Hey tulips!

Here is the 2nd chapter, i hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!

____________________________________

____________________________________

Time passed slowly yet somehow in a blur, and before Aadhya could even properly process it, the long, lazy holidays finally came to an end.

And with it-

Came the day she had been waiting for.

The first day of Class 11th.

Aadhya had waited for this day with a kind of desperation she herself didn't fully understand. It wasn't just about a new class, new books, or a fresh start. No-this day meant something far more important to her.

It meant she would finally get to see him again.

Her Shivansh.

Just the thought of it was enough to send a strange rush through her entire body. Her heart would start beating faster for no reason, her cheeks warming up as if someone had just whispered his name near her ear. A soft shiver would run down her spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

After an entire month of not seeing him-

Today, she would.

And this time...

Every day.

That thought alone was enough to make her feel restless with excitement.

The holidays had completely ruined Aadhya's routine. She had turned into a full-time night owl-sleeping at 2 AM, waking up at 10 AM, dragging herself through the day with zero purpose. Her days were filled with nothing but scrolling, eating, sleeping, and getting scolded.

So naturally-

No one expected her to be awake early.

Especially not Maahi.

Maahi climbed the stairs with the sole intention of waking her up, already preparing herself for the usual drama-multiple calls, blanket pulling, and endless whining.

But the moment she reached Aadhya's room-

She froze.

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Because Aadhya was already awake.

Not just awake-

Fully ready.

Dressed neatly in her school uniform, which was perfectly ironed without a single crease out of place. Her shirt was tucked properly, her skirt sitting just right, and even her socks were worn correctly for once.

It was... suspicious.

Very suspicious.

Aadhya stood in front of the mirror, completely focused, trying to tie her hair. But for the past fifteen minutes, she had been struggling with the same ponytail, her hands moving again and again, only to mess it up every single time.

A small frustrated pout settled on her lips.

"Mummyyyyy! Choti bana do," Aadhya whined loudly, her voice echoing through the room.

(Mom, help me with the pony.)

Maahi just stood there for a second, staring at her daughter like she had grown a second head overnight. Then she rolled her eyes, letting out a small sigh.

"Come downstairs, I will make it there," Maahi said simply before turning around and leaving.

Aadhya didn't waste even a second.

She quickly grabbed her bag, checked herself one last time in the mirror, adjusted her uniform unnecessarily, and hurried out of the room.

Her steps were quick, almost rushed, as if she was already running late for something important.

Or someone.

But in her haste-

She didn't look ahead.

And walked straight into Vihaan.

The impact made her stumble slightly as Vihaan immediately glared at her, clearly annoyed.

"Ankhein bech k aayi hai kya? Dekh k chal na! Ganji chudail!" he snapped, tugging lightly at her hair, making her wince.

(Have you sold your eyes? Watch where you're going, bald witch!)

Aadhya's expression instantly changed into an offended glare as she stepped back, fixing her hair dramatically.

"Chup kar bottle ka dhakkan! Tu aa rha tha udhr se!" she shot back without missing a beat.

(Shut up, you bottle's cap! You bumped into me.)

Vihaan scoffed, clearly unimpressed.

"Mummy dekho is chuhiya ko, fuk dunga ud jayegi!" he called out loudly, already ready to create unnecessary chaos this early in the morning.

(Look at this rat, mom. I'll blow and she'll fly away!)

Aadhya gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest like she had just been deeply insulted.

"Hum chuhiya nahi hai!" she snapped, stomping her foot lightly as she rushed downstairs, not wanting to waste any more time arguing with him.

(I'm not a rat!)

Because today-

Today was not for fighting.

Today was important.

Very important.

As she reached downstairs, Maahi was already waiting with a comb in her hand.

"Idhar aa," Maahi said, pulling her closer and making her sit down.

Aadhya sat still for once, unusually obedient, her eyes occasionally flickering towards the clock. Every passing second made her more restless.

(Come here)

Maahi began tying her hair neatly, her fingers moving quickly and expertly as she created a perfect ponytail.

But even while sitting there-

Aadhya's mind was somewhere else.

The argument between Aadhya and Vihaan was still hanging in the air when suddenly-

"kyu pareshan karta hai use?"

Ira's voice came sharply as she walked downstairs, her brows slightly furrowed.

Without even waiting for an answer, she smacked Vihaan lightly on the head, clearly siding with her younger sister.

(Why do you annoy her?)

Vihaan immediately turned towards her, offended, rubbing the back of his head dramatically.

"Maine kya kiya? Wahii aayi thii buldozer k trh takkar marne!" he protested, his tone full of fake innocence as he defended himself.

(What did I do? She herself came to bump into me like a bulldozer!)

Ira crossed her arms, completely unimpressed.

"Lekin galti teri thii," she said firmly, not even giving him a chance.

(But it was your fault.)

Vihaan blinked at her, clearly confused and slightly betrayed.

"How was it my fault?" he asked, genuinely trying to understand how he was losing an argument he didn't even start properly.

"I don't know... but it was," Ira shrugged casually, as if her logic made perfect sense, and walked past him like the conversation was already over.

She went to sit beside Aadhya, who was still getting her hair done, and Aadhya immediately brightened up.

"I love you dii!" Aadhya said with a wide grin, throwing her a flying kiss dramatically.

Ira laughed softly, shaking her head at her antics but clearly enjoying the affection.

Vihaan, on the other hand, stood there looking absolutely betrayed.

"Shii hai bhai, mujhe phod do bas!" he whined under his breath, shaking his head as he made his way towards the dining table.

(Fine, fine! Just blame me for everything.)

Before he could even sit properly-

"Aye Vihaan! Tune woh pechkas kidhr rakha tha?"

Shekhar's voice echoed through the house, cutting through all the noise. He was standing near the switchboard in the living room, inspecting it like it had personally offended him.

(Where did you keep the screwdriver?)

Vihaan paused mid-step, turning back with a confused expression.

"Maine kaha rakha hai?" he replied, trying to recall if he had even touched it.

(Where did I keep it?)

Maahi, who was busy nearby, immediately reacted, slapping her forehead in mild frustration.

"Ap kya mechanic-giri kar rahe ho udhar!" she said, shaking her head at Shekhar.

(What are you doing there, trying to act like a mechanic?)

Shekhar straightened up slightly, clearly offended by the accusation.

"If I don't do anything, you blame me. If I do something, you scold me. What should I do?" he said with a small pout, genuinely sounding wronged.

For a second, Maahi just looked at him.

Then, without saying anything aloud, she walked closer to him.

Leaning slightly, she whispered something in his ear, making sure no one else heard.

"Love me, Mr. Malhotra."

And just like that-

She walked away.

Calm. Casual. As if she hadn't just dropped a bomb.

Shekhar froze.

Completely.

For a second, he looked like his brain had short-circuited. His expression shifted from confusion... to shock... to something dangerously close to flustered.

"Aree... but where are the pechkas?" he said suddenly, clearing his throat awkwardly as he tried to act normal again.

But it was too late.

Because when he turned around-

All his kids were staring at him.

Not just staring.

Staring.

Like hawks.

Eyes wide. Expressions suspicious.

The silence in the room was loud.

Shekhar straightened his posture immediately, trying to regain whatever dignity he had left.

He cleared his throat once again.

Then walked straight to Vihaan...

And smacked him on the head.

"Naalayak!" he muttered before quickly turning and walking towards his bedroom like nothing had happened.

(Useless!)

Vihaan stood there, stunned.

Aadhya and Ira exchanged looks,

And burst into laughter.

________________________________________________________________________

Aadhya reached school with Vihaan, the familiar building standing tall in front of her after such a long break.

But today-

It felt different.

As soon as the bike stopped, she quickly got down without even waiting for Vihaan properly and hurried inside the school gates.

Her steps were fast, almost rushed, her heart beating faster with every second.

She was excited.

No-more than excited.

Because finally...

It was the day.

The day she would see him again.

She walked through the corridors quickly, her eyes scanning everything around her-students, classrooms, stairs-trying to find her class.

Ten years in the same school.

Still she couldn't find her class properly.

Not because she didn't know-

But because her brain had simply stopped functioning due to excitement.

Her thoughts were running somewhere else.

Somewhere... dangerous.

She turned hurriedly around a corner-

And bumped straight into someone.

"Ouch, bhaiya! Dekh k chala kro yrr," Aadhya whined instantly, rubbing her head with a pout.

(Watch where you're going, brother!)

"Bina dekhe to tu chal rahi hai, dear behen. Kaha khoi hai? Shivansh k khayalon mein?"

Piyush teased, crossing his arms over his chest with a knowing smirk.

(You're the one walking without looking. Where are you lost? In Shivansh's thoughts?)

He had always known.

Always.

Ever since class 9th, when he had caught her staring at Shivansh a little too long. And instead of ignoring it, he had simply asked her directly,

And confirmed it.

Since then,

Teasing her had become his favorite hobby.

Aadhya's eyes widened instantly.

A deep blush spread across her cheeks.

"Bhaiya! Dhere bolo, dhakkan aa raha hai!" she hissed quickly, pointing behind him where Vihaan was walking towards them.

(Talk slowly, brother! The bottle cap is coming!)

"Kya ho raha hai?" Vihaan asked, narrowing his eyes slightly as he looked at both of them.

(What's going on?)

"Teri behen lehrate hue chal rahi thi, mujhme aake accident ho gaya," Piyush said casually with a grin.

(She was walking all dreamy and swaying, and crashed straight into me.)

Aadhya scoffed immediately, crossing her arms.

"Jhoot bol rahe hai!" she muttered under her breath.

(You're lying!)

Vihaan looked between the two, clearly suspicious.

"Haan haan, iska to hamesha accident hi hota hai," he said sarcastically, giving Aadhya a side glance.

(Yeah, she always bumps onto someone)

Aadhya glared at him but didn't reply, choosing to ignore him for once-

Because right now...

Her focus was somewhere else.

Her eyes unconsciously started searching around again.

Through the crowd.

Through the corridors.

Her breath hitched, Her steps slowed down, Her heart skipped.

Because for a brief second-

She thought she saw him.

Shivansh.

Standing at the far end of the corridor, Talking to Myra.

Calm. Composed. Effortlessly perfect.

Aadhya froze, Everything around her blurred.

The noise faded, and the way her heart reacted to his mere presence was very obvious.

“Oye Aadhya, idhr aa!”

Myra called out quickly, spotting the perfect chance to finally get Aadhya to meet Shivansh properly. Her voice carried urgency, her eyes flicking between Aadhya and her brother.

(Aadhya, come here!)

But Aadhya…

Aadhya wasn’t there.

Not mentally.

Not emotionally.

She stood a few steps away, completely frozen in her place, her eyes locked onto Shivansh like he was the only person existing in that entire corridor.

Her gaze didn’t even blink.

Her cheeks slowly flushed pink… then deeper… then even deeper, the color spreading softly across her face like a secret she couldn’t hide anymore.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, her breathing uneven,

As if just looking at him was enough to make her heart forget its rhythm.

“Abe kamini aa jaa, abhi bhaiya chale jayenge to tad te rehna!” Myra muttered under her breath, irritation slipping into her tone as she saw Aadhya not responding at all.

(Oyee idiot, come here! If bhaiya leaves, then keep staring forever!)

“Aadhya!” Myra shouted again, louder this time.

But Aadhya still didn’t move.

Didn’t react.

Didn’t even blink.

“Pehle din hii bezzati krwayegi,” Kiara appeared beside Myra and whispered into her ear, watching Aadhya with pure amusement.

(She’s going to embarrass us on the very first day.)

Myra let out a frustrated sigh, nodding slightly while muttering something under her breath.

“Chuhiya and friends are calling you!”

Vihaan’s voice came suddenly as he tapped Aadhya on the head, finally dragging her out of her dreamland where she was probably already married to Shivansh with two kids and a happy life.

Aadhya blinked rapidly, snapping back to reality.

She immediately glared at Vihaan and smacked his arm in irritation.

Vihaan, as expected, ran away instantly, turning back just to stick his tongue out at her like an absolute menace.

By the time Aadhya finally reached Myra,

Shivansh was gone.

Along with Vihaan and Piyush.

“Kaha khoi thii bandar khinn kii! Chale gaye bhaiya!” Myra smacked Aadhya on the head while Kiara didn’t waste a second to slap her from the other side.

(Where were you lost, you idiot monkey! Bhaiya already left!)

Aadhya winced, holding her head from both sides.

“Vivaah racha rahii thii sapne me,” Kiara added with a laugh, crossing her arms as she looked at Aadhya teasingly.

(She was already getting married to him in her dreams.)

Both Myra and Kiara burst into laughter, their voices echoing lightly in the corridor.

Aadhya pouted, her cheeks still slightly flushed, this time from embarrassment.

Without saying anything, the three of them finally turned and started walking towards their classroom together, their chatter slowly fading into the usual school noise.

Kiara was walking through the corridor casually, her water bottle swinging lightly in her hand.

The corridor was filled with voices, footsteps, laughter, but she moved through it all like she owned the place, completely at ease.

Myra and Aadhya weren’t with her.

Because of course—

They were punished.

For writing an essay on “Talkative Person.”

Irony had never hit harder.

Kiara hummed softly to herself, a small tune playing on her lips as she walked freely, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

No chaos.

No drama.

No Aadhya.

No Myra.

Just her.

Living her best life.

She turned a corner,

And suddenly someone stepped right in front of her.

Blocking her way completely.

“Kaha jaa rahii ho?”

(Where are you going?)

The voice was familiar, Too familiar.

Kiara didn’t even need to look properly to know who it was.

Her expression instantly turned flat.

If irritation had a face—

This was it.

“Tumhare sasural, jaana hai?” she snapped without missing a beat and tried to walk past him.

(To your in-laws’ house, wanna come?)

But he stepped sideways again.

Blocking her path.

“Aapke sath to kahi bhii chale jaye hum,” he said smoothly, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, clearly enjoying this.

(I can go anywhere if it means being with you.)

Kiara stopped.

Turned.

And glared at him.

“Ashish, chup karo!”

(Ashish, shut up!)

“Are kyu magar?” Ashish pouted, placing a hand dramatically over his chest like she had just broken his heart.

Ashish.

Same class.

Different section—11th C.

And unfortunately…

A permanent problem in Kiara’s life.

He had made it his life mission to flirt with her.

Every. Single. Day.

Whether she ignored him.

Insulted him.

Threatened him.

Nothing worked

.

If anything—

It only encouraged him more.

He would appear out of nowhere.

Drop random lines.

Act like they were in some rom-com.

While Kiara…

Was one step away from committing a murder.

“Side hatoge ya main hataun?” Kiara said coldly, narrowing her eyes at him.

(Will you move or should I move you?)

Ashish raised his hands slightly in surrender, stepping aside

with a grin.

“Jaao, jaao… par wapas aana padega mere paas hi,” he said dramatically.

(Go, go… but you’ll have to come back to me anyway.)

Kiara rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck.

Without replying, she walked past him.

____________________________________

____________________________________

End of the Chapter.

Ande mat marna😭

Dekho, ghr me problems chal rhe hai isiliye ye haal hai. Cholly!😃

Byee!!!

Words:2753

~Anniexdewani.