SAANVI

"Wahh, kya padhati hai yaar, kuch samajh nhi aaya" I sneered, putting my head on the desk as soon as the teacher walked away.

(Wahh, She teaches so well; I didn't understand a single thing.)

Aashi gave a tiny chuckle and stood up from her seat. "Recess hogyi hai, chal haath dhone chalte hai fir tujhe un teeno bandaro se milvaungi." she remarked, and I sighed dramatically.

(It's recess already; let's go and wash our hands, then I'll introduce you to those three monkeys.)

"Yaar, mujhe uthne mei aalas aaraa haiii." I whined, showing her my pleading eyes. (Mee Coreee 🥰)

(I'm feeling lazy to get up.)

Aashi rolled her eyes in response and grabbed my wrist, dragging me from my seat. With a heavy groan, I let her do whatever she wanted. As we passed across the corridor, I noticed something that made me cringe.

Couples-not one, not two, but seven pairs.

One guy whispered into his girlfriend's ear, as if he were revealing stock market secrets. Another pulled his girl's cheek like a rubber band. The third one sat with his face buried in his girlfriend's shoulder, moving slightly like they were doing a slow dance.

FOR GOD'S SAKE, THIS IS A SCHOOL, NOT A PARK.

"Inhone to Titanic ka T pose bhi fail kar diya." I murmured, my eyes narrowing.

(They even failed the titanic T pose.)

Aashi scoffed and then let out a chuckle, "Tu dekh, bas thodi der mein violins bajne lagenge peeche."

(Just see, a few more minutes and we will hear violins playing in background.)

But before we could recover from that scene, another masterpiece appeared on the stairway.

Sixth or seventh graders-literal bacche-sitting on the stairs. The guy was carefully feeding chips to the girl, as if she were a frail kitten.

Ek ek chips.

Jaise zindagi, usi pe tikki ho.

"Bhai, iske haath nhi hai, kya? Khud bhi to kha sakti hai." I muttered to Aashi, deadpan.

(Bro, does she not have hands? she can eat it by herself too.)

Aashi pretended to cry and wailed, "Bhai, ise dekh kr to Lay's se hi man uth gaya. Blueeee Lays mere favoriteee thee." I shook my head, chuckling at her exaggerated personality, but I can relate, kyunki blue lays kisko pasand nhi hota bhaii.

(Bro, my love for blue lays is dead now, they were my favourite.)

We both gazed at each other, fully done with humanity, and then went to the classroom after washing our hands.

As we entered, Aashi moved up to where the three guys were sitting, and I silently followed her. "Hiii guysss, ye Saanvi hai, transfer hua hai recently."

(This is Saanvi, she just transferred recently.)

She introduced them, and I smiled politely, waving slightly and murmuring, "Hi."

The guy wearing spectacles was the first to answer, smiling graciously and waving.

"Hi, my name is Advay...Advay Sehgal." he said with a casual tone.

I nodded slightly with a soft smile. He appeared calm and serene, unlike the skeleton-like, brown-haired guy.

"Hii, new faceee, mai Ishaan, aur tum ho...obviously lucky kyunki tumhe mujhse baat krne ka mauka mila." He spoke and extended his hand, but I simply blinked.

(I'm Ishaan, and you're obviously lucky as you get to talk to me.)

Ise kisne khula chord diya?

I did not say it openly, but I believe my eyes did. But did he notice? Absolutely not. Bro was too busy pretending like Hrithik Roshan, which he clearly isn't. What have I gotten myself into?

When he noticed that I wasn't responding to his handshake, he was going to take my hand, but I swiftly snatched it back.

"Chiiii." I accidentally murmured aloud, and his face turned pale. Embarrassment was all over his expression. I cautiously looked at Aashi and Advay, who were holding back their laughter.

(Ewww.)

I turned back to him and awkwardly grinned, "Uh, I mean, I'm not comfortable with skinship." I murmured, but his expression almost made me chuckle; I bit my lower lip and restrained myself before turning to face the third person.

Tall, sharp features, deep eyes-and somehow, he wasn't looking at anyone but me. His stare remained on mine for a second longer than it should have. I tilted my head slightly. Kya dekh raha hai?

"Reyan, tu kuch bolega?" Aashi poked him, and he blinked, finally focusing on her. "Kya?"

(Reyan, will you say something?)

(What?)

Aashi slapped his forehead and gave me a quick glance, but he didn't even bat an eyelid, but perhaps he got the hint.

"Oh... Reyan." he replied absently, which caused me to grimace somewhat. That is it.

No grand entrance, no greeting-just my name hanging in his eyes and his own falling off his tongue like a whisper.

Weird.

ADVAY

Not again!

Seriously, what is wrong with this guy?

I looked at Saanvi, who was looking at him perplexed, perhaps wondering why he was staring at her like he was a creep.

I got her and the others' attention by pretending to cough.

"Canteen, Chale? Lunch break over ho jayega" I remarked with a serene smile, and everyone nodded except Reyan, who still seemed perplexed.

(Shall we go to the canteen? the lunch break will get over.)

As the three of them turned to walk toward the canteen, I pinched Reyan's shoulder.

"Can you please stop staring now? You obviously made her uncomfortable." I gave him a glare as he simply gazed at me, blinking as if processing what I had just said.

I grumbled with exasperation and grabbed his arm, bringing him to the canteen.

"Kya khaoge?" I inquired as they all took their seats, "Sandwich." Aashi was the first to respond, her voice bright and happy. "Same." Saanvi said with a little, courteous grin, prompting a brief nod from me.

(What will you guys eat?)

I turned to the two boys, who had been particularly quiet today due to a new girl. The only difference was that one was too humiliated to speak, while the other was too lost to say.

I and Aashi exchanged strange looks, while Saanvi gazed at them curiously, as if trying to figure out if they were the only ones like that. Who's going to tell her?

I shook my head and headed to bring the food, knowing exactly what those two would order anyhow.

I headed back towards them after receiving the orders. "Here," I said, but as I was about to sit down, I realized I had forgotten to bring a Coke. I inquired, "Coke? anyone?" and they all shook their heads. Giving them a short nod, I returned and got a Coke for myself.

As I walked back, I was ready to take a sip when someone bumped into me, and the black liquid splattered across my outfit. Anger flooded over me, and I glanced up in rage, but before I could say anything, that almost 5'3 girl who ran into me said, "Baghwan ne aakhon ki jagah button diye hai kya? dikhayi nhi detaa?" My lips hung gaping in disbelief.

(Did god give you buttons instead of eyes? Can't you see?)

THE AUDACITY???

"Excuse me? I was looking straight; you were the one who knocked into me." I stated, and she scoffed, "Angrej chale gaye, ise leke jaana bhul gaye." she whispered, casting me a frown. How dare she?

(The britishers left, but forgot to take him with them.)

Before I could say anything, she added, "Dekho tum mujhse takraye the, apni galti mano aur sorry bol do vrna baal noch-noch ke ganja kr dungi."

(See, you were the one who bumped into me, so just accept your mistake and apologise or else I'll mke you bald.)

Huh? Is she threatening me?

Yes, she is.

WAIT. WHAT?

I gave her a murderous glance, but she didn't back down and continued to look up at me, arms crossed on her chest.

"Jao jao, mere kandhe tak to tum aati nhi, ayi badi mujhe dhamki dene vali, aur sorry tum bologii, tumhari vajah se puri uniform khrb hogyi" I muttered, my tone sharp and frigid as I tried to soak the liquid while dabbing my hankerchief on my shirt.

(You don't even meet my eyes and you're threatening me? And you will apologise, my whole uniform is ruined because of you.)

But she simply chuckled. Does she think this is funny?

"maii? tumhe sorry bolu? Dekho mister, khulhi aakhon se sapne mt dekho; tumhe to meri jutti bhi sorry na bole." She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, and I swear to God I was enraged. Seriously? What is wrong with this girl?

(Mee? Apologise? See mister, don't dream with open eyes, even my shoe won't apologise to you.)

"Whatever, I do not need your apologies; mere paas aur Bhi bahut kaam hai Karne ko." I said with a poker look and was ready to walk away when she grabbed my wrist.

(I have other works to do.)

Really? She is getting on my nerves now.

I turned violently at her, but to my amazement, she threw the Coke in her hand all over me. ALL OVER ME.

Before I could say anything. I heard a loud and harsh cry. "Tisha, kya tameez hai ye?" The voice was unfamiliar, but when I looked towards it, I noticed Saanvi standing with her arms crossed over her chest. She kept a poker look as she stared at that tiny kid who irked the snot out of me.

(Tisha, what is this behaviour?)

She proceeded towards us, her black eyes fixated on that girl, who was now standing quietly with her gaze set on the ground.

"You were the one who bumped into him, and you're showing attitude. Ek thappad mei saara attitude nikal jayega, sorry bol" Saanvi glared at the girl, who frowned at her. Are they friends?

"But didi galti to—" she attempted to defend herself, but Saanvi's look silenced her. Wait. didi? Are they perhaps sisters?

"Sorry." she whispered, hardly audible, as I glanced at her with amusement. Oh, I am having so much fun with this.

"What?" I smirked and added, "I can't hear you." She gave me a look. But did it bother me? Not at all.

"Louder, Tisha." Saanvi stated in a harsh tone, and the wild cat named Tisha let out a deep sigh and whispered, "I'm sorry." but louder this time.

I simply nodded, the smirk never leaving my face, and she tightened her fists before racing away violently.

I watched at her receding figure till Saanvi groaned, "I'm sorry about my sister; thodi si pagal hai." She said, and I just nodded, "It's okay."

Thodi nhi, Puri pagal hai.

"Uh, your shirt—" Saanvi gazed at my soaking uniform, but I only sighed.

"Its okay, yaha medical room se extra mil jaati hai, mai aaya tum jao." I replied with a small smile, Kyunki iski bhen ka gussa ispar kyu nikalu.

(We can get a spare one from medical room, you go, I'll be there.)

She sighed in relief and nodded, "Alright." She grumbled and walked away, and I, too, went to the medical room.

REYAN

"Kya hua Reyan?" As soon as Saanvi walked to the bathroom, Aashi remarked, "Bada chup chup hai." her eyes sparkling with mischievous intentness.

(What happened, Reyan? You are very quiet today.)

"N..nhi to." I said, and she merely arched an eyebrow. "Accha?" She answered, "Lagta hai mera vehem hoga." yet it was obvious from her tone that she was aware of the issue.

(Really? might be my hallucination.)

"Aur ishaan, tu? tu kyu sadme mei hai?" She smirked with amusement as she turned to face Ishaan.

(And Ishaan, you? Why are you in a shock?)

"Mujhe ye nayi ladki pasand nahi." Ishaan said grumpily, crossing his arms across his chest.

(I don't like this new girl.)

With a scowl, I muttered, "itni pyaari to hai."

(She's so sweet.)

Aashi gave me a playful smirk, while Ishaan gave me an annoyed expression.

"k..kya?" Ishaan squinted his eyes in response to my apprehensive mumble, but before he could say anything, Saanvi arrived and sat down, forcing him to stop talking.

(W..What?)

As Aashi and Saanvi began talking, I made an effort to avoid looking at her because Ishaan was still narrowing his eyes at me.

Saanvi and I both reached out to grab a sandwich at the same moment, and our hands touched.

Our fingers touched.

I touched her.

I TOUCHED HER.

Was this what static felt like? electricity? It struck me squarely in the chest, whatever it was. I felt as though her touch activated some unseen switch within of me. And I froze for a moment. simply...forgot what I was doing entirely.

She instinctively withdrew her hand.

"Sorry." was all I could manage to say, and she gave me a serene grin.

My heart stopped. Literally. I'm not even being dramatic.

My respiratory system was completely taken over by that one smile. it wasn't just a smile-It was for me. DIRECTLY AT ME. The type that you remember even after a hundred more.

"No need to say sorry, we're friends now, right?" She calmly said and I simply blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice.

That one word struck more forcefully than it ought to have. Not because I didn't want it-god, I'd take anything to be in her world-even as a friend. I But it felt final in some way. As if she were drawing a line between us. But something about it felt final. Like a line she drew between us. Still the way she said it-soft, trusting open-it felt like a start. Maybe not the one I dreamt of, but still a start.

I barely managed to give her a little nod because it felt like I was silent.

Friends.

If only she understood the impact that one word has on me.

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Hello my cuties, I'm back with the second chapter. Do like and comment and lmk your thoughts about this. I hope you guys are taking good care of yourself. If not, then remember to do so. Take care.❤️

~Sika