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I was sitting on my bed, absolutely motionless, wrapped in my blanket like some lost ghost deciding whether I should gather the strength to face school or not.

Ten whole minutes had passed, and I hadn't moved an inch just staring into that dull corner of the room.

My mind was doing that thing again you know, where it processes nothing and everything all at once and I sighed so loud that even my silence echoed back at me. Great I'm still alive. Still breathing.

Another day, another school morning, another round of pretending like I care. Honestly, I hated it the building, the people everything. God, I didn't want to go. I hated school.

My hands moved before my brain did, and I grabbed my phone. And out of habit I opened Instagram out of that desperate curiosity that maybe, just maybe, someone sent me a message. Some miracle.

God, I cursed under my breath, this stupid, toxic habit of checking Instagram the moment I open my eyes.

I slid into the DMs and boom. One message. From Niyati.

"Agar tu aaj nautanki dikhai aur school nahi ayi na, toh itna maarungi ki akal thikane aa jayegi."

I stared at the message for a second and couldn't help but crack a smile. This girl. She would actually drag me to school slapping me if she had to. I swear, she wouldn't even feel bad about it.

"Okay, okay. Let's go," I muttered to myself like I was being dragged by an invisible thread ..

I finally pulled myself out of bed. I walked to the bathroom, rubbing my eyes, still not entirely convinced this day was real..

I splashed cold water on my face once, twice as if it could magically erase the weight sitting on my chest. But it didn't. It never does.

-

The school uniform clung to me like a responsibility I didn't sign up for tshirt tucked in perfectly, skirt straight, socks pulled up , and my bag .

I stepped out of my room with a sigh that could win awards.

And then boom a soft voice behind me almost knocked the soul out of my body.

"Good morning, choti madam," said one of the maids with a smile.

I literally jumped . "Oh my god!" I clutched my chest. "Aap log aise mat bola karo subah-subah! Heart attack ho jata hai bhaii!"

She just smiled and walked away like nothing happened while I stood there whispering curses to the universe. Great. My day had already started with a jump scare.

Anyway.

I took a deep breath and yelled down the hall like a local drama queen on a stage.

"Mummyyyyy! Kaha hooo? Dekho aaj aapki beti school ja rahi hai !!"

Just then, I felt a soft thud at the back of my head not painful, but annoying enough to make me turn around instantly.

"Ouuch !" I cried, already pouting.

There he was my dad, fresh from his home gym session, towel around his neck, hair sweaty, and that annoyingly teasing smile plastered on his face.

"Bas kar nautanki karna roj bas subha hua nhi ki mummy mummy shanti sae rehnae do kabhi apni mummy ko ," he said with a grin, ruffling my hair in that annoying dad way.

I scowled, fixing my hair like I hadn't just spent fifteen whole minutes getting it right. "Ughh, Papa! Hair! You ruined it!"

He just laughed. That soft, warm dad laugh the one that made you forget he was your biggest bully and your biggest cheerleader rolled into one.

" haa balike samjh gya," he teased ...

I couldn't help but giggle, despite trying to act mad.

"Papa, main driver ke saath school nahi jaaungi, okay? Aur na hi bhaiya ke saath. Aap chhod kar aaoge mujhe," I declared dramatically, arms crossed and eyes fixed on him like it was a non-negotiable contract.

Before Dad could even think of responding, Mummy appeared ...

"Koi zarurat nahi hai iski har bat manne ki. Agar driver ke saath nahi jaana, toh Bittu chhor dega."

I groaned so loud. "Mummy nooo! Bhaiya ke saath jaana means silence, and him scolding me like he's some discipline head . Main uske saath nahi jaaungi. Please."

But of course, no one cared about my emotional damage, because in the very next second, Dad who was completely ignoring our whole conversation ...

Wrapped his arm gently around Mummy's waist, leaned in, and kissed her forehead softly .

"Morning, princess," he murmured to her, voice low and full of affection.

I screamed. Like, genuinely.

"EWWW! What the hell, Papa! Main khadi hoon yahan! I'm right here! You guys seriously don't have any shame, do you?"

They both looked at me, completely unfazed, like I was the side character interrupting their main love story.

I dramatically pointed at myself. "I'm your daughter, okay? I'm the princess. Mom isn't. Stop stealing my title."

Dad just laughed while Mummy shook her head ...

And honestly? She wasn't wrong.

Just as I was about to tease them more Garv stepped in, looking every bit like the disciplined eldest son of the house polished shoes, ironed shirt, and that stupid black wristwatch he always checked ...

He barely glanced at me before throwing a "Morning, Dad. Mom." and reaching for his bag slung carelessly over the side chair.

I was already halfway out when Mom's voice cut through the air like a judge delivering a sentence:"Bittu , Aarvi ko school drop karte hue jaana."

And just like that, the morning peace was slaughtered.

I froze.

He froze.

We both turned to look at her  me with silent pleading in my eyes, and him with full-blown you're kidding me, right? energy.

"Mumma, please no. Why me? She has a driver!" Garv groaned dramatically, slinging his bag harder on his shoulder.

"Exactly! I'll go with the driver, okay? Why are we dragging him into this? I don't need him to ruin my mood first thing in the morning," I snapped, already annoyed at the mere idea of being stuck in a car with him for the next twenty minutes.

"You ruin your own mood, Aarvi. It's not like I'm the one who keeps thirty alarms and still gets late every damn morning."

"And you're not my dad . Stop acting like one."

"I would not , if you acted like a normal human for once."

"Guys!" Mom's voice echoed again, sharp and exhausted. "Just get in the damn car. Or walk to school. Together. I'm done!"

I huffed dramatically and stormed past Garv toward the gate ...

As soon as the car doors shut, a thick silence filled the space between us, the kind you could slice with a knife and still not get through all the built-up childhood annoyance.

He turned the keys, engine purred, and just like that, we were on the road me staring out the window with one earbud in ...

"You should at least say thank you. I'm wasting my fuel on you."

I turned to him, fake smiling like I'd just been crowned Miss Universe.
"Thank you kuttaee."

He smirked, one hand on the steering wheel like he was in a car commercial.
"You're welcome , kuttae ki behen ."

-

By the time I entered the class, dragging my half-dead soul and fully exhausted mood behind me, I had already decided no front benching, no participation, no energy.

Just me, my bag . And as expected, the last bench, near the window.

Annie was already there, sitting with that mischievous smile that screamed today, something is going to explode.

Our eyes met and immediately no words, no sign just that silent telepathy we've mastered over the years. I dropped my bag next to hers like a ritual, and just like that, the day began.

"You took too long wo dolly kamini subha sae lag rhi thi kachaari seat kae liye lad rhi thi acha sunai fir chup chap uth kae bhag gyiii."Anee whispered with her usual dramatic flair.

I just laughed ..

And then she said it "Areh tereko pata hai? Mere paas ek good news hai... aur ek bad news."

I blinked. Smiled. Rested my chin on my palm and tilted my head.
"Spill. But start with the bad one.."

She grinned wide. That grin that always meant gossip was steaming hot, drama was fresh, and someone's life (usually not ours) was about to fall apart.

I swear, this girl doesn't need anyone . She survives on drama, delivers it like breaking news, and makes my school life feel like a reality show.

Her gossips are my morning motivation, my midday mood lifter, and my after-class therapy. Even if half of it turns out to be " ham dono koi naya kand mai fasna" I don't care. Because somehow, sitting beside her makes everything feel just a little less suffocating.

-

Just as Anee and I were completely immersed in our usual round of juicy gossip the shrill sound of the assembly bell echoed through the corridors like an unwanted reminder of reality. It wasn't just a bell; it felt like a personal attack on our freedom.

I tilted my head slightly, giving Anee a look of disbelief, and she gave me one right back. It was the kind of silent conversation only best friends have, one that clearly said, "Do we really have to get up now?" But neither of us moved.

We were too busy decoding who had a secret crush on whom and whether the new boy in class is an alien ?!

Then that idiot class monitor ufff , "Aarvi, Annie! Go to the assembly hall right now! I swear, I'll complain to ma'am again if you two keep ignoring the rules!"

Her voice was nasal and dramatic, like she rehearsed her lines in front of a mirror every night. And her expression? God. It was like she thought dragging us to assembly would somehow fix the education system.

Before I could even muster a sarcastic comeback, Annie , ever the firecracker, rolled her eyes and snapped back with zero hesitation, "Oh, just relax. We're going. You're the class monitor, not the school owner . No need to act like we have done some type of crime."

I couldn't help it I burst into laughter, then we stood up, still giggling like idiots. We walked out of the class ..

But just as we turned the corner toward the corridor, my steps faltered.

There she was.

Niyati ..

Standing tall, arms folded neatly over her chest, eyebrows raised with all the judgment in the world, and a death glare that could probably knock someone unconscious. She didn't have to say a word her eyes were already yelling at me.

"Aa gayi maharani? Bahut jaldi class ke bahar aayi," she said, her ill kill you tone .

-

The assembly had finally ended, and students returned to their classrooms in a wave of chatter and dragging footsteps.

Niyati made her way to Section C while Aarvi and Annie rushed toward their usual seats in Section D, still giggling over something completely irrelevant to studies, as always.

As soon as Aarvi sat down, she wasted no time in pulling out her tiffin box and started munching on her food with the same urgency as if she hadn't eaten for days.

"bhukkad khi ki ," Annie rolled her eyes dramatically, "If I slap you right now, maybe your brain will work .. This is class teacher's period, idiot. At least have some impression infront of him I swear to god ill just aah you are impossible ."

She snatched the tiffin box and shut it with a loud click.

"Oh come on, let me eat! I'm starving!" Aarvi pouted, reaching for it again.

" THEN STARVEE ." Annie muttered, pushing it out of her reach.

Their hilarious chaos was still at its peak when the classroom door creaked open and in walked Ravi Sir tall, spectacled .

The class instantly quieted, almost magically, and everyone stood up .

"Good morning, Sir!" they chorused.

Annie stood obediently, nudging Aarvi who was pretending to be invisible. "Get up, idiot. This is not gardenn."

"I'm not standing. You stand for me," Aarvi whispered back stubbornly .

With an eye-roll, Annie dragged her up by the arm just in time for Sir to mutter, "Be seated," in his usual serious tone.

Once everyone had settled down, Ravi Sir opened the attendance register and began the daily roll call, his voice echoing through the slightly nervous silence of the classroom.

"Ansh?"

Silence.

He repeated, slightly louder this time, "Ansh?"

The class was still quiet until someone Leaning slightly against the doorframe with his bag carelessly slung over one shoulder, Ansh Rathore stood like he had just stepped out of a different world altogether a world where rules didn't matter and presence alone was power.

His top button of his shirt was open like he didn't believe in following protocols, and his eyes... sharp, intense, heavy with something unreadable .

The entire class exploded.

"WILDCARD ENTRY!!!"
"Anshhhhhhhhhh!"

Even Aarvi, who normally had no patience for drama, couldn't help but let out a surprised laugh. She didn't say anything, but her lips curled into a smirk as she whispered to Annie, "This guy always enters like he's the main character ."

Ansh walked to his seat at the back like he owned not just the bench but the entire classroom. He didn't bother apologising for being late. He didn't even look at Ravi Sir. He just sat down and stared ahead, calm and unreadable.

Ravi Sir paused for a moment, closed the register, and simply said, "Wild card entry indeed," before continuing with the attendance.

-

Ravi Sir, ever the strict one, clapped his hands twice and said with his authoritative voice, "Attention, class! eyes on me , not anywhere else."

The murmuring and low whispers died down instantly.

He glanced around with that no-nonsense expression and added, "All the students who are partipants of kho-kho team, please go and change into your house T-shirts, lower, and proper sports shoes."

With that, a wave of energy rippled through the class. Benches creaked as students stood up hurriedly, shoes squeaked across the tiles, and water bottles clanked in the rush.

One by one, the enthusiastic participants began filing out of the classroom, leaving behind only a handful of students who weren't a part of the team.

The class suddenly felt hollow, empty, like someone had taken away the chaos and left behind just silence and scribbles on the whiteboard.

Aarvi leaned forward on her desk, resting her chin against her folded arms ..

She let out a sigh, muttering under her breath, "Ugh, everyone's gone. Even that idiot anie left me all alone. That bitch." She puffed her cheeks out dramatically and shook her head in mock disappointment.

"I swear this is the worst. I'm getting so damn bored," she mumbled again, louder this time, dragging her words lazily as if hoping someone might hear and sympathize.

Her gaze moved around the room, noticing a few random boys immersed in some weird debate about cricket, and two girls whispering about someone's new boyfriend. Her eyes narrowed.

"What's the point of even being here?" she thought to herself bitterly. "All these fake smiles. These girls behind me they act like they care, but they just use me whenever they want notes or help in assignments."

She rested her cheek against her palm and closed her eyes for a second. "At least kho-kho means they'll take us to the ground. That's something. Sitting here with these snake-like people is a punishment.."

Just then, the teacher entered the class, scanning the almost empty room with a frown.

"Why is this class so empty?" she asked sharply, eyes darting around the benches.

A boy at the front answered, "Ma'am, Ravi Sir told kho-kho participants to go change. Only a few students were left."

The teacher sighed and looked through the attendance sheet. Then, after a moment, she made an announcement, "Everyone, take your things and go to the ground. No student should be seen inside the building now. All of you are to be present for the inter-house sports preparations."

A new kind of chaos erupted as students began stuffing notebooks into bags, pushing chairs, and running out in excitement.

Aarvi dragging her feet toward the door without saying a word to anyone. Behind her, a few girls giggled and whispered among themselves. One of them tried to smile and asked, "Hey Aarvi, want to come with us?"

But Aarvi just nodded silently, not breaking her stride, fully aware that their words were hollow, like thin sheets of ice that would crack the moment she leaned on them.

They never really meant it when they invited her. They never waited for her. They never remembered her unless they needed something.

She walked past them without a word.

The sunlight hit my face as I stepped out of the building, and for a moment, I had to squint. It was warm just warm enough to feel like a hug but not warm enough to burn ..

Around me, groups of girls linked arms and walked together, giggling over something on someone's phone.

A few boys were already running, chasing each other like they had a never-ending supply of energy. Everyone seemed to fit somewhere. Everyone had someone.

And me? I was just there somewhere between the lines of being known and forgotten.

"Funny," I whispered to myself, "how even in a crowd of hundreds, I can still feel like a background character."

And just when I was beginning to feel like no one would even notice if I disappeared into thin air, I felt a familiar thump on my back—firm, playful, and exactly the way only she does it.

I turned around instantly, and there she was Niyati, in her green house T-shirt and matching lowers, clearly all geared up and ready for the match. Her face was glowing, excitement lighting up every inch of her expression, and her usual carefree grin stretched wide across her face.

"Kya hai?" I asked, pretending to be annoyed but unable to hold back my smile.

She tilted her head dramatically and said, "Kuch nahi yaar... bas socha match ke pehle thoda tujhe pareshaan kar lun."

I raised an eyebrow at her antics. Classic Niyati.

"Oh, by the way," she added quickly, her voice lowering a little.. "Did you know? First match is Green vs Blue... so yeah, guess what? We're opponents now."

I blinked. "Opponent ? I'm not even playing," I said with a laugh, half-sarcastic, half-defensive.

She leaned in, grinning mischief all over her face, "I know, I know. Just remember you're my supporter, not your house's. Got it? No betrayal allowed."

I gasped, pretending to be deeply offended. "Excuse me? Who wants to support you anyway?"

She looked directly into my eyes and grabbed my hand tightly. "You will. Won't you?" she asked softly.

Before I could say anything more, a sharp whistle cut through the air PT Sir had blown it, signaling the start of the match lineup. Niyati glanced over her shoulder and then back at me.

"Okay okay, I gotta go now. Wish me luck!" she chirped.

"All the best " I said with a tiny salute.

She ran off toward the ground, shouting back one last "Bye Aarvi!" over her shoulder, her hair bouncing behind her and her voice full of thrill

Barely a minute had passed when Annie finally appeared, wearing her red house tshirt and lowers, her hair tied up messily like she'd been in a full-on war with her wardrobe.

"Abe tu finally aa gayi," I said as she walked up to me, arms crossed, shaking my head dramatically.

She rolled her eyes and groaned, "Haan yaar, time lag gaya... woh kamini Ekta hai na? Sports captain ban ke toh aesa sochti hai ki kahi ki sehzaddi hoo ."

I burst out laughing ...

"By the way," annie continued, her voice low and teasing, "Tujhe toh pata hai na, green vs blue pehla match hai... toh Niyati toh nahi aayegi na ab tere paas?"

I tilted my head. " haa abhi toh nhi ."

Both of us started walking together, side by side, toward the bleachers. The field was buzzing with life whistles blowing, names being shouted across corners, students hopping, warming up, and slipping into their roles like characters in a play.

I looked at Annie, nudged her shoulder, and whispered, "Today might be boring..."

She grinned, linked her arm in mine, and said, " bat toh shi haii ."

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