaar aisa mat kar. Isko iss display board par paste kar denge," Rohan argued.

("Avni, don't do this. We'll paste it on the display board.")

"Nahi, pin karenge. Baad mein easily hata sakte hain," Avni shot back.

("No, we'll pin it. Later we can remove it easily.")

And just like that, their bickering began again.

Saavi and Aria exchanged a glance, stifling a laugh, while Akshat rolled his eyes. Shivansh, already frustrated because the work was getting delayed, finally stepped in.

"Shut up, Rohan. Avni, calm down," he said firmly.

Rohan gaped at him. "Bro, what is this? You just shut me up and then talked so politely with her?"

Shivansh gave him a cold look. "Just pin it on the board. Avni is right."

Rohan muttered something under his breath while Avni smirked in triumph.

"Choti, stop laughing," Shivansh turned to Saavi, his tone firm but softer than the one he had used on Rohan. "Go sit with Akshat and finish your debate."

Saavi's cheeks instantly flushed, and without another word she hurried to Akshat's side. Aria and Avni exchanged knowing glances, barely containing their grins. Maybe Akshat noticed too-because the faintest curve of a smile tugged at his lips.

"Shivansh, what happened to the dance props? Did you check them?" Radhika ma'am asked, scanning the room.

"Ohh-sorry ma'am, I forgot," Shivansh admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.

"It's okay. At least you're managing something," she sighed, then glanced around before her eyes landed on Aria.

"Yes, Aria, can you go and check?"

Aria's head jerked up at the sound of her name, her wide eyes meeting Radhika ma'am's expectant gaze. For a moment, she hesitated, then gave a small nod.

As she rose from her seat, Shivansh's gaze unconsciously followed her. His dark eyes lingered a little too long-watching the way her fingers nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt sleeves.

Aria felt it. That weight of his stare. And though she didn't dare look directly at him, her lashes flickered downward, her breath catching in her throat.

Why does it always feel like he sees too much?

Their eyes brushed-just for a second-when she finally glanced his way. A fleeting glance. But in that instant, it was enough. Enough for her chest to tighten, and for him to almost forget where he was.

"Aria?" Radhika ma'am's voice snapped the moment.

She blinked, nodding quickly before slipping out of the room, her footsteps fading down the corridor. Shivansh exhaled, realizing he'd been staring long after she'd left.

And yet, the strange tug in his chest refused to leave.

______

As Aria stepped into the storeroom, the air shifted. It was dim. Her heart picked up its pace, that familiar unease clawing at her chest. Still, she forced herself forward-kneeling, lifting, checking every prop neatly stacked in corners.

Minutes passed, and with each tick of silence, the room felt smaller. Finally satisfied, she dusted her hands and turned for the door.

Her fingers wrapped around the handle. She twisted.

It didn't move.

Confused, she tried again-shaking it harder this time. Nothing.

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

No, no, no. Not this. Not closed doors. Not darkness.

Her voice cracked with every call, the dark walls pressing in closer, suffocating. She slid down against the cold wood of the door, clutching her knees tight to her chest as if holding herself together.

"Breathe, Aria... just breathe..." she whispered shakily, counting under her breath-one, two, three-but the numbers slipped away when the shadows swallowed her.

Every second felt heavier than the last. The silence mocked her cries, broken only by the shallow gasps she couldn't control. She pressed her trembling palms against the door, her forehead resting on it.

"Someone will come... they have to," she murmured, though the dread crawling up her spine told her otherwise.

Just as her vision blurred at the edges, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside. A familiar voice, laced with panic, called out-

"Aria?"

It was Shivansh.

____

Few minutes back

The group was still chatting, laughter echoing in the rehearsal hall, when Ms. Radhika glanced at the clock. "It's been a while since Aria went to fetch the props, hasn't it?" she murmured, frowning slightly.

Avni blinked, looking around. "Yeah... she should've been back by now."

Rohan and Akshat shared a convern look. Saavi bit her lip, eyes darting toward the door.

Shivansh, however, felt something heavier than concern-an unsettling knot twisting in his chest. He had been restless for the past few minutes without reason, his gaze flickering to the door again and again. Now, hearing Ms. Radhika's words, the unease sharpened into something protective, almost urgent.

"She wouldn't just wander off," he said firmly, already standing. "I'll check." His voice carried a note of finality, as if no one could stop him.

Ms. Radhika gave a small nod, worry etching into her features. "Go on. And take someone with you."

But Shivansh was already moving, his strides quick, jaw set. Something in him refused to sit still until he saw Aria safe.

___

Present

When he reached the storeroom, a faint sound-barely there-froze him in his tracks. A muffled thud. Then a voice, shaky, breaking.

His heart lurched. Aria.

Without a second thought, he rushed to the door. The handle didn't budge. Locked. From the outside.

"Aria?" His voice was sharp, urgent. He banged against the wood. "Aria, are you inside?"

A beat of silence. Then a soft, broken sob answered him. And finally-her voice, trembling:

"Please...open the door."

Shivansh's chest tightened. He fumbled with the latch, hands almost shaking, and in one quick motion slid it open.

The door creaked open, and Shivansh's eyes immediately found her-huddled on the cold floor, arms wrapped tightly around her knees, face pale, strands of hair sticking to her damp cheeks. Her wide eyes darted up to him, shimmering with unshed tears, as if she couldn't quite believe he was real.

"Aria..." His voice softened instantly, all sharp urgency melting into raw concern. He crouched down in front of her, his chest twisting at the sight. For a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just this-her uneven breaths, her trembling fingers clutching her skirt.

The sound of hurried footsteps thundered in the corridor, and within seconds, Saavi, Avni, Rohan, and Akshat came skidding to a stop behind him. Ms. Radhika followed close, her expression tightening with alarm.

"Aria!" Saavi's voice broke as she rushed forward, but Shivansh instinctively raised a hand to stop her. Not harshly-protectively.

"Give her space," he said firmly, his gaze never leaving Aria.

Avni bit her lip, exchanging a worried glance with Saavi, both girls frozen in place. Rohan muttered a curse under his breath, fists clenching at the sight of his usually steady friend so shaken. Even Akshat, usually unreadable, shifted uncomfortably, his jaw tight.

Shivansh leaned closer, lowering his voice. "It's okay. You're safe now. I'm here."

Her lips parted as if to reply, but only a broken whisper came out: "The door... it wouldn't... I couldn't-" Her voice cracked, and fresh tears slipped free.

Shivansh's hands curled, aching to reach out and steady her-but he held himself back, afraid of startling her further. Instead, he extended one hand slowly, palm open. "Come on... let's get you out of here."

For a long second, she hesitated. Then, with trembling fingers, she reached for him-gripping his hand like it was the only thing tethering her to the present.

As he helped her to her feet, her knees buckled slightly, and Shivansh instinctively steadied her with a firm arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him, still shaky, still catching her breath.

Behind them, Ms. Radhika's voice cut through the heavy silence, gentle but resolute:

"Take her outside. She needs air."

Shivansh nodded once, guiding Aria carefully out of the dark room, his grip protective and unyielding, as if he would never let her slip away again.

____

All of them stood crowded in the medical room, the air tense as the nurse handed Aria a glass filled with glucose water.

"Here, drink slowly," the nurse instructed, her tone calm but firm. Aria's hands trembled slightly as she raised the glass, taking small sips.

"Aria, dear, can you tell us what happened?" Ms. Radhika asked gently, her eyes filled with concern.

Aria's fingers tightened around the glass of glucose water as if it were the only thing keeping her steady. Her lips trembled before the words even came.

"They...locked me in," she whispered, her voice breaking halfway. Her gaze flickered to the floor, unable to meet anyone's eyes. "I tried to open the door. It wouldn't... it wouldn't move."

Her chest hitched, the glass clinking softly in her trembling hands. "It was dark. No air. I thought-" She cut herself off, breath shaking, as though finishing the thought would drag her back into that suffocating space.

Shivansh's jaw clenched. Saavi and Avni's eyes filled instantly, but they stayed silent, letting the weight of Aria's truth hang heavy in the room.

"Mam, there are cameras near the storeroom. We can check them," Akshat said, his voice tight, controlled, but burning with urgency.

Ms. Radhika nodded at once, already dialing, her fingers trembling as she called security and informed the principal. The room was too quiet, every breath too loud.

Minutes felt like hours before the footage arrived.

When it finally played on her phone, they leaned in together, their hearts hammering in unison. The grainy video flickered, and then-

"Preeti."

Shivansh's voice cut through the stillness-low, sharp, laced with a fury that made every spine stiffen. His jaw tightened, eyes burning with a rage none of them had ever seen before.

Saavi's heart lurched. Without thinking, she slipped her hand into his, gripping it tightly, as if her hold alone could stop him from erupting.

"Iska toh muh tod dungi main," Avni spat, her fists curling so tight her knuckles turned white.

(I will break her face)

"Avni," Radhika ma'am warned softly, though her own voice trembled with the weight of what she'd just heard.

"Aria beta, look at me." She reached to touch Aria's shoulder. But the moment her hand neared, Aria flinched back like she'd touched fire.

Everyone froze. It was the first time they'd seen Aria like this-not quiet, not mysterious, but shattered. Her walls weren't just cracks anymore, they were bleeding.

Shivansh's jaw tightened as his gaze fell on her trembling hands. Her index fingers moved rhythmically over her other fingers-counting. A desperate, silent attempt to keep herself from falling apart.

Rohan and Akshat exchanged a look, their anger simmering, sharp and unspoken: This isn't ending here.

"Aria..." Radhika ma'am said softly, "principal sir is on the way. We'll tell him everything. Action will be taken."

But Aria didn't look up. She just whispered, voice hollow, "What if no one listens this time either?"

And the room fell into a silence so heavy it felt like it could crush them all. Everyone shared a confused glance at her words.

"Take... actions?" Aria's voice cracked, barely a whisper, but sharp enough to sting. Her wide eyes darted from face to face, as if she couldn't understand why they didn't see it.

"Aria-" Shivansh started, but stopped when she shook her head violently, stepping back.

"You don't get it..." Her chest heaved, each breath shallow and panicked. "They never listen. People like her never... never get punished. And people like me..." She pressed her trembling fingers to her own chest, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "...people like me are always left to suffer."

The words pierced deeper than any scream could have. Even Avni, who was ready to tear someone apart, faltered, her anger mixing with a sudden ache of helplessness.

Shivansh stepped closer, his voice low but firm.

"Aria, listen to me," he said, meeting her teary eyes. "You don't have to be scared anymore. Principal sir will take action. He won't let this go. I will make sure preeti gets punishment for this."

For the first time, Aria's gaze lingered on him-searching, trembling, almost afraid to hope, she gave a small nod.