Prologue

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I tried to avoid looking directly into her eyes. I could feel her gaze on me, shifting slightly on my seat. I cleared my throat, my grip on the pen tightened. “Shivika, I think you should focus on the concept, you have your test tomorrow, remember..” I tried to sound firm, but it almost sounded like the softest plea ever.

She lifted her head, grinning. Her lips curled up into a wide smile, her cheeks lifting up that made her eyes squint. Those rosy and chubby cheeks, with that dimple on her left cheek. 

She was looking so cute. 

Shit. 

I shouldn’t have been noticing things like that.

“Focus to aap par hi hain” she muttered under her breath thinking that her words didn’t reach into my ears, I could feel the warmness spreading over my cheeks, heat creeping into my neck. Rubbing the bridge of my nose, I cleared my throat. “Shivika… ”

“Haan jii” her voice soft like velvet. She leaned slightly, resting her face on her palm as she tilted her face to look at me. 

“So..” I don’t even know why but my voice trembled, my gaze fixed on her book and the notebook laid on the table.

“So..” she teased, grinning after making me nervous, like I was about to jump off a cliff.

I tried to sound firm this time, “so I was saying.. That a combination of variables, constants and mathematical operations can be called as algebraic expressions.” I explained lightly tracing under the definition.

A pause as I continued. “Examples are.. 4z, 5x^-2 + 1.. Etc”

I turned the pages to the exercise. I was about to write a question when she asked me. “So polynomials and algebraic expressions are the same?”

I looked at her, she blinked. Almost innocently. 

You love her! You love her! You love her!

Wait! Did my mind actually say that to me?

I know she knows the answer. I was well aware that she is the topper of her class. Maths is her favorite subject. 

This chapter is one of the easiest chapters yet I couldn’t say a simple, ‘No’ when she asked me to explain this chapter. If it was Ivaan asking me this question, I probably would have explained him being strict but she asked me in her soft and soothing voice. I can’t even ignore it.

I sighed slowly before explaining it to her, gesturing to her to look at the notebook. With a last glance at me she did focus on the notebook after distracting me.

I pressed my lips together before focusing back on the topic as I explained again. “Polynomials are a specific type of algebraic expression where all variable exponents must be non-negative integers.. Basically whole numbers…”

I paused. 

“Meanwhile, algebraic expressions can have fractional, negative, or irrational exponents and variables in denominators. Think of it as all polynomials are algebraic expressions, but not all algebraic expressions are polynomials.” my voice firm as I explained her through the examples that I was roughly writing down in the notebook. 

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He smirked.

That idiot smirked again.

“So I see, my doll can’t resist without seeing me” he teased me, leaning slightly so he could look directly into my eyes.

I raised my eyes to look into his, my gaze hard. I pushed him away. He barely flinched. Unbelievable. 

“What happened, doll? Can’t push me.” his voice low, teasing, mocking.

I glared at him, snapped back. “Don’t call me that.”

He chuckled, “call you what, doll?” 

“AHUJA DON’T” I warned, my palm turning into a fist. I am trying really hard not to punch this idiot right now, in the ground where we are surrounded by many students. 

 “Don’t what meri jangli billi” he teased again.

My patience snapped, I raised my fist. A tight punch landed across his face. He flinched this time. Hard as his face titled to the other side. He looked back at me again, scoffing and taking a step towards me.

He wiped the slight blood that tingled through his lips. He chuckled. “Nice punch, doll. Kaha se seekha”

I threw the cricket ball that was in my hand at his face but he caught it beforehand, smiling like an idiot. “You know violence achi baat nahi hain. Gandhi jii bhi ahimsa ke against the”

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I looked at the chocolates the boy handed with a small note. Before I could protest anything he passed me a tootsy smile and exclaimed in his childish and cheerful voice. “You are prettier—than the moon and stars..”

I narrowed my face, “chotu—” 

“Bhaiya ne bola!!” he giggled pointing in the direction of class 12th and ran away. My gaze followed him, until he disappeared in between the students. 

I stood up shaking my head and followed the direction he was pointing at only to find Revaan casually standing with crossed arms looking at me with a soft gaze, a warm smile playing over his lips.

I scrunched my face, my brows asking him silently gesturing at the chocolates and the small note. He casually raised his shoulder, mouthing. ‘Open it’

I narrowed my eyes, shrugging my shoulders. ‘Why?’. He passed me a pleading look joining his hands. A sheepish smile on his lips. ‘Please’ 

I shook my head, shaking my head. I looked down at the dark chocolate he gave me. My eyes landed on the place where usually MRP should have been written but it was scratched off a text written over it in a neat handwriting. 

‘Khane ko deta hoon, sitara.’ I bit back a smile trying to hide it from him and opened the note he gave me. 

I kept the chocolate in my pocket and opened the note. I focused on the text he wrote. 

‘No. I am not ashamed of your skin or standing beside you. You are more beautiful than you actually think…’  (to be continued in chapters)

My eyes shimmered. I sniffed and held back the tears before I could read further….

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I glanced down at her, how animatedly she talked about a random guy who gave her flowers this morning. Sighing heavily I was just nodding at her words, hiding the pain that strikes my heart every time she talks about any other guy. Like it didn’t hurt me.

I looked away at the street before focusing back on her. I smiled faintly, my gaze softened. ‘Khush hain atleast’, I thought.

Clearing my throat, I spoke. “Anu, shop aa gya” pointing at the stationary shop. 

She looked up at me then back at the shop. She chuckled, slapping her head. “Chalte hain… par pehele kuch kha le bhook lagi hain please”

I shook my head playfully and spoke, pointing at the vada pav stall. “Vaha chal ke khate hain kuch” my tracks turned towards the stall when she stopped her tracks. I looked at her, my eyes narrowed. 

She scrunched her face and whined. “Nahi vada pav nahi, Ashwin..” she pointed at the pani puri stall and exclaimed. “Pani puri khate hain naa!!”

I snorted, holding her wrist and started walking towards the vada pav stall, scolding her lightly. “Nahi..6 baje ke baad khata khane se teri tabiyat kharab ho jayegi…”

“Pretty please!!!” she pouted looking at me.

I stopped and looked down at her. I desperately wanted to agree with the cute little pout but she would get sick, then won’t come to school for a minimum of four days. 

I will go insane without listening to her rants. 

No way. I am letting that happen.

With a heavy sigh I shook my head. “Tabiyat kharab ho jayegi, Anu..vada pav khate hain, meri taraf se treat do kha lena” my voice half pleading, half scolding.

“Papa jaisa hain bilkul mere tu” she complained, smacking my arm. I chuckled. She pushed me slightly without any actual force and walked towards the stall. “Do khaungi!!” she shouted back at me.

I laughed before walking towards the stall. 

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“Sakal dekhi hain apni!!” Tritha shouted, gripping the stool tightly.

Arsh tried pulling the stool towards him with equal force. He shot back. “Tere se achi hain, monjolika kahi ki!!”

She left the stool in anger, pushing him as she snapped. “Aur tu kya hain, jhaadu jaisi sakal hain bikul mud ke bhi na dekhe koi!!”

He kept the stool aside, stepping towards her. He flicked on her forehead enough to make her flinch. “Ladkiya marti hain iss sakal pe” , his voice proud.

“Aandhi hogi!!” she shot back sarcastically and kicked on his leg. Hard enough to make him step back.

Everyone in the class was focusing on their fight, whispering to eachother. Raahi who was entering the class with her book noticed it. She groaned before walking towards them and stood between them putting a gap between them. 

“Bas karo dono kahi bhi shuru ho jaate ho” her voice half exhausted, half frustrated.

He scoffed, his hands raising to point at Tritha. “Tu isko bol na bas kalesh karna aata hain!!” his voice high in frustration.

Tritha stepped forward, eyes narrowed. She gritted through her teeth. “Aur tujhe!! Kutta kahin ka bas befaltu ka ladna aata hain.. Ye meri seat hain, main pehele aayi thi”

“Kharid rakhi thi kya” he snapped. 

“Bola na pehele aayi thi!!” she shot back pulling the stool towards her. 

His jaw clenched, he pulled it towards him. “Mene dekhi thi pehle!!”

“Chood na kutte!!! Tu toh padhai bhi nahi karta” she gritted, pulling back the stool at her with equal force. Raahi stepped back from them, she sighed heavily in frustration as she kept her books on the slab tightly. 

“Haan toh tu konsi Neil Bhor hain ki tujhe atoms ke naye rules banane hain!!” he snapped tightly pulling the stool that made her almost fall down, but she managed to balance herself. 

She again pulled back the stool with a tight force, “jyada bola na toh HCL fek dungi!!”

“Aur main—”

“What’s happening here?” Suddenly the teacher's voice cuts through the tension as she witnesses Tritha and Arsh fighting for a stool. They both stood frozen, he suddenly left the stool which made her stumbled back but Raahi held her before her back could hit the slab.

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“Ma’am please ek marks hi hain, aapne bina baat ke kaat liye” Aina spoke, her voice half pleading, half frustrated as she stood there holding her answer sheet.

From a far.

Ivaan sat completely relaxed, he watched the scene in front of him in boredom. He leaned and shook Shivika’s shoulder. She looked back with raised brows. “Kya hua?”

His hand lightly pointed at Aina, he asked in amusement. “Ye itna kyun roo rahi hain ek mark ke liye.”

She sighed, turning back to him. Her voice is heavy with seriousness. “68 hain 80 mein..Kam aaye hain, warden ko dikhana hain usse.. Woh already usse chidi hui rehti hain aur upar se didi bhi nahi hain ki bacha le…tabiyat kharab thi uski iss baar toh prepare nahi kar payi..”

His gaze lingered on Aina a moment too long, and he felt his chest tighten, though his face remained unchanged. His eyes went on Aina again, who was now explaining to the teacher how he had reduced her marks for no reason at some question. His gaze lingered longer than usual. Something in him softened but he was too stubborn to show it.

He snapped his gaze back at Shivika, he snorted, his lips curling into a playful smirk. He spoke casually. “Abbe maar todhi degi iski warden isko.. Aur vese bhi isko akele jitne aaye hain mere jaise teen aur ek ek aadha baccha pass ho jyange”

“Kitna insensible hain tu” Shivika scolded, slapping his arm before turning back.

“Chal na logical hu atleast bacchi hain kya woh!!” he playfully shot back. She turned around again and glared at him. He just grinned. His eyes found the sight of Aina still arguing with the teacher for her. 

He would never admit it but he cared. More than he ever thought. He hated her but the thought of someone scolding or hating her other than him didn’t seem right to him.

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Kaavish stood there, still grinning. Almost carefree and proud. While Shaarv was completely opposite of his best friend. He was looking everywhere except Revaan, who was sharply glaring at both of them.

“Do kaudi ki bhi sharam nahi aayi na meri beheno ko fasate hue?” Revaan asked in a loud voice.

“Kaidi todhi hain ki fasa liya, aur Shivika ki toh gandi nazar thi hi mere bechare dost pe..” Kaavish casually shrugged, putting an arm over Shaarv’s shoulder, but he slightly pushed him away, glaring at him.

“..aur Kaaya, woh mereko dekh ke aapne andar ke jaasbaat ko sambhal nahi paayi..” he continued, earning a tight slap from Shaarv, while Revaan gritted through his teeth.

“Abbe kyaa?!” Kaavish exclaimed, rubbing his head. 

“Main batata hoon!!” Revaan exasperated, grabbing his collar. Shaarv’s eyes widened as he tried to stop him, meanwhile Kaavish was still shamelessly grinning.

Before anything could extend further, Ashwin hurriedly came ahead, grabbing Revaan’s collar he spoke in anger. “Abbe tu inko kya bol raha hain, tu bata saale!! Tu jo meri behan ko date kar raha hain”

Revaan went speechless, with a last glare at Kaavish, his eyes shifted at Ashwin. His grip on Kaavish loosened. He immediately pulled back, straightening his clothes; he winked at Revaan and passed him a mischievous and sympathetic look. “Haan haw..tsk tsk.. Kya Revaan?” he spoke, shaking his head, his voice innocent yet teasing.

“Ye kab hua. Ye Raahi ko..?” Shaarv asked, leaning towards Kaavish. His voice, only audible to him. 

Kaavish shrugged his shoulders, grinning and nodding. He accused him in a low voice. “Tereko bola tha mene, tubelight kahi kaa”

He shifted slightly, rubbing the bridge of his nose, his ears getting the slightest shade of red. “Mujhe kya pata tha, sach hi hoga..” his voice embarrassed.

Kaavish rolled his eyes and muttered, “isiliye tubelight bulata hoon tujhe, aur woh tujhe bhondu..” 

A pause. 

He continued, shrugging his shoulders with Shaarv’s and looked at Ashwin who was still holding Revaan’s collar. “..abb chal iss bade bhai ko rokte hain.”

Shaarv rolled his eyes, nodding. He chuckled before taking a step towards them with Kaavish. 

“Bhaiya jane do naa usse..” Raahi pleaded.

From the back, Shivika excitedly chimed. “Usko jane de Nagma..” Everyone snapped their heads at her, Ashwin’s grip slightly loosened. Revaan took the chance and hurriedly stepped away from him.

Kaavish continued. Grinning. “Haaye usko jaane doon main..”

Shaarv and Raahi slapped their heads, shaking their  muttering. “Pura group hi pagal hain”. “Ho gye shuru”

Kaaya joined, clapping her hands up in the air. “Wah Shampy Wah!!”

“Usko main jaane doon, Wah Shampy Wah.” Anusha exclaimed pointing at where Raahi was stopping her brother.

“Dekho kaise pakad rahi hain woh aapko!!” Shivika continued, jumping in excitement. Revaan rolled his eyes and snapped. “Tu shant hogi!!”

Shivika’s smile flattered, she shot back in anger. “Aap shant ho!!”. Revaan took a step at his sister, glaring at them. He asked, his voice, half amusement. Half frustrated. “Tum dono se bataya nahi gaya..” he pointed at Shaarv and Kaavish, who were now lost looking at Shivika and Kaaya. “.. ki tum inn gadho ko date kar rahe ho.”

Ashwin now looked at Raahi, his gaze firm. He pointed at Revaan. “Aur tujhe bhi yahi gadha mila!!” his voice half frustrated, half disbelief. 

“Bhaiya…woh—” Raahi started to exclaim. But a loud voice cuts through the tension. Kaaya yelled, slapping Revaan. “Tu kya bol raha hain? Tune bataya!!”. Shivika continued pushing him back. “Vahi aapne bataya!! Bade aaye hame bolne vale”

Shaarv and Kaavish exchanged knowing gazes, muttering. “Shuru ho gya inka mahabharat”

Anusha grinned, trying to hide her grin. Raahi sighed, slapping her head. “Gaya”. Ashwin rolled his eyes, sighing as he walked to Shaarv and Kaavish, Anusha joined them too. He leaned asking in amusement. “Kya karna hain?” 

“Bas ek minute hi bada hain, suwar kahi ka!!” Kaaya yelled, beating Revaan, he winched as Shivika joined in, pulling his hair. “Khud ko samajhte kya ho!!”

Anusha pulled Raahi towards them, who was about to stop them. She lightly scolded her in a low voice, “abbe tu jagmata bane kyun jaa rahi hain. Khadi reh yahin chup chap.”

“Paar didi woh bechara pit raha hain..” she spoke, her voice miserable. Shaarv nodded. “I think jyada ho raha hain..kuch jyada hi—”

Anusha cuts him off, rolling her eyes. “Teri biwi hain woh.” Kaavish shot, sarcastically. “Jab mujhe marne aa raha tha tab toh itni mamta nahi aayi..”

Ashwin rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He pulled out a hundred rupee note and said in between stopping the argument. “Chup ho jao saare, sau hain mere pass main ice cream leke aata hoon, fir aaram se dekhenge..”