The music had now faded, the final beats of "Main Tenu Samjhawan" still lingering in the air as couples slowly stepped apart, some laughing, others breathless, flushed from the closeness and emotion.
The hall buzzed with warm lights and warmer smiles. Phones were out for the photos.
But now, the energy shifted again as the spotlight turned toward the stage.
Tara and Ahaan stood center stage, hands clasping microphones, their expressions were unreadable. As always, their timing was impeccable both took a step forward to announce the next game.
"Mai bolungi," Tara declared.
(I will say)
"Tu hamesha bolti hai." Ahaan shot back, a smirk tugging at the edge of his lips.
(You always say)
"Mai Head Girl hoon." she folded her arms.
(I am a head girl)
"Toh main kya hoon? Background music?" he countered, raising an eyebrow.
(So what am I?)
"Dekh-"
(Look–)
"Fine, let's both say it," Ahaan interrupted with a sigh.
They both turned to the crowd, speaking in sync,
"Welcome to the Whisper Challenge!"
The crowd erupted with cheers.
Tara smirked.
"Alright, next game... headphone challenge, but with a twist. Two teams. 12th Girls vs Boys. Each round, we'll have 5 players one whispers the phrase, passes it down, and the last one will say it out loud.
Ahaan added, "They'll all be wearing headphones with full volume music. And the last person will have to say out loud what they think they heard."
Tara nodded, "And you get a point only if the final answer exactly matches the original phrase. No half-points, no mercy."
Ahaan flashed "And definitely no subtitles."
Crowd laughed.
"So let's begin the game"
Round One: Girls' Turn
Tara cheered, "Let's go ladies! Line up. Head Girl squad, assemble!"
From the crowd, five girls stepped up led by ex-Head Girl Meher (looking way too serious for this game), followed by Rhea, Swara, Aadya (who had to duck every light because of her height), and Shriyanshi who was bouncing like she drank three Red Bulls.
Tara spoke the phrase to Meher.
"Hum kal school bunk karke movie dekhne gaye the."
(Yesterday We went to watch a movie after bunking the school)
Headphones on. Music: Zingaat. Crowd chanting, "Zingaaaat Zingaaaat!"
Meher turned to Rhea, carefully mouthing the words.
Rhea squinted. "Kya?"
(What?)
Meher repeated. Rhea nodded like she understood but clearly didn't. She turned to Swara.
"Hum kal school mein monkey dekhne..."
(We saw a monkey yesterday)
Crowd erupted "HAHHHH?!"
Swara blinked, half-laughed, and passed to Aadya.
"Kal school mein bandar dekhne gaye the..."
(Yesterday We went to school to see monkeys )
Aadya, confused but loyal to the process, whispered to Shriyanshi:
"Kal school mein langoor aaya tha..."
(Yesterday langoors visited our school)
And then Shriyanshi stood straight, full confidence, and yelled:
"Kal school mein langoor teacher bana tha!"
Crowd erupted.
Tara dropped her mic.
Tara deadpan "LANGOOR TEACHER?!?!!"
Ahaan was wiping tears. "Yeh kaunse CBSE syllabus ka part hai?"
Point? Obviously, none.
Score: Girls - 0
Now...
Round 1: Boys' Turn
Ahaan yelled "Boys,ab dikhado. Ekansh bhaiya, aap aage."
(Boys, now show. Ekansh bhaiya, you in front)
Ekanshtook his spot, followed by Vihaan, Ayaan, Ritvik, and Rishabh.
Ahaan spoke "Canteen wali aunty ne mujhe udhaar pe samosa diya."
(The canteen aunty gave me samose on loan)
Song: Kala Chashma
Ekansh to Vihaan: mouthing slowly "Canteen wali aunty ne..."
Vihaan nodded confidently. Whispered to Ayaan: "Canteen wali aunty ne mujhe samosa udhaar diya."
Ayaan: "Samosa mujhe udhaar mein mil gaya." To Ritvik.
Ritvik to Rishabh: "Canteen aunty mujhe udhaar mein samosa deti rehti hai."
Rishabh (full drama): "Canteen wali aunty ne mujhe udhaar pe samose diya!"
Tara laughed "WAAHH WAAHH!"
Ahaan gave flying kisses to the crowd.
Score: Girls - 0 | Boys - 1
Round 2: Girls' Turn
New team: Megha, Anya, Isha, Niharika, Ankita
Tara said,"Aaj Ahaan stage pe gira tha."
(Ahaan fell on stage today.)
Music: mai tera
Megha to Anya: "Aaj Ahaan..."
(Today ahaan...)
Anya to Isha: "Aaj Ahaan ne stage toda..."
(Today ahaan broke the stage)
Isha to Niharika: "Ahaan ne stage ka tukda gira diya..."
(Ahaan dropped the piece of stage)
Niharika to Ankita: "Ahaan ne stage hi gira diya..."
(Ahaan dropped the stage)
Ankita (dead serious): "Ahaan ne poora stage tod diya."
(Ahaan broke the whole stage)
Ahaan dramatically shouted "Mein wrestler hoon kya bhai?"
No point. But 100 marks in comedy.
Score: Girls - 0
Round 2: Boys' Turn
Same gang: Ekansh, Ritvik, Ayaan, Yuvi, Samar
Phrase: Tara aur Ahaan school ke rooftop pe fight kar rahe the.
(Tara and ahaan were fighting at the roof top)
Song: Sher Khul Gaye
Ekansh to Ritvik: "Tara aur Ahaan..."
(Tara and ahaan)
Ritvik to Ayaan: "Tara Ahaan ko..."
Ayaan to Yuvi: "Tara ne Ahaan ko rooftop se dhakka diya..."
(Tara pushed ahaan from the roof top)
Yuvaan to Samar: "Tara ne Ahaan ko chhat se gira diya..."
(Tara let ahaan fall from the terrace)
Samar (hands up, dramatic): "Tara ne Ahaan ko school ke rooftop se fek diya!"
Tara gasped "MURDER?! MURDER KA ILZAM?!?"
Ahaan pleaded "Main abhi tak zinda hoon, FYI."
Score: Girls - 0 | Boys - 1
Round 3: Girls' Turn
Final team: Naira, Tanya, Muskan, Zoya, Ruhi
Tara said,"Aaj farewell mein sab maze karenge."
(We will enjoy in farewell today)
Song: Bijlee Bijlee
What got passed:
"Farewell mein sab ro rahe the..."
(Everyone was crying in farewell)
"Game ne sabko nacha diya..."
"Aaj sab hil gaye game ke chakkar mein..."
So ruhi said "Aaj farewell mein sab maze karenge."
Tara stunned by her said,"deviji aap pichle 2 round se kaha thi?"
Everyone started laughing and agreed with her.
Score: Girls - 1
Round 3: Boys' Turn
Ahaan said, "aap sundar ho"
(You are beautiful)
Song: Naina Da Kya Kasoor
Ekansh to Vihaan: "Aaj tu nashe mai hai..."
(You are drunk today)
Vihaan leaned to Ahaan, whispered: "Bhai... abhi bata de kya hai? Jeet jayenge."
(Bro tell us now what is it? We will win)
Ahaan: "Nahi. Hum shaan se jeetenge... cheating karke nahi."
(No, we will proudly win... won't cheat)
Vihaan to Ayaan: "Aaj sab nashedi lag rhe hai"
(Today Everyone is looking drunk)
Ayaan to Ritvik: "aaj sab Sundar hai..."
(Everyone is beautiful today)
Ritvik to Samar: "aap sundari lag rahi ho."
(You are looking pretty)
Samar (announcer tone): "aap sundar ho"
(You are pretty)
Crowd lost it.
Tara: "Fine! That was actually... not bad."
Final Score: Girls - 1 | Boys - 2
As the scoreboard flashed across the screen "Final Score: Boys - 2 | Girls - 1"
Ahaan turned toward Tara, places his hand dramatically over his chest.
Tara narrowed her eyes, her signature glare in place.
She stepped forward to the mic again.
"Alright, alright," she sighed. "I guess congratulations are in order..."
She glanced at Ahaan who already looked far too smug.
"A big round of applause for the boys' team, who somehow managed to win without cheating."
The crowd clapped.
Ahaan leaned in.
"Clearly, intelligence is gender neutral... but this time, we just had more of it."
Tara smacked his arm lightly.
"Shut up before I take that trophy back."
The lights dimmed again, and the background music shifted to the soft, emotional strumming of "Tera Yaar Hoon Main."
Someone from the organizing team shouted from the side, "Guys! Photo time! Sab ek saath!"
And chaos returned.
Everyone rushed to the center Kriti and Nirma returned from the washroom, fixing their hair and joining the group. Ekansh stood at the edge, until Ritvik grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him in.
Vihaan and Ayaan threw on imaginary sunglasses, striking ridiculous poses.
Tara and Ahaan, caught in mid-argument again, froze into matching smiles when the camera clicked.
Vaani pulled Meher and Simran into the middle of the crowd.
Yuvraj and Rudra flexed exaggerated bodybuilder poses that had everyone howling.
"Ek silly wala bhi lo!" someone yelled.
(One silly too)
And then they did.
Tongues out.
Peace signs.
Piggybacks.
Eyes closed.
Someone photobombing from behind.
Flash. Flash. Flash.
Then the more juniors joined.
It wasn't a perfect photo.
But it was perfectly them.
Unfiltered and Loving.
After some time....
Ahaan, Yuvraj, and Rudra were standing near the refreshment table, sipping soft drinks, cracking loud inside jokes with a few juniors.
Ekansh was near the end of the hall, talking to a classmate his body turned slightly toward the dance floor, eyes scanning in a particular direction every few seconds.
Meanwhile, tucked in the far corner of the hall, under a soft canopy of fairy lights, stood Vaani, Tara, Ritvik, Ayaan, Vihaan, and now Ahaan, who had just returned with a drink in hand.
Vaani tilted her head slightly, her voice sharp but encouraging.
"Dekh, mai bata rahi hu... iss se achha mauka nahi milega. Ja, bol de usse."
(Look, I am telling you you will never get the perfect time than this, go tell her.)
Vihaan didn't respond.
Vaani leaned a bit, pointing subtly, "Aur vo dekh... kitni khush lag rahi hai."
("And look, she is looking so happy")
Tara scoffed under her breath.
"Haan, aap jaake udas kar do."
(Yeah, sure, go and ruin her mood.)
"Chup, negative person." Vaani said, glaring. "Yehi sahi time hai."
(Quiet, you negative soul. This is the right time.)
Ritvik raised his brows, whispering to Ayaan,
"Han han, isne to ye sab mein PhD kar rakhi hai."
(Yeah, yeah, she's practically done a PhD in this.)
Ayaan grinned.
"Vaani mai toh na sehta."
(Vaani, I really can't tolerate this.)
Vaani didn't even blink.
"To ignore kar. Meri tarah."
(Then ignore it. Like I do.)
Vihaan finally sighed.
"Chup ho jao yaar."
(Guys, just shut up now.)
But Ritvik was already leaning in to Ayaan again.
"Lekin Vaani ki baat to sahi hai. Pura saal iski sune se achha hai, aaj isse bhej dete hai."
(But Vaani's right. Better to send him today than hear her all year.)
"Han bhai, jo hoga dekh lenge." Ayaan replied quietly, eyes on Vihaan.
(Yeah man, whatever happens, we'll handle it.)
Then louder, he added,
"Haan bhai, Vaani sahi keh rahi hai. Aaj to tu bol hi de."
(She's right, bro. You should totally confess today.)
Ritvik nodded.
"Jyada se jyada kya karegi? Reject hi toh karegi."
(Worst-case, she'll just reject you.)
Vaani crossed her arms, firm.
"Aur agar kaam banana nahi aata... to bigado bhi mat."
(And if you can't fix things, at least don't ruin them.)
Vihaan finally looked up, the faintest smile on his face.
"Ha yaar... bata to sahi rahi hai. Aaj jo hoga dekha jaayega."
(Yeah... she's right. Let's just see what happens today.)
"Thik hai." Vaani clapped. "Tara, jaa. Kriti ko school ke backside bula."
(Alright. Tara, go call Kriti to the back of the school.)
Tara blinked.
"Main kyun?"
(Why me?)
"Behan nahi hai?" Vihaan asked, amused.
(She's your sister, isn't she?)
"Han par-" Tara began, already backing away.
(Yeah, but-)
"Toh baat khatam." Vaani interrupted with finality.
(Then end of discussion.)
Ritvik suddenly raised his hand.
"Ek minute. Tu jaake bolega kya?"
(One sec-do you even know what you're going to say?)
Everyone turned to Vihaan.
He looked up, clueless.
"Han ye to socha hi nahi." Vaani murmured, eyes narrowing.
(Oh yeah... we didn't think of that.)
Ayaan grinned.
"Koi na, Vaani ko propose kar de."
(No worries, just propose to Vaani.)
Ritvik almost choked.
"Kya?!"
(WHAT?!)
"Mera matlab hai... Vaani ko propose karke practice kar le."
(I mean... practice the proposal on Vaani.)
Vaani smirked.
"Haan, jaldi kar. Let's see what you got."
(Yeah, go ahead. Show us.)
Vihaan hesitated for a second... then dramatically dropped to one knee.
"Vaani... tum meri zindagi mein ek mithas ki tarah aayi ho. Har dukh ke beech mein ek chhoti si khushi." He looked up dramatically.
(Vaani... you came into my life like a sweetness. A small joy between all the pain.)
"Kya tum mere saath zindagi bitayogi?"
(Will you spend your life with me?)
But somewhere across the corridor... someone else heard those words.
Ekansh.
He had been walking nearby, a smile on his face from some conversation with his classmate, when the words "tum meri zindagi mein ek mithas ki tarah aayi ho..." hit his ears.
He paused mid-step.
His eyes found Vihaan, on one knee, in front of Vaani.
And just like that, the warmth in his chest twisted into something colder.
His expression changed slowly but unmistakably. The smile faded. The lightness left his posture. He blinked once, sharply, as if trying to unsee it.
But he didn't say a word.
He turned abruptly and walked fast, almost too fast toward the stairs at the far end of the corridor. His classmates called after him, but he didn't respond.
He kept walking.
Shoulders stiff.
Eyes ahead.
Something stinging behind them.
And then
He ran.
Straight up the stairs.
Away from the noise.
Away from them.
Away from her.
On the other hand
"Chee!" Tara's voice rang out.
"Agar inhone aisa propose kiya na, to Kriti se pehle main chappal maar dungi."
(Ew! If he proposes like this, I swear I'll hit him with my slipper before Kriti does.)
"Aur meri taraf se bhi maarna." Ahaan said, appearing next to her.
"Itna ganda toh nahi karna tha, bhaiya."
(And add one from me too. That was just awful, man.)
Tara crossed her arms.
"Pehli baar is gadhe ne sahi bola."
(For once, this idiot said something right.)
Vaani turned to Tara and Ahaan, half-laughing.
"Ab tum dono karke dikha do. Let's see how it's done."
(Alright then, you two show us how it's done.)
"Nice joke." Tara scoffed.
Ahaan raised an eyebrow.
"Kya? Agar main karta... to tu haan kar deti?"
(What? If I proposed... would you say yes?)
Tara didn't hesitate.
"Itne bure din nahi aaye. Aur nahi kabhi aayenge."
(My days are never gonna be that bad. And they never will.)
"Aree yaar, baad mein lad lena." Vaani groaned.
"Abhi help karo iski."
(Guys, fight later. For now, just help him.)
Vihaan was silent, but his expression soft, focused made everyone pause.
Even Tara and Ahaan stopped bickering.
They all nodded slowly.
Ahaan got down on one knee dramatically facing Tara.
"Isko dekhkar feeling nahi... ulti aa rahi hai."
(Looking at her doesn't give me butterflies... it gives me nausea.)
"Tu mar khayega mujhse agar abhi propose nahi kiya to." Vaani warned.
(I'll kill you if you don't propose properly now.)
"Aur bhaiya ko zarurat na hoti, toh main yahan kabhi khadi na hoti." Tara snapped, walking away but not without smirking.
(And if Vihaan didn't need us, I wouldn't even be standing here.)
He moves, dusts his coat, and pulling a crumpled rose from the decor box.
Everyone stares. Tara crosses her arms, already rolling her eyes.
And started,
"You know tara ahh kriti, If I could go back to the first time I saw you back when we were all tiny, awkward kids.
I think I'd still choose to fall for you the same way. Quietly. Slowly. Without even realizing it."
"I've known you for years, tara-" (he corrects quickly) "I mean... kriti -
and through all those years, I've seen how your eyes light up when you talk about things you love,
how your laughter sneaks out when you try to be mad,
and how you always stand up for others..."
"I've watched from a distance, afraid to say anything.
Not because I didn't care...
but because I cared a little too much."
"You've been a part of my world in ways you don't even know.
And tonight... I'm done hiding it."
"So if this was real and not just me helping a coward hiding behind me"
he throws a look at Vihaan, who's red and hiding his face
"I'd say this: You've always been the reason behind a lot of my best memories."
"And I don't know if you'll say yes. I don't even know if you ever saw me that way."
"But if you ask my heart? It's been yours since the beginning."
"And... if this life throws more farewells our way, Tara..." he says it softly, eyes locked for effect but of course, it's meant for Kriti
"Will you always... stand beside me? Even when I'm too scared to ask?
Everyone stood frozen.
For a long second after ahaan's heartfelt words, the group was completely silent blinking, jaws half open, still processing the fact that ahaan had just proposed.
Ahaan looked around at their stunned faces, confused.
"Kya hua? Aise kyun dekh rahe ho sab?"
(What happened? Why are you all staring at me like that?)
Ritvik was the first to recover. He grinned, clapping once in slow amusement.
"Main apni hone wali girlfriend ko propose karne se pehle... tujhse hi tuition lunga."
(Before I propose to my future girlfriend, I'm taking lessons from you, bro.)
Everyone laughed, the tension cracking like a popped balloon.
Vaani nudged ahaan.
"Tu pakka single hai na?"
(You're definitely single, right?)
Tara jumped in immediately. Arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
"Haan, tabhi toh sabse flirt karke seekh raha hai."
(Yeah, clearly. That's why he's been out here flirting with everyone like it's homework.)
Ahaan snorted.
"Kam se kam tareef toh achhe se kar raha tha... abb main itna bhi khaas nahi."
(At least he was praising well. I mean, I'm not that special.)
Tara turned to him slowly, dry as ever.
"Haan, nahi hai."
(Yeah. You're really not.)
"Guys, serious ho jao ab thoda." Vaani interrupted, though she was smiling too.
(Okay, guys, come on. Let's be serious now.)
Vihaan took a deep breath, his smile softening as he turned to Ahaan.
"Bhai... tune to bacha liya aaj."
(Man... you saved me today.)
Ahaan, for once, didn't joke. He placed a hand on Vihaan's shoulder and leaned slightly forward.
"yehi mtt bolna Jo feel karte ho na... woh kehna. Lekin seedha uski aankhon mein dekh ke."
(Don't say it like that. Say what you really feel. But this time, look her in the eyes.)
Vihaan slowly nodded, that weight in his chest rising again. His hands were cold, his breath a little shallow but there was something fierce in his eyes now.
The laughter faded behind him as the rest of them stepped back slightly giving him space.
And now he was ready.
"Ab teri turn to bol." Ayaan said.
(Now say out your turn)
"Bss kar Bhai try bowl hi khelta rahega ya fir match mein bhi utrega." Ritvik said
(Bro you will just play trial bowl or will you come to the play the match?
"Bowler ko to koi bulao." Vihaan said, rubbing his sweaty palms against his trousers nervously.
("Someone call the bowler.")
"Kya?" Ayaan asked, confused, tilting his head.
("What?")
"Kriti ko bulane bol raha hai." Vaani clarified, arms crossed and watching Vihaan.
("He's telling someone to go call Kriti.")
"Mai bula ke aati hu." Tara volunteered, already stepping away with purpose.
("I'll go bring her.")
"Aur hum sab vaha ped ke piche hi rahenge." Vaani instructed, pointing toward the old tree.
("And we all will hide behind that tree.")
The group nodded and followed her. Behind the tree, the air was filled with nervous giggles. Vihaan turned around to leave, smoothing down his shirt when Ahaan suddenly reached into his blazer pocket.
"Bhai, khali haath jaoge? Ye lo phool." he said with a cheeky grin, holding out a flower.
("Bro, you're going empty-handed? Here, take this flower.")
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Tere pass ye phool kaha se aaye?" Ritvik asked suspiciously.
("Where did you get this flower from?")
"Arey, vo Ekansh bhaiya ke pot se le liya." Ahaan shrugged nonchalantly.
("Oh, I took it from Ekansh bhaiya's flower pot.")
Everyone exchanged glances but burst into muffled laughter.
They quietly moved toward the back of the school. The group huddled behind the big tree Vaani in the front, then Ritvik, Ahaan, and Ayaan, standing behind the old tree,hearts beating faster than usual.
Vihaan paced nervously on the open side of the ground, rehearsing his lines silently. Meanwhile, Tara spotted Kriti chatting near the stage.
"Kriti sun na." Tara called out softly.
("Kriti, listen.")
"Han bol." Kriti responded with a casual smile.
("Yeah, tell me.")
"Vo school ke back side chalna, kaam hai." Tara said, trying to sound natural.
("Let's go to the back of the school, there's something to do.")
"Han chal." Kriti agreed without any hesitation.
("Okay, let's go.")
"Tu chal, mai Vaani ko bhi lekar aati hu." Tara said as they neared the turn.
("You go ahead, I'll bring Vaani too.")
As Kriti made her way to the ground, Tara turned back toward the tree. But from a far, Nirma spotted her. Suspicion lit her eyes.
"Ye Tara kaha ja rahi hai?" she thought, narrowing her eyes.
("Where is Tara going?")
Without saying anything, she quietly followed her, tiptoeing from a distance.
Tara finally reached the group. But as soon as she got there, a voice rang out from behind sharp and unexpected.
"Tum sab log ped ke piche kya kar rahe ho?" Nirma's voice cut through the stillness like a blade.
("What are you all doing behind the tree?")
Startled, Ayaan panicked and tried to pull her quickly to hide her, but Nirma lost her balance, her foot twisting on a root. She fell hard to the ground with a small yelp.
Since Ayaan was holding her hand, he stumbled forward too, grabbing Ahaan's blazer for support. But now Ahaan, losing balance, instinctively grabbed Tara's hand and down she went too, collapsing right on top of Ahaan.
For a moment, all that was heard was a chorus of "Ow!" and a thud.
Ritvik and Vaani turned around sharply.
"Ye sab kya ho raha hai?" Ritvik asked, eyes wide.
("What is going on here?")
"Vo... hum gir gaye the." Nirma replied sheepishly from the ground.
("Uh... we fell down.")
"Aur kitna giroge tum log?" Vaani said, brushing her hair out of her eyes.
("How much more will you all fall?")
Everyone began to get up, brushing off grass and dirt. Ritvik helped Tara, steadying her by the arm. Ahaan extended his hand to Ayaan, who got up slowly, grumbling.
Nirma sat awkwardly.
"Kya hua? Utho." Ayaan deadpan.
("What happened? Get up.")
"Help to karo." Nirma said, pouting slightly.
("At least help me.")
Ayaan rolled his eyes but helped her up.
Once everyone was standing again, Vaani scanned the area.
"Ye dono kaha chale gaye?" she asked, referring to Vihaan and Kriti.
("Where did those two go?")
"Aankh khol ke dekh, dikh jayenge." Ahaan said, still dusting his blazer.
("Open your eyes, you'll see them.")
Vaani smacked him lightly on the head.
"Chashma laga ke dekh, fir bhi nahi dikhega." she said sarcastically.
("Even with glasses, you still wouldn't see.")
"Lagta hai hall mein gaye honge, chalo dekhte hain." Tara said, heading toward the building.
("Looks like they went to the hall, let's go see.")
They entered the hall quietly. At a far corner, Vihaan sat slouched on a chair, the flower now crumpled in his hand. Kriti was with her friends, laughing freely, completely unaware of the heartbreak she had just caused.
"Kya hua bhai? Kya bola usne?" Ayaan asked softly.
("What happened, bro? What did she say?")
"Kyu, inka muh dekh ke pata nahi chal raha ki mana kar diya." Ahaan said carelessly.
("Why, can't you tell from his face she said no?")
Thwack! Ritvik gave him a quick slap on the head.
"Tu chup rahega do minute?"
("Will you shut up for two minutes?")
Ahaan rubbed his head but stayed silent.
"Sahi to kaha Ahaan ne, mana kar diya." Vihaan confirmed quietly.
("Ahaan was right... she refused.")
"Kya!?" the entire group reacted in unison.
("What!?")
They all looked toward Kriti, who was still giggling.
"Dekh to kaise khi khi kar ke hass rahi hai, kamini." Tara said with narrowed eyes.
("Look how she's laughing away like nothing happened, that witch.")
Everyone turned toward her, shocked by the intensity in her voice.
"Aur nahi to kya." Nirma nodded, agreeing.
("Exactly.")
"Lekin usne kiya kya hai?" Nirma asked, confused.
("But what exactly did she do?")
Ahaan explained everything, from the setup to the rejection.
Meanwhile, Ayaan leaned over to Ritvik.
"Bhai agar isne abhi rona chalu kar diya to kya karega?"
("Bro, what if he starts crying right now?")
"Haan bhai, ye to socha hi nahi." Ritvik replied nervously.
("Yeah bro, didn't think of that...")
Another smack landed on Ahaan.
"Tera bhai kaha hai?" Ritvik asked.
("Where's your brother?")
"Mujhe kaise pata hoga, mai bhi to aap ke sath hi tha." Ahaan defended himself.
("How would I know, I was with you guys the whole time.")
"Ruk, mai phone karta hu." Ayaan said, taking out his phone.
But before the call could connect, they all heard a ringtone... from Ahaan's pocket.
Ayaan's face fell.
"Is gadhe ne phone bhi apne pass rakha hai." he said, again smacked his head.
("This idiot had the phone all along.")
"Arey Vaani ne kaha jiske phone mein achha photo aata hai, uska phone le aa, to mai bhaiya ka le aaya." Ahaan explained.
("Vaani said take the phone that takes good pictures, so I took bhaiya's.")
Suddenly, everyone turned to Vaani as a loud rumble came from her stomach.
"Is time bhi tujhe bhook lagi hai?" Ritvik asked, half-annoyed.
("You're hungry even at a time like this?")
"Bhook time dekh ke nahi aati mujhe." she declared proudly.
("Hunger doesn't check the time before coming to me.")
"Han, ye to sach hai. Chalo kuch khate hain." Vihaan said with a small smile.
("That's true. Let's eat something.")
"That's like my boy. Chalo chalo, kuch khate hain." Vaani cheered.
("That's my boy! Come on, let's eat.")
"Tum log chalo, mai Ekansh ko lekar aata hu." Ayaan offered and ran off.
The group moved toward the tables set up for snacks and lunch. Vaani sat down and started eating happily.
Vihaan picked at his plate, appetite clearly gone.
"Yaar kuch khane ka mann nahi kar raha." he murmured.
("I don't feel like eating...")
Everyone looked at him, then at Vaani, who was busy chewing.
She paused, looked at him, and smiled softly.
"Vihaan yaar, kha le na. Usne mana kar diya to kya hua, khana humesha sath rahega, pakka." she said warmly and broke her sandwich to feed him.
("Vihaan, buddy, just eat. So what if she said no - food will always stay by your side, promise.")
As she fed him, Ekansh arrived and saw them - Vihaan, sad but smiling, and Vaani, gently offering him comfort. Something shifted in Ekansh's eyes.
He sat silently as Kriti walked over.
"Mere bina khana shuru kar diya tum log ne?" Kriti asked, pretending to pout.
("You all started eating without me?")
"Han, kyunki mujhe bhook lagi thi aur inlogo ko mana karne ki aadat nahi hai." Vaani replied glaring at her ready to kill any minute.
("Yes, because I was hungry and these people aren't used to saying no.")
"Mai yaha bethu?" Kriti asked again.
("Can I sit here?")
"Han beth ja, hum mana nahi karege." Tara said with a sarcastic smile.
("Yes, sit, we won't say no.")
"Ahaan, vo cookies pass karna." Kriti asked casually.
"Han, ye le, mujhe mana karne ki aadat nahi hai na." Ahaan said while handing the cookies.
("Here you go - I'm not used to saying no, remember?")
Ekansh watched, puzzled. Everyone was polite... too polite.
"Thik hai, ja rahi hu yaha se." Kriti said, irritated.
("Fine, I'm leaving.")
"Han ja, hum kisi ko mana nahi karte." Nirma said sweetly.
("Sure, go. We don't stop anyone.")
Kriti left.
"Kaha tha tu?" Ritvik asked Ekansh.
Ekansh looked at Vaani, his voice soft.
"Bas pichle din yaad kar raha tha."
("Just remembering the old days.")
A soft bell echoed from the stage entrance.
It was 6 PM.
And right on cue the hall grew still.
And right on cue the hall grew still.
The doors opened slowly, respectfully. Teachers filed in, their expressions proud and calm. Behind them, walking with dignified ease, was the principal a quiet smile lighting up his otherwise serious face as he saw the bright, buzzing crowd of students awaiting.
One by one, the teachers took their seats near the stage. Students straightened up instinctively.
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