Author pov..

Divya was glowing with happiness after their date.

The next day, the moment she found even a little free time in college, she spent it with Virendra.

Ishani often ended up alone, but she understood Divya liked Virendra, and that was obvious now.

Meanwhile, at the coaching center, Deepak arrived. Vaibhav felt a surge of happiness seeing him there at least Deepak had chosen studies.

But the moment Deepak's eyes fell on Rahul and Deeksha sitting together, shock froze him in place.

They were together in school, and now here too. Rahul would always stay close to Deeksha.

Deepak didn't like their friendship at all. In his heart, Rahul was only his friend or at least, that's what he believed.

When Vaibhav noticed Deepak standing there, he said casually,

"Sit down, Deepak."

Deepak walked over and sat beside Rahul, but throughout the class Rahul and Deeksha remained lost in their own world, whispering and laughing.

Rahul ignored Deepak completely as if he didn't even exist.

That hurt.

Deepak didn't like that feeling at all.

As soon as the coaching ended, he grabbed his bag and walked out without looking back. Inside, he made a silent decision If Rahul can ignore me, then I'll ignore him too.

Rahul, however, had no idea how deeply Deepak was burning with jealousy after seeing him so close to Deeksha.

On the other side, Divya called Ishani.

"Can you go alone tomorrow?" Divya asked."The thing is... I'll leave early for college. Virendra will come to pick me up on his bike. We'll go together."

Ishani's voice turned nervous."But what if someone sees you both? It'll create a huge mess."

Divya laughed lightly."Don't worry. I'll cover myself with a scarf. Virendra will wait outside the lane, and we'll leave from there."

Ishani hesitated."Okay..." she said softly.

"So you'll go alone, right?" Divya asked again.

Reluctantly, Ishani replied,"Yes... I'll go alone."

Divya smiled to herself, happiness filling her heart once again.The next morning, Divya got ready in a hurry and rushed toward the door.

Rani noticed immediately."Where are you going so early?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

Divya didn't stop."Oh, Mummy, the fresher's party preparations are going on at college. That's why I have to leave early," she replied casually.

"So early?" Rani pressed.

"Yes, I really have to go," Divya said quickly and before Rani could ask another question, she slipped out of the house.

She knew if she stayed even a moment longer, the questions would only multiply.Divya wrapped a scarf around her face and walked up to the end of the lane.

Outside, Virendra was already waiting, standing beside his bike with a soft smile. The moment she saw him, her nervousness melted away.

She climbed onto the bike, and within seconds, they disappeared down the road together.

On the other hand, Ishani's heart was restless.She felt afraid of going alone. Once before, when she had been alone at the Ganga ghat, some boys had followed her.

The memory still made her uneasy. And today, she couldn't go with her brother if she did, he might find out Divya's secret.

Gathering courage, Ishani finally stepped out and took an auto. After traveling a short distance, something caught her eye.

On the side of the road, Rahul was walking still wearing his school uniform.

A strange thought crossed her mind.

Is he running away again?She asked the auto driver to stop.

Stepping out, Ishani called out,"Rahul! Where are you going like this? Didn't you go to school today?"

Rahul froze when he saw her. Shock flickered across his face. Lowering his voice, he said,"I... I missed my bus."

"You should've gone with Uncle then," Ishani said gently.

Rahul shook his head."No. Papa scolded me because I was late, so the bus had already left."

Ishani thought for a moment."Alright, come on. I'll drop you at school. After that, I'll go to my college."

Rahul grew nervous."No, you go. I'll manage on my own," he said quickly.

"If you walk, you'll miss half your classes," Ishani insisted."Come on, I'll drop you."

After a brief hesitation, Rahul finally agreed. He climbed into the auto, and

Ishani sat beside him.

The ride moved forward quiet, tense, and unexpectedly intimate carrying with it emotions neither of them was ready to name.

Rahul sat quietly in the auto, his shoulders stiff, his eyes lowered.

Ishani noticed the silence and glanced at him."So what if you missed the bus?" she said gently."It's not something to be this afraid of."

Rahul only nodded, a soft hmm escaping his lips. He didn't trust his voice.To lighten the mood, Ishani began talking about school, about studies, about Deepak letting her words fill the space between them.

Slowly, the tension eased. And before they realized it, Rahul's school appeared ahead.

The auto came to a halt.

Ishani smiled and, without thinking much, ran her hand lightly through Rahul's hair."Okay," she said softly, "go now. Bye."

The moment her fingers touched him, Rahul's heart began to race. His breath hitched. He didn't understand why a simple gesture had shaken him so deeply, but something unfamiliar stirred inside his chest.

"B-bye Thank you," he muttered, awkwardly copying her tone.

He stepped out of the auto and walked away almost immediately, as if staying even a second longer would make everything harder to control.

Ishani watched him disappear through the school gate.

Then she turned to the driver."Let's go ," she said.

The auto moved ahead but suddenly, it stopped.Trees surrounded them on all sides. The road was empty. Too quiet.Fear tightened Ishani's chest.

"Why did you stop here?" she asked, her voice uneasy."This place is completely deserted."

The driver turned back calmly."Madam, the tyre has been punctured."

Her face is drained of color.

"What?" she whispered."How did that happen? How will I go now? Autos don't even come this way."

The driver tried to reassure her."Autos do pass sometimes. Don't worry. Wait here I'll stop for you."

He stepped out and looked down the road.Minutes passed.But no auto appeared.And with every passing second, the silence around Ishani felt heavier... and more frightening.

Ishani stepped out of the auto, her heart pounding louder than the silence around her.

"Bhaiya... has any auto come?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The driver shook his head.

"No, madam."

Her fingers tightened around her bag strap. Standing there alone on that deserted road, her thoughts began to spiral. What if something happens? The trees lining the road felt closer now, their shadows stretching unnervingly across the empty stretch.

Just then, the sound of an approaching car broke the silence.The car slowed... and stopped beside

her.

Ishani instinctively stepped back, fear flashing through her eyes. Who is it? Her breath caught as the window slid down.

Abhay Thakur.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

"Ishani?" he asked, surprised."What are you doing here?"

Her voice trembled despite her effort to stay calm."The auto's tyre got punctured. I was waiting for another one."

Abhay's eyes moved from her to the broken-down auto, then back to her pale face. Concern crossed his expression."Come with me," he said gently."I'll drop you. You're going to college, right?"

She shook her head immediately.

"No... it's okay. I'll go on my own. You should leave."

Abhay frowned slightly."Ishani, look around. This road is completely deserted. It's not safe for you to stand here alone."

She glanced around again. The silence felt heavier now, almost suffocating.

The auto driver, listening quietly, spoke up,"Madam, if you know him, go with him. Otherwise, how long will you wait for another auto?"

Abhay added softly,"You don't have to feel uncomfortable with me."

"I'm not uncomfortable," Ishani said quickly, her voice low."I just don't want to trouble you."

Abhay smiled not teasing, not casual but calm and reassuring."You won't be in trouble. Not for me."He paused, then said firmly,"Come. I'll drop you."

Something in his voice steady, protective made her hesitation weaken. After a long moment, Ishani nodded.

She moved toward the back seat, but Abhay stepped out of the car at once.

"Not there," he said gently.

"Sit here."He opened the front passenger door for her.

Ishani sat down, her hands resting stiffly on her lap.

"Seatbelt," Abhay reminded her.

She fastened it, her fingers slightly shaky. Abhay closed the door carefully, then walked around and took his place in the driver's seat.

As the car started moving, Ishani stared ahead, her heartbeat slowly settling yet a strange unease remained.

After a long stretch of silence, Abhay finally spoke."You're so quiet, Ishani," he said softly."It feels like we're strangers."

Ishani smiled faintly and shook her head."No, it's not like that. I just... don't know what to talk about."

Abhay let out a small chuckle.

"Alright then. I'll talk."He glanced at the road ahead, then added casually,

"I was waiting for you yesterday at the Ganga ghat. But you never came."

At that, Ishani turned to look at him, surprised."I don't go there every day," she said gently.

"Oh," Abhay replied, a hint of disappointment in his voice."I thought I'd meet you there."

After a brief pause, he asked,

"And where were you going from that road? College? That route is quite far from your college."

Ishani nodded."Yes. Rahul had missed his bus, so I dropped him at school first. After that, I was heading to college."

"Oh," Abhay said thoughtfully."I see. I was dropping my sister, Deeksha, as well.

Ishani smiled politely."Oh."

Their eyes met again this time a fraction longer. Ishani felt her heartbeat shift, just slightly, as if it had stumbled over something unfamiliar.

She looked away quickly."I'm not very good with conversations," she said, almost apologetically.

"You don't have to be," Abhay replied gently."Silence suits some people. It doesn't mean they're empty it usually means they feel deeply."

His words settled into her, warm and unexpected.

For the first time, Ishani felt... seen.

She adjusted her seatbelt unconsciously, then asked,"Why were you waiting for me at the ghat yesterday?"

Abhay hesitated not long, just enough to make the moment real."I don't know," he said honestly."I just thought... maybe I'd run into you."

Ishani's breath caught.

"That's... unusual," she said softly.

"So is meeting you on a deserted road," he replied with a faint smile.

A quiet laugh escaped her before she could stop it. It surprised both of them.

The car slowed as traffic increased near the city."I'll drop you right outside your college," Abhay said."If that's okay."

"Yes," Ishani replied."Thank you... for today."

"For today?" he repeated.

She smiled, small but genuine."For not making me feel alone."

Abhay didn't respond immediately. He just nodded because some moments didn't need words.

As the college gate came into view, neither of them was ready to step out of the quiet they had created.

And both of them knew This wasn't just a coincidence anymore.

After dropping Ishani outside her college, Abhay waited until she disappeared through the gate.

Only then did he start the car again.

But his mind stayed behind.

Her voice... calm, hesitant.

The way she looked away whenever their eyes met, yet listened to every word he said.

The silence she carried not empty, but heavy with feeling.

Why her? he wondered.

He'd met countless people. Spoke to many. Yet none of them lingered like this. Ishani hadn't tried to impress him. She hadn't spoken much. And maybe that was exactly it.

She hadn't tried.

As he drove, Abhay realized something unsettling.He was replaying moments.The way she smiled when she laughed unexpectedly.

The softness in her eyes when she said thank you.The quiet trust when she sat beside him without asking anything more.

He exhaled slowly."This isn't good," he muttered to himself.And yet... it didn't feel wrong either.

Meanwhile, Ishani stood near the college gate longer than she needed to.She watched the car disappear down the road before turning away.

Her heart felt... unsettled.Why did his words feel different? she thought.

Why did his silence feel safe?

She walked toward her class, but her mind lagged behind. Abhay's voice echoed in her thoughts Silence suits some people... they feel deeply.

No one had ever said that to her before.She pressed her books closer to her chest.He was just being kind, she told herself.That's all.

But kindness didn't usually make her heart race like this. It didn't usually make her replay a glance, a pause, a tone of voice.

As she took her seat in class, she realized something that made her nervous

She was hoping she'd see him again.

And that hope... scared her more than she wanted to admit.

Because once feelings start forming quietly,they grow without asking permission.

Ishani was sitting in class with a faint smile playing on her lips when Divya walked in.

Divya took the seat beside her and settled her bag, but Ishani seemed lost somewhere else her thoughts drifted back to Abhay again and again. Without realizing it, she kept smiling.

Divya noticed.She narrowed her eyes and leaned closer."What's wrong with you?" she asked."Why are you smiling like that?"

Only then did Ishani realize what she was doing. Her smile faded slightly as she shook her head."Me? I'm not smiling," she said quickly.

Divya looked at her suspicious.

"No, something's definitely going on. You don't smile like this for no reason," she said teasingly."Come on, tell me. What happened?"

Ishani waved it off."Nothing happened. Forget it," she said, changing the subject."Tell me instead how was the bike ride with Virendra?"

At the mention of his name, Divya grew shy. A soft blush crept onto her cheeks as she smiled."It was really nice," she said dreamily.

And then she began to tell Ishani everything every little moment, every feeling while Ishani listened, half-present, her thoughts still quietly circling around someone else.

On the other hand, at school, Deepak didn't speak to Rahul even once. And Rahul didn't even realize that Deepak was upset with him.

During the PT period, the students spread out across the ground, each group busy with their own game.

Rahul, Deepak, and a few other boys started playing football together.

Deeksha was left alone.

She didn't really have any friends except Rahul.So she ran toward him and said eagerly,"Rahul, I'll play with you too."

Rahul nodded without saying a word. Deeksha's face lit up with happiness.

But Deepak spoke up immediately.

"No. This is a boys' game. You can't play here. Go play with the girls."

Deeksha stopped short, anger flashing in her eyes."Why can't I play?" she shot back."And where did this boys-and-girls rule come from? If I want to play, I will."

Deepak scoffed."Do you even know how to play?" he said mockingly.

The boys around them burst out laughing.

"Let her play, Deepak," Rahul said calmly."So what if she can't play properly? What's going to happen?"

Deepak didn't reply.He didn't even look at Rahul.That silence stung more than words.

Deeksha clenched her fists.

"Oh really?" she said angrily.

"Then let's see who plays better me alone against all of you."

"No, Deeksha, leave it," Rahul said quickly."You can play normally. It's fine."

Deepak finally spoke."Alright," he said coldly."But if you lose, you'll never come to play with us boys again."

Deeksha looked straight into his eyes, unflinching."Okay," she said firmly.

The challenge hung in the air-thick with pride, rivalry, and something far deeper than a game.

The whistle blew, and the ground slowly filled with noise.

During the PT period, students gathered around the field, curiosity spreading fast. What had started as a small argument was now turning into something bigger.

Deepak stood confidently with the boys, arms crossed, a faint smirk on his face.

Deeksha stood alone on the opposite side one girl against many boys.

Rahul hesitated.He looked at Deeksha, then at Deepak. Finally, he took a step back."I won't play," Rahul said quietly.

Everyone turned toward him.

"This is between you all and her," he added, stepping out of the field.

Deeksha glanced at Rahul surprised but didn't say anything. She straightened her shoulders instead.

"Fine," Deepak said coldly."Let's see what you can do."

The game began.

At first, the boys laughed. They passed the ball among themselves, trying to confuse her, underestimating her completely.

But Deeksha didn't panic.She watched. She waited.Then suddenly she intercepted a pass.

The laughter faded.

She dribbled the ball forward, swift and focused. One boy tried to block her she dodged. Another rushed in she slid past him effortlessly.

Students from other classes began gathering around the ground. Whispers spread.

"Is she really playing alone?"

"She's good..."

Deepak's expression hardened.

He charged forward, determined to stop her. For a second, it looked like he would succeed.

But Deeksha feinted, changed direction sharply, and kicked the ball with full force.

Goal.

The ground went silent.

Then cheers erupted.

The final whistle blew.

Deeksha stood there, breathing hard, sweating on her forehead but her eyes were calm. Steady. Victorious.

The boys stared in disbelief.

Deepak said nothing.

Deeksha turned slowly toward him and met his gaze without fear.

"You said if I lose, I shouldn't play with you again," she said firmly.

"But I won."

The entire class was watching now.

Rahul smiled from the sidelines.

And for the first time, no one laughed at Deeksha.Because she hadn't just won a game.She had won respect.

Deepak crossed his arms stubbornly.

"No means no," he said firmly. "You're not playing. End of discussion."

Deeksha stared at him.

One second.

Two seconds.

Then-boom.

"What did you just say?" she asked sweetly.

Deepak rolled his eyes.

"I said you're-HEY-"

Before he could finish, Deeksha grabbed a fistful of his hair.

"Ayyyyy!" Deepak yelled, stumbling backward."What are you doing?! Leave my hair!"

"Oh, so now you're talking?" Deeksha snapped, pulling harder."Five minutes ago you were the football king!"

Deepak panicked and grabbed her hair in return."YOU STARTED IT!"

"I'll finish it too!" Deeksha shot back.

And just like that war broke out.

They were both pulling each other's hair, spinning in circles, shouting nonsense.

"Let goooo!"

"You let go first!"

"Say sorry!"

"For what?!"

The boys stepped back instantly.

"Oh no," one whispered.

"This is beyond football."

Students gathered from everywhere. Some laughed, some gasped, some started giving commentary.

"Left pull!"

"No, right side!"

"Bro, Deepak is losing!"

Deepak tried to act tough."You're cheating!"

Deeksha breathlessly said."You made the rules, remember?"

Deeksha was still gripping Deepak's hair when she snapped,"Arre Gobar Brain, let go of my hair!"

The boys burst out laughing.

"What did she just call him?" someone whispered."Gobar Brain?!"

Deepak's eyes widened.

"Excuse me?!" he shouted."Listen here, Chirpy Sparrow, stop screaming like that!"

"Oh wow," Deeksha shot back.

"Now I'm a sparrow? At least I have a brain, Half-Pant Hero!"

That did it.

Deepak pulled her hair again."You started this, Drama Queen of Class 7!"

"And you're the Self-Declared Football Minister!" Deeksha yelled."Who made you the boss, huh?"

Students were laughing so hard they could barely stand.

"Leave my hair, Roadside Ronaldo!" Deeksha shouted.

"Stop yelling, Noise Pollution Certificate!" Deepak fired back.

The ground echoed with laughter.

"Bhai, she's winning," one boy said.

"Yeah, Deepak's getting cooked," another added.

Still holding each other's hair, they continued shouting nonsense.

"You think you're cool?"

"At least I don't cry when I lose!"

"You don't even know football rules!"

"You don't even know basic manners!"

Just then

"ENOUGH!"The PT teacher stormed in like a thunderbolt.

Both of them froze hands still tangled in hair.Slowly, awkwardly, they l

The teacher looked at Deeksha."What did you call him?"

She folded her arms."He started it, sir."

The teacher turned to Deepak."And you?"

"She... she called me Gobar Brain," he complained.

The entire ground lost it again.

"SILENCE!" the teacher roared.

As they were dragged away in opposite directions, Deepak muttered,

"You're insane."

Deeksha shot back without turning around,"And you're officially banned from my respect list."

Deepak and Deeksha slouched in the principal's office, glaring at each other.

Their hair was messy from the tug-of-war, faces flushed, and a thin layer of dust from the football field clinging to their uniforms.

Rahul tried and failed to hide a grin from the corner of the room.

The principal,fixed them with a stern look."Both of you! Enough nonsense!" he thundered.

"Pulling each other's hair and calling each other names like 'Gobar Brain' and 'Chirpy Sparrow' is completely unacceptable in school!"

Deeksha rolled her eyes."But sir... he-"

"No!" the principal cut her off sharply.

"I don't want to hear any excuses!"

Deepak opened his mouth, but the

principal's glare froze him mid-word.

"Punishment,"Principal announced, voice booming, "will be carried out on the ground. Both of you. Now! And I mean it! No nonsense!"

Deeksha muttered under her breath,

"Finally... someone appreciates my genius."

Deepak muttered back,"And my patience deserves an award..."

On the school ground, the punishment began.

"Run to the other end of the field, touch that pole, and come back. Ten times. Together," the principal ordered.

Deepak groaned."This is so unfair!"

Deeksha smirked."Oh please... this is fun. Watch and learn, Ronaldo."

They started running. Halfway to the pole, they collided.

"Hey! You pushed me!" Deepak yelled, wobbling.

"You ran into me!" Deeksha shot back, hair flying wildly.

By the third lap, Deeksha deliberately slowed down, causing Deepak to crash into her shoulder.

"You're doing this on purpose!"Deepak wheezed.

"Maybe," Deeksha replied with a grin.

Students from other classes gathered to watch.

"Fight fight fight!"

"Deeksha's winning!"

"Deepak is doomed!"

By the fifth lap, both were laughing uncontrollably, tripping over each other's feet.

"You... Gobar Brain!"

"Shut up... Drama Queen!"

"You're going down!"

"Over my dead hair!"

Finally, the principal blew the whistle.

"Enough! Sit! Both of you!"

They collapsed on the grass breathless, tangled, and messy but neither was really mad anymore.

Rahul shook his head.

"Best class entertainment ever. And we didn't even need TV."

Deeksha shot a triumphant glance at Deepak."Next time, Ronaldo, don't even think about stopping me."

Deepak rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath,"Next time... I'll get you back..."

The whole class watched in awe half laughing, half cheering at the chaotic, hilarious duo.

Rahul threw up his hands in frustration. "Okay, okay... that's enough! Both of you, stop fighting!"

Deeksha crossed her arms, glaring. "He started it first!"

"No, She did!" Deepak shot back, his voice sharp.

And just like that, the argument ignited again.

Rahul watched them with a mix of exasperation and helplessness.

Every glare, every heated word they were like two storms constantly colliding, and he was stuck in the middle.

The entire school day felt endless. No matter where he looked, there they were, bickering over everything, turning even the smallest disagreement into a battlefield.

Rahul's shoulders ached from simply watching.Finally, the bell rang. Relief flooded him. At last... maybe now I'll get a break from this chaos, he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips.

But Deeksha and Deepak continued arguing even as they headed toward their rides she to her car, he was on the bus. Their voices clashed, sharp and relentless, filling the air with tension.

It wasn't until Deeksha drove away and Deepak boarded his bus that Rahul finally felt a wave of peace wash over him. Only then did the chaos of their fighting finally leave him, and he could breathe again.

Yet deep down, he knew it was only temporary. The momentary peace wouldn't last long.

But little did he know, his ordeal wasn't over with school. Soon, he would have to endure the two of them again this time at coaching classes as well.

When Deepak arrived at the coaching center, he noticed Rahul and Deeksha sitting together, laughing quietly over their notes.A surge of irritation ran through him.

Without thinking, he walked straight up and planted himself right between them, taking the only empty seat.

Deeksha raised her eyebrows, her tone sharp."What are you doing?" she whispered,annoyed.

Deepak leaned back slightly, giving her a small, smug smile."Just making sure I get the best seat," he said casually, though his eyes flicked toward Rahul, daring him to react.

Rahul looked up, surprised, then awkwardly shuffled in his chair.

Deeksha crossed her arms, glaring at Deepak."Seriously? Right here? You can't just sit wherever you want."

Deepak shrugged, pretending to be innocent."Oh... I thought this spot looked comfortable. And, well... you two seem to be having too much fun without me."

Deeksha rolled her eyes, trying not to smile despite her irritation."You're unbelievable," she muttered.

The quiet tension filled the space between them, broken only by the faint scratching of pens and the occasional cough from other students.

Deepak leaned back, confident, while Deeksha shot him occasional glares, and Rahul fidgeted nervously beside them, unsure where to look.

Like and comment please 🙏❤️