Helloooo my beautiful readers 🌸
I’m back again with a new chapter
Your love and support mean everything to me.
Now grab your snacks and enjoy the chapter đź“–
Author Pov:
Everything around Kashvi started to fade.
The classroom noise, the whispers, the sound of chairs moving—everything blurred into silence. It felt like the world had pressed pause.
All she could see was him.
Standing right in front of her.
His eyes… those deep eyes… looking at her as if he was trying to recognize something he had lost long ago. Her heartbeat grew louder in her ears. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. Tears slowly gathered in her eyes, making her vision hazy.
Why did it feel like she knew him?
Why did it hurt… and heal at the same time?
She wasn’t thinking about the class.
Not about the new school.
Not about anything.
Only him.
And in that frozen moment, even he seemed unable to look away. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something—but no words came out.
Time felt fragile.
Breakable.
And then—
“Kashvi… Saanvi?”
The Principal’s voice echoed through the classroom, firm yet calm.
The spell shattered.
Kashvi blinked quickly, wiping the corner of her eyes before anyone could notice. The world rushed back all at once—the murmurs, the students, the sunlight falling through the windows.
She looked down, trying to steady her breathing.
“Yes, ma’am…” she responded softly.
But even as she answered, her heart whispered something else.
The Principal adjusted her glasses and stepped forward.
“Students, please settle down,” she said, her voice calm yet authoritative.
The whispers slowly faded.
She gently placed her hand on Kashvi’s shoulder and then looked at the class.
“These two girls are new students joining our school from today. I hope you all will make them feel comfortable and welcome.”
Soft murmurs filled the classroom again.
“This is Kashvi,” the Principal said, gesturing toward her.
Kashvi felt every pair of eyes on her. Her heartbeat was still uneven, but she forced a small, polite smile.
“And this is Saanvi.”
Saanvi confidently nodded, giving a bright smile to the class.
“They will be studying in this section from now on. I expect everyone to cooperate and help them adjust.”
Some students smiled. Some just stared.
But Kashvi…
She didn’t look at anyone else.
Her eyes betrayed her again.
They found him.
He was still standing there, holding his notebook loosely, his gaze softer now—almost unreadable. For a second, it felt like he wanted to say something. But he stayed silent.
The Principal continued, “You both may take the empty seats at the back.”
Back benches.
Kashvi swallowed slowly.
As she walked past the rows of desks, she could feel her pulse racing. And when she crossed him, just for a second—their shoulders almost brushed.
A tiny spark.
Barely noticeable.
But powerful enough to shake her completely.
She didn’t turn back.
As Kashvi and Saanvi walked toward the back benches, the sound of their footsteps felt louder than usual.
At the last row, near the window where soft sunlight streamed in, a girl was already sitting there. She had neatly tied hair, sharp features, and an observant gaze.
She looked up as they approached.
Kashvi hesitated for a second.
“Hi…” the girl spoke first, her tone calm but friendly. “I’m Aarohi Sharma.”
There was something warm in her voice.
Saanvi smiled instantly. “Hi, I’m Saanvi. And she’s Kashvi.”
Kashvi gave a small nod, still slightly distracted, but she managed a soft smile.
“Nice to meet you.”
Aarohi shifted her books a little. “You both can sit here.”
They placed their bags down and sat beside her.
The wooden bench creaked slightly.
From the back of the class, Kashvi could now see everything—the board, the students… and him.
He was sitting two rows ahead.
Close enough to see.
Far enough to feel distant.
Aarohi leaned slightly toward them and whispered, “Don’t worry. First days are always awkward.”
Saanvi chuckled softly. “Yeah… we already felt that.”
But Kashvi wasn’t listening completely.
Her eyes drifted again.
And just when she looked up—
He turned slightly.
Their eyes met.
For a brief second.
And this time…
Neither of them looked away immediately.
Soon, the teacher entered the classroom and the atmosphere changed instantly.
“Good morning, ma’am,” the class greeted in unison.
“Good morning. Open your books,” she replied, placing her notes on the table.
The lecture began.
Kashvi straightened her posture and opened her notebook. No matter what was happening inside her heart, she wasn’t someone who ignored her studies.
She focused carefully on every word the teacher explained. Saanvi, too, listened attentively, occasionally jotting down points.
For a while, everything felt normal.
Just another classroom.
Just another lesson.
But at the end of the period—
“Kashvi and Saanvi,” the teacher called again.
Both of them stood up and walked toward her desk.
“In case you both need notes or have any doubts,” the teacher said kindly, “you can ask Aarohi, Netrabhan, Eshaan, or Ishvik. They are good students and will help you with whatever you miss.”
Kashvi felt her heartbeat shift at one particular name.
Netrabhan.
The teacher turned toward the class. “Netrabhan, Eshaan, Ishvik, and Aarohi—please come forward and introduce yourselves properly.”
Four students stood up.
Aarohi smiled lightly.
Next to her stood a tall boy with calm eyes—“Hi, I’m Eshaan,” he said casually.
Another boy with a playful expression added, “Ishvik. Nice to meet you.”
And then—
He stepped slightly forward.
“I’m Netrabhan.”
His voice was steady. Deep. Controlled.
But when his eyes briefly met Kashvi’s—
Something unspoken passed between them again.
Just a second.
Just a look.
Yet heavy with meaning neither of them understood.
The teacher nodded. “Good. I expect you all to cooperate.”
As everyone returned to their seats, Kashvi walked back slowly.
Now she had names.
Now he wasn’t just him.
He was Netrabhan.
And somehow…
That made everything feel even more real.
Kashvi Pov:
Everything felt blurry.
I don’t know why… but the moment I stepped into that classroom, something inside me shifted.
I wasn’t nervous about being new. I’ve changed schools before. I’ve faced new faces before.
But this time was different.
Because of him.
When ma’am introduced us, I tried to focus. I really did. I listened carefully, answered politely, walked to the back bench like a normal student.
I am not someone who ignores studies. No matter what happens, I never let my emotions control my academics.
But still…
My eyes kept searching for him.
Why?
I don’t even know him.
When the teacher called a few students to introduce themselves, I wasn’t paying much attention at first.
“Aarohi…”
I nodded slightly.
“Eshaan…”
Okay.
“Ishvik…”
Hmm.
And then—
“I’m Netrabhan.”
For a second, the name echoed inside me.
Netrabhan.
I repeated it silently.
Acha naam hai… Netrabhan.
It suited him.
Strong. Calm. Different.
I don’t know why, but hearing his name made everything more real. Before that, he was just a stranger I couldn’t stop looking at.
Now he had a name.
And somehow… that made my heart beat a little faster.
Why am I reacting like this?
It’s just a name.
But still…
When I looked up, he was already looking at me.
And this time, I didn’t look away immediately.
Something feels strange.
Not scary.
Not bad.
Just… unfamiliar.
And I have a feeling—
This is not going to be simple.
I quickly looked down at my notebook, pretending to read something.
Why am I behaving like this?
It’s just the first day.
Maybe I’m overthinking. Maybe it’s just curiosity.
Yes… that’s it.
Just curiosity.
I closed my notebook softly and took a slow breath.
Author Pov
The bell rang loudly, breaking the silence of the classroom.
Lunch time.
Chairs scraped against the floor as students hurried outside. Some ran toward the ground, some gathered in groups, laughing and shouting.
Within minutes, the classroom became half empty.
But at the back bench—
Kashvi, Saanvi, and Aarohi were still sitting there.
Aarohi turned slightly toward them, resting her chin on her hand.
“So… tell me,” she said with curiosity in her eyes, “why did you both change schools?”
Her tone wasn’t nosy.
Just genuinely interested.
Kashvi replied “Hum dono ke papa government officer hai… toh humare liye yeh sab ab common hai. Transfers, new schools… new places.”
She said it normally, as if it didn’t affect her anymore.
Saanvi nodded quickly. “Haan, exactly. We’re used to it.”
Aarohi looked at them with a little surprise. “Ohh… that must be tough.”
Kashvi gave a small smile. “It was… at first.”
Aarohi then leaned forward with curiosity. “Toh tum dono ek dusre ko kab se jaante ho?”
Before Kashvi could answer—
Saanvi dramatically wrapped her arms around Kashvi. “Arey! Hum dono toh bachpan ke dost hai… best friends forever!”
She squeezed her tightly.
Kashvi rolled her eyes but smiled softly. “Drama queen.”
The three girls laughed.
And just then—
“Ziddi aafat… kya baatein ho rahi hai?”
A playful, teasing voice interrupted them.
All three turned at once.
Ishvik was standing there with his usual mischievous grin. Behind him stood Eshaan, calm as ever…
And Netrabhan.
Kashvi looked at Aarohi with confusion written all over her face.
“Waise…” she said softly, “yeh tumhe ziddi aafat kyun bula rahe hai?”
Saanvi immediately tried to control her laughter.
Ishvik smirked proudly, leaning back in his chair. “Because she is one.”
“Aye!” Aarohi glared at him. “Shut up, Ishvik.”
Eshaan chuckled lightly. “He’s not completely wrong though.”
Aarohi crossed her arms dramatically. “Excuse me?”
Ishvik pointed at her as if presenting evidence. “Miss Aarohi Sharma is the class monitor. Super strict. Super disciplined. And if anyone talks during lecture—”
She cut him off. “Because someone has to maintain discipline.”
“See?” Ishvik looked at Kashvi and Saanvi. “Ziddi. And total aafat.”
Saanvi burst out laughing. “I like her already.”
Kashvi smiled warmly at Aarohi. “I don’t think you’re aafat.”
For the first time, Aarohi’s expression softened. “Thank you.”
But just then—
A calm voice spoke.
“She is ziddi.”
Everyone looked toward Netrabhan.
He was standing with his hands in his pockets, expression neutral.
Aarohi narrowed her eyes. “Oh really?”
He continued, his tone steady. “But she’s right most of the time.”
Silence for a second.
Ishvik gasped dramatically. “Wah! Compliment mil gaya.”
Aarohi tried to hide her smile. “At least someone here has sense.”
Kashvi quietly observed everything.
The way they talked.
The way they teased.
The comfort between them.
And then—
Netrabhan’s eyes shifted.
They met hers again.
This time there was the slightest hint of something different.
Not curiosity.
Not confusion.
Something softer.
And Kashvi quickly looked away—
Aarohi suddenly clapped her hands lightly.
“Ruk… main Kashvi aur Saanvi ko tum sabse properly introduce karati hoon. Tumhe toh bas naam hi pata hoga.”
Ishvik sat straight dramatically. “Presentation start ho gayi.”
Aarohi pointed at him first.
“So, yeh Ishvik hai. Hai toh pura bewakoof… lekin padhai ke time bilkul topper.”
“Ziddi aafat!” Ishvik protested immediately. “Kaise bola tumne mujhe bewakoof?”
Eshaan calmly added, “Muhh se.”
The girls burst into laughter.
Ishvik looked offended. “Tum dono milke mujhe target kar rahe ho.”
Aarohi rolled her eyes. “Chalo isse chhodo.”
She pointed toward Eshaan.
“Yeh Eshaan hai. Yeh bhi topper hai… aur sabse zyada samjhdar. Is group ka sensible person.”
Eshaan gave a small polite smile. “Don’t believe everything she says.”
Saanvi whispered to Kashvi, “Mujhe toh yeh sab interesting lag rahe hai.”
Kashvi nodded faintly, but her attention shifted when Aarohi continued.
“And now…” Aarohi’s tone changed slightly.
“Humare sabse bade topper ki baari.”
She looked toward him.
“Netrabhan. Jo hamesha padhai karta rehta hai. Hum log thoda bohot mazak masti karte hai… lekin yeh? Bilkul bhi nahi karta.”
Ishvik added dramatically, “Isko hasi ka concept hi nahi pata.”
Eshaan smirked. “Serious mode 24/7.”
Netrabhan didn’t react much. He just looked at Aarohi and said calmly,
“Overacting band karo.”
But there was the slightest hint of a smile on his face.
Kashvi noticed it.
That small, almost invisible smile.
And for some reason—
It felt special.
She softly thought to herself,
He doesn’t talk much… but when he does, everyone listens.
Then Kashvi looked at Ishvik curiously.
“Waise… Aarohi aapko bewakoof kyun bol rahi thi?”
The word aap echoed slightly in the group.
Ishvik blinked once. “Woh toh aise hi… jaise main usse ziddi aafat bulata hoon waise hi.”
Then he leaned forward a little, narrowing his eyes playfully.
“Lekin tum mujhe aap kyun bula rahi ho? Ek hi class mein hai hum.”
Kashvi opened her mouth to reply—
But before she could say anything, Saanvi jumped in.
“Woh kya hai na,” Saanvi said casually, opening her lunch box, “isse aap karke baat karne ki aadat hai. Specially ladkon se. Kyunki yeh jaldi kisi ladkon se baat nahi karti.”
For a moment—
Silence.
Everyone listened carefully.
Ishvik raised his brows in surprise.
“Accha ji?”
Eshaan looked slightly amused.
Aarohi smirked lightly.
But Netrabhan—
He didn’t say anything.
He just observed Kashvi.
Something about that statement made him think.
She doesn’t talk to boys easily…
His gaze softened unknowingly.
Kashvi felt everyone looking at her and immediately glared at Saanvi.
“Kya kuch bhi bolti hai tu?” she said, slightly embarrassed. “Tujhe toh bhook lagi thi na? Chal, phir lunch kar.”
Saanvi grinned mischievously. “Haan haan.”
The group chuckled softly.
Kashvi quickly opened her lunch box, trying to avoid eye contact.
But she could still feel it.
That quiet gaze.
That silent observation.
And somewhere between teasing, laughter, and hidden glances—
______
After some time, everyone finished their lunch.
The bell rang again.
It was a free period.
The classroom buzzed with soft chatter.
Some students decided to go to the library. A few left for the ground. Others stayed back, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
At the back bench, Kashvi, Saanvi, and Aarohi were still sitting together.
Ishvik stretched lazily and looked at Eshaan and Netrabhan.
“Chalo peeche bench mein chalte hai… Aarohi, Kashvi aur Saanvi ke paas.”
Eshaan raised an eyebrow. “Yahin baithne mein koi dikkat hai?”
Ishvik shrugged dramatically. “Tum logon ki marzi. Aana hai toh aao… nahi toh mat aao.”
Without waiting for their reply, he picked up his notebook and casually walked toward the back bench.
Eshaan sighed. “Drama.”
But he stood up anyway.
Netrabhan remained seated for a second.
His eyes unconsciously drifted toward the back—
Toward Kashvi.
She was tucking a strand of hair behind her ear while talking to Saanvi.
Something about that simple action made him look away instantly.
Eshaan nudged him lightly. “Aa raha hai ya nahi?”
Netrabhan picked up his book calmly. “Aa raha hoon.”
The three boys walked toward the back.
As Ishvik pulled a chair and sat down beside Aarohi, he grinned. “Free period waste nahi karna chahiye. Entertainment hona chahiye.”
Saanvi laughed. “Entertainment? Hum circus lagte hai kya?”
“Thoda sa,” Ishvik replied mischievously.
Eshaan sat down quietly.
Netrabhan took the seat diagonally opposite Kashvi.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just enough to see her clearly.
For a moment, no one spoke.
After a few seconds of silence, Kashvi gathered a little courage and spoke softly,
“Mujhe… notes chahiye saare subjects ke.”
Eshaan nodded casually. “Haan toh hum sab ke le lo. Usme kaunsi badi baat hai?”
Kashvi looked at them politely. “Aap log ko padhna toh nahi hai na phir?”
Ishvik laughed. “Free period hai madam, itna bhi sincere nahi hai hum.”
Eshaan added calmly, “Nahi, aap le lo. Hum sab ke paas se le lo. Koi problem nahi hai.”
The word aap again made Ishvik smile teasingly, but he stayed quiet this time.
Kashvi gave a small nod. “Acha… toh theek hai.”
She first turned toward Ishvik. “Thank you.”
Then toward Eshaan. “Thank you.”
Then she looked at Aarohi, who was already sliding her notebook toward her. “You can take mine too.”
Kashvi smiled gratefully and collected their notebooks carefully.
Only one notebook was still untouched.
Netrabhan’s.
He was sitting there quietly, his notebook placed neatly on his desk.
He didn’t offer it.
He didn’t refuse either.
He was just waiting.
Kashvi could feel his presence strongly.
She knew she should ask.
She needed his notes too.
He was the biggest topper after all.
But her courage…
It stopped right there.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the notebooks she was holding.
For a second, she almost looked at him—
Almost spoke—
But then she looked down instead.
“Itna kaafi hai,” she said softly, more to herself than anyone else.
Netrabhan noticed.
He understood.
She asked everyone.
Except him.
He didn’t say anything.
But somewhere inside, a small, unexplainable disappointment appeared.
Not anger.
Not ego.
Just…
A question.
Why not me?
Kashvi had just arranged the notebooks properly when suddenly—
Ishvik leaned forward with a mischievous expression.
“Waise…” he said casually, “aapse aur tumse ek baat puchu?”
Everyone’s head turned toward him at once.
Eshaan narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Aarohi already looked done with him.
Even Netrabhan shifted his gaze slightly.
Kashvi and Saanvi replied together,
“Haan?”
Ishvik tried to act normal. “Instagram hai? Matlab… use karte ho?”
For a second—
Silence.
All of them just stared at him.
Aarohi folded her arms. “Bas. Mujhe pata tha.”
Eshaan shook his head. “Free period ka entertainment.”
Kashvi blinked once, slightly confused. “Haan… hai. Kyun?”
Saanvi nodded. “Haan, use karte hai.”
Ishvik instantly straightened up. “Toh do na.”
Saanvi almost choked on her water. “Kya?”
“Arre Instagram id,” Ishvik said casually. “Follow kar lenge.”
Aarohi smirked. “Notes lene aaye the ya followers badhane?”
Eshaan muttered, “Multitasking.”
Kashvi looked at Ishvik for a second, trying to understand if he was serious.
And then—
Kashvi and Saanvi looked at each other for a second.
Then quietly, both of them wrote their Instagram IDs on a small piece of paper and handed it to Ishvik.
He smiled proudly. “Thank you, thank you.”
Saanvi quickly added, “Tum log ka bhi do na Instagram ID.”
Eshaan replied calmly, “Hum sab ka toh mil jayega…”
Then he paused slightly.
“…lekin Netrabhan ka nahi.”
Kashvi looked up instantly. “Kyun?”
Everyone turned to look at her.
Especially him.
Realizing the sudden attention, she corrected herself quickly, “M- matlab… kyun nahi mil sakta?”
Aarohi answered casually, “Kyun ki woh use hi nahi karta.”
Saanvi, who was drinking water at that moment, suddenly started coughing.
Kashvi immediately kept her hand on her back. “Arey, dheere!”
After calming down, Saanvi wiped her mouth and said in disbelief,
“Yeh aaj ke zamane mein Instagram kaun use nahi karta bhala?”
Ishvik pointed dramatically at Netrabhan.
“Yeh. Humare Rathore sahab.”
Eshaan smirked lightly.
Netrabhan finally spoke, his tone calm,
“Ishvik, tujhe karna hai toh kar. Mujhe kyun aise chidhara hai jaise koi badi baat ho gayi?”
Ishvik raised his hands in surrender. “Theek hai baba.”
But Kashvi—
She was quiet.
He doesn’t use Instagram?
No posts.
No profile.
No online world.
Somehow… that made him even more different.
While everyone lives online—
He doesn’t care.
Her thoughts wandered for a second.
Strange…
And without realizing—
A small, almost invisible smile appeared on her lips.
After that little discussion, the mood became light again.
“Okay fine,” Ishvik said dramatically, “since Rathore sahab doesn’t live in the digital world, hum teeno ka ID le lo.”
Eshaan told his ID first
Then Ishvik told proudly and
Aarohi rolled her eyes but shared hers too.
Saanvi quickly saved them in her phone. “Done.”
Kashvi quietly noted them as well.
Just then—
The final bell rang.
The sharp sound echoed through the classroom.
Home time.
Chairs moved, bags were picked up, students rushed outside while talking loudly about homework, plans, and random gossip.
Ishvik slung his bag over his shoulder. “Chalo bhai, kal milte hai.”
Eshaan nodded. “Bye.”
Aarohi smiled warmly at Kashvi and Saanvi. “See you tomorrow.”
“Bye,” Saanvi replied cheerfully.
Kashvi softly said, “Bye…”
For a second, her eyes searched unconsciously.
He was standing near the door.
Adjusting his bag strap.
As if sensing her gaze, Netrabhan looked up.
Their eyes met one last time that day.
No words.
No smile.
Just a quiet exchange.
And then he gave a small nod—
Almost like a silent goodbye.
Kashvi’s heartbeat skipped again.
She didn’t wave.
She didn’t speak.
But as she walked out of the classroom beside Saanvi, she knew one thing—
Today was just the first day.
And already…
It didn’t feel ordinary anymore.
And that’s how this chapter
ends…
But tell me, did it make you smile…
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