A few more days quietly slipped by, and before anyone realized it, the long vacation had finally come to an end. The next morning marked the reopening of school. That night, everyone gathered around the dining table for dinner. The comforting aroma of freshly prepared food filled the house as light-hearted conversations continued between everyone. As dinner came to an end, Isha looked towards both her children. "Kal se school shuru ho raha hai Isliye khana khatam karke seedha so jana."

(School starts tomorrow, So finish your dinner and go straight to sleep.)

Both siblings nodded obediently. "Han mumma."

(Yes mumma)

After helping clear the table and wishing everyone good night, Ritvik went upstairs to arrange his school bag one last time before sleeping. Vaani also walked towards her room. The moment she entered, she switched on the lamp beside her study table. Its warm yellow light spread softly across the room, making it feel peaceful and inviting. Her eyes immediately fell on the half-finished canvas resting against the wall, and a small smile appeared on her face. She wasn't feeling sleepy yet.

Painting had always helped her relax, and she had been wanting to finish this artwork for quite some time. She spread an old newspaper neatly across the table before placing the canvas in front of her. One by one, she arranged her paint tubes, palette, and brushes before happily beginning to paint. Completely absorber in her work, she didn't notice how much time had passed. After a while, she picked up one of the brushes, only to realise she had forgotten something. "Aree..." She looked around the room.

She had brought every colour, every brush, even her palette... But she had forgotten to bring a glass and without a glass, she couldn't keep water beside her to wash the brushes while painting. She searched around her room just in case there was one lying somewhere. She checked her study table, the bedside table, inside a drawer, even the bookshelf. But there was nothing then letting out a defeated sigh, she placed the brush back on the table. "Lagta hai nichhe hi jana padega."

(Maybe I'll have to go downstairs.)

Quietly opening her bedroom door, she stepped into the dimly lit hallway. Most of the lights in the house had already been switched off, leaving only the soft glow of the night lamps near the staircase. Carefully making her way downstairs, she reached the kitchen and switched on the small light above the counter. The kitchen instantly brightened and opening one of the cabinets, she finally found a clean glass. "Haan... mil gaya."

(There we go... found it.)

Smiling to herself, she picked it up and then filled it with clean water from the kitchen sink. Since she would need the water immediately for washing her brushes, it made more sense to fill it downstairs rather than carrying an empty glass back upstairs. Holding the glass carefully in one hand, she switched off the kitchen light and quietly started climbing the staircase. She had barely climbed a few steps when her foot accidentally brushed against the edge of one of the stairs. The glass tilted.

"Are-"

Before she could straighten it, the entire glass slipped just enough for all the water to splash across the staircase and the floor below and she simply stood there, staring at the puddle she had just created. The silence around her made the tiny accident seem much louder than it actually was. She looked at the spilled water and then at the now empty glass in her hand Then back at the floor again. After thinking about it for a couple of seconds, she simply shrugged her shoulders. "Kal subah tak apne aap sukh jayega, abb wapas isse saaf karne ki mehnat kon karega."

(It'll dry on its own by tomorrow morning, now who will put more efforts to clean this mess right now)

Completely satisfied with her own logic, she turned around as though nothing had happened and casually walked back upstairs with the empty glass in her hand, already thinking about finishing her painting before going to sleep.

The next morning arrived far earlier than either of the siblings would have liked. Before the first rays of sunlight had completely entered the house, the sound of an alarm echoed through Ritvik's room. Groaning softly, he reached over to switch it off before sitting up on the bed. After stretching lazily for a moment, he got out of bed, freshened up, put on his neatly ironed school uniform, and headed downstairs.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Isha had already been awake for quite some time. Breakfast was almost ready, lunch boxes were being packed, and she was trying to make sure everything was in place before the first day of school. But Only one problem remained and that was Vaani. Without even looking upstairs, she called out loudly from the kitchen, "Vaani! Uth jao! Kitni der aur soyegi? Jaldi ready ho jao, school ka pehla din hai!"

(Vaani! Wake up! How much longer are you going to sleep? Get ready quickly, it's the first day of school!)

And as expected there was No response, so a few seconds later... "Vaaniii!" This time a sleepy groan echoed from upstairs. "Uth rahi hu..."

(I'm getting up...)

Although she had answered, everyone downstairs knew that "getting up" for Vaani actually meant she would take another five minutes just to sit on her bed before even thinking about leaving it. As expected, nearly fifteen minutes later she finally dragged herself into the bathroom, still rubbing her eyes while mumbling complaints about why schools even existed. By then, Ritvik had already picked up his school bag and was making his way downstairs.

The house was peaceful as Ritvik casually started descending the stairs Neither he nor anyone else noticed the faint patch of moisture that still remained on one of the wooden steps. Most of the water had dried overnight but not all of it and His right foot landed directly on the damp spot His foot slipped forward without warning and his balance disappeared instantly. "Whoa-"

Unable to stop himself, he stumbled down two steps before instinctively grabbing the railing. Although it prevented him from falling all the way down, his ankle twisted awkwardly beneath him. A sharp pain shot through his leg. "Aah..."

He sat down heavily on one of the stairs, instinctively clutching his ankle. In the process, the little water that still remained on the step soaked into the back of his trousers. He was too busy trying to process the pain to even notice. The sound of him slipping echoed through the otherwise quiet house. Isha rushed out of the kitchen hearing his voice. Her face immediately filled with worry. "Ritvik!"

She hurried towards him, kneeling beside the staircase. "Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

Ritvik took a slow breath before looking at her. "Bas... chalte waqt per mud gaya."

(Nothing... my ankle twisted while walking.)

Relief briefly crossed Isha's face that he hadn't fallen down the entire staircase, but her concern didn't lessen. Supporting him carefully by his arm, she slowly helped him stand. "Aram se..."

She guided him towards the sofa in the living room, making sure he didn't put too much weight on his injured leg before helping him sit down.

Only after he was seated comfortably did she crouch in front of him and gently examine his ankle. She carefully moved it a little, checking for swelling or any obvious injury. Fortunately, there wasn't any immediate swelling. She let out a small sigh but still unconvinced, she looked back at him. "Kitni baar bola hai dhyan se chala karo."

(How many times have I told you to walk carefully?)

Ritvik smiled sheepishly. "Mummy, kuch serious nahi hua hai. Thodi der mai thik ho jayega."

(Mom, nothing serious has happened. It'll be fine in a little while.)

He didn't want her to worry. Trying to prove his point, he placed both hands on the sofa and pushed himself up. The moment he put weight on his injured foot...

A sharp stabbing pain shot through his ankle and his face instantly tightened. "Aah..." He winced, immediately lifting the foot back off the floor. The brief expression of pain on his face was enough. Isha's worry returned immediately. Whatever it was... It clearly wasn't "nothing."

Seeing the pain flash across Ritvik's face, Isha immediately understood that he had been trying to downplay the injury just so she wouldn't worry. The moment he winced and instinctively lifted his foot off the floor again, she gently held his shoulder, stopping him from taking another step. "Bus ho gaya bilkul bhi chalne ki zarurat nahi hai. Yahi baitho."

(That's enough. You don't need to walk at all. Sit right here.)

She quickly walked towards the cupboard where the first-aid box was kept and returned carrying an antiseptic pain relief spray, a crepe bandage, and a small ice pack wrapped in a towel. She carefully sat down in front of him once again. Lifting the leg gently onto the center table, Isha examined the ankle once more. There still wasn't much swelling, but she knew that sometimes sprains took a little while before they became visible. She carefully sprayed the medicine around the twisted area. The cold spray instantly hit his skin. Ritvik inhaled sharply. Isha looked up at him apologetically.

After letting the spray settle, she gently placed the cold pack over the injured ankle, making sure not to press too hard. Once she was satisfied, she loosely wrapped the ankle with the crepe bandage to give it some support. Only after everything was done did she sit back with a relieved sigh. Isha looked directly into his eyes. "Aaj tum school nahi jaoge."

(You're not going to school today.)

Ritvik looked at her almost immediately. "Mummy, first day hai." Isha remained firm. "Toh?"

(So?)

He tried again. "Attendance bhi hogi."

(There'll be attendance.)

She folded her arms. He didn't want to miss school on the very first day. "Mummy, mai dheere dheere chal lunga."

(Mom, I'll walk carefully.)

Isha shook her head without the slightest hesitation. "Nahi. Abhi tumhe chalne mai hi dard ho raha hai. School mai pura din idhar-udhar chalna padega. Bilkul nahi."

(No. You're already in pain just from walking. At school you'll have to move around the whole day. Absolutely not.)

Ritvik opened his mouth to argue once more but stopped halfway but he realised There was no point. Whenever Isha used that tone, it meant the discussion was over. After a long sigh, he finally nodded. "Thik hai."

(Okay.)

The firmness on Isha's face immediately softened. She smiled gently before patting his shoulder. "Good." She adjusted the cushion behind his back and carefully helped him stretch his injured leg across the sofa so that no pressure fell on his ankle. Within a few minutes, his eyes began to feel heavy again. Isha noticed him struggling to stay awake and smiled to herself. Curled up on the sofa with his injured foot resting comfortably, he quietly drifted back to sleep while Isha returned to her room to get ready to go to her office while keeping a watchful eye on him every few minutes.

The living room had fallen quiet once again after Ritvik drifted back to sleep. One of his legs rested comfortably on a cushion while the light blanket Isha had covered him with had slipped slightly to one side. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Isha came out of her room with her bag kept it on table and walked towards the entrance and opened the door. Tara was Standing outside with her school bag hanging from one shoulder. She smiled brightly the moment she saw Isha. "Good morning, Aunty!"

"Good morning, beta. Andar aaja."

(Good morning, dear. Come inside.)

Tara happily walked inside, expecting to find both Ritvik and Vaani ready to leave for school. Instead, the very first thing she noticed was Ritvik lying on the sofa. Her cheerful expression instantly disappeared, replaced by confusion and She hurried towards him. "Bhaiya, school nahi jana hai kya?"

(Brother, aren't you going to school?)

Ritvik slowly opened his eyes and smiled faintly at her. Before he could answer, Tara noticed the bandage wrapped around his ankle. Her eyes widened immediately. She crouched beside the sofa. "Bhaiya, ye kya hua aapko?"

(Brother, what happened to you?)

Ritvik scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Mai gir gaya."

(I fell.)

Tara blinked. She looked at him as though she couldn't understand how someone as careful as Ritvik could simply fall. "Aap kaise gir gaye?"

(How did you fall?)

Ritvik sighed dramatically. "Pata nahi... stairs par pair twist ho gaya."

(I don't know... my foot twisted on the stairs.)

Tara immediately looked towards the staircase before looking back at him with concern.

A second later, Vaani practically skipped down the stairs, adjusting her backpack while humming happily and announced loudly, "Good morning everyone! Vaani Kapoor apne school ke first day ke liye ready hai!"

(Good morning, everyone! Vaani Kapoor is ready for the first day of school!)

The moment she reached the living room, her eyes landed on Ritvik stretched across the sofa she stopped walk and then tilted her head. "Arey Mummy... aapka beta aate ki bori ki tarah sofe par kyu pada hua hai?"

(Mom... why is your son lying on the sofa like a sack of flour?)

Isha sighed and looked at vaani, "Vaani, voh tumhara bada bhai hai. Dhang se baat kiya karo."

(Vaani, he is your elder brother. Speak properly.)

Vaani immediately straightened herself dramatically and cleared her throat. She folded her hands respectfully. "Mata shri, ye jo aapke putr hai voh is tarike se sofe par kyu pade hue hai?"

(Respected Mother, why is your noble son lying on the sofa in this manner?)

Isha slowly looked at her. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but she deliberately kept a serious face. "Meri pyari putri ji, agar aapne ab ek aur shabd kaha na, toh mere sundar sundar haath aapke ghatiya se gaal par pade honge."

(My dear daughter, if you say one more word, my beautiful hands will land on your terrible cheeks.)

Vaani immediately raised both her hands in surrender. "Thik hai... fir sambhaliye apne putr ko, hum chale school."

(Alright then... you take care of your son. I'll leave for school.)

She had barely taken two steps towards the door when Isha stopped her. "Bina nashta kiye nahi jana hai."

(You're not leaving without having breakfast.)

Vaani turned around. "Mujhe late ho jayega. It's first day of my school."

(I'll be late. It's the first day of my school.)

Before Isha could respond, Tara innocently looked at her and said, "First day of your previous school."

(First day of your previous school.)

Vaani looked at her for a second before placing a hand over her heart. "So what? At that time I was cute... and now..."

(So what? At that time I was cute... and now...)

She paused, clearly waiting for someone to complete the sentence with something flattering but isha answered without missing a beat. "And now you're brainless." Tara and ritvik burst into laughter while Vaani looked completely offended, She dramatically stomped her foot. "Mummy yaar!" Still laughing, Tara looked at Isha. "Yeh mast tha, Aunty!"

(That was amazing, Aunty!)

The day passed and The first day of school finally came to an end. As the final bell rang, students poured out of the school building in excited groups, filling the roads with cheerful chatter. Some discussed the day's classes, while others eagerly talked about homework, teachers, and plans for the evening. Like always, Vaani adjusted the strap of her school bag and made her way towards the familiar ice cream stall where she and Tara had decided to meet after school before walking home together.

The old shop looked exactly the same as she remembered. The colourful menu board still hung slightly crooked above the counter, the tiny bell at the entrance still chimed whenever someone walked in, and the elderly shopkeeper still greeted every child with the same warm smile. Vaani walked over and leaned casually against the counter. Since Tara hadn't arrived yet, she decided to wait for her being Completely unaware that someone else inside the shop was quietly watching her.

A few steps away stood Vihaan.

He had come there after school with the intention of buying an ice cream before heading home. While waiting for the shopkeeper to prepare his order, his eyes casually wandered around the shop. That's when something caught his attention A small keychain hanging from a school bag and his gaze froze at that exact moment It was an old keychain and he recognized almost instantly because he had gifted that same keychain to his princess. His eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to convince himself he wasn't imagining things. "No..."

He looked again at the design of keychain their were tiny scratches on one corner. Even the faded ribbon tied around it and everything looked exactly the same. Slowly, almost unconsciously, his eyes travelled from the keychain towards the girl carrying the bag But she was standing with her back facing him so that's why he couldn't see her face. And then Without even realizing that the word had escaped his lips... He whispered, "Princess..."

The moment the word reached her ears... Vaani immediately turned around and Their eyes met she frowned slightly but thinking he had called out to someone else by mistake, she gave him an awkward smile. "Sorry?"

Vihaan blinked. His thoughts immediately snapped back to reality and He looked at her carefully as there was something strangely familiar about her yet he couldn't place it, he spoke softly while trying to hide his confusion, "Nhi... voh tumhara naam kya hai?"

(No... what's your name?)

Vaani folded her arms while raising her one eyebrow suspiciously. "Kyu? Tu patent karvayega?"

(Why? Are you going to patent it?)

Vihaan looked utterly confused. "Nhi... tumhara naam mai kyu patent karvauga?"

(No... why would I patent your name?)

Vaani shrugged. "Toh fir puch kyu rahe ho?"

(Then why are you asking?)

Vihaan scratched the back of his neck. "Voh mujhe kuch puchna tha."

(I wanted to ask you something.)

Before he could continue, Vaani interrupted him. "Toh mat puch. Mai bhi yeha new hu, Matlab meri birth place yehi hai, lekin mai yeha nahi rehti thi na, isliye mujhe bhi nahi pata. Mai toh khud apni dost ka wait kar rahi hu."

(Then don't ask. I'm new here too. I mean, this is my birthplace, but I didn't grow up here, so I don't know anything either. I'm just waiting for my friend.)

Vihaan shook his head. "Nhi, mujhe kuch aur puchna hai."

(No, I want to ask something else.)

Vaani looked at him as though he was the most confusing person she had met all day. She sighed, "Yaar, ajib insaan hai tu. Bol rahi hu mujhe nahi pata, fir bhi mujhse hi puchna hai. Yeh kya batmizi hai?"

(You're such a weird person. I'm telling you I don't know, and you still want to ask me. What kind of behavior is this?)

Vihaan tried to clear the confusion again, "Arey, ek baar meri baat to suno."

(At least listen to me once.)

Vaani looked at him with complete seriousness. "Kyu sunu? Tu mera chacha lagta hai?"

(Why should I? Are you my uncle?)

Vihaan blinked. "Nhi."

(No.)

She immediately asked another question. "Toh kya unka beta lagta hai?"

(Then are you his son?)

Vihaan looked even more confused than before. "Nhi."

(No.)

Vaani shrugged as if the matter had now been completely settled. "Toh fir mai kyu sunu teri?"

(Then why should I listen to you?)

Vihaan simply stared at her for a moment because everything felt oddly familiar that He couldn't explain why But standing there, looking at the girl carrying that old keychain...He couldn't shake the strange feeling that somehow...He had met her long before today.

Just then, Tara finally reached the ice cream stall. She had been walking towards them from a distance and had already noticed Vaani animatedly arguing with someone. As she came closer, she immediately recognized the person standing opposite her and couldn't help smiling to herself. Quietly, she walked behind Vaani and gently placed her hand on her shoulder. "Vaani."

Without even bothering to turn around, Vaani lifted one hand, signalling tara to wait while her entire attention remained fixed on Vihaan. "Ek minute Tara, important jhagda chal raha hai."

(One minute, Tara. An important argument is going on.)

Tara blinked. She glanced at Vihaan, who simply stood there with an amused smile on his face, waiting patiently despite not understanding how the conversation had turned into an argument in the first place. Trying once again, Tara called her a little more firmly. "Vaani, meri baat sun."

(Vaani, listen to me.)

Vaani still refused to look at her. Folding her arms across her chest, she stubbornly kept staring at Vihaan as though she had yet to prove an important point. "Nhi pehle mujhe isse sunane de."

(No, first let me give him a piece of my mind.)

Realising that Vaani wasn't going to stop on her own, Tara decided to tell her directly. She pointed towards Vihaan and spoke calmly. "Vaani ye Vihaan bhaiya hai."

(Vaani, this is Vihaan Bhaiya.)

Vaani finally turned her head towards Tara, but her expression remained completely blank. She simply shrugged. "Han toh mai kya karu?"

(So what am I supposed to do?)

Tara sighed helplessly. She had expected this exact reaction. Looking from Vaani to Vihaan and back again, she explained a little more clearly. "Vaani ye vahi Vihaan bhaiya hai jo tujhe Princess bolte the."

(Vaani, this is the same Vihaan Bhaiya who used to call you Princess.)

She instinctively opened her mouth to reply. "Han toh..."

(So what...?)

The rest of the sentence never came out as her eyes slowly widened and her gaze shifted towards Vihaan once again. Her lips parted slightly as the realisation finally struck her, She slapped her forehead lightly in disbelief. "Oo shit... Vihaan." The confidence with which she had been speaking until now disappeared within seconds. She looked at him again, this time with an embarrassed smile while nervously biting her lower lip. If possible, she wished the ground would simply open beneath her feet because she had just spent the last several minutes arguing with the very person she had missed for years.

Vihaan, however, wasn't in any better condition.

Even he was still trying to process everything. He kept looking at her as though his mind refused to believe what his eyes were seeing. It really was her, Who had disappeared from his life years ago... was now standing right in front of him. And Seeing both of them frozen in shock, Tara smiled brightly before looking towards Vihaan. "Han bhaiya yehi hai aapki Princess jike liye aap extra icecream lete the."

(Yes, Bhaiya. This is the same Princess for whom you used to buy an extra ice cream.)

Vihaan's eyes returned to Vaani. A soft smile slowly spread across his face, one that carried both surprise and relief. "Matlab yeh sach mai Princess hai? Mujhe laga meri galt fami hai."

(So she really is Princess? I thought I was just imagining things.)

Without wasting a second, Tara nodded. "Nhi ye vahi hai."

(No, it's really her.)

Vaani rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly before finally speaking. Unfortunately, the moment she opened her mouth, another problem appeared. How exactly was she supposed to address him now? A few minutes ago she had been calling him "tu" without thinking twice. Now she suddenly felt awkward as she fumbled over her own words. "Umm sorry vo maine tujhe... nhi tumhe... nhi nhi aapko..." She stopped halfway, completely confused. Vihaan couldn't stop himself from smiling.

Watching her struggle over something so simple reminded him that despite growing up, she was still the same Princess all along. His smile softened. "Tu hi bol zyada acha lag raha tha."

(Just call me 'tu'. It sounded much better.)

Vaani looked at him for a second before immediately shaking her head. "Nhi tu jada odd lagega isliye hum deal 'tum' par steal karenge."

(No, 'tu' would feel too odd. So let's make a deal and settle on 'tum'.)

As soon as she finished speaking, she stretched her hand towards him with complete seriousness, as though she was finalising an official agreement. Vihaan looked at the hand for a brief moment before smiling even wider and he extended his own hand and shook with hers. Still smiling, Vihaan looked at her warmly. "Jaise tumhe sahi lage Princess."

(Whatever feels right to you, Princess.)

The familiar nickname instantly brought another smile to Vaani's face. She suddenly clapped her hands together before looking at him with a bright smile. "Ye hui na Vihaan vali baat, isliye tum mujhe bachpan se Ritvik se jada pasand the. Or sorry, voh actually mera dimag kharab tha. Voh icecream khane ke liye mere das rupaye kam pad rahe the. Mummy ne mujhe subah paise diye the lekin maine bich mein chips kha liye toh voh khatm ho gaye aur tumne aakar mujhse mera naam puch liya. Ab aise anjan insan ko apna naam thodi bataugi. Tab nhi pata tha ki tum Vihaan ho... bhadak gayi... sorry."

(Now that's the Vihaan I remember. That's why I liked you more than Ritvik whenever you used to save me. And sorry, actually my brain wasn't working. I was ten rupees short for buying an ice cream. Mom had given me money in the morning, but I spent some on chips, so it got over. Then you suddenly came and asked my name. I wouldn't tell my name to a complete stranger, right? I didn't know you were Vihaan... so I got irritated. Sorry.)

She finished the entire explanation in one single breath without stopping even once. Vihaan simply stared at her for a second before a laugh escaped him. Even Tara couldn't stop herself from laughing. Some habits truly never changed. Shaking his head with a smile full of affection, Vihaan looked at her. "It's ok Princess, lekin yeh dekh ke acha laga ki meri Princess bilkul bhi change nhi hui hai. Voh abhi bhi utna hi bolti hai."

(It's okay, Princess. But I'm happy to see that my Princess hasn't changed at all. She still talks just as much.)

Vaani immediately folded her arms and lifted her chin proudly. "Nhi mai pehle se jada bolti hu."

(No. I talk even more than before.)

Tara burst into another laugh. Looking at Vaani with amusement, she added, "Han or samne vale ko bolne nhi deti."

(Yes, and you don't even let the other person speak.)

Vaani quickly looked at her in protest. "Nhi mai deti toh hu."

(No, I do let people speak.)

Tara raised one eyebrow before crossing her own arms. A mischievous smile slowly appeared on her face. "Acha... should I remind you, how you said the whole paragraph in one breath just now?"

Vaani became completely silent and then she looked away, pretending to think very seriously before speaking again. "Yeah... because I wanted to say sorry to him because he was my second favorite person at the age when I didn't even know about my favorite color." Her unexpected explanation made both Tara and Vihaan smile.

Vihaan could only shake his head helplessly before turning towards the ice cream vendor. Carefully taking the two ice creams from him, he made sure neither of them slipped before extending one towards Tara and the other towards Vaani. "Tum dono ki icecream."

(Your ice creams.)

Tara immediately accepted hers carefully. A bright smile spread across her face."Thank you." Vihaan simply nodded with a small smile. The three of them stood near the old ice cream stall, quietly enjoying their ice creams. Vihaan took another bite of his ice cream before his thoughts drifted somewhere else. Meeting Vaani had brought back countless memories from his childhood. And with those memories came another familiar face.

Ritvik.

He hadn't seen him in years either. A hopeful smile appeared on his face as he looked towards Vaani. "Princess tum aayi ho matlab Ritvik bhi aaya hoga na?"

(Princess, if you've come back, then Ritvik must have come back too, right?)

Vaani looked at him blankly for a moment, genuinely confused. "Kon Ritvik?"

(Who is Ritvik?)

Before Vihaan could react, Tara lightly smacked the back of Vaani's head. "Ritvik bhaiya... tere bade bhai."

(Ritvik Bhaiya... your elder brother.)

Realisation immediately dawned on Vaani. She casually nodded while continuing to eat her ice cream as though the question had been about something completely ordinary. "Acha... tum mere Mummy ke bete ki baat kar rahe ho."

(Oh... you're talking about my mom's son.)

Some things truly never changed. He shook his head with an amused smile before asking again, "Matlab tum dono ki abhi bhi nhi banti, Vaise hai kaha voh?"

(So you two still don't get along. By the way, where is he?)

Without giving it much thought, Vaani answered between bites of her ice cream. "Voh toh ghar par hoga na."

(He must be at home.)

Vihaan frowned slightly. "Kyu?"

(Why?)

Vaani shrugged as though it wasn't a big deal at all. "Arey voh stairs par paani gira tha aur usne dekha hi nhi toh gira gaya."

(There was water on the stairs, he didn't notice it, and he slipped.)

Vihaan nodded thoughtfully, but before he could say anything, Tara suddenly froze. She slowly turned towards Vaani. Something about that sentence didn't seem right. Ritvik had never mentioned water. In fact, he had clearly said that he had no idea how he slipped. Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Tara looked straight at Vaani. "Tujhe kaise pata stairs par paani gira tha?"

(How do you know there was water on the stairs?)

For the first time since the conversation had started, Vaani stopped eating. She blinked once. Then twice. Realising she had accidentally exposed herself, she gave an awkward little smile. Scratching the back of her head sheepishly, she confessed without trying to hide it anymore. "Kyuki voh paani mujhse hi gira tha."

(Because... I was the one who spilled that water.)

Vihaan slowly looked at Tara while tara slowly looked at Vaani. Then Tara puffed both her cheeks in disbelief. "Matlab bhaiya teri vajah se gire na."

(So Bhaiya slipped because of you.)

Vaani immediately began defending herself. She waved both her hands dismissively. "Nhi maine dhaka nhi mara usko."

(No! I didn't push him.)

That explanation only made Tara sigh even louder. Placing one hand on her forehead, she shook her head helplessly. "Tera kuch nhi ho sakta pagal kahi ki."

(You're impossible, you crazy girl.)

Still muttering under her breath, Tara walked towards the shopkeeper and paid for the ice creams before turning back. Meanwhile, Vaani looked after her before hurriedly calling out. "Arey Tara sun toh.... Vihaan hum kal fir yahi milenge, mujhe abhi jana hoga."

(Hey Tara, listen... Vihaan, we'll meet here again tomorrow. I have to go now.)

Vihaan smiled warmly at both of them. After finding someone he had lost years ago, he didn't want this meeting to end with worry so He simply nodded. "Han, sambhal ke jana dono."

(Okay. Both of you, go carefully.)

Vaani ran after tara to talk to her while Vihaan stood there for a few more moments, watching them disappear into the crowd.

The next morning, the school corridors were once again filled with the usual chatter of students. Some were revising homework at the last moment, while others were busy talking about everything except studies. Laughter echoed through the classrooms as children settled into their seats before the first lecture began.

Inside Class 9-A, almost everyone had already taken their places. Ekansh was arranging his notebooks neatly on the desk while Vihaan's and ayaan's seat, as usual, remained empty. Near the front of the classroom stood a boy whom none of the students had seen before. He wore the same school uniform as everyone else, his school bag resting beside him. Although he appeared calm on the outside, his eyes quietly observed the unfamiliar classroom that would now become a part of his daily life after sometimes their class teacher walked inside with him.

The entire class immediately stood up. "Good morning, Ma'am." The teacher smiled briefly before gesturing towards the boy standing beside her. "Good morning students, he is your new classmate Ritvik Kapoor. Ritvik, go and take your seat." Every student's eyes immediately shifted towards the newcomer. Some whispered among themselves while others simply smiled politely. Ritvik nodded respectfully and started walking towards the empty seat beside Ekansh. Before he could sit down, Ekansh instinctively spoke. "Yeh Ayaan ki place hai."

(That's Ayaan's seat.)

The teacher looked at him for a moment before answering gently. "Ekansh, let him sit there. Ayaan is transferred in another school now." The words were spoken normally But they carried a weight that only Ekansh understood, his expression changed instantly and his fingers tightened slightly around the edge of his notebook before he quietly nodded. "Sorry, Miss." Without saying anything else, he shifted slightly to make space. Ritvik gave him a small grateful smile before sitting beside him.

The classroom gradually returned to its usual silence. Just then... A knock echoed from outside and Everyone turned towards the classroom door vihaan was standing there, slightly out of breath after running through the corridor. His school bag hung carelessly over one shoulder, and a few strands of hair had fallen over his forehead. He looked towards the teacher with an apologetic smile. "Sorry Miss, may I please come in?"

The teacher folded her arms. "Vihaan, you're late." Vihaan scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Sorry Miss." She sighed before pointing towards his seat. "This is your last time, okay?" Vihaan immediately nodded. "Promise Miss."

The teacher gave him one final look before continuing. "So students, I have some work to do, so consider this as your free lecture. But no noise." The entire class responded together. "Yes, Miss." As soon as she stepped outside, the classroom instantly became louder. Some students turned around to chat with their friends, while others took out snacks hidden inside their bags.

Completely unaware of any of that, Vihaan walked towards his seat and Only then did he notice someone sitting beside Ekansh. His eyes lingered on the unfamiliar face for barely two seconds. Then, without even giving the poor boy a chance to introduce himself, Vihaan smiled brightly. "Hii, tum hi ho vo new student jisne school ke pehle din hi chhuti le liya. Lekin yeh galat baat hai, aisa nhi karna chahiye tha. Lekin ab Voh sab chodo, mera naam Vihaan hai. Tum mujhe dost banne ki koshish kar sakte ho, mai jaldi banuga nhi vo alag baat hai. Or ye Ekansh... isse dur rehna, ye mera hai."

(Hi! So you're the new student who took leave on the very first day of school. That's not a good thing, you shouldn't have done that. Anyway, leave that. My name is Vihaan. You can try becoming my friend, though I won't become one very quickly, that's a different matter. And this is Ekansh... stay away from him, he's mine.)

Ekansh slowly closed his eyes while Ritvik simply stared at Vihaan, completely speechless. He had never met someone who could introduce himself and warn him away from another person in the very same breath. While Trying to speak, Ritvik smiled politely. "Mai Ri-"

(I'm Ri-)

Before he could even complete his own name, Vihaan interrupted him without the slightest hesitation. "Arey, pura saal hai, aram se janenge. Abhi mujhe isse kaam hai."

(Come on, we have the whole year to know each other. Right now I need him for something.)

Ignoring everything else, Vihaan turned completely towards Ekansh. "Ab kya hua tujhe?"

(Now what happened to you?)

Vihaan immediately pulled out his mathematics notebook from his bag and opened it. Embarrassment appeared on his face. "Voh jo kal teacher ne homework diya tha na Maths ka, voh maine solve karne ki koshish ki... nhi ho raha. Ek baar fir bata dena."

(That Maths homework the teacher gave yesterday... I tried solving it, but I couldn't. Explain it to me once again.)

Ekansh smiled helplessly, taking the notebook from Vihaan's hands, he turned it towards himself. "Thik hai, ye dekh."

(Okay, look here.)

Without another word, he picked up his pen and began explaining the first question, while Vihaan listened with complete concentration. Meanwhile, sitting beside them, Ritvik quietly watched the two best friends. He had already understood one thing that no matter how much Vihaan claimed that becoming his friend wasn't easy... his heart was already far kinder than his words.

The morning classes passed much more quietly than usual. Although Vihaan kept talking every now and then, asking questions, making random comments, and somehow managing to distract Ekansh every few minutes, there was still an emptiness that both of them silently felt. It was strange as the classroom looked exactly the same, the same blackboard, the same windows, the same teachers, the same lunch bell Yet something was missing Or rather...someone was missing

Ayaan's laughter no longer echoed through the classroom.

Nobody argued with Vihaan over the smallest things anymore. Nobody stole ekansh's pen just to irritate him. Nobody complained whenever Vihaan interrupted someone. Even the seat beside Ekansh, which had belonged to Ayaan for years, was now occupied by Ritvik. Everyone else had accepted the change but Ekansh hadn't but he never complained about it he simply accepted it because he had no other choice. But accepting something... didn't mean it stopped hurting.

The lunch bell finally rang and the entire classroom burst into life. Lunch boxes opened one after another, conversations became louder, and the familiar smell of homemade food filled the room. Vihaan immediately took out his tiffin before looking towards Ekansh. Normally, by now, Ayaan would've already made some unnecessary comment about them. But Today... Nothing happened.

Ekansh quietly opened his lunch box and began eating without saying a single word. He wasn't even looking around as his eyes remained fixed on his food as he absentmindedly broke pieces of his roti and Vihaan noticed it immediately. He had known Ekansh long enough to understand when silence wasn't just silence so Keeping his own lunch box aside, he gently nudged Ekansh's shoulder. "Ekansh, aise shant kyu betha hai?"

(Ekansh, why are you sitting so quietly?)

Without looking up, Ekansh calmly answered, "Kyuki khana shanti se hi khaya jata hai."

(Because food is supposed to be eaten quietly.)

Vihaan knew that wasn't the real reason but He didn't say anything about it. Instead, his eyes wandered across the classroom until they landed on Ritvik. The new boy was sitting alone at someone else's old desk, quietly eating his lunch without disturbing anyone. Vihaan frowned slightly and He immediately raised his voice. "Hey new boy, akele kyu betha hai? Aaja idhar."

(Hey, new boy! Why are you sitting alone? Come here.)

Ritvik looked up in surprise then his eyes shifted towards Ekansh. Ekansh was already looking at him. Ritvik wasn't foolish because he had already noticed throughout the day that the seat he now occupied had once belonged to someone important. He had also noticed the way Ekansh occasionally glanced towards that empty space before remembering that it wasn't empty anymore. So Quietly, Ritvik shook his head. "Nhi, mai yehi thik hu."

(No, I'm fine here.)

Vihaan rolled his eyes dramatically. "Itna acha tiffin laya hai, voh khaa na. Yeh bhav khane ki kya jarurat hai?"

(You've brought such a nice lunch. Eat it. Why are you acting so reserved?)

A faint smile almost appeared on Ritvik's face but Before he could answer, Ekansh finally spoke as his voice remained calm. "Rehne de na. Jab voh nhi aana chahta toh tu kyu zabardasti kar raha hai?"

(Leave it. If he doesn't want to come, why are you forcing him?)

Vihaan immediately looked towards him. "Tu chup kar. Voh new hai, Uski help karni chahiye or kya?"

(You be quiet. He's new. We should help him, shouldn't we?)

Without waiting for another response, Vihaan got up from his bench, walked straight to Ritvik, and before the poor boy could protest, lightly grabbed his wrist. "Come on." Ritvik barely had any time to react before Vihaan had already brought him across the classroom. A few curious classmates looked towards them before returning to their own conversations. Vihaan placed Ritvik beside them as though the matter had been settled from the very beginning Only then did he finally sit back down.

Without any hesitation, he opened his own lunch box, picked up one of the items, and carefully placed it inside Ritvik's tiffin. The gesture was so natural that it didn't even seem like he had thought about it. For Vihaan... Sharing food was simply what friends did. Ritvik looked down at the food before looking back at Vihaan. He hadn't expected this atleast not on his first day and Not from someone he had met only a few hours ago.

A small smile appeared on his face. Meanwhile, beside them, Ekansh quietly continued eating Outwardly, he remained completely normal. He neither objected nor complained about it but somewhere inside... it did hurt. Because Just yesterday, that place had belonged to Ayaan and now someone else sat there. He knew Ritvik hadn't done anything wrong as None of this was his fault, Still... Watching another person slowly become a part of the space that Ayaan had once filled reminded him all over again that his best friend was no longer sitting beside him.

Vihaan noticed the faint sadness hidden behind Ekansh's silence, he didn't say anything even though He missed all of it. But Vihaan also knew something else that If he allowed himself to drown in that sadness... ekansh would sink even deeper and that's why someone had to keep smiling, Someone had to keep talking, someone had to make sure the silence didn't consume the people he loved. So, even while carrying the same emptiness inside his own heart... vihaan continued laughing and Continued making room for new people and no it was Not because Ayaan had become replaceable but because no one ever could. But because life... No matter how painful it becomes it Never stopped moving forward.

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Umm the chapter is slightly short we will add that to next chapter and one more thing one of us is out of town for a week so there is a chance that we won't be updating next week not sure though we will let you all know ...

So kaisa tha chapter??🥰

Kisi ne ritvik ke khilaaf kuch bola toh muh tod dungi😭, no one can ever make us hate him.... it's just that ekansh is feeling ki ayaan ki jagh ritvik ne leli hai as even vihaan doesn't seem to be bothered at all although he is upset about it too...

Don't forget to vote and comment.

~ Shivya🌷