SAANVI

STOP STARING!

Despite my urge to shout, I kept doodling in my notebook. Does my face have something on it? In my opinion, no. I can still recall my bath this morning! Then is this planet a different one? Are they assuming I'm an alien? But I believe it's Earth, not the other way around. Perhaps they simply believe that I'm too attractive. Nah, that's impossible!

THEN WHAT IS IT?

With a groan of frustration, I eventually pull my gaze away from my notebook and look at my classmates, who have been staring at me for the past ten minutes as if I am some sort of celebrity.

I stared at them with an expression that said, 'Is something on my face?' and raised an eyebrow, but they averted their gaze and pretended not to be staring at me, causing me to frown.

I was ready to look away when my sight was drawn to a short-height girl who waved at me with a broad smile that revealed her bunny teeth. Cute.

When I give her a courteous grin in response, she squeals like a child. I look at her bewildered but continue smiling. She approaches me with excitement, sits next to me, and holds out her hand.

"Hey, I'm Aashi Nanda, tum?" I shake her hand and give her my best grin as she says this, her dark brown eyes brimming with enjoyment. "Saanvi Grewal" I say, and she smiles broadly, holding my hand tighter.

(You?)

"You are beautiful." She compliments, grinning like a child, earning my smile. "Thank you; you are also cute" I respond, and she giggles.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" She asks, and I shake my head. "Of course not" I say, and she immediately stands up, surprising me.

"Bag leke aati hoon" she adds as she moves to where she had been seated. She's nice.

(I'll just bring my bag.)

She arrived and sat next to me with her books and bag. When I noticed that the students were once again ogling me, I turned to her and muttered, "Yaha sb ek dusre ko aise hi tukur tukur dekhte hai kya?"

(Does everybody here stare at each other like this?)

"Har new student ko aise hi dekhte hai." She returned the whisper, smiling playfully.

(They stare at every new student like this.)

I looked at her in disbelief, and she smiled slightly and wiggled her eyebrows. "To is school mei kaise aana Hua?" With her hands clasped over her face, she asked.

(So, why did you come to this school?)

"We just shifted aur previous school ghar se bahut dur pdta hai" I casually answered, carrying on with my notebook annotations. Making an 'O' look, she nodded and inquired, "To abhi tk ye school kaisa laga?"

(We just shifted and my previous school was very far from my house.)

(So, how do you like this school till now?)

"Sab sahi hota agar ye log mujhe ese ghur ghur nahi dekhte to!" I responded with a shrug of my shoulders.

(Everything would have been fine if they weren't starting at me like this.)

She was preparing to reply when a sudden noise broke the silence. As we turned toward the gate, three young men showed up. A brown-haired boy slammed the door, presumably drawing attention. It seemed like he colored them. Is it okay though? I glanced to his right, where a guy in glasses appeared to be watching everything closely.

Finally, I shifted my gaze to his left, where a guy with dark brown eyes stood with his arms crossed, his black hair falling over his eyes. He seemed peaceful.

I heard Aashi sigh and looked at her. She muttered, "Lo aagye gandhi ji ke teen bandar." I chuckled, "Dekhiyo ab ye bhure baal vala dono ke kandhe pr haath rakhega aur daant dikhayega." She continued to gaze at them peculiarly, and I followed her stare, and the man in between did exactly the same.

(Here comes the three monkey of Gandhi ji.)

(Look, now this guy with brown hair will put his hands on both of their shoulders and show his teeth.)

"Dekhaa." She turned to me with a triumphant expression, as if she had accomplished the most impossible feat in the world, and I cheered dramatically for her. "Aree wah, aap to sb jaanti hai!" I remarked, making her laugh as she flicked her ponytail-tied hair.

(see)

(You know everything.)

We casually discussed our hobbies, and she informed me about the teachers as well as those three males. Who would have assumed they were the teachers' favorites based on how they entered the classroom a few minutes previously? Whatever, not my concern.

REYAN

"Gooooood morningggggg maaaammm." The entire class sang a tune, which caught my attention. Standing up from my seat, I did the same thing, because it is always interesting, right?

The teacher sighed and nodded. "Good morning. Sit down." She spoke, and the entire class obeyed her. As we all took our seats, Ishaan nudged me. "Dekh, Aashi ke saath ek naya chehra baitha hai" he muttered, making me scowl.

(See, there is a new face sitting beside Aashi.)

"Haa to mai karu?" I muttered back, and he flashed me a sly look, "Are ladki hai!" He murmured again, and I stared at him, "lagta hai behra hai, haa, to mai kya karu?" I repeated, and Advay chuckled from behind.

(So what should I do?)

(Its a girl.)

(seems like you're deaf, So, what should I do?)

Ishaan gave me an irritated gaze and mumbled under his breath, "Pta nhi kis sadhu ko dost bana liya." I ignored him and focused on the teacher, who was scanning the classroom as if looking for someone.

(Don't know what saint I've made as a friend.)

Her gaze fell upon something or someone, and her face softened into one that was welcoming. I followed her eyes, and trust me, it was the best decision I've ever made.

I never really believed in love. At least not in the manner books and films presented. Love at first sight? only a slight exaggeration. soulmates? A dream individual told themselves to make life more bearable.

Then suddenly, though, she was there.

And for the first time in my life, I wondered if I had been incorrect all along.

Something about her kept me captive—maybe it was the way her hair, braided in a loose braid, framed her beautiful face, or the way her deep brown eyes carried a spark of mischief, as if the world was her playground and she was just waiting for the next adventure.

She stood up when the teacher called on her, and trust me when I say that I didn't hear a word the teacher said because I was too focused on her to turn away, no matter how much I wanted to. She wore her uniform carelessly, as though she didn't care about perfection yet still inhabited it. Her posture exuded a genuine confidence rather than a fake one, and for the first time, I felt my heartbeat falter.

"Saanvi Grewal" she introduced herself as if she was completely aware of the influence she had on people.

Damn.

I was completely screwed.

I was jolted out of my reverie when I heard someone pretend to cough. Turning my head, I peered behind, and Advay offered me a mocking, knowing grin. I diverted my gaze from him as soon as I felt my cheeks warm up. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

Mrs. Sachdeva began teaching, but everything she said went over my head, and I kept stealing glances at her.

STOP BEING A CREEP, REYAN; YOU JUST FIND HER ATTRACTIVE.

I reassured myself, but deep down I knew it wasn't just an infatuation; can you feel this way for someone you don't know? The only thing I know about her is her name.

She was whispering about something to Aashi, and she smiled. SHE SMILED. I repeat, she smiled—soft, brief, almost as if she wasn't aware she was doing so.

And I swear that time stopped.

No, not in the lyrical, overblown style that is commonly discussed. It actually came to a standstill. The sounds in the classroom receded, and the people around me blurred, leaving only her.

And with that, I was ruined.

Because if a single grin could cause my heart to stutter like this, I couldn't imagine how being hers would affect me.

"Reyan....Reyan......REYAN.....REYAN KHURANA." The voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I immediately looked away from her. "Y-yes, mam?" I asked, getting up abruptly, and Mrs. Sachdeva gave me a dismayed but concerned glance.

"Kaha khoye hue ho Reyan?" She frowned as she asked, "Sorry" I said, feeling embarrassed. What might Saanvi think of me? Wha—Why are you still thinking about her, Reyan? Stop it.

(Where are you lost Reyan?)

"Focus" was Mrs. Sachdeva's strong word, and she motioned for me to take a seat. I followed her instructions by nodding my head.

"Bas bhi kr ab, kabse ghur rha hai, kahi pta chale aakr muh pr joota chaap kr chali jaye." With a playful smirk, Advay said, and Ishaan sent me a dramatic, wounded glance.

(Stop now; you've been staring for too long. Its possible for her to hit you with her shoe.)

"Jab maine kaha dekh, tab to bahut ban raha tha HaA tO MaI KyA kArU, hmph." Adavy and I stared at him in disdain as he imitated.

(When I told you to look, you were like WhAt ShoUld I dO)

"Bas bas drama queen, book mei dhyan de!" I mumbled as I hit his head; he rolled his eyes and fixed his gaze on the teacher.

(Enough drama queen, focus on your book.)

Advay continued to smirk mischievously at me as I glared at him. Returning my attention to the instructor, I tried to focus on the lesson, but my gaze instinctively paused on her face.

To my surprise, she was already looking at me.

When her eyes finally met mine, something changed inside me.

She did not smile. She did not blush or look away shyly. She was only looking. And that was enough to make my heart race like I'd just completed a marathon.

I should've looked aside. Should have pretended I hadn't been staring for far too long. But I didn't. Because, for the first time in my life, I found myself not thinking.

I was feeling.

She swiftly turned away after that. And I had a strange sensation in my chest—something foreign and fresh.

Disappointment.

I had never felt affected by a stranger before. I never worried if someone I barely knew glanced at me or not. But what about her?

I wanted to get her attention.

It was something I needed.

And from that point on, I knew one thing for certain—I wasn't going to wait for her to notice me again.

I was going to make her.

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Hello, my cuties. Are you guys doing good? Do lmk your thoughts on the very first chapter of this book. I don't know if you all will like it or not but I love love love Reyan already. Lastly, pleasee do lots and lots of vote and comments. Take care <3

~Sika