Next Day...
The school campus was once again filled with its usual hustle and bustle. Students hurried through the corridors, chatting with their friends while others rushed to attend their classes.
Just like every other day...
Anay and Shaurya arrived late.
Unfortunately for them, their luck wasn't on their side this time.
The PT sir caught them red-handed.
"As punishment, both of you will complete ten rounds of the school ground!"
"Yes, Sir," they replied in unison.
For most students, it would've been a nightmare.
But not for Anay and Shaurya.
Being sports enthusiasts, ten rounds were hardly a challenge.
"At least PT sir didn't make us stand in the sun," Anay whispered while running.
Shaurya chuckled.
"Bas bhaag chup-chaap."
Both of them completed the punishment with ease before rushing back to their class.
•••
During the free period, Anaya wasn't in the classroom.
She was busy preparing for the upcoming Inter-House Debate Competition.
Meanwhile, the class teacher assigned Myra the responsibility of collecting everyone's phone numbers so a class group could be created.
Holding a notebook in her hand, Myra went from one bench to another.
Finally, she stopped in front of Anay and Shaurya.
"Your name?" she asked politely.
"Anay Ranawat," he replied casually.
"Your mobile number?"
Anay quickly told her his number.
She noted it down before nervously turning toward the boy sitting beside him.
"A-Aapka naam...?" she asked softly, avoiding eye contact.
"Shaurya Singh," he replied, his eyes fixed on her face.
For some strange reason...
He couldn't take his eyes off her.
He didn't know what this unfamiliar feeling was.
All he knew was that whenever she stood in front of him, something inside him felt... different.
"V-Vo... your number?"
Shaurya smiled faintly before telling her his number.
Myra quickly wrote it down and hurried to the next bench.
The moment she left...
Anay leaned toward Shaurya with a teasing grin.
"Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai ki woh tujhe dekh kar blush kar rahi thi?"
Shaurya immediately smacked him lightly on the head.
"Apna faltu ka dimaag kam chalaya kar."
Anay burst into laughter.
Shaurya rolled his eyes...
But a small smile unknowingly appeared on his lips as his gaze once again followed Myra across the classroom.
•••
A few periods later...
The English class was about to end.
Before leaving, the teacher looked toward Anay and Shaurya.
"So, have you both completed your work?"
"Ma'am... only half of it is done," Shaurya answered honestly.
Anay instantly shot him a death glare.
'Traitor.'
The teacher looked at Anay.
"And you?"
"N-No, ma'am..." he admitted, lowering his head.
The teacher sighed.
"Alright."
She turned toward Anaya.
"Anaya, give your notebook to Anay. He'll complete the work and return it to you tomorrow."
Anaya slowly turned toward Anay.
If looks could kill...
He would've been dead by now.
As soon as the teacher walked out of the classroom, Anay casually walked toward Anaya's desk and stretched out his hand.
"Copy do."
She folded her arms.
"Tameez se maango."
He glanced toward the classroom door.
"De rahi ho ya ma'am ko bulaun?"
Anaya closed her eyes dramatically.
"Hey Bhagwan... kya zulm hai."
She looked lovingly at her notebook before whispering to herself,
"Apni itni pyaari si copy iss janwar ko deni pad rahi hai..."
With great reluctance, she handed it over.
The moment Anay took the notebook...
A mischievous smirk appeared on his face.
An idea flashed through his mind.
"Thank you... Ms. Rule book ."
"Oye!" Anaya frowned.
"Ye 'Ms. Rule book' kya laga rakha hai? Mera naam bhi hai."
Anay took a step closer, bending slightly toward her.
"So... You are desperate to hear your name from my mouth ?"
Their faces were now only inches apart.
For a brief second...
Anaya forgot how to breathe.
"N-No... mera woh matlab nahi tha."
She quickly looked away.
"Jo bolna hai bolo... aur please yahan se jao. Mera dimaag mat khao."
A victorious smile spread across Anay's face.
Without saying another word, he walked away...
Still holding her notebook...
And an even bigger plan inside his mind.
Evening...
The evening sun painted the sky with beautiful shades of orange as the members of the Ranawat family sat together in the living room, enjoying tea and chatting happily.
Well...
Almost everyone.
Anay was currently standing in front of his father with his head lowered.
A complaint had arrived from school stating that he and Shaurya had once again reached school late.
His father was giving him a long lecture.
"Anay, how many times have I told you to be punctual? This isn't the first complaint we've received."
"Sorry, Papa," Anay replied obediently.
But in reality...
One ear was listening while the other was busy letting every single word escape.
Just then, the main door opened.
"Hello, everyone!" a cheerful voice echoed through the house.
"Kya baat hai? Mere bina hi sab enjoy kar rahe ho?"
It was none other than Rajeev Ranawat.
The moment Anay saw him, his eyes sparkled with excitement.
'Thank God! My savior is here.'
Without wasting another second, he ran toward him and hugged him tightly.
"Arey, Chachu! Aapke bina main enjoy kar sakta hoon kya?"
Rajeev laughed and ruffled Anay's hair affectionately.
"Arre, hero! Kaise ho? Aur batao, school kaisa chal raha hai?"
Anay leaned closer and whispered dramatically,
"Chachu... bahut lambi kahani hai. Baad mein aaram se bataunga. Abhi bataya na... toh Papa ka lecture double ho jayega."
Rajeev couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"Tu kab sudhrega, Anay?"
"Jab duniya sudhar jayegi," Anay replied proudly.
Everyone in the room burst into laughter, while his father simply shook his head, trying hard not to smile.
"No one can change this boy," he muttered.
•••
At the Maheshwari Residence...
Unlike the laughter echoing through the Ranawat house...
The Maheshwari home was wrapped in peaceful silence.
Anaya sat at her study table, completely focused on preparing for the upcoming debate competition.
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
Kiara walked inside with a bright smile.
"Aree yaar, har waqt padhai karti rehti ho. Chalo na, Masi ke saath thoda time spend karte hain."
Anaya looked up.
The smile on Kiara's face seemed normal...
But her eyes told a completely different story.
"Dii..." Anaya called softly.
"Kuch hua hai kya?"
Kiara was caught off guard.
"Nahi toh... sab theek hai."
Anaya smiled knowingly.
"Ab toh mujhe pakka yakeen ho gaya hai ki kuch hua hai."
She stood up, held Kiara's hand gently, and made her sit on the bed beside her.
"Batao..."
Her voice was calm and comforting.
"Jab bhi aap dukhi hote ho na... tab aur zyada khush dikhne ki koshish karte ho."
Kiara looked at her for a few seconds before giving a helpless smile.
"Tujhse toh main chah kar bhi kuch chhupa nahi paati."
She sighed softly.
"Please... baad mein bataungi."
Anaya smiled warmly.
"Okay. Jab bhi aap comfortable ho... I'm always here for you."
Without another word...
She wrapped Kiara in a comforting hug.
Kiara closed her eyes.
For a few seconds...
The warmth of that hug made her forget all the pain she had been carrying in her heart.
Anaya already knew the reason behind her sister's sadness.
It was Kartik.
She had never liked him.
Something about him always felt wrong.
But she never said anything...
Because she knew how deeply Kiara loved him.
Just then, another pair of arms wrapped around both of them.
They turned around.
Ishika stood there with an adorable pout on her face.
"Mujhe bhool gaye na tum dono?"
Kiara laughed through her tears.
"Arey Masi! Aao na... yahan baitho."
The three of them sat together, smiling.
Ishika had been living with the Maheshwari family for the past year.
After losing both of her parents, loneliness had become her only companion.
Seeing her younger sister all alone, Shweta had brought her home.
"Tum akeli nahi ho," she had said.
"Tumhari ek badi behen abhi bhi tumhare saath hai."
Since then...
The Maheshwari house had slowly become Ishika's home.
With her cheerful personality and caring nature, she had become an inseparable part of the family.
To Anaya and Kiara...
She wasn't just their aunt.
She was their elder sister, best friend, and biggest support system.
Whenever Kiara fought with Kartik or felt emotionally exhausted...
The first person she always turned to was Ishika.
Time passed as the three girls continued talking and laughing together.
Suddenly, Shweta's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Ishika! Khana tayyar hai. Didi bula rahi hain."
Ishika immediately stood up.
"Chalo, ladies," she said dramatically. "Baaki baatein dinner ke baad."
The three of them smiled before walking downstairs together.
*****************************************************
Hello lovely readers 💗
Okay okay... confession time! 👀
Who made you smile more today?
😂 Anay's drama?
🤭 Anaya's expressions?
🥹 Shaurya secretly staring at Myra?
❤️ The Maheshwari sisters' bond?
And one important question...
Do you think Anay is really going to ruin Anaya's debate, or will his own plan backfire? 😏
Write your theories below! I love reading your guesses. Sometimes they're even better than what I planned. 😂
Lots of love,
Your Author 🤍
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