Radhe Radhe readers💙🦚✨,

Author

The fourth period, that was the biology period, had settled into that lazy silence that always followed lunch the kind where even the ceiling fans sounded louder than usual, and half the class struggled to stay awake.

"So students I am giving you guys two assignments. One will be based on individual assessment and the other one will be a pair assessment." The teacher Ms.Sinha announced slamming her hands on the wooden table. Only to receive some groans and lazy head nods.

Nikki snickered, already finding the new school... sorry hell, unbearable on the very first day. It was a board year and on the very first day of the class, the teachers were hell bent on giving out the board projects. According to their logic, there were some hooligans in the class, who would never submit the projects on time even if they were going to the board.

Hence, starting sooner always seemed a safer option in her new school. But even in anything, the word 'pair' got her attention. She barely knew anyone here and pairing up with someone random will get on her introvert nerve. She glanced at her benchmate. The boy didn't even look bothered by the teacher's announcement. He continued scribbling something in his notebook.

Ms. Sinha rounded the table, leaning back on it as she announced,"Individual assessment should be submitted by the end of this week. The topic can be anything until it exists in your biology textbook."

Her tone grew stricter as she warned firmly at the end of her words,"Yaad rhe mujhe usse bahar ka koi bhi topic pe project na mile." The students sat in silence just glancing at each other's faces with the toppers silently deciding the topic while the others questioned whether it was even necessary.

"The pair assessment will have to be submitted by the end of this month and yeah aap khud partners choose nhi krrr skte because aapke partners wahi honge jo Aaj aapke saath me Baithe h." The words took Nikki by shock. Her heart dropped to her stomach as her eyes drifted back to the guy sitting beside her.

She gulped, Agastya's face flashed in her eyes. Then she looked at the ceiling imagining the shock her elder brother will get when he gets to about all this. God was really playing with her today.

Wasn't just sitting near this guy enough to enrage the sleeping lion that she had to even partner with the guy her brothers had strictly restricted her around-Was she already doomed?

"But why ma'am?" Abhishek chimed from his middle seat with an irritated expression. He gave a brief narrowed glimpse to his awful partner, shifting his eyes back to the teacher. "My choice Abhishek" Ms.Sinha countered clearly not impressed by the guy's audacity.

Abhishek grumbled something in his breath before lowering his head onto the table. Ms.Sinha turned her attention back to the class, clapping her hands once,"So iska seedha ye Matlab ye h ki aapki seats for the next whole month fix hongi. You guys can't change your seat at least in my period."

Nikki's heart sank again, this time pounding enough to come out through her body. She glimpsed at Viaansh, expecting him to react equally but the boy least cared about whatever was happening in the class. He once looked up from the notebook, boredom flashed his blue eyes before he returned back to his scribbling.

His lack of reactions annoyed Nikki further. She huffed turning around. She tried to focus on the teacher's words but a faint scratching sound of pencil against paper filled the small silence between them. Nikki clicked her tongue, finding the sound annoying but the sound repeated again.

Her focus slowly drifted away from the front to her side and for the first time since morning, she actually noticed him. From the moment she sat beside him, he wasn't paying attention to the lecture at all.

Viaansh sat with effortless disregard for authority. Leaning slightly hunched forward, with the back-of what seemed his biology notebook-opened, he was scribbling something continuously.

His uniform sleeves were rolled up carelessly to his forearms, revealing veins that shifted subtly every time his hand moved. Nikki's eyes unconsciously lingered on his toned forearms, exclusively visible for her view.

A pencil rested between his fingers as he sketched something on the last page of his notebook with practice ease. He looked like some artist, fully concentrated on his work as if it mattered more than his board's marks. If only he had given so much attention to his teacher's words.

Nikki leaned back sticking her back to the wall, curiosity slowly winning over her irritation. She not-so subtly tried to peek into the notebook that has taken the attention of the 'blue-eyed monster' beside her. She expected some doodles but instead of messy notes or half-written diagrams, a perfectly detailed motorcycle sketch stared back at her.

Nikki's eyes widened. "Leonardo da Vinci" she muttered under her breath. Her eyes moved from Viaansh to his sketch. Nikki slightly leaned back tilting her chair up into the air a little.
Viaansh slightly leaned up from the copy, then Nikki noticed. A strand of his slightly messy hair fell over his forehead, the calm concentration in his blue eyes, as if the rest of the classroom didn't exist for him.

He looked dangerously handsome and Nikki gulped at her thoughts. The guy had managed to get her attention even without asking for it.

Her gaze lingered longer than intended. That was when he shifted slightly, resting his chin against his knuckles while studying his sketch, completely unaware of the heart he had stolen. Heat rushed unexpectedly to her cheeks.

Why is he this good-looking?

Nikki's subconscious said as her cheeks burned with blush creeping onto them. "Yaad rhe, no late submission will be accepted. I need both the assignments on my table on the designated dates." The teacher's words brought Nikki back into the real world.

Nikki's eyes widened as she realised her balance slip away from her chair. She was about to fall when she stumbled forward and landed her chair onto the floor with a thud. Viaansh was taken aback by the sound. He looked up immediately, slightly startled, his brows knitting together as his blue eyes landed on her.

"Kya hua?" he asked, concern slipping naturally into his voice. Nikki shook her head immediately, as she covered up,"Kuch nhi, chipkali thi." Viaansh's brows furrowed as he looked back at the wall for confirmation. But there was no lizard.

His gaze lingered there for a moment longer, his frown deepening as if silently daring the imaginary creature to appear. "Idhar aa jao" he said gesturing her to shift her chair towards the gap between them. Nikki obeyed silently, still feeling guilty for her previous actions.

She immediately looked back at her notebook but from the corner of her eye, she saw him flip the pencil effortlessly between his fingers before adding another precise stroke to the bike design. This time before the thoughts could consume her head, she shook her head violently, scolding herself,"What the fuck man? Kya krrr rhi Thi Mai? Bhaiyu maar dalenge."

The teacher walked out of the class. and the room immediately dissolved into chaos. Chairs scraped, bags opened, someone in the back shouted about football practice while another group had already begun arguing about the assignment.

Nikki, on the other hand, just held her head. The first itself was exhausting at this school, how will she manage a whole year? The concern started taking a toll on her.

Her stomach suddenly growled loudly enough for her to hear it. She frowned, placing a hand over it. "Itni tension me toh mujhe sirf bhookh lgti h" she muttered to herself with a pout, which now was a race track for mice. She checked her watch: 11:15 am, perfect time for lunch break. But why doesn't this school ring the bell early?

Her eyes shifted sideways. Viaansh sat there with the same calm expression, like nothing in the world concerned him. The pencil flipped effortlessly between his fingers before landing perfectly back between them. Nikki tilted her head, studying him for a moment before finally speaking.

"Tum aise hi sade sade se rehte ho kya?" The pencil paused in Viaansh's hand as he slowly looked up at the sound of her voice. For a moment he genuinely looked confused, as if comprehending whether she was actually talking to him.

His blue eyes settled on her face and he just stared at the girl. "Aise Kya ghur rhe ho?" Nikki retorted suddenly feeling conscious about herself. Viaansh didn't reply, just gawked at her as if she was some alien species. Girls have approached him but never of this species. No one had spoken to him in this way ever.

The intensity in Viaansh's gaze almost made Nikki look away for a second, but then her usual confidence kicked in. She straightened in her chair, folding her arms casually as a mischievous smile tugged at her lips. She tilted her head slightly, pretending to study him the same way.

"Maanti hoon tumhari aankhein sundar h par iska matlab ye thodi ki tum itni sundar ladki ko unse ghuroge?" she said with mock seriousness, gesturing lightly toward his face. A beautiful smile bloomed on her face but Viaansh, on the other hand, was taken aback by her. Was she flirting with him by any chance?

His blue eyes filled with bewilderment. He wanted to answer but seeing her he found it difficult to be rude. "Dekho-" Viaansh started but he didn't get to finish as the chatterbox beside him started speaking.

"Dekho vekho kuch nahi," she continued, leaning slightly toward him as if she had known him for years instead of a few hours, "Tabse dekh rhi hoon ek hi word me jawab dete ho. I understand tumhara padhai me mann nhi lgta hoga but still aise Sade rehne ki koi zarurat nhi h."

Viaansh blinked once, genuinely thrown off by the girl beside him. The comment was personal but he let it slide. Reason, even he wasn't aware of it.

He was the most unapproachable guy in this class, except for some girls in the class, others avoided talking to him or even looking his way sometimes yet this girl beside him had the insolence to speak to him however she wanted. He wanted to reprimand her but somehow he couldn't bring himself to do that.

"You can talk to me. I don't bite Malhotra" Nikki winked a little, smirking in Viaansh's way while sarcastically repeating the line he had told her a few hours ago. Viaansh recognised it immediately. His fingers, still holding the pencil, stilled for a second.

If it was anyone else, then he would've literally chastised the person then and there. But for the first time since she had sat beside him that morning, the corner of his mouth twitched, almost like he was fighting a smile but refused to let it win. His inner conscience was actually finding the girl interesting.

He leaned back slightly in his chair and looked at her with mild disbelief but the smirk on his face betrayed his eyes,"Tum humesha hi itna bolti ho?"
Nikki didn't even hesitate. "Aadat daal lo. Ek mahine tak mujhe hi jhelna h," She shrugged casually, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Before Viaansh could say anything, Raghav turned from the front,"Lagta hai koi Ansh ki sabse khoobsurat aadat banne wala hai." He smirked receiving himself a glare from Viaansh for his words. Nikki frowned at him, not quite understanding his words. Nikki's brow furrowed, her mind struggling to make sense of what he had just said.

Raghav didn't spare a glance at his friend, instead turning toward Nikki with a confident grin, extending his hand. "Oh, by the way, I'm Raghav," he said smoothly, then gestured toward his friend,"Viaa- oops iss Sadu ka sabse khaas dost"

He paused, smirking at his own correction as he overheard their little exchange. Nikki couldn't help but chuckle, slipping her hand into his in a light handshake. "Hi!" she replied, matching his easy confidence. Both of them kept on smiling as the handshake lingered for more than Viaansh's liking.

Raghav instantly sensed Viaansh's sharp glare and withdrew his hand back at the speed of lightning, before the body part never remained the part of his body anymore. He raised both hands in mock surrender. He gave a sheepish smile trying to diffuse the tension.

Viaansh's blue eyes narrowed, arms folded, staring daggers at him but Raghav didn't flinch. The latter was accustomed to it. Instead, he turned back to Nikki, a grin spreading across his face.

"Tum Nikita Singh Raizada ho, right?" Raghav inquired, his statements holding a hint of scepticism underneath them. Nikki arched an eyebrow, curiosity and amusement mixing on her face,"Tum bhi jaante ho mujhe?" She asked although she was stunned about the game she had amongst her classmates on the first day itself.

Nevertheless, a part of her was happy at the fact that she wouldn't have to introduce herself to anyone. Raghav nodded, leaning slightly toward her,"Haan Viaansh Subah hi tumhare baare me baatein krr rha tha."

Nikki's eyes widened ever so slightly, her brows raised unconsciously as curiosity flickered her features at the new information. She glanced at Viaansh, whose jaw had stiffened and his grip on his pencil was slightly tighter than before.

"Kya keh raha tha ye?" she asked, her voice low, cautious. She was aware that Viaansh knew about her but the certainty of him introducing her to other classmates was hard to digest.

Viaansh fiercely glared at his best friend, silently telling him to stop but Raghav didn't bother sensing the growing tension in the atmosphere.
"Yahi ki isse tumhara khayal-" He leaned back with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Raghav!" Viaansh sneered, his heavy voice cut through sharply, a warning in every syllable. Raghav's brain instantly cut the supply of words for his mouth, sealing it shut on instinct. Viaansh's glare was murderous with his jaw clenched.

Raghav decided to stop but Nikki wasn't about to let it go that easily. She swiveled her head over her shoulder, eyes narrowing slightly at her bench mate,"Uspe Kyun chilla rhe ho batane do usse." She said in the same tone taking both the boys with surprise. Nikki turned back to Raghav already invested in the gossip.

Raghav looked from Nikki to Viaansh and back again, clearly enjoying the situation far more than he should. But more than that he was stunned by Nikki's defiance. His amused gaze shifted between the two of them with Viaansh sitting rigid beside her with wide eyes as shocked as him about the whole situation.

For a second, Raghav simply stared at his best friend with wide eyes then couldn't hold back anymore and chuckled loudly. Absolutely no one in this class had ever dared to order Viaansh Malhotra like that without being threatened or snapped at.
Yet somehow here was his bestfriend, sitting there quietly in his seat totally flabbergasted.

To Raghav, the whole fiasco was an absolute fascination. Viaansh's fists curled in his lap but to the contrast, a faint pink crept up the back of his neck, betraying him. What the fuck was even happening to him?-his mind blazed in anger but his heart took control over his emotions.

Just then Nikki's stomach let out a small but very audible growl.
She immediately straightened in her seat, clearing her throat as if nothing had happened before casually flipping the topic. "Accha ye sab chhodho,"she said, trying to sound normal while placing a hand over her stomach,"lunch break kab hota hai yahan?"

Raghav, on the cue, checked the watch strapped around his wrist,"Just three more minutes." Nikki's face surged a gush of relief. Just for 180 seconds more she had to distract her hungry stomach. While waiting, her gaze drifted around the classroom until it landed on the empty seat beside Raghav. "Waise tumhare bagal ki seat khali Kyun h?" She asked inquisitively.

Raghav followed her gaze and made a face immediately, his playful exterior slipped at the remembrance of his bench mate,"Yahan ek dimaag khane wala insaan Baithta h." He stretched his arms over his head in relief yawning a little as he said,"Aaj Mai lucky hoon toh wo absent h."

Beside Nikki, Viaansh quietly continued to sketch but his ears remained fixed on the conversation between his best friend and the new girl. "Lucky toh Mai bhi hoon" He muttered inaudibly, his husky voice filling the whisper.

The words gained Nikki's interest. She tilted her head, instantly catching onto the conversation. "Kaun?" she asked Raghav before he could say anything. But Viaansh answered first, his voice calm and uninterested, holding a hint of distaste,"Samridh Ahuja, the class topper"

Viaansh's words attempted to disguise his irritation but Nikki saw right through them. She blinked, visibly puzzled. Her brows knitted together as Viaansh's loathing caught onto her. A topper sitting amongst the backbenchers? That made absolutely no sense.

"He is irritating as hell," Raghav groaned like the mere thought of dealing with the guy, exhausted him. Then he slumped back into his seat whining dramatically with a pout,"Ab mujhe uske Saath project nhi krna pdega." Viaansh snickered at his best friend's plight. At least this time, he had gotten a better partner in return for dealing with the topper's tantrums.

Right on the cue, the loud bell rang across the corridor. The entire class burst into motion instantly, bags opened and students rushed out. Raghav shot up from his seat like he had been waiting his whole life for that sound. "Lunch break ho gaya!" he announced triumphantly grinning like a cheshire cat.

"Finally!" Nikki mirrored his joy, leaving her own seat to stand up. Her fingers quickly fishing her lunch box out of her. She was about to follow the crowd just then her gaze fell on Viaansh sitting hunched over his notebook like earlier, with no intention of going for the lunch break.
"Oye Leonardo da Vinci, tum nhi chaloge?" she teased but her vocal cords held a significant amount of a feeling she couldn't name.

Viaansh froze mid-stroke, eyes wide as if he had just caught a ghost. His pencil hovered over the page as he glanced up, the nickname clearly taking him by surprise but he knew the purpose behind it,"Tumne Dekha?" He asked cautiously.

Nikki nodded proudly, a small, approving smile on her lips."Kaafi Sundar Bana lete ho." she said warmly, not knowing what her tone was doing to certain heart strings. Viaansh who had been oblivious to the fact sat there frozen for a second. The pride in her eyes nudged at him. Was it for him?

Compliments weren't something he was used to, certainly not for his sketches. Usually, the only good thing people ever noticed about him was his looks. Nikki seemed different, and he could feel it, a strange warmth creeping into his chest. Her words didn't feel flattery but they felt like a genuine compliment that he had never received.

Viaansh gazed at his sketch once but Nikki thought he had taken her words as teasing. "No seriously, tum acchi sketching krte ho" she continued, softening her tone, in order to clarify her emotions,"The detailing, it's amazing. You should design bikes for real someday."

She suggested him at the end with a grin stretching upon her lips. Viaansh glanced at the page, then back at her, rambling softly, "It's just a sketch." He wasn't habitual of receiving praise from anyone.

But Nikki shook her head emphatically, "No, you should try designing. Tum accha karoge usme." Viaansh's lips twitched slightly, a faint blush brushing his cheeks. For the first time that day, he managed a soft, Thank you, out of his mouth.

"Achha, Main ab disturb nahi karungi." Nikki whispered, stepping back. Viaansh's expression shifted into his trademark smirk he sarcastically replied with mock gratefulness,"Aabhar."

Nikki blinked, genuinely confused by the word,"Kiska bhaar?" Viaansh sighed at her dumbness, his smirk immediately slipping off his face, as he gave her 'duh' look,"Thank you."
Nikki gave a small, embarrassed nod and turned toward the canteen, joining the stream of students rushing out.

Viaansh leaned back into his chair, folding arms to his chest but this time with a quiet smile touching his lips. She might seem like ordinary to everyone but to Viaansh, the girl felt different. A distinct chaos in his peace loving life.

As she disappeared from his view, a beautiful smile tugged at his lips, an impression that Nikki had left on him. His blue eyes lingered upon her retreating figure with a sneaky shade of blush creeping up his cheeks. "She's cute," he said to himself, the compliment sounding almost foreign coming from him, but somehow, completely genuine with the wide smile that etched on his face.

-×-

The house was still wrapped in the quiet calm of the morning. Shivanya had returned early, much earlier than usual. It was barely around eleven in the morning when she stepped inside, placing her bag on the couch with a soft sigh.

Luckily, she had only one meeting scheduled for today. The guilt had been nagging at her since morning.
Nikki's first day at the new school and she hadn't been there when her little girl had left. The thought sat heavy in her chest no matter how much she tried to brush it off during work.
So she had wrapped up what she could and come back home.

Even her Dad readily agreed to give her a day off when he heard Nikki's name. Trying to push the thoughts away, Shivanya walked into the kitchen, deciding that a cup of coffee might help clear her mind.

She moved around the counter slowly, preparing for her coffee. Her hair, loosely tied after the long morning, had already begun slipping free. Strands kept falling over her face as she stirred the coffee absentmindedly, thinking about how much her life had changed just in a few past weeks. She couldn't believe that she was back at the place that she had lost hope to ever see again.

A part of her mind continuously brain stormed the ideas of what she could cook for Nikki as a compensation for missing out on her important day. She tilted her head and blew on her coffee trying to pry off the falling strands of her hair away but they kept on falling again and again.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Ekaghra had just finished getting ready for the office.
He adjusted the cuffs of his black shirt, securing them with cuff links and descended the stairs, car keys spinning lazily around his finger. He was whistling happily. His day had started great, he had been smiling so wide after days-all thanks to his beloved princess.

His steps slowed the moment he entered the hallway leading toward the kitchen. He hadn't expected anyone to be home. According to his knowledge, everyone was out on their works. But to there she was. Standing in front of him, the lady of his dreams.

Standing by the counter, sunlight brushing against her figure as she stirred her coffee, completely lost in her thoughts. Seeing her this way, a softness reignited in Ekaghra's chest.
For a moment, he simply leaned against the doorframe and watch her quietly like he used to do back those days.

The nostalgia of those times felt alive again in his memories. Oh! How he wished that time could stop and he could keep staring at his wife for the rest of the eternity. A faint mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his lips as another stubborn strand of hair slipped over her cheek.

He chuckled lightly seeing her futile attempts of blowing them away again and again. When her hair fell back on her face for what felt like the nth time, Ekaghra shook his head lightly. Pushing himself off the frame, he walked inside without making much noise.

Shivanya didn't notice him entering. She was too busy trying to pour milk into the mug while the same strand kept falling into her eyes. Just as she lifted the mug, a warm hand gently gathered the loose strands of her hair from behind.

Ekaghra's fingers slid carefully through the soft strands, lifting them away from her face and holding them back as he smoothly slipped the rubber band from his wrist, swiftly tying her hair into a loose bun.

Shivanya froze mid-movement. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was, she could still recognise her husband just by his warmth. As Ekaghra secured it, he said,"Continue your work madam"

"You still have this?" Shivanya twirled around to face him as she leaned onto the kitchen slab with one hand holding the mug while the other checked her hair. "Meri wife Ghar wapas aa chuki h that means uska husband nhi wapas aa jaana chahiye." Ekaghra shrugged, speaking nonchalantly as if his words didn't flutter the strings of her heart.

Before Shivanya could say anything further, he stepped forward as she stepped back. He smirked and leaned towards her, familiar mischief glinting in his eyes. Without another word, Ekaghra placed his hands on either side of her on the slab, effectively caging her between his arms.

Shivanya gasped softly. Instinctively she leaned back, the cool marble pressing against her lower back as Ekaghra's tall frame loomed just inches away from her. The faint scent of his cologne wrapped around her senses. Ekaghra edged further closer until his lips were right beside her ears as he whispered,"Aapne pati ke bina kaam karogi cheezein pareshan hi karengi, madam."

For a moment she forgot how to breathe. The same wave of nostalgia hit her. As he spoke, his gaze dropped to the loose strand of hair that had escaped the bun he had just made.
Without thinking much about it, he reached forward with the right that he still held onto his wife.

His fingers brushed lightly against her temple as he tucked the stubborn strand back behind her ear. The touch was feather-light as his rough fingers grazed against her soft skin but it sent an unexpected shiver down Shivanya's spine. Her body had somehow forgotten to react to his touch. She wasn't used to it anymore of his softness anymore.

"Sorry. Tumhare baal bandhne mein thoda out of practice ho gaya hoon." Ekaghra said with sincerity as his eyes remained fixed upon the strand of hair that he had just tugged behind her ear. His expression sullen in a flicker. Shivanya's hold tightened around the warm mug. "Tum...tum Yahan Kya krrr rhe ho?" She stuttered questioning but these were only words she could come up with as she needed to change the topic.

Her heart was beating so rapidly in Ekaghra's presence that she feared it might burst out at any point due to their proximity. Ekaghra noticed the stammer. He lifted one eyebrow, amused by her flustered state. "Office jaa raha tha," he replied simply but then edged closer with a slow smirk curved onto his lips as he added,"Phir tumhe dekh liya."

Shivanya glanced up, her eyes finding their way to his just like a path she had memorised for the rest of her lifetime. The way he said, it enveloped her mind into assuming that nothing had changed between them. She was the same Ekaghra that has once loved her so deeply that even the oceans felt empty in front of the depth of it.

But things have changed. And just the realisation of this broke her in ways she wouldn't admit. She wanted to press her palm against his cheek like the old time but despite the closeness between them, her husband still felt so far away from her reach.

Shivanya quickly looked away, pretending to be very interested in the steam rising from her coffee.
Ekaghra, however, had no mood of letting her escape that easily. He leaned slightly closer again, studying her face.

"Waise tum itni jldi wapas aa gyi?" He asked as genuine curiosity piqued his tone. Shivanya wanted to tell him the answer but Ekaghra's teasing tone bet her to that,"Kya Hua uss khusat buddhe ne tumhe jldi chutti de di?"

Shivanya's head snapped up instantly.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. She realised who her husband was referring to. Ekaghra enjoyed her reaction as he wriggled his eyebrows getting into her nerves further while biting back his smile. Want to rile up his wife?- Just call his beloved father-in-law names.

"Ekaghra," Shivanya yelled firmly, placing her palm against his chest and pushed him back a little,"Dad h" she corrected glaring daggers at her husband for even referring to her father disrespectfully. Ekaghra was taken aback but he didn't budge was his position. Instead he just held onto her wrist and placed it on the spot where she had pushed him back.

"Tumhare." he corrected lazily, familiar distaste wrapping his tongue but as he spat with another eye roll as he if he wished god could make the man disappear,"Mere sasurji hi h." Shivanya's glare grew ferocious in intensity as she yanked her hand away from his hold.

"Tumse behes krna hi bekaar h" she muttered, keeping her cup on the marble slab with a thud. Ekaghra let out a small chuckle, straightening slightly but not moving away from her. "Har Baar ka dialogue h tumhara jab bhi Jawab nhi hota tumhare paas dene ke liye" he remarked casually, biting back a grin in order to rile his sleeping lioness.

"Tumhe Bada Yaad h?" Shivanya taunted folding her arms in defiance against her chest, giving him a challenging look. A melancholic smile touched Ekaghra's lips as he heard her. How he wished Alzheimer's consumed him, at least he could've forgotten the memories that revisited him whenever he saw her.

Gloominess clouded his features as he spoke again with a silent pain concealed beneath his words,"Pyaar Cheez hi aisi h madam, isme dhokha dene wale tak yaad reh jaate h."

The words landed heavily between them. The playful warmth that had filled the kitchen seconds ago vanished instantly. Shivanya eyes softened but not with love this time, but with the same amount of pain that her husband held in his eyes. Her arms unfolded as she struggled to form words.

Her hands unconsciously reached for the mug behind her on the slab. Before she could even respond, Ekaghra casually reached forward and took the cup from her grip. Shivanya blinked in surprise,"Ekaghra..." She tried calling out but her words remained stapled to her tongue as Ekaghra lifted it to his lips and took a slow sip, completely unfazed by the tension he had just created.

His lips sit exactly where her lipstick had left it's mark. "Coffee acchi bana leti ho aaj bhi tum." he said calmly, glancing at her once while her lipstick marked his lips. Shivanya wanted to wipe it but her hands stilled on Ekaghra's words because somehow that single sentence carried far more history than either of them were willing to admit.

Shivanya's fingers curled slightly against the marble slab behind her as she tried to steady herself. She cleared her throat softly to claim his attention, which already belonged to her"I had just one meeting today. Since I had completed all my work last week toh Dad ko bolke half day off le Kiya."

Ekaghra didn't respond immediately.
He simply stepped back and leaned against the counter beside her, one arm resting lazily on the slab as he took another small sip of the coffee that was technically hers. The void engulfed Shivanya immediately.

She felt the warmth of his presence vanish as the coldness brushed against her skin. She wanted to yank the perfect collar of his suit and yank him back to the place with the same right yet the lingering regret forbidden her from doing so.

"Aur waise bhi Aaj Nikki ka first day h school me so I thought ki uski pasand ka kuch Bane toh accha hoga" A faint smile touched her lips as she spoke about their daughter, her gaze instinctively drifted toward the kitchen shelves, already mentally planning recipes that would compensate for her absence.

Ekaghra smiled upon hearing her thoughts. His daughter's face from the morning flashed in front of his eyes. She looked so sad that it almost hurt him physically. Only he could understand how much his daughter actually needed some good food.

"I felt guilty for not being there this morning" Shivanya spoke with a hint of gloominess touching his voice unknowingly. Ekaghra's jaw tightened as he made a face murmuring into the cup as if telling the coffee,"Jiska Hona chahiye uska nhi hoga baaki Duniya jahaan ka guilt sar pe Lena h madam ko"

"Kuch Kaha?" Shivanya frowned inquiring. Ekaghra's eyes widened in horror as he lifted his gaze instantly, and shook his head with the usual calm mask slipping back onto his face.
"Tumhare saamne Mai Aaj tak kuch keh paaya hoon?" He said cheesily with a grin.

Shivanya narrowed her eyes for a moment making Ekaghra gulp at the crooked glare but then when she averted her gaze, he breathed in relief. "Bach gye" he said to himself, gulping down the whole coffee in one go.

As he kept the cup on the marble with soft clink, contrast to his wife's earlier actions. The playfulness in his demeanour evaporated,"Waise mere khayal se tumhe shyd Aaj Akshay se Baat krni chahiye?"

Shivanya scrutinized him with scrunched eyes unable to understand the motive behind his words. But reading him, she knew this was important. For the first time since he had walked into the kitchen, the teasing ease on his face disappeared. The mischievous glint in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a pure look of worry.

"Kyun Kya Hua?" She questioned immediately, the sudden mention of her youngest son made Shivanya frown slightly. Ekaghra hesitated for a second as if choosing his words correctly to not tattle tale on his own son.

"Mujhe Sahi se nhi pta because mai tyaar ho rha tha upar" He informed cautiously, carefulness taking over him. He leaned back against the counter again, folding his arms loosely across his chest,"but when I asked the servants after coming back then they informed me ki subah at the breakfast table..."

A faint crease etched his forehead as he recounted whatever he had heard from the house help about the morning chaos and the reason behind Nikki's sullen face. Though no one told him what exactly Amrita said yet by everything he could've figured out that she had her fair part in the fiasco.

The words drained the colour of Shivanya's face. Pure horror took over her features as her husband filled her with the details of the breakfast table.
"What?" She let out a soft gasp. "Akshay can never do this" She said almost disregarding her husband's words.

But 'Amrita', the sole name made her believe the thinnest possibility of her youngest son doing this.

The disbelief on her face was absolute. She shook her head immediately rejecting the possibility. Ekaghra sighed softly. This was even his reaction. He could never believe that Akshay could choose Rashmi over Nikki willingly? But it seems the guy already did that.

"Wahi toh Mai bhi soch rha hoon." He admitted but his eyes drifted to a distance remembering the atmosphere when he entered the dining hall,"But tumhe subah Nikki ka chehra dekhna chahiye Tha. She was so hurt, uska face Bta rha tha"

The memory clearly unsettled him. Shivanya's chest tightened painfully.
"You dropped Nikki to school right? Kuch pucha Tumne usse?" She asked quickly, expecting some positive from her husband but her hopes shattered when Ekaghra shook his head.

"I did." He emphasized but then added turning to look at her,"I did ask her Anya, but every time she said Ki kuch nhi Hua tha. She was hiding everything to save her Dada," frustration mixed with affection in his voice as his jaw clenched,"Poore time gaadi me shaant thi woh."

Shivanya's heart sank. She was able to comprehend what must be going on in Nikki's head. Her fingers tightened around the marble slab with her nails forcing to dig in as she said with simmering rage,"Her whole day must have been ruined. Akshay ko aisa nhi krna chahiye tha."

"Amrita did all this on purpose I know." She snapped her head towards her husband and spoke with quiet certainty about the mastermind behind the occurrence. If Amrita was there in the scene nothing can be coincidental. Everything had to be planned. There was a brief silence.
In the past, this exact accusation would have triggered an immediate argument between them.

She expected her husband to react the same way once again but Ekaghra simply nodded, "Mujhe bhi yahi lgta h." The agreement came so easily that Shivanya looked at him in surprise. For a second she just stared at him, clearly caught off guard. Ekaghra noticed that look immediately. He gave a faint, almost tired smile.

"Don't worry, I am not repeating my mistakes this time." The words landed softly near Shivanya's heart. His voice carried a sincerity that felt unfamiliar after years of bitterness. Shivanya's eyes softened as she nodded for proof that she was accepting the change he was trying to bring. A silence felt. "What to do now?" she asked after a moment, her voice uncertain with her thoughts all over the place.

"We'll figure it out. But tum pehle Aksh se Baat kro." Ekaghra straightened his address more as a suggestion rather than a command. Honestly, he wanted to do this job but he still wasn't on talking terms with his son. "Wo Mujhse toh nhi Baat krega but tumhari zarur sunega". Ekaghra said his voice softened with the touch of hope.

There was no resentment for his sons actions but a wait for the acceptance. Shivanya opened her mouth to say 'That it'll all get fine', but before she could, Ekaghra's phone began ringing in his pocket. The sharp ringtone absurdly broke the fragile moment between them. He pulled the phone out and glanced at the screen.

"Mujhe ab jaana hoga. I'll see you in the evening." He said hurriedly and slipped the phone to his ear that very instance. Shivanya's expression fell for a second, already missing her husband. Ekaghra stepped closer, his hand rising gently to the back of her head and he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead.

A natural habit he always built in since the day he was married to the love of his life. The distance erased in those few seconds and a familiar red hue formed on Shivanya's cheeks. Ekaghra already started walking out of the kitchen.

Her fingers unconsciously touched the spot on her forehead where his lips had been and then she remembered something and called out to him speaking,"Drive safe aur jldi aana Shaam ko" she yelled reminding him just like the past.

Ekaghra turned around halfway, still listening to the person on the call. His eyes met hers across the kitchen, a wide, effortless smile spread across his face. He lifted his hand and showed her a thumbs. Satisfaction spread through hollowness in Shivanya.

Her gaze followed him until he was out of sight. She turned around to look at the cup of coffee that originally belonged to her until her husband claimed it effortlessly. Something that once comforted them now also reminds them of pain.

A small smile slowly crept onto her lips because despite everything that had happened between them she still couldn't stop herself from admiring the man. And perhaps the cruelest part of Ekaghra's love was this, that he never once gave her the space to drown in her guilt.

The thoughts seep into her heart that even after years of distance and betrayal, her man who had loved her once with reckless devotion refused to turn that love into hatred.

Now as Shivanya stood alone in the kitchen, the moment the couple shared still gently lingered around her. It carried a quiet symbolism of the relationship they shared now.
Two people who once belonged to each other completely now stand inches apart but cannot reach each other anymore.

-×-

The chaos echoed through the hallways. Nikki clutched her lunch box looking for a quiet spot in any corner. The line near the canteen hall was long hence she got in after 5 minutes. Now her eyes desperately searched for an empty table near the corner, away from the gossiping crowd.

The least she wanted was to interact with any of her classmates anymore. "Chalo," a calm voice said from behind her, she turned around to find Viaansh behind her with his tray.

Where did he come from?

Nikki froze for the instance but stared at Viaansh unable to find the Doraemon's 'anywhere door' behind him. "Dekh Kya rhi ho aise Chalo, akele baithogi Kya?" Viaansh said snapping his fingers in front of her as he noticed her gawking at him in pure daze.

"Tum peeche kab aaye?" She asked him unable to comprehend his unannounced presence behind her. Viaansh didn't answer instead he just leaned forward and said in gruffly firm words,"My dad asked me to take care of you and Mai tumhe akele nhi Baithna dunga Yahan. You are coming with me Nikita"

Nikki blinked at his words. Was that an invitation or a threat? - She wanted to protest but before she could, he snapped saying," Come on now Nikita. There isn't much time left in the lunch break to be over"

Nikki panicked at the last sentence. She looked at the watch and there were barely ten minutes left. Her stomach growled so keeping the rebel in her aside, she decided to follow the blue-eyed monster.

Viaansh led her through the crowded tables until he reached a small cluster where four of his friends were already seated. There was Raghav, sprawled comfortably with a wide grin; a quiet boy with glasses flipping through a notebook, who she recognised as Abhishek from the class; another boy, casually scrolling through his phone as if it wasn't illegal in school.

And finally a girl, smiling brightly at the arrival of Viaansh and Nikki. "Kahan Tha Ansh..." Karan, the guy with headphones trailed off as he saw Nikki settle down beside Viaansh. Viaansh gave him a quick glare clearly conveying him to stop the chair of flowery language he was gonna speak after his name.

He clearly didn't want Nikki to get involved in all that. If his father gets to hear about this, he'll detach his head from his body. Nikki noticed the girl slapping the boy's arm while Karan snickered shutting his mouth.

Nikki sat down awkwardly shifting slightly towards Viaansh in the group of strangers. She was suddenly aware that three pairs of eyes fixed at her. "Hi, I am Arushi" The girl introduced herself flashing a wide smile at Nikki, easing some of Nikki's nervousness.

"Hi, I am Nikita" Nikki introduced herself back with a tinge of recognisable nervousness. "Finally we have gotten a girl in this all boys group, I am so happy" Arushi squealed, her grin widening, dimples flashing cheekily. "That's Karan" Viaansh said smoothly, nodding toward the boy sitting beside Arushi, with the phone, still rubbing off the sting from Arushi's slap.

Karan waved at Nikki on instinct, keeping his cool halo intact around himself. His easy smile had a calming effect, and Nikki felt her shoulders loosen slightly. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all, she thought. be that bad-she thought to herself. "And that's our padhaku, Abhishek" Viaansh added, gesturing toward the boy buried in his books at the far side of the table.

Abhishek removed his glasses briefly and offered Nikki a polite, shy smile. No doubt he was the only nerd in the group. All this was a gentle welcome in the midst of all the newness. Raghav leaned slightly from his spot beside Abhishek and grinned,"Aur mujhe toh tum jaanti hi ho"

"Iss group ka sabse pakau Aadmi" Viaansh snorted with a smirk, the teasing edge clear in his tone. Nikki couldn't help but giggle softly, feeling the group's dynamic slowly ease her tension. Raghav, mock-offended, gave Viaansh's chair a playful kick, sliding it back slightly,"Bhak saale Neeli aankhon wale jaadu"

Nikki gasped a little, almost reaching out to catch Viaansh if he falls but the latter barely budged shocking her. "Jaane do Nikita Inka Roz ka h." Arushi waved her hand dismissively at the bickering boys, her tone casual. Nikki blinked at the statement, unsure whether to laugh or to be confused. Arushi turned her sharp eyes to Viaansh and Raghav,"Shaant nhi baith skte ho dono? Dara rhe ho usse pehle dinn?"

"Okay madam" Arushi turned her sharp eyes to Viaansh and Raghav. Nikki, however was a bit in shock, in her previous school, she wasn't a part of the group of hooligans. She couldn't comprehend if she has landed herself into a right bunch of not.

Karan, now recovered from Arushi's slap, gave Nikki a small wink, teasing her further after seeing her reaction,"Don't worry Nikita. We're not scary most of the time."

Nikki let out a small laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing even further. She could feel the warmth of genuine friendliness surrounding her
something she hadn't felt in her previous school.

Arushi, however, wasn't quite done yet. She shot Karan a sharp glance with her usual Bihari accent slipping out,"Tumko alag se bolna padega chup baithne ke liye?" Karan raised his hands in mock surrender, immediately lowering his head and shutting his mouth with a dramatic sigh, earning a chuckle from Nikki.

Nikki leaned towards Viaansh a little, her eyes still fixed on the two clowns in front of her,"Kya ye dono relationship me h?" She asked Viaansh not considering the level of closeness she had just unlocked with him.

Viaansh's breath hitched as he saw their shoulders inches from brushing into each other. His cheeks tinted, his hand half in air with food clasped in it. He couldn't answer as his eyes remained fixed there. Suddenly he hicupped at the proximity, the food going into the wrong pipe instead of the oesophagus. Upon receiving a hiccup in an answer, Nikki turned towards him and due to the choking Viaansh started coughing violently.

His hand immediately flew to his chest as he bent forward, coughing harder, trying to breathe properly.
"Arre-!" Nikki's eyes widened in alarm. Without thinking twice, she quickly placed her hand on his back and started patting it anxiously.

"Viaansh! Paani... paani piyo!" Nikki's voice carried genuine panic as she concern instantly took over her when she saw Viaansh's state. The lunch in front of him rattled slightly as he continued coughing. Raghav's eyes lit up and he passed Karan a teasing smile, it was a rare opportunity. He jumped up dramatically and said to Nikki,"Hato Nikita, We'll help him"

Nikki instantly backed away thinking that the friends might offer genuine help. Karan and Raghav folded their sleeves, as both came from behind and began thumping Viaansh's back with exaggerated force. "Saans le bhai! Zinda rehna hai tujhe!" Raghav exclaimed loudly.

Karan immediately joined in, clearly enjoying the chaos as he ordered Raghav,"Side ho Raghav, professional help aayi hai!" he declared before delivering an even louder thump on Viaansh's back. Viaansh's cough even worsened and Raghav added solemnly already deciding death for Viaansh,"Bhai ka last time hai guys. Emotional ho jao sab!"

Viaansh coughed harder, now half choking and half getting assaulted by his own friends. "Abey saalon-" he managed between coughs. As Karan thumped his bag even harder, the piece of paneer flew out of Viaansh's throat, as everyone followed its trajectory. The paneer piece knocked Abhishek's head and smash right into the front wall. Silence fell on the table.

"Chee bey" Abhishek said in disgust as his hand wiped off the curry that had came right in the middle of the head where the paneer piece had knocked. Raghav and Karan grinned like Cheshire cats and high fived,"Mission successful"

"Bas!" Viaansh finally said breathing air. He straightened up, gulping down some water before glaring at them with red eyes. Then after drinking water, he reached for both his friends standing on either side and He jerked them forward taking them in a head lock,"Kuch maare na tum dono zarur maar doge, chuttiyon"

The word slipped out instinctively and Viaansh froze sensing the presence beside him. His grip around his friends heads loosened as he let go for them, his body paralyzed in shock. Slowly-very slowly-he turned his head. Nikki was still beside him, her hand halfway raised from patting his back.

Her eyes still had pure concern, which he knew was for him. Viaansh's brain immediately short-circuited. Great. Just great, it was her first day and he just swore in front of her.He cleared his throat awkwardly, suddenly very interested in his lunch box.

In the meantime, Karan and Raghav ran away for their lives to their respective seats before Viaansh could murder them. Viaansh, on the other hand, wanted to attempt damage control by covering up for the mess. Just Nikki spoke up," Ais ekya dekh rhe ho, Ye wali aati hai mujhe."

Viaansh blinked, his brain.exe stopped processing,"Kya?" He couldn't understand what she was trying to imply. Nikki pointed towards his mouth and said," Gaali Viaansh! Ye wali gaali aati h mujhe."

To say Viaansh was shocked that it would be an understatement. For a full second the table went silent.
Then immediately Raghav burst out laughing so loudly that half the nearby tables turned to look.
Karan almost fell off his chair, clutching his stomach. "Bhai!" he wheezed between his laugh,"Isko toh sab pata hai!"

Even Abhishek's gross expression vanished and he had to hide his smile behind his notebook. Arushi too joined in the scene laughing at Viaansh's ghost expression. Viaansh, on the other hand, stared at Nikki in disbelief.

All this time he had assumed she was some soft, innocent girl who probably didn't even know basic slang and here she was casually proving him wrong.

Meanwhile Nikki didn't understand why everyone was laughing. Was she looking that naive that she won't know a basic curse word?-she brushed off the thoughts and gently placed her hand back on Viaansh's shoulder, her brows knitting with concern again.

"Tum theek hona?" she asked softly.
The genuineness in her voice was impossible to miss as Viaansh couldn't help but just stare at her. The softness in her eyes was something he was alienated to. Every girl he had ever interacted with except his mother, never had spoken to him with such concern.

Before he could stop himself, he found himself nodding automatically like a well trained puppy. A deep shade of pink tinted his cheeks. "Haan main theek hoon." He said just wishing that his these words won't make her retract her hand from his back. Even after just knowing this girl for a few hours, he seemed to like her presence.

But for the first time since she had sat beside him, his heart skipped a beat.
He quickly looked away, suddenly very interested in eating his food and hiding the rosiness growing on his cheeks. Across the table, Raghav leaned toward Karan with a slow, knowing smirk and whispered,"Ye toh gaya bhai."

Karan followed his gaze toward Viaansh-who was now avoiding Nikki's eyes like his life depended on it. A grin spread across Karan's face as he said,"Ohh... pakka gaya." No matter, how much Viaansh tried, both of them had noticed the red hue forming on his cheeks.

-×-

The final bell had rung a few minutes ago, and the once noisy corridors of the school were slowly emptying out. "Bye Nikita" Arushi waved at the last, tackling Nikki into a hug. From the lunch break to the last class,Nikki had gotten closer with Viaansh's group, especially with Arushi.

She seemed to Nikki like a soul sister. "Kal milte h" everyone annouced to each other before moving on their own directions, with boys to their two wheelers while girls in their directions. The day had been exhausting for Nikki. She walked out with slower steps than usual, her shoulders slightly drooping under the weight of the long day.

The morning had started terribly, but the lunch break with Viaansh and his friends had softened the edges of the day. She really liked them and was now sure that she had chosen the correct bunch of friends.

Just as she stepped past the school gates with her thoughts, a familiar black car parked near the curb caught her attention and beside it stood Shivansh. Tall, composed, and already watching the gate as if he had been waiting for her for a while.

The moment his eyes spotted Nikki, the sternness in his expression melted into a quiet warmth. Honestly, he had packed up his work early to just pick up his little sister on her first day of new school. "Princess" he called out to her. Nikki's tired face brightened instantly as she hurried toward him, halfway meeting him.

Shivansh took her bag from her shoulder the moment she reached him, slinging it casually over his own shoulder before speaking,"Princess we need to go to that store first and get something. You wanna come with me or sit in the car?"

He pointed toward the small shopping centre across the parking lot near the school. "You wanna come with me or sit in the car?" He asked, keeping the choices in front of her. Nikki followed the direction of his finger with half-lidded eyes. The thought of walking any more steps after the long day made her body protest instantly,"I wanna sit in the car," she said tiredly with a subtle pout.

Shivansh simply nodded."Go sit in the car then, Agastya is already there." He said calmly, informing her about Agastya's presence. Nikki froze at the information. Her head snapped toward him so fast that if a bit more force, her neck would snap,"He is there?" She asked in pure disbelief, silently cursing her luck.

Initially, after Viaansh's incident, she had planned on avoiding him at all costs. Because she could easily lie to Aryan and he would believe it but Agastya's hawk eyes would just rip her soul apart if he gets to know that she is sharing a bench with the guy he hates the most.

Shivansh nodded again, though he quickly looked away to hide the smile threatening to appear on his lips as he noticed the horrified expression spreading across her face. He knew very well how Nikki behaved whenever Agastya was around. The girl didn't even like stepping into a 100-kilometre radius of his younger brother.

He couldn't blame Nikki, Agastya had maintained his reputation for a long time now. Initially, Shivansh had planned to pick Nikki up alone. But somehow Agastya had finished work early and decided to tag along without much explanation.

Nikki stood there quietly for a moment. Her brows furrowed in deep concentration, as if calculating the risks of two very dangerous options.
After a long, serious contemplation, she finally grabbed Shivansh's hand and pleaded,"Mai aapke saath chalungi."

Shivansh looked down at the puppy look she gave him before nodding. There wasn't any need of that look, he anyways wanted her to tag along that's why he had told her about Agastya's presence in the car. She knew that he was the only person in front of who she would find him as a safer option.

He didn't ask the reason behind her sudden change of heart because he already knew it. "But I'll be getting two packs of chocolate then,"Nikki negotiated carefully, lifting two fingers in front of him as if sealing a business deal with the businessman.

For a second Shivansh simply looked at her with a weird expression and then something warm quietly bloomed in his chest. His heart leapt in joy at the thoughts that his sister had asked him for something without hesitation for the very first time.

It was such a small thing, yet it made his heart dance silently with a strange kind of happiness. "Why two only, princess? When I can get the whole shelf for you?" he said, raising an eyebrow proudly. Nikki's eyes widened instantly. What's with these men and their exaggerated wastage of money?-The though struck her head as she remembered her Dad offering her a helicopter when she wanted to go for her exams.

She shook her head rapidly saying,"Nahi, do bahut hongi." She said with a weird out expression, trying to bring her elder brother to the ground. The seriousness with which she said it made Shivansh almost laugh.

He saw her eyes widen.She really was something. His mind momentarily relished a memory.

He clearly remembers his mother being pregnant when she left with his youngest brother-Akshay. The brothers were too excited for the baby, expecting it to be a sister this time-even Agastya. But who was he kidding. The family had a heaps of boys and the prospects of having a sister was almost impossible.

Though he remembered his brothers praying for a sister when they got to know their mother was once again pregnant. He also knew that they weren't lucky enough to have a sister amongst them.

Though he wished to have one. Honestly, after having only boys in the house, including his cousins, the idea of having a sister was exciting. Yet deep down he was sure that his mother must've given birth to a baby boy.

Shivansh blinked, the memory fading as the present returned. He nodded.
Nikki walked slightly ahead, her free hand swinging as her eyes shifted toward the firm grip Shivansh had on her other hand. Both of them went into the store.

Shivansh, on the other hand, seemed completely unbothered. His expression remained unreadable as he casually scrolled through his phone, his grip on her hand firm but not forceful, just enough to make sure she didn't wander off.

As they entered the store, a cool wave of air-conditioning greeted them, carrying the faint scent of fresh bread and packaged goods. The bright white lights reflected off the polished floors as people moved through the aisles with their carts.

Shivansh grabbed a shopping cart from the row near the entrance, pulling it loose with one hand while still glancing at his phone. His mother had sent him a list of things she needed for cooking, and knowing her, missing even one item would earn him a long lecture later irrespective of the fact if he had forgives her or not. She would never back off from scolding him even if he decided to never forgive her.

He pushed the cart forward, scrolling through the list on his phone while occasionally reaching out to grab items from the shelves. Nikki followed quietly beside him. Her curious eyes scanned through the shelves.

Then, her gaze landed on her favourite chocolate brand. The shelf was filled with them. Her eyes lit up instantly. Completely forgetting that Shivansh had already walked a few steps ahead with the cart, Nikki stopped in front of the shelf.

She quickly picked up one of the chocolate bars, holding it in both hands before turning toward him.,"Bhaiya can we get this? She called out to him with a huge grin before filtering her words.

Shivansh, who was still walking forward while distractedly reading something on his phone, hadn't noticed that his sister had stopped midway. But the moment the word left her mouth, he froze. His footsteps came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the aisle.

Did he heard that correctly?

-×-

Hey guys a long chapter, it's 10K words so the target will be 250 votes and 95 comments. Bahut mehnat lagi h Meri, padhai chhodhke Likha h so you guys need to complete it.

This chapter will be free in scrollstack and I'll post chapter 22 there anyways.

How did you guys find Viaansh btw? Honest reviews guys

Sorry thoda late ho gyi update dene me kuch kaand ho gya tha. I wanted to give you guys the tea but ab thak gyi hoon. I'll inform you in the next chapter's author note 😭 padhna mat bhulna, sorry my ladies.

Happy belated women's Day to all my beautiful ladies cause ladke toh pkka nhi Padhte ye😂
And a big win for Team India guys💙✨ congratulations bhailogs🫂✨

Aur Haan aapke sabhi comments ke reply zarur milenge don't worry. Thodi busy Chal rhi bas uni start ho gyi na😭

Unedited✨( bhul chuk maaf)
Hehe💀