लिखूं...तो लफ्ज़ तुम हो।
सोचूं...तो ख्याल तुम हो।

✿✿✿✿

Next day

Trisha and Vani were huddled together, whispering about how to slip the letter into Aarav's bag. Kiara stood beside them, watching with wide eyes. The way her friends were going out of their way to help her overwhelmed her.

"It's break time. No one will be in the classroom right now. I'll go and slip this letter into his bag," Vani said excitedly.

"I'm coming with you. It's my letter, after all," Kiara said with a smile.

"Oh, so you think we'll do all the work while you just sit back? Naukar hai hum tumhare?" Trisha scoffed, making exaggerated faces.

Kiara chuckled and playfully pointed at her. "Zyada shakal na bna aise hi reh jayegi, tedhi."

Trisha immediately stopped, making Vani roll her eyes. "Can you two stop bickering? Let's go before someone catches us." She grabbed Kiara's wrist and hurried toward the 12th-grade classroom.

As they reached the door, Vani stopped abruptly. "Trisha, you stay here and keep watch. If anyone comes, signal us."

Trisha nodded and took her position by the door while Vani and Kiara slipped inside. The classroom was empty, just as they had hoped.

Vani sighed dramatically as she looked around. "Kya Chindigiri krni pad rhi hai tere Ishq ke chakar me."

"Shut up, Vani. When it's your turn, I'll help you too," Kiara shot back.

"That's never gonna happen," Vani smirked.

Kiara raised a brow. "Anyway, do you even know which bag is his?"

Vani scoffed. "Obviously. Why else would I be here?" She quickly scanned the classroom, and her gaze landed on a bag resting on the middle desk in the first row. "There it is."

She rushed toward it, Kiara right behind her. Opening the zipper carefully, she slid the letter inside.

But just as she was about to close the bag, Kiara's eyes caught something-or rather, someone.

Through the glass door, she saw Neil, Aarav's friend, walking toward them. Her heart skipped a beat. Panic surged through her when she glanced outside the classroom. Where's Trisha?

Without a second thought, she darted behind the door, leaving Vani behind.

Vani, unaware of the approaching danger, clapped her hands. "Done!" she said proudly, turning toward Kiara-only to collide straight into someone's chest.

She stumbled back, but before she could fall, strong hands caught her wrist, steadying her.

Vani froze. She didn't need to look up to know who it was.

But when she did, her breath hitched.

Neil.

His dark eyes locked onto hers, filled with curiosity and something else she couldn't quite decipher. Realizing their proximity, she quickly pulled her hand away and stepped back, creating some distance.

"What were you doing here?" His voice was calm, but his sharp gaze flickered toward the desk behind her.

"I... I wasn't doing anything," she stammered.

Neil narrowed his eyes. "Jhuthi." He took a step closer.

Vani instinctively moved back until she hit the desk behind her. Damn it, where are Kiara and Trisha?! she cursed inwardly.

"I... I was here to talk to Vedant Bhai," she blurted out with a forced smile.

Neil arched a brow. "Oh, really?"

"Yes, really."

Neil stepped even closer. "You're terrible at lying, Vani."

She scowled and poked a finger at his chest. "Stay right there. Don't come any closer."

"Not until you tell me what you were up to," he challenged, his voice turning softer, more teasing.

"I already told you! And why do you even care?" she huffed in frustration.

Neil's smirk faded slightly. His voice dropped, turning serious. "Because I do, and you know why."

Vani felt her breath catch. The playful spark in his eyes was gone, replaced with something deeper.

She lowered her gaze, feeling her heart race.

She knew what was coming.

"Vani...Yrr I'm waiting for your answer or for You!" Neil said gently.

The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. There was something in his voice-something raw, something real.

She didn't need to ask what he meant.

She already knew.

'He has feelings for her.'

And deep down, she felt something for him too.

But she was scared.

Of her brothers.

Of what they would say.

Of the consequences.

Neil wasn't just some guy. He was different. He was kind. He always made sure she felt safe, never uncomfortable.

She could feel his warmth even in the way he held her wrist-not forcefully, but gently, like he never wanted to let go.

And for a fleeting moment, she didn't want him to, either.

Hiding behind the door, Kiara watched everything unfold, her jaw nearly dropping.

"Ye kya ho raha hai?" she muttered under her breath.

Kiara, making sure she wasn't seen, quietly slipped out. She had no interest in eavesdropping on their private conversations. As soon as she was in the clear, she sprinted toward her classroom.

Upon entering, her eyes immediately landed on Trisha, who was standing with Yuvan. Anger flared inside her, and without hesitation, she marched up to Trisha and smacked her lightly on the head.

"You ditched both of us and ran away!" Kiara accused.

Trisha winced, rubbing her head. "I panicked! I just ran!" she defended herself, flashing a sheepish grin.

"And you didn't bother telling me?" Yuvan chimed in, narrowing his eyes at Kiara.

Kiara glanced at Trisha with a look that screamed, Did you tell him? Trisha mouthed a silent Sorry.

Lowering her gaze, Kiara muttered, "I thought you'd be mad... because, well... he already has a girlfriend, and here I am, doing all this."

"I just wanted him to know that someone loves him. That's all."

Yuvan scoffed. "She's not his girlfriend."

Kiara's head snapped up. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you just say? If this is a joke, I swear-"

"I'm not joking." Yuvan cut her off, irritated. "He told me himself. Wo Bhai ke peeche padi hai."

Trisha, who had been listening quietly, couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Peeche padi hai. He is in demand."

Kiara shot her a sharp glare, and Trisha instantly pressed her lips together to stifle her laugh.

Yuvan said, running his hand through his hair "bhai kiska hai?"

Trisha smirked. "Well, tumhara to nahi hoga, Chimkandi ki shakal ke."

Yuvan glared at her. "You wanna fight?"

"Enough, both of you!" Kiara interjected, placing a hand on Yuvan's shoulder. She softened her voice. "Mere Bhai, tell me everything. What exactly did he say?"

Yuvan sighed but relented, explaining what he had learned. As Kiara listened, a slow smile spread across her face. Relief and happiness flooded her.

"So, that means... I didn't do anything wrong by leaving that letter," she murmured to herself.

✿✿✿⁠✿

Aarav sat at his desk, lost in thought, while Rihaan was beside him, completely engrossed in his book.

"Hey, pass me a pen," Rihaan mumbled, not looking up.

Aarav wordlessly reached into his bag and handed him one, but as he did, something slipped out and fell to the floor. Frowning, he bent down to pick it up. His fingers grasped a neatly folded paper. Confused, he turned it over and noticed something odd-

A small, delicate light blue origami crane was tucked inside the folds of the paper.

His brows furrowed. What is this? I don't remember putting anything like this in my bag.

Before he could think further, a hand landed on his shoulder, jolting him out of his thoughts.

"What's up?" Neil asked, just arriving. His eyes immediately caught the paper in Aarav's hand. "Whoa, is that a letter?" he teased.

Rihaan, now curious, looked up from his book.

"Who gave it to you? Disha?" Neil asked.

"I... I don't know." Aarav shook his head.

"Dude, it's totally her. Open it already!" Neil urged excitedly.

Aarav hesitated for a second but then carefully unfolded the paper.

His heart pounded as his eyes scanned the words and his fingers brushed against the origami crane again.

Dearest Aarav,

You don't know who I am, and perhaps you never will. But that's okay. This letter isn't about revealing myself-it's about revealing what my heart has been holding onto for so long.

From the moment I first saw you, something changed in me. You carry a light within you, a warmth that makes the world feel softer and kinder. There's a quiet strength in you, a depth I wish I could dive into without fear. But I remain here, in the shadows, cherishing every small moment from a distance.

Your laughter is the kind that stays with me long after the moment has passed. The way you speak, the way your eyes light up when you talk about something you love-it's beautiful, effortless, and entirely you.

And I wonder, do you know how extraordinary you are?

There have been so many times I've wanted to tell you all this in person. To stand before you and let my heart spill out, unguarded. But fear holds me back-fear that my words might not be enough, that I might not be enough. So instead, I write.

I just want you to know-you are cherished, more than you can imagine. Even if I must love you from afar, I will do so with all the tenderness in my heart.

"They say folding a thousand origami cranes grants a wish. I folded mine, Aarav, not for luck or health, but for you-because my only wish is for your happiness, whether it's with me or not. Every fold holds a piece of my heart, and even if you never read this, know that I loved you with every breath, every hope, and every silent prayer."

With all my love,
Someone Who Cares........

********************************

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