Hey lovelies Here's the next chapter ... Enjoy🌷✨

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The sun was setting, casting a mesmerizing glow across the sky, hues of orange and pink blending seamlessly. In the Agarwal household, tension filled the air. Kiara's parents and brother Karan sat in the living room, awaiting her arrival. Karan had just returned from the hospital and was now seated on the sofa, his laptop open in front of him. The atmosphere grew heavier as he revealed Kiara's exam results to their parents.

Her mother, Ishita, sitting on a single sofa, pressed her hand to her forehead, sighing deeply. "This girl... such low marks. What are we going to do with her?" she lamented.

Her father, Mr Agarwal, crossed his arms, his brows furrowing in frustration. Karan sensed the brewing storm and decided to make a swift exit.

"I'll be right back," he said, standing abruptly and placing the laptop on the table. He hurried outside, pulling out his phone to call Kiara, but she didn't pick up. Frustrated, he muttered to himself, "Ye chuhiya aaj nhi bachegi."

Karan knew his mother well-being a teacher, she was strict, especially when it came to education.

Meanwhile, Kiara had just reached home. As she approached her gate, she heard a familiar voice.

"Kira didi, pass or fail?" It was Krish, her young neighbour, standing at his gate across the street. They shared a sibling-like bond, always teasing each other.

(He always calls her Kira didi)

Narrowing her eyes, Kiara flipped her hair dramatically. "Passed, 60%," she replied with a smirk.

Krish chuckled. "What's the big deal? I always get 80+."

"Oh please, you're in the 4th grade. Jab main teri age ki thi, I got 90% too. Issi wajah se Ghar walo ne mere se apni expectations badha li. ," she retorted, pointing a finger at him.

Krish grinned mischievously. "By the way, my mom made carrot halwa today. Maine socha tha agr aap fail ho jaogi to main khaunga." He teased her.

Kiara picked up a small stone from the ground. "Piddi kahi ke!" she shouted, aiming it at him. Krish darted inside, slamming the gate just as the stone hit his house window, shattering the glass.

Hearing the crash, Krish's mother, Priti, rushed outside. Seeing the broken window, her anger flared. Kiara, realizing the gravity of the situation, darted into her own house, her heart pounding.

Inside, her parents and Karan were already waiting. Kiara froze, caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. "Mar gayi aaj toh," she mumbled, her face a mixture of panic and resignation

Ishita's sharp eyes locked onto her daughter. "Aaiye Maharani," she said, beckoning Kiara to come forward. With hesitant steps, Kiara stood beside Karan, trying to appear nonchalant.

"Where were you loitering around till this hour? Didn't I tell you to come home early?" Ishita's voice was stern.

"I was... with Shikha," Kiara mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Did you see your result?" her father asked, his tone cold.

"Yes, Papa," she replied softly.

"Percentage?" he inquired, standing up.

"Sixty... 60%," she admitted, her head lowered.

"You think that's enough?" her mother scolded.

Kiara glanced at Karan, silently pleading for support, but he merely shrugged, leaving her to face the music alone. "For me, it's enough," she blurted out but immediately bit her tongue, realizing her mistake.

"Bas ulte jawab sun lo isse!" Ishita exclaimed, tapping her daughter on the forehead.

"Ouch!" Kiara yelped, rubbing the spot.

The doorbell rang, and Karan opened it to find Priti standing there, her face a mask of anger. She entered the house, glaring at Kiara.

"Mr. Agrawal, control your daughter. She broke our window," Priti complained, her voice laced with frustration.

Kiara's parents exchanged weary looks. "Aunty, Maine Jaan bujh ke nahi Kiya galti se ho gaya.," Kiara tried to explain, her eyes wide and innocent.

"This is her usual behaviour, I'm telling you; manage her before it's too late," Priti warned before leaving.

Ishita sank back onto the sofa, exhausted. "I'm fed up with this girl. Every other day, there's a new complaint."

Karan, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "There's only one solution-send her to boarding school."

Kiara stood there, her head hanging low. For her, these marks were just numbers, but in reality, those numbers held immense weight. The Indian education system placed undue importance on marks, often overlooking the true essence of learning.

She understood her parents' expectations, but sometimes, those expectations became overwhelming.

The room fell silent, each lost in their thoughts, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.

Kiara's mother glanced at her son, nodding in agreement. "You're right, Karan. Maybe she'll gain some sense there."

Her father, however, looked concerned. "But how will she adjust in a completely new school?" he wondered aloud, worried about how his daughter would cope with the unfamiliar environment.

Kiara, on the other hand, felt a flicker of happiness. There was a chance she could end up where her friend was going. Her mother, sensing her husband's concern, reassured him, "She'll manage. Don't stress about her. She's tougher than you think."

Excited, Kiara raised her hand, exclaiming, "I'll go to 'The Imperial Heritage Boarding School' in Mumbai!" She knew this was where Yuvaan was heading, as he often discussed it with her.

Her mother shot her a sharp look. "Did anyone ask you? We'll decide where you go, not you!" she snapped, narrowing her eyes in suspicion at Kiara's sudden enthusiasm.

Kiara quickly lowered her hand, her eyes darting to her brother, who was watching her closely, suspicion etched on his face.

Her father, contemplating the suggestion, spoke up, "That school does have a good reputation for discipline. Fine, Karan, look into the admission process. Make sure everything is in order."

Karan nodded, "Okay, Papa. The new session starts in a week, so we have time to handle everything." He shot a glance at Kiara, who was grinning ear to ear.

"Isn't Mr. Mehrotra's Elder son also studying there?" her father asked, frowning.

The two families shared a strained relationship due to their business rivalries. Kiara's father and Aarav's father had never gotten along, though the women in the families maintained a polite, if distant, relationship.

Her mother dismissed his concerns. "What does it matter? Focus on our daughter."

Her father relented, "Fine. Kiara, start your packing." With that, he left the room.

Kiara dashed to her room, eager to share the news with Yuvaan. She quickly dialled his number and excitedly recounted everything that had happened in the living room. Yuvaan was thrilled at the prospect of them going to the same school.

Kiara squealed in delight, overwhelmed with happiness. She was ready for this new chapter in her life, ready to explore what lay ahead. And most importantly, she was eager to finally meet Yuvaan's brother, someone she had only seen in pictures so far. There was something about him that intrigued her, something that made her heart flutter, and now she would finally meet him in person.

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Padhai ki fikar nahi hai bss Ashiqui krni hai isko 😭
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