Chapter 17

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______________________

Woh paas hoke bhi kabhi mere na ho sake,

Aur main door hoke bhi unka hi raha,

Yeh ek tarfa mohabbat bhi ajeeb hoti hai,

Jisme haar kar bhi dil jeeta raha…

_____________________

Author Pov -

One week had passed—

Since that incident.

Things slowly went back to normal.

Netrabhan—

Now officially the Head Boy—

Had responsibilities.

So unlike before—

He couldn’t come late during classes.

But the rest of them?

Still the same.

Late entries.

Whispers.

Laughing during lectures.

Inside the classroom—

Classes were going on.

When suddenly—

The door opened.

Everyone turned.

The Principal entered—

With two boys.

Whispers started instantly.

But at the last bench—

Kashvi, Saanvi, and Aarohi—

Were in their own world.

Laughing.

Teasing.

“Students, attention please.”

Everyone went silent.

“Here are two new joinings—”

“Vedansh Thakur…”

“And Arjun Shekhawat.”

The moment Vedansh stepped in—

His eyes—

Directly went to Kashvi.

He didn’t look anywhere else.

Only at her.

Meanwhile—

Saanvi and Kashvi whispered slowly—

“Vedansh… Arjun…”

Netrabhan, Ishvik, Eshaan, and Aarohi looked confused.

Netrabhan asked—

“Do you both know them?”

Kashvi and Saanvi nodded.

Still looking at them.

The Principal continued—

“I know you all must be wondering—”

“But they’ve been shifted here from there pervious school.”

“So please cooperate and help them.”

“Thank you.”

And left.

The bell rang soon after.

Class ended.

Students started moving.

On one side—

Shivani and her group.

“Dekhne mein toh mast lag rahe hain…”

“Chalo baat karte hain.”

They walked towards them.

The whole class watched.

Aarohi muttered—

“Isse toh har jagah tapakna hota hai…”

Saanvi smirked—

“Tu bas dekh… khud ki beizzati karwa ke hi maanegi.”

Ishvik frowned—

“Matlab?”

Saanvi—

“Tum log bas dekho.”

Meanwhile—

Shivani reached them.

“Hello…”

She said, forwarding her hand.

But—

Vedansh didn’t even hesitate.

“No thanks.”

“Excuse me.”

And walked away.

Arjun followed.

Straight towards—

Kashvi and Saanvi.

“Dekha?” Saanvi whispered.

Before anyone could react—

Both Kashvi and Saanvi stood up.

And hugged them.

That moment—

Netrabhan and Eshaan froze.

Confused.

And something else—

Jealous.

Both of them though "yeh aise kyu hug kar rahi hai dono ko."

Kashvi smiled—

“Aap dono yahan kaise?”

Arjun replied—

“Business shift hua…”

“Aur hum bhi.”

Vedansh added—

“Humara toh pehle se yahan tha…”

“Toh ab family bhi shift ho gayi.”

Saanvi smiled—

“Achha hai…”

Kashvi asked softly—

“Kaise ho aap dono?”

“Hum theek hain…”

Vedansh replied.

“Aap kaisi hain?”

Netrabhan noticed.

The way he spoke.

The way he looked at her.

Something felt wrong.

Uncomfortable.

Then Saanvi said—

“Chalo introduce karati hoon.”

She turned—

“Yeh Aarohi, Ishvik, Eshaan… aur Netrabhan.”

Then towards them—

“Yeh Vedansh aur Arjun… humare friends.”

Everyone greeted.

Except Netrabhan and Arjun.

Both of them just nodded.

Cold.

Aarohi clapped lightly—

“Chalo garden chalte hain… lunch bhi hone wala hai.”

Everyone agreed.

Walking out—

Aarohi whispered to Saanvi—

“Saanvi… sach bolu?”

“Dono kaafi hot hain…”

Ishvik—

Right behind her—

Heard it.

His jaw clenched.

But he stayed silent.

In the classroom—

Shivani watched.

Anger rising.

“Yeh jitne bhi log aate hain…”

“Sab unke paas hi kyu chale jaate hain…?”

Meanwhile—

In the garden—

Everyone sat.

Talking.

Aarohi started—

“Aur batao… pehle kahan rehte the…?”

Ishvik interrupted—

“Tujhe bohot jaana hai?”

“Tu chup reh.”

Saanvi explained—

“Vedansh humara school friend hai…”

“Purane school ka.”

“Aur Arjun ko toh hum Bachpan se jante hai—”

“Hum chaaron childhood friends hain.”

Eshaan frowned—

“Chaaron?”

“Par Kashvi, tum aur Arjun mila ke toh teen hue na?”

Silence.

Instant.

Saanvi froze.

Slowly—

She looked at Kashvi and Arjun.

Arjun’s eyes turned red.

Kashvi’s eyes—

Filled with tears.

The atmosphere changed.

Completely.

Arjun stood up quickly—

“Main water leke aata hoon…”

And left.

Kashvi followed him.

Without a word.

Saanvi stood up hurriedly—

“Tum log lunch karo…”

“Hum abhi aate hain.”

Then to Vedansh—

“Chal.”

They left.

Now—

Only four remained.

Confused.

Aarohi spoke first—

“Inhe kya hua?”

“Jaise hi ‘chaar’ bola…”

“Sabka expression change ho gaya.”

Eshaan added—

“Aur puchne pe kuch bola bhi nahi…”

Ishvik sighed—

“Pehle toh mujhe sirf yeh dono ajeeb lagte the…”

“Ab aur do add ho gaye.”

THAP!

Netrabhan and Eshaan smacked his head.

“Arey— mera matlab mysterious!”

“Violent kyu ho jaate ho tum dono!”

Aarohi rolled her eyes—

“Issi layak hai tu.”

“mar khane wala jo kaam krta hai.”

But this time—

Ishvik didn’t reply.

He stayed quiet.

Aarohi noticed.

But didn’t say anything.

And somewhere else—

Something from the past—

Had just returned.

Unfinished.

••••••

On the other side—

Arjun walked straight ahead.

Fast.

As if he didn’t want to stop.

“Arjun…!”

Kashvi called from behind.

But he didn’t turn.

She followed him.

Until—

She saw him.

Sitting on the stairs.

Head down.

Broken.

Slowly—

She went near him.

Sat beside him.

Softly—

“Arjun…”

Before she could say anything—

He pulled her into a hug.

Tight.

“Kahan chali gayi woh…?”

His voice—

Cracked.

He was crying.

Kashvi froze for a second.

Shocked.

But then—

Gently—

She placed her hand on his back.

“Arjun… shant…”

“Relax…”

Slowly—

His sobs reduced.

He pulled back slightly.

Still emotional.

Kashvi looked at him.

And said softly—

“Humne jo promise kiya tha…”

“Woh hum pura karenge…”

“Smjhee…”

“Theek hai na…?”

Arjun looked at her.

Then slowly nodded.

From behind—

Saanvi spoke softly—

“Meri wajah se…”

“

Aaj fir se roya…”

Vedansh shook his head.

“It’s okay…”

“Jaan ke thodi na kiya hai tune…”

Saanvi still felt guilty.

“Lekin fir bhi…”

Meanwhile—

On the other side—

Netrabhan and the others had followed.

But the moment they reached—

They saw it.

Kashvi…

Holding Arjun.

Consoling him.

Netrabhan’s expression changed.

Instantly.

He didn’t like it.

Not even a little.

But—

He didn’t say anything.

He just turned.

And walked away.

Aarohi, Eshaan, and Ishvik saw him.

And followed silently.

Back to the garden.

Meanwhile—

Saanvi went near them.

Holding her ears—

“Sorry…”

Arjun gave a small nod.

“Koi baat nahi…”

Vedansh spoke—

“Chalo… lunch karte hain.”

Kashvi shook her head slightly.

“Tum log jao…”

“Main aati hoon.”

They nodded.

And left.

Back in the garden—

Netrabhan noticed something.

“Kashvi?”

Saanvi replied—

“Woh stairs ke paas hai…”

“Abhi aa jayegi.”

He didn’t say anything.

Just stood up—

And left.

He searched.

Didn’t find her.

Then—

A thought.

Terrace.

He went upstairs.

And there—

She was.

Standing.

Looking at the sky.

Lost.

“Aarzoo…”

He called softly.

Kashvi turned.

But immediately—

Wiped her tears.

“Haan… boliye…”

Netrabhan walked closer.

“Kya hua…?”

“Aap ro kyun rahi hain?”

Kashvi quickly said—

“Nahi toh…”

“Main kaha ro rahi hoon…”

He didn’t believe her.

“Kya hua hai, Aarzoo…?”

And that was it.

She broke.

Tears falling.

Uncontrolled.

Netrabhan panicked slightly.

“Batayiye na…”

“Please aise mat royiye…”

“I can’t see you like this…”

Kashvi tried to speak—

“Kuch nahi…”

“Bas… kisi ki yaad aa gayi…”

Netrabhan’s expression turned serious.

“Bas aise hi?”

“Udhar woh ladka bhi ro raha tha…”

“Aur idhar aap…”

“Kya hua hai?”

Kashvi frowned slightly.

“Woh ladka matlab kaun?”

Netrabhan replied—

“Wohi… jise aapne hug kiya tha.”

Kashvi said softly—

“Ohh… Arjun.”

Then added—

“Naam hai uska…”

“Woh ladka kya hota hai…”

Netrabhan nodded—

“Haan haan… wohi Arjun…”

Then under his breath—

“Mera naam toh kabhi itna casually liya hi nahi…”

“Kya bola aapne?”

Kashvi asked.

“Zor se boliye na…”

“Nahi… kuch nahi…”

“Aap batayiye…”

“Aap kyun ro rahi thi?”

“Aur woh—”

Kashvi immediately cut—

“Arjun.”

Netrabhan nodded—

“Haan… wohi.”

“Ab batayiye.”

Kashvi looked away.

Then said shortly—

“Kuch nahi…”

“Bas… kisi ki yaad aa gayi thi.”

Netrabhan looked at her.

Deeply.

“Kaun?”

“If you don’t mind…”

Kashvi replied—

“Friend.”

Just one word.

Nothing more.

Then quickly—

“Chaliye…”

“Lunch karte hain…”

“Late ho jayega.”

And started walking.

Leaving behind—

Questions.

Unanswered.

And Netrabhan—

Who knew—

There was something she wasn’t telling.

Something important.

Something painful.

••••√•••••

Vedansh stood there—

Quiet.

Watching everything.

The way Netrabhan asked about her.

The way his tone changed—

When it was about Kashvi.

The way Saanvi looked at him—

Like she already knew something.

And then—

He saw them.

Kashvi and Netrabhan—

Walking back.

Kashvi ahead.

Netrabhan behind.

But his eyes—

Only on her.

Not anywhere else.

Not even for a second.

Vedansh noticed.

Everything.

Then—

Kashvi suddenly turned back.

And smiled.

At him.

Soft.

And Netrabhan—

Smiled back.

Only at her.

That moment—

Something shifted.

Inside Vedansh.

A strange feeling.

Unfamiliar.

Uncomfortable.

But he didn’t say anything.

He just looked away.

As if ignoring it—

Would make it disappear.

Soon—

They all sat together.

Started having lunch.

Normal conversations.

Normal laughs.

But underneath—

Nothing was normal.

After some time—

Everyone finished.

Vedansh turned towards Kashvi.

“Mujhe na… aap apne notes de dena…”

“Complete karke de dunga jaldi hi…”

“Waise bhi mid exams aane wale hain.”

Eshaan immediately narrowed his eyes.

“Tumhe kisne bola mid exams aane wale hain?”

Vedansh replied calmly—

“Aaj principal bata rahi thi hume…”

“Toh woh bhi mention kiya.”

Arjun added—

“Haan… mujhe bhi de dena.”

Kashvi nodded.

“Chalo… main abhi de deti hoon…”

“Aur samjha bhi dungi.”

“Chalo.”

And just like that—

She stood up.

Walking ahead.

Behind her—

Vedansh and Arjun.

The three of them left together.

Aarohi watched them go.

Then said dramatically—

“Bhai… jabse yeh dono aaye hain…”

“Mujhe toh ignore hi kiya ja raha hai.”

Saanvi laughed.

“Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai…”

Eshaan added—

“Aur nahi toh kya…”

Saanvi looked at him—

“Tumhe kab kiya ignore?”

“Aur woh bhi Kashvi ne?”

Eshaan pointed at her—

“Kashvi nahi…”

“Tum.”

Saanvi froze for a second.

Then quickly—

Changed the topic.

“Chalo chalo…”

“Class mein chalte hain.”

And started walking ahead.

Leaving the conversation behind.

But not the tension.

Because now—

New people had entered.

New dynamics had formed.

And slowly—

Everything was changing.

••••~••••

Everyone returned to the classroom.

The moment they entered—

They saw her.

Kashvi.

Standing near the desk—

Explaining everything.

Notes.

Syllabus.

Where to study from.

Arjun was listening carefully.

Fully focused.

But Vedansh—

Wasn’t.

Not even a little.

Because his eyes—

Were only on her.

The way she spoke.

The way she moved her hands while explaining.

The way she slightly frowned while thinking.

Everything.

He was admiring her.

Completely lost.

And Netrabhan—

Noticed.

Every bit of it.

Even Saanvi noticed.

She looked at Vedansh.

Then slowly—

At Netrabhan.

His jaw clenched.

His hands tightened.

And in that moment—

She thought

“Pata nahi aage kya hoga…”

“Jab dono ko sach pata chalega…”

She thought silently.

Then walked towards them.

The others followed too.

Kashvi was still explaining—

Fast.

Almost rushing.

Saanvi interrupted—

“Aaram se bol…”

“Kahin bhaag nahi rahe hain dono…”

“Yahin hain.”

She handed her water.

“Le… pani pee.”

Kashvi nodded.

Took a sip.

Then Arjun asked—

“Kashvi… inhaler humesha apne paas hi rakhti ho na?”

Before she could answer—

Vedansh added—

“Haan… aapke paas hai na?”

Kashvi replied casually—

“Haan baba… mere paas hi hai.”

But—

That moment—

Netrabhan felt something.

A slight shift.

Inhe pata hai…?

Sab kuch…?

He thought.

Aarohi asked curiously—

“Tum dono ko pata hai Kashvi ke inhaler ke baare mein?”

Arjun nodded.

Vedansh said—

“Haan… hume bohot pehle se pata hai.”

Aarohi raised her brows—

“Ohh…”

Everyone settled on their benches.

Saanvi and Aarohi shifted—

To another bench beside them.

Classes started.

Teacher was explaining.

But at the last bench—

Kashvi smiled slightly.

“Bohot din ke baad…”

“Hum aise saath baithe hain.”

Netrabhan heard it.

Every word.

Arjun replied softly—

“We missed you so much.”

Vedansh added—

“Haan…”

Kashvi smiled again.

“Mujhe bore maar raha hai…”

Arjun immediately said—

“Class pe dhyaan do…”

“Chup chaap se.”

Kashvi made a face.

“Please na…”

“Game khele?”

Both of them gave in.

“Fine.”

And just like that—

They started playing.

In the middle—

Kashvi giggled.

That soft, carefree laugh.

Vedansh—

Again—

Lost in her.

Watching her.

Only her.

And Netrabhan—

He didn’t look at them.

But he heard everything.

Every word.

Every laugh.

And something inside him—

Didn’t like it.

Not one bit.

And here ends the chapter ✨

Thank you so much for reading 🤍

Take care… see you in the next chapter 💫

Bye bye 👋