"Jaldi ready ho jaa, tadka kahin ki! Tere wajah se agar aaj bhi late hua na, toh teri khair nahi!" Vihaan smacked the back of Aadhya's head dramatically while adjusting his school b

ag on one shoulder.

(Get ready fast, idiot! If I get late again because of you, you're done for!)

"AUCH!"

Aadhya was already struggling with her ponytail in front of the mirror, her hair tie somehow getting tangled for the third time in a row.

And now this idiot had the audacity to hit her head.

Very slowly...

Very, very slowly...

She turned toward Vihaan.

The dangerous calm on her face immediately made him step back.

"...Aadhya?" he said cautiously.

Without warning, Aadhya lunged forward and grabbed a fistful of his perfectly styled hair.

"AAAHH! Chor dayan kahin ki!" Vihaan yelped dramatically, instantly trying to pry her hands away from his hair.

(Leave me, you witch!)

"Bohot toppergiri aa rahi hai na tujhe?" Aadhya glared murderously while yanking him down to her height. "Ek jhaap dungi na, mummy ke tawa ki jagah jaa ke baith jayega!"

(Acting too smart, huh? I'll slap you so hard you'll replace mom's frying pan!)

"Pagal ladki! BAAL CHOR!"

(Crazy girl! Leave my hair!)

Meanwhile, the peaceful atmosphere of the Malhotra house officially died once again.

"Aadhyaaaa!" Vihaan yelled dramatically.

"Giannn!" Aadhya yelled louder.

"Tum dono subah-subah shuru ho gaye?" came Maahi's exhausted voice from the kitchen.

And a second later, she walked into the living room holding her spatula like a weapon of mass destruction.

The moment she saw her children wrestling each other like wild animals, her soul visibly left her body.

"Maar dalo!" Maahi shouted dramatically. "Maar do ek dusre ko! Fir jail bhi chale jaana dono! Mujhe kam se kam shanti toh milegi!"

(Kill each other! Then go to jail too! At least I'll finally get some peace!)

Immediately, both Aadhya and Vihaan left each other.

As if they had suddenly remembered they belonged to civilization.

They stood quietly side by side while fixing their clothes awkwardly.

Like two innocent children who definitely weren't trying to commit murder two seconds ago.

Then-

"MUMMYYY! MERI FILE KAHA HAI?!"

Ira's panicked scream echoed from upstairs.

(Mom! Where's my file?!)

Maahi closed her eyes instantly.

For exactly two seconds, she stood there silently praying to every god in existence for patience.

"Wahin toh rakhi hai study table pe!" she shouted back tiredly.

(It's literally on your study table!)

"Nahi mil rahiiii!" Ira yelled back in frustration.

Heavy footsteps echoed from upstairs before Ira stormed into the living room looking absolutely done with life.

Her hair was still half-clipped, her bag hung from one shoulder, and irritation was written all over her face.

"Aadhya. Vihaan." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at both siblings.

The two immediately straightened.

"Agar tum dono ne meri file ke saath kuch kiya hai na, toh sach bata do warna mai maar dungi!"

(If either of you touched my file, tell me right now or I'll kill you both!)

Aadhya and Vihaan gasped dramatically in offense.

"Humne kuch nahi kiya didi!" they both said together while looking genuinely heartbroken by the accusation.

"Kasam se!" Vihaan added dramatically.

(I swear!)

"Hum itne bhi bure nahi hain!" Aadhya looked personally insulted.

(We're not THAT bad!)

Ira stared at them silently.

"Kya shor macha rakha hai subah-subah? Paper bhi nahi padhne dete!"

Shekhar Malhotra-the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the house-grumbled dramatically while sitting on the sofa with his newspaper.

(What is all this noise early in the morning? You people don't even let me read the newspaper!)

The entire living room was already filled with chaos.

Aadhya and Vihaan were still arguing.

Ira looked one second away from a mental breakdown.

And Maahi?

Maahi looked ready to leave civilization entirely.

The moment Shekhar spoke, Maahi slowly turned toward him while holding the spatula in her hand.

"Kuch kaha aapne?" she asked dangerously.

(Did you say something?)

Immediately, Shekhar gulped.

The authority in this house clearly shifted very fast.

"Nahi toh..." he replied instantly before awkwardly clearing his throat. "Main kaha kuch bolta hoon? Main toh gunga hoon."

(No no... When do I ever say anything? I'm basically mute.)

Muttering under his breath dramatically, he quickly lifted the newspaper higher and hid his face behind it like a frightened citizen avoiding conflict.

Aadhya burst into giggles instantly.

Vihaan snorted loudly.

Even Ira laughed despite being stressed moments ago.

Honestly, their parents were unintentionally adorable sometimes.

Unfortunately,

The peaceful atmosphere lasted exactly two seconds.

"But MERI FILE kaha hai?!" Ira burst out again dramatically, looking genuinely close to tears now.

(MY FILE WHERE IS IT?!)

"Relax didi, mil jayegi," Aadhya said quickly before grabbing Vihaan's sleeve and dragging him upstairs with her. "Chal, help kar."

(Come help.)

Within minutes, Ira's room officially looked like a disaster zone.

Books lay scattered everywhere.

Papers covered the bed.

Drawers were half open.

And somehow, clothes had also entered the battle.

Vihaan carefully stepped over a pile of notebooks while Aadhya searched under the pillows dramatically.

"Nahi mil raha yaar!" Ira cried out in frustration while checking the same drawer for the fifth time.

(I can't find it!)

She genuinely looked like she might cry any second now.

And honestly?

Considering how important college files were,

her panic was understandable.

"Agar mai wahan aayi na..." Maahi's voice echoed from downstairs. "Aur mujhe file mil gayi, toh tum logon ki khair nahi."

(If I come there and find the file myself, you all are done for.)

Aadhya and Vihaan immediately sped up their fake searching.

Because everyone knew:

Maahi finding the file herself would become a national humiliation.

Vihaan crouched near the study table and started opening random drawers absentmindedly.

Then suddenly-

His eyes landed on a familiar notebook.

A soft pink notebook.

Written neatly on the front:

'Myra Ranawat.'

Vihaan blinked once.

Oh.

Myra must've forgotten it here the last time she visited.

For a second, he simply stared at it quietly.

Then without thinking much,

he picked it up casually.

He could've called Aadhya and told her to return it later.

But strangely...

He didn't.

Instead, he quietly slipped the notebook inside his own backpack.

Smoothly.

Secretly.

As if it was the most normal thing in the world.

And before he could think too much about WHY he did that-

"YE KYA HAI?!"

Maahi's voice exploded through the room.

Everyone jumped.

They turned around instantly.

And there stood Maahi near the door holding the exact same file they had been searching for this entire time.

Her expression?

Pure disappointment.

Ira froze.

Aadhya froze.

Vihaan froze.

"...hihi," Ira muttered weakly.

The file had apparently been sitting peacefully under a random magazine on the side table the whole time.

Maahi stared at her daughter in disbelief.

"Pure ghar ko utha ke rakh diya!"

(You people turned the whole house upside down.)

Ira smiled sheepishly before quickly snatching the file from Maahi's hand.

"Mil gayi na ab..." she mumbled innocently.

(Got it now, right...)

And before Maahi could start another lecture,

Ira immediately ran downstairs like her life depended on it.

Meanwhile,

Aadhya slowly looked around the destroyed bedroom.

Then toward Vihaan.

Then toward Maahi.

"...Hum saaf karenge ya bhaag jayenge?" she whispered quietly.

(Should we clean this or run away?)

Vihaan immediately pointed downstairs.

"Second option."

Aadhya nodded seriously.

"Agreed."

Compared to the daily battlefield at the Malhotra residence, the Ranawat house felt unusually peaceful.

No screaming.

No flying slippers.

No siblings trying to murder each other before breakfast.

Just calm silence.

Soft morning sunlight filtered through the large windows while the faint aroma of tea and buttered toast filled the dining area beautifully.

Shivansh sat quietly at the dining table, peacefully eating his breakfast while scrolling through something on his phone occasionally.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the room, Myra was aggressively stuffing random things into her school bag at the last minute.

"Where's my pen pouch?!" she muttered dramatically while searching through the couch cushions like she was uncovering buried treasure.

Aarti Ranawat walked toward her children with a small smile on her face.

"Ye lo beta," she said softly before handing some money to both Shivansh and Myra.

(Here, dear.)

Myra took it happily.

Meanwhile, Shivansh looked up immediately.

"Iski zarurat nahi thi, maa," he smiled lightly.

(You didn't need to give this, mom.)

Even while saying it, he still accepted the money because every Indian mother considered refusing money a personal attack.

Aarti simply shook her head lovingly before going back toward the kitchen.

Shivansh finished the last bite of his breakfast and stood up calmly.

He picked up his political science assignment file from the couch and opened his backpack to place it inside.

Then paused.

His bag already looked painfully full.

Books.

Notes.

Files.

Probably half his academic career inside it.

He sighed softly.

Meanwhile beside him, Myra's bag looked almost empty except for one notebook and pure confidence.

Shivansh looked at her for a moment before holding the file out.

"Myra, ye school tak carry kar le," he said casually. "Wahan mai le lunga."

(Myra, carry this till school. I'll take it there.)

Myra took the file dramatically before stuffing it into her own bag carelessly.

"Aap abhi bhi assignments banate ho sixth class ke bacche ki tarah?" she giggled while teasing him. "I don't even remember the last time I completed one properly."

(You still make assignments like a sixth grader?)

Shivansh simply shrugged calmly.

"Tumhare marks dekh ke pata chal jata hai."

(Your marks already reveal that.)

Myra gasped dramatically in betrayal.

"WOW. Character assassination before 8 AM."

The corner of Shivansh's lips lifted slightly.

"Chalo ab," he said while slinging his heavy bag over his shoulder.

(Let's go now.)

Myra quickly grabbed her bottle and rushed toward the door beside him.

Before leaving, both siblings stopped near their parents.

Without needing to be told, they bent down and touched their parents' feet respectfully.

Aarti smiled softly while blessing them lovingly.

"Dhyan se jaana."

(Go carefully.)

"Ji maa," both replied together.

And within moments, the peaceful Ranawat house became quiet once again after the siblings left for school.

As the morning assembly finally ended, students rushed back toward their classrooms like prisoners being set free after years.

The trio walked through the corridor together while Kiara kept complaining dramatically.

"Kya dikkat hai in assembly walo ko humse?" she groaned, fanning herself with her notebook.

(What problem do these assembly people have with us?)

"Exactly yaar," Myra whined behind her. "Khud toh fan ke niche khade rehte hain aur humara bharta bana dete hain dhoop mein."

(Exactly. They stand under the fans while roasting us alive in the sun.)

Aadhya, meanwhile, walked beside them with her hands folded behind her back like the most disciplined student to ever exist.

"Chup karo dono," she said with fake maturity. "Prayer is a very important part of the day."

Both girls slowly turned toward her.

Then together-

"Haan haan, pata hai humko prayer important hai ya bhaiya ko taadna."

(Yeah yeah, we know what's important. Prayer...or staring at my brother.)

Kiara burst into laughter while Aadhya instantly choked on air.

"Pagal ho kya?!" she whisper-yelled, though her guilty smile exposed everything.

Myra smirked mischievously before leaning closer.

"Aadhya..." she whispered dramatically. "Should I tell you something?"

"Bol na," Aadhya rolled her eyes. "Muhurat nikalwaun kya?"

(Just say it. Should I call a priest for an auspicious timing too?)

But even while talking, her eyes shamelessly drifted toward the stage where Shivansh stood beside the teachers.

And honestly?

That boy had absolutely no business looking THAT perfect at eight in the morning.

Tall. Calm. Clean white uniform perfectly ironed. Tie neatly fixed. His sleeves folded slightly upward, exposing veiny hands holding the mic.

The soft morning sunlight fell over his face while the cool breeze moved through his slightly messy black hair.

And the worst part?

He wasn't even trying.

He just naturally looked unfairly attractive.

Meanwhile, Aadhya stared at him like a starving Victorian child seeing food for the first time.

Myra followed her gaze and sighed dramatically.

"Behen...control."

(Sister...control yourself.)

Then suddenly her eyes sparkled.

"I have bhaiya's assignment file."

Aadhya froze.

"...What?"

Myra slowly pulled the file out of her bag like she was revealing some ancient treasure.

Aadhya gasped loudly.

"YOU HAVE HIS FILE?!"

The way she looked at it genuinely concerned Kiara.

"Hayeeee Kanha jiii..." Aadhya clutched her chest dramatically. "Kahin humein inki handwriting se bhi prem naa ho jaye."

(Oh dear Krishna...what if I fall in love with his handwriting too?)

She dramatically leaned against Kiara.

"Kiara, sambhal lena mujhe. Kahin hum behosh na ho jaye."

(Take care of me. I might faint.)

Kiara and Myra burst into laughter.

Before they could continue, their class teacher glared sharply from the front.

All three instantly straightened like innocent children.

"Yes ma'am," they muttered together despite nobody asking anything.

Later, inside the classroom, chaos slowly returned.

The room buzzed with voices, gossip, flying paper balls, and students pretending to study.

Just then, their class teacher entered.

The entire class immediately sat straight.

But before she could even begin teaching, another student appeared at the door.

"Ma'am, principal ma'am is calling all teachers for a meeting."

Anjali ma'am closed her eyes for one painful second.

Clearly done with life.

"Wonderful," she muttered under her breath.

Then she turned toward the class suspiciously.

"Everyone revise yesterday's chapter quietly. There will be a test in the last period."

The second she left-

Books slammed shut.

The classroom exploded with energy.

One student started singing. Someone threw an eraser. Two boys immediately started wrestling.

And Aadhya?

Aadhya turned toward Myra with the speed of light.

"FILE."

Myra giggled before pulling Shivansh's assignment out dramatically.

The moment Aadhya opened it-

Silence.

Her eyes widened.

The handwriting was beautiful.

Not beautiful.

GORGEOUS.

Perfect blue gel pen strokes. Neat headings. Underlined points. Everything looked so clean it could genuinely be printed in textbooks.

Aadhya looked emotional.

"Hayeeee..." she whispered dramatically. "Inki handwriting bhi inse zyada green flag hai..."

(Even his handwriting is a bigger green flag than him.)

Kiara snorted loudly.

Aadhya lovingly traced one corner of the page like an archaeologist studying history.

Meanwhile, Myra looked deeply disturbed.

"You need help."

Aadhya ignored her completely.

Still staring at the file like it was a sacred scripture, she casually picked up her water bottle and started drinking.

Then,

Her eyes drifted toward the classroom door.

And her soul left her body.

Shivansh was walking toward their classroom.

Slow steps. Calm expression. One hand inside his pocket.

And GOD.

That boy looked illegal today.

The top button of his shirt was slightly open because of the heat. His black hair looked messily soft after assembly. His spectacles rested perfectly over his sharp eyes while the sunlight from the corridor fell behind him beautifully.

Every girl passing the corridor secretly glanced at him.

Meanwhile, Aadhya looked seconds away from cardiac arrest.

"KANHA JI-"

She panicked instantly.

"Why is he coming here?! Wait-my hair! Kiara, do I look alive?!"

In pure panic, she started fixing her ponytail, smoothing her uniform, straightening imaginary wrinkles.

Meanwhile Shivansh kept walking

closer.

Closer.

Closer.

Aadhya's heartbeat started dancing bhangra inside her chest.

Quickly, she tried cleaning the desk dramatically.

And then,

Her hand accidentally hit the uncapped bottle.

Time slowed.

The bottle tipped.

Water spilled beautifully across the desk like a cinematic disaster.

Straight.

Onto.

Shivansh's assignment.

Aadhya's heart jumped out of her chest, danced mockingly in front of her eyes, laughed at her suffering, and then peacefully went back inside.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

"KYA KIYA TUNE CHAMELIYAN?!" Myra whisper-screamed, slapping her forehead.

(WHAT DID YOU DO?!)

"BHAIYA TOH AAJ TERA MURDER KARENGE!" Kiara gasped dramatically.

(Brother is going to kill you today!)

The blue gel ink immediately started spreading across the pages.

Eight pages. GONE.

Aadhya looked ready to collapse.

And right at that moment,

"What the...ye kya hua?"

Shivansh had arrived.

His eyes landed on the completely soaked assignment.

Then on the water bottle.

Then slowly.

On Aadhya.

Who genuinely looked like she might start crying.

And honestly?

She almost did.

Because unlike everyone else, Shivansh didn't even look angry.

Just disappointed.

Which somehow hurt worse.

"I..." Aadhya's voice cracked. "I'm sorry..."

Tears instantly gathered in her eyes.

Shivansh noticed immediately.

And suddenly HE felt guilty.

"Hey," his voice softened instantly. "It's okay. Relax."

Then,

Without thinking,

He gently patted her head.

PAT.

Aadhya froze.

Her brain shut down completely.

HE TOUCHED HER.

OH MY GOD.

HE TOUCHED HER.

Meanwhile inside her head:

wedding music. fireworks. seven pheras. two children.

Everything happened together.

Her soul ascended spiritually.

Even Kiara and Myra looked shocked.

Shivansh noticed her horrified-frozen expression and almost laughed.

God, she was adorable.

"But..." he bit the inside of his cheek to stop smiling, "you'll have to pay for this."

Aadhya's eyes widened again.

Myra immediately jumped in dramatically.

"Bhaiya! Aap paise loge meri best friend se?!"

(Brother! You'll ask money from my best friend?!)

Shivansh looked offended.

"When did I say money?"

Then calmly, he pointed toward the ruined pages.

"She'll rewrite all of this."

Silence.

Aadhya blinked"

"...All?"

"Today."

"AAJ?!" Kiara gasped loudly. "Bhaiya, ye ladki do page likhne mein shaam kar deti hai aur ye toh almost aath page hain!"

(Brother, this girl takes an entire evening to write two pages and this is almost eight!)

Meanwhile Aadhya looked spiritually dead.

"I'm finished..." she whispered weakly.

But Shivansh remained calm.

"I'll sit with her," he said simply. "Come to the library after lunch."

Then with one last amused glance toward Aadhya's panicked face, He left.

The second he disappeared,

Aadhya burst into tears dramatically.

"YE KYA HO GAYA MERESE?!" she cried while falling onto Myra dramatically.

(WHAT HAVE I DONE?!)

"Hey Bhagwan, mujhe apne paas bula lo!"

(Dear God, please take me away.)

"What will he think of me?!" she cried harder. "I look so careless!"

Kiara immediately shook her shoulders dramatically. "Aree idiot, think positive!"

Aadhya sniffled sadly. "Positive kya?"

Kiara smirked.

"Bhaiya will sit WITH YOU."

Silence.

Aadhya blinked.

"...Sath mein?"

(Together?)

Myra rolled her eyes instantly.

"Suhagraat nahi manani. Assignment likhna hai."

(You're not going on your wedding night. You're just rewriting an assignment.)

Aadhya's face turned bright red instantly.

"BHAAKKK!" she smacked Myra dramatically. "Pagal hai kya?!"

(Idiot! Are you insane?!)

Kiara leaned closer mischievously.

"Kabhi toh manaogi hii..."

(One day you'll have your wedding night anyway...)

"CHUP KAROOOO!"

Aadhya buried her burning face inside the desk while Myra and Kiara collapsed laughing beside her.

And right then,

Their class teacher entered.

The entire class instantly went silent again.

Meanwhile, Aadhya was still hiding her face.

Because honestly?

How was she supposed to survive sitting beside Shivansh in the library now.

____________________________________

____________________________________

End of the chapter.

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Words: 3.1k

Let's meet you in next chapter.

Ba-byee!

~Anniexdeewani.