Chapter 5

Hello my lovely readers 💕

Here is Chapter 5 of Forbidden Love – Devotion of Innocent Hearts 🥹✨

Happy reading 🌷

Author Pov:

Next morning—

Everything felt different.

Kashvi woke up earlier than usual.

She got ready carefully, adjusting her uniform twice, checking her hair in the mirror more than needed.

“Why am I so conscious?” she muttered to herself.

After getting ready, she stepped outside and stood in front of Saanvi’s house.

“Saanvi! Jaldi aana! Late ho jaayega, bus ka aane ka time ho gaya hai!” she shouted.

From inside, Saanvi’s voice came, “Aa rahi hoon! Rukna!”

Kashvi crossed her arms. “Haan haan, jaldi aa!”

After a few minutes, Saanvi finally came out, adjusting her bag.

She stopped and looked at Kashvi suspiciously.

“Oo hello madam,” she said dramatically, “tujhe aaj itni bhi jaldi kya hai? Humesha se late jaane wali ladki aaj itni punctual kaise ho gayi?”

Kashvi tried to act normal. “Oo madam, bus ke liye bas.”

Saanvi narrowed her eyes. “Arey haan… ab samajh aaya.”

“Kya?” Kashvi asked defensively.

“Bus ke liye nahi… kisi aur ke liye jaldi hai.”

Kashvi’s cheeks turned slightly pink. “Tu chup kar aur chal!”

She grabbed Saanvi’s hand and dragged her toward the road.

Saanvi kept laughing. “Naam lene ki bhi zarurat nahi hai, mujhe sab samajh aa raha hai.”

“Bas!” Kashvi warned.

Just then, the school bus arrived.

They quickly climbed inside and found seats together.

The bus slowly started moving.

Outside, the city passed by in a blur.

Inside—

Kashvi looked out of the window quietly.

Her heart was beating a little faster than usual.

Today she might see him again.

Maybe he would look at her.

Maybe nothing would happen.

But still—

She couldn’t deny it anymore.

She was waiting.

And somewhere in another house—

He will avoid her today.

But destiny rarely follows our plans.

___

The bus stopped at the school gate.

Kashvi and Saanvi got down and walked toward their classroom.

As they entered, they saw Aarohi sitting at the last bench—as usual.

Kashvi’s eyes immediately started searching the classroom.

Row by row.

Seat by seat.

But—

He wasn’t there.

Saanvi noticed her subtle scanning and smirked.

“Aate hi honge.”

Kashvi frowned slightly. “Haan chal na… tu bas chedna rehta hai.”

Both of them walked to the last bench.

“Arey! Aa gaye tum dono,” Aarohi said with a small smile. “Main tum log ka hi wait kar rahi thi.”

They sat beside her, kept their bags on the bench, and adjusted themselves.

After a moment, Kashvi hesitated.

“Aarohi… main ek baat puchun?”

“Haan, kyun nahi?” Aarohi replied casually.

Kashvi asked softly, “Maine dekha tum akele baithti ho… koi dost nahi hai? Bas tum un log ke saath baat karti ho… aisa kyun?”

Aarohi shrugged lightly.

“Arey kya hai na, meri sach mein ladkiyon mein dost nahi hai. Aur sach bataun toh class mein aadhi se zyada ladkiyan bas nautanki hai.”

Saanvi giggled.

Aarohi continued, “Aur main un log se isliye baat karti hoon kyunki woh log ache hai… bas woh Ishvik ko chhodkar. Jab dekho ladta rehta hai.”

Kashvi and Saanvi burst out laughing.

“Ohh, aisi baat hai,” Kashvi smiled.

“Waise woh log ab tak aaye nahi?”

Aarohi looked at the clock. “Nahi, kyunki un log ka abhi aane ka time nahi hua. Woh log hamesha first period ke beech mein aate hai… aur daant sunte hai teachers se.”

Saanvi laughed loudly. “Arey yeh toh hum bhi aise hi karte the apne pehle school mein! Humesha iss Kashvi ki wajah se late ho jaate the.”

“Kya?!” Kashvi protested.

All three laughed.

Just then—

The bell rang.

The teacher entered the classroom and immediately started teaching.

___

Outside the classroom—

Ishvik, Eshaan, and Netrabhan were standing near the corridor.

Ishvik whispered urgently, “Tum dono jao andar pehle. Tum dono ko teacher kuch nahi bolenge.”

Netrabhan raised an eyebrow. “Kyun? Hum dono kya principal ke bete hai jo kuch nahi bolenge?”

Eshaan added, “Aur nahi toh kya? Humesha tere wajah se late hote hai hum log.”

Ishvik replied dramatically, “Haan toh kya maine bola late hone ko?”

Netrabhan sighed. “Theek hai. Kal se rukenge hi nahi. Chal Eshaan, andar jaa.”

Eshaan blinked. “Haan chal—kya? Main kyun jaun? Yeh sahi hai dono ka?”

Suddenly—

The classroom door opened.

All three froze.

The teacher stood there, arms crossed, glaring at them.

“Get inside.”

They quietly walked in, heads bowed, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

The entire class turned to look at them.

At the back bench, Kashvi’s heart skipped the moment she saw him enter.

The teacher closed the door and spoke sternly,

“Roz ka hai tum teeno ka. Roz ka! Har din late.”

No one dared to speak.

Then she added sharply,

“Ho toh tum teeno padhne wale bache… lekin harkate pure ke pure backbenchers wale!”

A few students tried to hide their smiles.

Ishvik looked like he wanted to say something but stayed quiet.

Eshaan just nodded slightly.

Netrabhan stood straight, expression calm but serious.

“Sorry, ma’am,” all three said together.

“Go and sit. And this is the last warning,” the teacher said firmly.

They moved toward their seats.

As Netrabhan passed by the last bench—

For a brief second—

His eyes met Kashvi’s.

She quickly looked down at her notebook.

And he—

He looked away first.

Reminding himself again—

Avoid her.

But even while sitting in his seat—

He was aware of exactly where she was.

__

The three of them went and sat on the front bench—

Exactly in the row in front of where Kashvi, Saanvi, and Aarohi were sitting.

Ishvik leaned slightly toward Eshaan and whispered dramatically,

“Har baar ‘last time hai’ bolkar bolte hai… lekin yeh last time kab aayega bhai?”

Eshaan tried to control his smile.

Even Netrabhan’s lips twitched slightly.

But behind them—

Kashvi, Saanvi, and Aarohi had heard everything.

They couldn’t stop themselves.

A soft giggle escaped.

Then another.

Within seconds, the three girls were trying very hard not to laugh.

Hearing the giggles—

All three boys turned back at the same time.

Ishvik raised an eyebrow.

Eshaan looked amused.

Netrabhan’s gaze automatically stopped at Kashvi.

The girls immediately straightened up.

“Sorry,” all three of them said at the same time.

The teacher looked up suspiciously but continued teaching.

Ishvik smirked and turned back around.

Eshaan shook his head lightly.

Netrabhan faced forward again—

But for a brief second before turning—

He saw Kashvi trying to hide her smile.

And that small smile—

Made it harder for him to remember his decision.

Avoid her.

Because somehow—

Even her laugh was becoming a distraction.

__

Classes continued till afternoon.

The atmosphere slowly became normal again. Teachers explained chapters, students took notes, and occasional whispers floated across the room.

But even during lectures—

Two people were unusually aware of each other’s presence.

Finally—

The lunch bell rang.

The class instantly became noisy.

Students started opening lunch boxes, some rushed outside, some stayed back.

Netrabhan closed his notebook calmly.

Then he turned slightly toward Ishvik and Eshaan.

“Main bahar ja raha hoon.”

Ishvik looked at him suspiciously. “Kyun?”

“Bas aise hi.”

“Phir lunch?” Ishvik asked, already opening his tiffin.

“Main garden mein kar lunga. Tum log karo,” Netrabhan replied shortly.

Before they could question further, he picked up his lunch and walked out of the classroom.

Ishvik blinked. “Aaj isko kya ho gaya?”

Eshaan looked toward the back bench for a second—

Where Kashvi was laughing at something Saanvi said.

Then he looked back at the door through which Netrabhan had just left.

“Samajh ja,” he muttered.

Outside—

Netrabhan walked toward the school garden.

He chose a quiet bench under a tree.

Opened his lunch box.

But he wasn’t really hungry.

The real reason he left the classroom—

Was simple.

He didn’t trust himself to sit there.

Not when she was right behind him.

Not when her laugh kept distracting him.

Not when he kept noticing things he shouldn’t notice.

He took a deep breath.

Avoid her. That’s it.

It should be easy.

It’s just a girl.

Just a classmate.

Yet—

For the first time—

Avoiding someone felt harder than facing them.

Inside the classroom, Ishvik and Eshaan had just started eating when—

Saanvi suddenly looked at them.

“Woh topper saheb kahan hai? Lunch nahi karna hai kya?”

Eshaan replied casually, “Woh toh gaya garden mein.”

Kashvi’s hand paused mid-air.

“Kyun?”

Eshaan noticed the slight curiosity in her voice. He looked at her for a second, then replied, “Pata nahi… bas aise hi.”

Kashvi frowned a little.

“Toh aap dono nahi gaye? Aap dono ko bhi jana chahiye tha na… ab woh akele lunch karenge kya? Aap log unke dost ho… jao na.”

Ishvik almost choked on his food.

“Arey arey ruk jao! Ek hi baar mein kitna bole ja rahi ho,” he said dramatically.

“Hum dono hi kyun jaye? Tum log bhi chalo. Tum log bhi toh dost ho.”

Kashvi blinked. “Hum kaise jaye? Aur woh aap log ke dost hai… humare dost kaise hue?”

Ishvik looked at Aarohi. “Aarohi, tu bol na in log ko. Aise toh hamesha pattar pattar karti rehti hai.”

Aarohi glared at him. “Tu zyada mat bol, samjha?”

Then she turned to Kashvi and Saanvi.

“Haan yaar, tum log bhi chalo na. Kya problem hai?”

Saanvi shrugged. “Haan chalna… chalte hai. Kya hi hoga?”

Kashvi hesitated for a second.

Then softly, “Theek hai… chalo.”

And just like that—

The five of them walked toward the garden.

Under the big tree—

Netrabhan was still sitting quietly.

Lost in his thoughts.

Lunch box still closed beside him.

He didn’t notice them approaching.

Eshaan came and casually sat on his right.

Ishvik dropped down on his left.

Netrabhan slightly snapped out of his thoughts.

Eshaan looked at his lunch box and said,

“Tu toh bol raha tha garden mein lunch karega… aur abhi tak lunch box open tak nahi kiya tune.”

Netrabhan looked down at it.

Before he could reply—

He sensed something.

He looked up.

And that’s when he saw—

Kashvi.

Standing a little behind.

Along with Saanvi and Aarohi.

For a second—

His heartbeat skipped.

Why are they here?

He quickly composed himself.

“I was just about to open it,” he said calmly.

Ishvik smirked.

“Achha? Ya phir bas hawa kha raha tha?”

Eshaan lightly nudged him.

Then Ishvik clapped his hands once.

“Chalo theek hai! Sab saath mein milkar lunch karte hai.”

Netrabhan looked at them, slightly confused.

“Tum log ne lunch nahi kiya?”

Eshaan immediately replied, “Arey hum toh kar hi rahe the… lekin in madam ne—” he pointed dramatically toward Kashvi, “—lunch hi nahi karne diya.”

Netrabhan’s eyes shifted to Kashvi.

“Kya matlab?”

Kashvi’s eyes widened.

She quickly leaned a little toward Saanvi and whispered,

“Kuch karna isse pehle yeh log sab bata de…”

Saanvi cleared her throat loudly.

“Arey yeh sab chhodo! Lunch karte hai warna lunch period bhi khatam ho jayega.”

Aarohi nodded. “Haan chalo, karte hai lunch.”

Ishvik opened his box properly. “Haan chalo chalo, mujhe bhuk lagi hai.”

Conversation cut.

Topic avoided.

Everyone started opening their lunch boxes.

Different smells mixed in the air.

They slowly began sharing food too.

Eshaan stole fries from Ishvik.

Saanvi offered chips to Aarohi.

Kashvi quietly passed her homemade paratha toward the center.

For a moment—

It felt normal.

Comfortable.

Like they had always eaten together.

But Netrabhan wasn’t fully convinced.

His mind was still stuck on Eshaan’s words.

“In madam ne lunch hi nahi karne diya…”

What did that even mean?

He glanced once at Kashvi.

She was laughing at something Ishvik said.

Trying very hard to act normal.

Too normal.

Something definitely happened.

But instead of asking again—

He stayed quiet.

He decided something else.

Shaam ko puch lunga Ishvik aur Eshaan se.

For now—

He continued eating with them.

But internally—

His curiosity had only increased.

After lunch, all of them walked back to the classroom together.

Soon, the next period started.

The class became quiet again.

Teacher was explaining something seriously on the board.

In the middle of the lecture—

Saanvi leaned toward Kashvi and whispered,

“Paani dena.”

Kashvi checked her bottle and shook it.

“ Mere paas nahi hai… khatam ho gaya.”

Saanvi then looked at Aarohi.

“Aarohi, paani dena.”

Aarohi lifted her bottle upside down.

“ Mere paas bhi khatam ho gaya.”

Saanvi made a face.

“Toh chale?”

Kashvi and Aarohi looked at her confused.

“Kidhar?”

Saanvi rolled her eyes. “Arey paani bharne! Aur kidhar jana hai tum dono ko?”

Aarohi giggled. “Hehehe.”

Kashvi tried to control her smile.

“Lekin ma’am bhejengi teeno ko?”

Aarohi whispered confidently, “Haan chalo.”

The three of them were talking very slowly, trying not to get caught.

Then suddenly—

All three stood up at the exact same time.

Their bench made a slight noise.

Teacher paused and looked at them.

“Yes?”

The three girls looked at each other for half a second—

Then together said politely,

“May we go to bring water?”

Teacher raised an eyebrow.

“We?”

All three nodded in sync.

“Yes ma’am.”

Teacher sighed lightly. “Okay. Go.”

“Thank you ma’am,” they said together.

And quietly slipped out from the back door.

As they were leaving—

Three pairs of eyes followed them.

Netrabhan.

Eshaan.

Ishvik.

Ishvik leaned slightly toward Eshaan and whispered,

“Yeh paani bharne ke liye teen log… seriously?”

Eshaan nodded slowly.

“Wohi toh. Yeh log ko mile hue sahi se ek hafta bhi nahi hua… lekin behave toh aise kar rahe hai jaise pata nahi kab se jante ho.”

Ishvik smirked.

“Wahi toh. Ajeeb hai.”

Netrabhan said nothing.

But he was listening.

Soon, the period was about to end.

But—

Three girls were still not back.

Ishvik whispered again, slightly frustrated,

“Yeh teeno ka sahi hai. Paani bharne ka bolkar pata nahi kahan gayab ho gaye. Aur hum yahan boring subject ki class sun rahe hai.”

Netrabhan replied calmly without looking away from the board,

“Sach toh hai… lekin chup chap se class sun.”

Ishvik sighed dramatically.

Finally—

After a few more minutes, the classroom door opened.

Three girls entered quietly.

Saanvi first.

Then Aarohi.

Then Kashvi.

They quickly walked to their seats, trying not to draw attention.

They sat down

__

Kashvi turned slightly toward Aarohi after packing her bag.

“Aarohi… mujhe na maths ki notes chahiye.”

Aarohi immediately replied, “Lekin hum mein se kisi ka bhi maths notes complete nahi hua… sirf Netrabhan ka hua hai.”

Kashvi blinked once. “Oohh…”

Aarohi smirked slightly. “Tu jaake Netrabhan se puchna.”

Kashvi’s eyes widened.

“Main?”

Saanvi nodded from beside her. “Haan tu.”

Kashvi hesitated for a second. Then finally—

“Theek hai.”

Slowly, the classroom started getting empty.

Ishvik and Eshaan had already gone outside.

Kashvi looked at her friends.

“Tum log chalo… main aati hu puchke.”

“Haan theek hai,” Saanvi and Aarohi said together before leaving.

Kashvi took a small breath.

Then she packed her bag slowly.

And walked toward him.

Netrabhan was standing near his desk, packing his bag.

He noticed someone approaching.

He turned.

And saw her.

Kashvi immediately became nervous.

He was already looking at her.

That same quiet, intense gaze.

She swallowed slightly.

“Woh… woh…” she started awkwardly, “mujhe na… aapki notes chahiye thi.”

Netrabhan nodded calmly.

“Theek hai. Lekin kis subject ki notes chahiye? Yeh toh aapne bataya hi nahi.”

Kashvi kept looking at him.

Her brain went blank for a second.

“Woh… woh…” she whispered softly to herself,

“Konsi notes chahiye thi?”

Netrabhan heard that.

He almost smiled.

But he controlled it.

She suddenly remembered.

“Haan! Maths ki notes chahiye thi.”

“Okay,” he said simply, taking out his notebook from his bag.

Then he handed it to her.

“Yeh lijiye.”

Kashvi took it carefully.

“Thank you… mai kal tak return kar dungi.”

Netrabhan replied politely,

“Aap aaram se return kar dena.”

“Jii… theek hai. Main chalti hu. Woh log wait kar rahe honge. Bye.”

“Bye.”

She left.

Netrabhan stood there for a few seconds, watching her walk away.

Then he sighed softly.

And whispered to himself—

“Yeh kya kar raha hai tu?

Tu toh aaj usse avoid karne wala tha na.”

But even he knew—

Avoiding her was becoming harder with every passing moment.

After returning the notes, Netrabhan walked outside the classroom.

The corridor was slowly getting empty.

Students were leaving, talking loudly about homework, plans, and random things.

Near the school gate—

Ishvik and Eshaan were already waiting for him.

Ishvik waved. “Aa gaya topper sahab.”

Eshaan just smiled lightly.

Then suddenly—

Netrabhan remembered the afternoon incident.

He looked at them and asked directly,

“Lunch ke time kya bol rahe the tum log?”

Ishvik blinked. “Kab? Aur kya?”

Eshaan immediately understood what he was talking about.

Netrabhan continued, “Tum log ne lunch kyun nahi kiya tha? Maine pucha tha tab tum log ne kuch bola. Wohi puch raha hu— kya bol rahe the?”

Eshaan nodded slowly.

“Ohh… woh.”

Then he explained calmly.

“Hum lunch kar hi rahe the. Fir Saanvi ne pucha tu dikh nahi raha hai toh maine bataya tu garden me gaya hai lunch karne.”

Netrabhan listened silently.

Then Eshaan continued, smiling slightly,

“Fir Kashvi boli— hum log kyun nahi gaye tere sath? Tu akele lunch karega kya? Aise kaise? Hum toh dost hai… jaana chahiye tha… wagaira wagaira.”

Ishvik added dramatically, “Pyaara sa lecture diya tha.”

Netrabhan nodded slowly.

“Ohh…”

He didn’t say anything else.

But inside—

Something felt strange.

Not unc

omfortable.

Just unfamiliar.

Because nobody had ever questioned whether he was eating alone or not.

He usually liked being alone.

But today—

The thought that someone noticed he was alone…

Stayed in his mind longer than expected.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking with them.

Trying very hard not to think about why that simple concern felt… different.

So… how was the chapter? 🥺💗

What were your favorite moments? Do tell me in the comments 👀

When you comment, it makes me feel like my writing is actually reaching your hearts 🥹💖

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.

Bye bye, thank you, take care! 💕✨