Every school has that one famous group — the one that enjoys its own company, maybe liked by teachers, maybe hated by them, but somehow admired by everyone.

Here was a group of four best friends — Aadvik, Aahana, Siddharth, and Akanksha.

They had known each other since childhood because their fathers were best friends, so naturally, they became best friends too.

And as always, two of them were the quiet ones — Aadvik and Aahana, while the chaotic ones were Siddharth and Akanksha.

Aahana and Siddharth, being siblings, were in the same class because their parents wanted them to be together always. Since Siddharth was good at studies, they allowed him to skip a grade.

The same went for Aadvik and Akanksha.

It was a Monday morning — a school day. Aahana was continuously roaming around the living room, fixing the cushions and putting things in their place when she called out,“Sid, how much time will you take to get ready?”

Soon, she heard his voice as he entered the room, still fixing his hair.
“Ready,” he declared with a grin.

“Even brides don’t take this long to get ready,” she taunted, picking up her bag.

Meanwhile, Siddharth looked around for the bike key, but it wasn’t on the table.

He then checked the top of the refrigerator, just in case someone had put it there — but it wasn’t there either.

Aahana, who was already standing at the door with her bag, looked back at him with a sigh. “What happened now?”

“Where’s the key?” he asked, eyes still searching everywhere.

“Just look carefully, it must be there,” Aahana replied, already sounding irritated.

But Siddharth got more annoyed. He stomped his foot on the floor and said, “No, I can’t find it!"

Aahana took a deep breath to calm herself and started looking for the key. She first checked the key stand hanging on the wall — and thankfully, the key was there.

She took it and looked back at him with a death glare. Siddharth just gave her a sheepish smile in return.

Then they bid goodbye to their mom and left the house.

On the way, Aahana asked, “Do you have some sort of deficiency in the brain?”

Siddharth looked at her through the mirror. “Why are you asking this?”

“Nothing, just casually,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

After some time, when they finally reached the school, Aahana stepped into the classroom with Siddharth behind her.

Her eyes immediately drifted to Akanksha, who was sitting on her seat. Aahana ran towards her, and the two hugged like long-lost sisters.

Meanwhile, Aadvik and Siddharth just watched their antics.

“I missed you,” Akanksha said to Aahana.

“I missed you too,” Aahana replied.

Siddharth, who couldn’t sit quietly without interfering in someone’s matter, spoke, “But you two met on Saturday. And you even talked on the phone yesterday.”

The girls rolled their eyes.

“It’s none of your business, so just stay out of it,” Akanksha said, flipping her hair, which accidentally hit his face. She then sat properly again, focusing on Aahana.

“Yaar ek toh Monday ko aana ka mann bilkul nahi karta,” Akanksha exclaimed, resting her head on the desk.
[“Ugh, I never feel like coming to school on Mondays.”]

But her peace didn’t last long. She felt a tug on her hair. “Ouchh, Mumma!” she winced.

With death glares, she turned around — and of course, she already knew who it was: Siddharth.

Siddharth gulped as he met her glare.

“What’s your problem exactly?” she asked.

“Why? Would you fix it?” he teased.

“The only thing I want to fix right now is you,” she said, narrowing her eyes in irritation.

“What did I do?” he asked, confused.

She didn’t reply. Instead, she gestured for him to lean closer.

He looked puzzled, trying to guess what she was up to.

As soon as he leaned forward, she gave a sweet, innocent smile — and then suddenly pulled his hair.

“Mission revenge accomplished,” she said proudly, flipping her hair with a grin.

Aahana and Aadvik just stared at them blankly.

But Siddharth wasn’t the type to let things go easily. In revenge, he pulled her hair again.

Akanksha winced, slapped his arm, and pulled his hair twice — because she believed in “Ek ke badle do.”
[“Two for one.”]

“Aahu, samjha le apni dost ko, pitegi ye aaj,” Siddharth said, looking at his sister and then at Akanksha.
[“Aahu, control your friend or she’ll get beaten up today.”]

Aahana gave him a glare too. “You dare touch her even once,” she warned.

He looked at her in disappointment — his own sister was taking her best friend’s side.

He turned to Aadvik. “Bro, see what these girls are doing to me!” he complained, hoping at least he’d get some support.

“But it was your mistake. You started it,” Aadvik said calmly, crossing his arms.

“Dost dost na raha,” Siddharth said dramatically, feeling betrayed.
[“A friend is no longer a friend.”]

Aahana stood up and looked at Aadvik. “Avi, let’s go to the assembly.”

Aadvik nodded and stood up. Akanksha, not wanting to stay near Siddharth, added, “Haan chalo, main bhi chalti hoon.”
[“Yeah, let’s go, I’m coming too.”]

Siddharth remained seated, glaring at Akanksha. “Tujhe toh main baad mein dekhunga.”
[“I’ll deal with you later.”]

Akanksha smiled wide, stood in front of him, and said sweetly,
“I know I’m pretty enough that you’d want to look at me again and again, but trust me — there’s no need.”

She tilted her head, placed her chin over her hands, and fluttered her fingers like blooming petals, giggling softly.

Aadvik and Aahana joined her, copying the same pose to irritate Siddharth even more, while he flared his nostrils in frustration.

Then they all went to the assembly ground.

As the assembly started, Aadvik was handling the mic while Aahana checked if the other volunteers were doing their duties properly.

After taking one round of the corridors, she returned and stood in line behind Akanksha.

Everyone joined their hands, eyes closed and heads bowed, but the sunlight was directly hitting their faces.

Aahana scrunched her nose and muttered to Akanksha, “Yaar chakkar aa rahe hain, itni garmi mein.”
[“Yaar, I’m feeling dizzy in this heat.”]

Akanksha was about to reply, but one of the juniors standing in the next line gave a mischievous, flirtatious smile and said, “It’s okay, didi, I’ll catch you before you fall.”

Aahana looked at him wide-eyed, though she was used to such comments.

But Akanksha wasn’t having it. She turned toward the boy — barely in 6th or 7th grade — and said, “Beta, pehle ande se toh nikal ja, phir sambhalna kisi aur ko.”
[“Kid, at least come out of your egg first, then think about catching someone.”]

She paused, as if remembering something.

“Wait a second… that 12th Lily girl Akshita’s sister from 7th Rose — she’s your girlfriend, right? What’s her name… umm, Anaya! Yeah, Anaya.”

The boy’s face turned pale as she mentioned the name. “Sorry, didi,” he muttered apologetically.

Akanksha grinned, biting her lip to suppress her laughter, then looked forward again.

Meanwhile, Aahana’s eyes drifted to the stage, where Aadvik stood with his hands behind his back — his eyes fixed on her.

Their eyes met for a few seconds before she quickly looked away.

The assembly was about to end — the only thing left was Aadvik’s speech. All the girls standing there were busy admiring him with soft smiles on their faces, even though they were already tired from the long assembly.

But his eyes were fixed on just one girl — Aahana.

He took the mic with quiet confidence, the air around him carrying a sense of authority and responsibility as he began his speech.

Aahana’s focus was entirely on him — the way his expressions changed with every line he said, the soft glow of sunlight highlighting his face, and how perfectly his hair stayed in place.

His face was calm, composed — until he felt her gaze burning into him. Unable to resist, his eyes found hers.

Their eyes met. Aahana’s eyes twinkled with mischief as she winked at him.

His eyes widened in shock before he quickly looked away.

“And we expect each student to take full reps—responsibility…”

He fumbled over his words, his mind completely occupied by that one wink.

Aahana placed her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her smile as she watched how easily he got affected by her. But her amusement didn’t go unnoticed — he threw her a subtle glare from the stage, making her grin even more.

After the assembly ended, Aahana and Aadvik were the only ones left behind, checking everyone’s duties.

When the final round of checking was done, they started walking back towards their classes, side by side. There was a mischievous smile dancing on Aahana’s lips.

“Someone was fumbling a lot today,” Aahana said casually, her eyes focused on the corridor ahead, though she stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye.

Aadvik stretched his arms lazily before replying, “Maybe because someone was behaving a little too boldly today.”

Aahana’s smile faltered for a moment. “Excuse me?” she asked, looking at him.

“Just imagine,” he said dramatically, putting a hand over his mouth, “the Head Girl winking at the Head Boy. Kya kahenge log? Kitni besharam ladki hai!”

“Just shut up!” she snapped back, her cheeks warming slightly. “I was just testing your focus.”

Aadvik smiled, his gaze drifting everywhere except at her.

“Then congratulations,” he said softly. “You succeeded.”

❀

Later, during lunch break, Aahana and Akanksha took out their lunch boxes and placed them on the boys’ bench.

Akanksha peeked into Aahana’s lunch. “Kya laayi hai tu?”
[“What did you bring?”]

“Aloo ke paranthe,” Aahana replied.

“And you?” Aahana asked.

“Aloo ki sabzi,” Akanksha said.

Aahana’s eyes gleamed. “Let’s exchange.”

Akanksha nodded, and they swapped lunch boxes.

Aadvik looked at Siddharth with hopeful eyes, while Siddharth glared back.

“Kya chahiye?” Siddharth asked.
[“What do you want?”]

Aadvik pointed downward with his chin.

Siddharth’s eyes widened as he misunderstood. “Chiiii! Sharam nahi aati tujhe?” he yelled, stepping back and crossing his legs.
[“Ew! Aren’t you ashamed?”]

Aadvik looked confused for a second — then realization struck. His eyes widened.

“Arey saale, lunch ki baat kar raha hoon main!” Aadvik said, smacking the back of Siddharth’s head.
[“Idiot, I was talking about lunch!”]

Siddharth’s face fell in embarrassment. “Toh aise bola kar na. Mujhe laga…” he mumbled softly.
[“Then say it properly, man. I thought you meant…”]

The girls looked up from their lunches, confused at the chaos.

“What’s going on?” Aahana asked.

“Nothing,” Aadvik said quickly, straightening up.

After lunch, Akanksha patted her stomach. “Yaar, abhi bhi bhukh lagi hai.”
[“Man, I’m still hungry.”]

“Pet hai ya kua? Aur kitna khayegi, suar?” Siddharth teased.
[“Is that a stomach or a well? How much will you eat, pig?”]

Aahana glared at him. “Tere paise ka kha rahi hai?”
[“Is she eating your food?”]

Akanksha grinned proudly. “Love youuu,” she exclaimed, side-hugging Aahana, who hugged her back.

“Canteen chale?” Aadvik asked.
[“Shall we go to the canteen?”]

Everyone nodded and got up.

In the canteen area, they all sat together.

“kya khana hai?” Aadvik asked.
[“What do you want to eat?”]

“Ek Snack Lite, Punjabi Tadka, Masala Munch, and one Dairy Milk,” Akanksha listed.

Aadvik, already used to her long list, just nodded and looked at Aahana.

“Same as always,” she said with a smile.

Aadvik smiled and looked at Siddharth.

“Ek colddrink, ek burge—” Siddharth started, but Aadvik interrupted, “Chup chaap saath chal le, aaya bada.”
[“Just quietly come with me.”]

Siddharth scrunched his nose and followed.

A few minutes later, they returned with the snacks.

Aadvik handed Aahana her favorite — a KitKat.

Siddharth, carrying Akanksha’s snacks, sat beside her and began opening one packet.

Akanksha snatched it from him. “Yeh mera hai.”
[“That’s mine.”]

“Laaya toh main hoon, mujhe bhi de aadha,” he protested.
[“I bought it, at least share half with me.”]

“Main nahi de rahi, jaa dafa ho.”
[“I’m not giving it, go away.”]

“Okay,” Siddharth said casually, smiling unbothered.

Akanksha frowned — he wasn’t one to give up that easily.

With a grin, Siddharth pulled a chocolate from his pocket — her chocolate.

Akanksha gasped. “Suar, wapas de meri chocolate!” she said, raising her hand to grab it, but he lifted it higher.
[“Pig! Give me my chocolate back!”]

“Guys, behave,” Aadvik said.

“Siddharth,” Aahana warned, and he rolled his eyes before handing the chocolate back to Akanksha.

They were peacefully eating when a child came up to Aahana.

“Aahana didi, Sheetal ma’am is calling you,” he said.

Aahana frowned. Why was her teacher calling her?

She nodded and stood up. Her eyes met Aadvik’s for a second — he gave her a reassuring smile and a blink.

“Aaj toh Aahana ki fielding set hai!” Siddharth teased, chuckling.
[“Looks like Aahana’s in trouble today!”]

Aahana rolled her eyes and turned to leave.

“Arey chocolate hume de ja, hum sambhal lenge!” Akanksha called from behind.
[“At least leave the chocolate with us — we’ll take care of it!”]

“Kha sambhaloge? Apne pet mein?” Aahana shot back.
[“Take care of it where? In your stomach?”]

She knew exactly how safe food was around Akanksha and Siddharth.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

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