"मुश्किल है ये जानते हुए भी,
ये नादान दिल प्यार कर बैठा हैं।"
✿✿✿✿
The long-awaited day had finally arrived-the moment when the new school leaders would be formally introduced to all the students. The entire school had gathered in the auditorium, buzzing with anticipation. Some students already knew who the new leaders were, while others remained in the dark. The teachers, including the principal, stood on the stage, their expressions composed and authoritative. Backstage, Kiara and Yuvan waited for their turn, standing side by side in silence.
Kiara bit her lip, lost in her thoughts, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blazer. After a moment, she sighed and voiced her frustration, "Why are they making such a big deal out of this? They could have just announced it during the morning assembly."
Yuvan, who had been staring straight ahead, turned slightly towards her and shrugged, his expression indifferent. "Hume kya karna, jo kar rahe hain karne do."
Kiara huffed but before she could respond, a teacher's voice rang out, calling them onto the stage. With a deep breath, they stepped forward. The bright auditorium lights hit them as they emerged from behind the curtains. The principal began his speech in his usual formal tone, speaking about leadership, responsibility, and the importance of setting an example. While a handful of students listened intently, most of them looked bored, some even stifling yawns.
Kiara, too, struggled to maintain her focus. She rolled her neck, feeling the stiffness settle in. Just then, her eyes landed on her class teacher, who was glaring at her with a sharp, knowing look. She straightened up instantly, standing as rigid as a soldier in a parade. Yuvan, who had caught the entire scene, coughed into his hand, holding back his laughter.
After what felt like an eternity, the principal finally invited the current school leaders onto the stage. Aarav, the former head boy, and the head girl walked up and stood beside Kiara and Yuvan. Kiara's gaze immediately flickered to Aarav. Or, she started admiring him-again. But her admiration was short-lived as the girl, standing between them, turned to her with a warm smile. Kiara quickly shook off her distraction and returned the smile.
On the principal's cue, Aarav and the girl unpinned their badges from their blazers and handed them over to the teacher. The principal then introduced Kiara and Yuvan as the new head girl and head boy.
A roar of cheers erupted from the front rows, where their friends sat. Claps echoed through the auditorium as their class-in-charge stepped forward, pinning the badges onto their blazers. Kiara glanced at Yuvan and gave him a reassuring nod, or he gave her a crying look.
Aarav and the girl turned to them, extending their hands in congratulations. "Congratulations," Aarav said, his voice steady and composed. Kiara barely managed a "Thank you" without sounding like a complete fool.
As the ceremony concluded, their friends rushed towards them, their excitement evident. Trisha and Vani practically tackled Kiara in a hug, squealing in delight.
"Proud of you!" Trisha gushed.
"Head girl Kiara", Vani added with a playful wink.
Meanwhile, Rihan, Neil, and Vedant patted Yuvan on the back, grinning. "Don't let the power get to your head," Neil joked.
Kiara and Yuvan exchanged glances, letting out a small laugh. The weight of their new responsibilities settled on their shoulders, but in that moment, surrounded by their friends, they felt nothing but pride and excitement.
✿✿✿✿
Her book lay open before her, but her eyes never strayed to the words. Instead, they remained fixed on Aarav. He sat across the table, effortlessly solving math problems with Rihan, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. From the very first day, she had stepped into the school, not once-not even for a fleeting second-had Aarav looked at her. Their conversations, if they could even be called that, were nothing more than a handful of words, clipped and distant.
Kiara had convinced herself that if he didn't feel the same way, she wouldn't force it. She would never chase after a love that wasn't meant to be. And yet, deep within her, a quiet ache refused to fade-a hope, fragile but persistent, longing for him to see her the way she saw him.
But in her oblivion, she had unknowingly drawn someone else into her orbit.
He watched her from afar, just like she watched Aarav. Captivated by her presence-the way she carried an air of effortless joy, the way her laughter had a way of brightening even the dullest corners of the room. He admired her kindness, her wit, her carefree nature. Every little thing about her pulled him closer, just as she was drawn to Aarav.
A tangled web of unspoken feelings wove itself between them, tightening with every stolen glance and hidden yearning. And yet, none of them realized the inevitable truth-
In the end, 'one heart was bound to break.'
✿✿✿✿
The next day Excitement filled the air as students eagerly reunited with their families. Laughter and chatter echoed through the corridors as parents embraced their children, some even getting emotional after being apart for so long.
Vedant and Vani stood with their parents, Sneha and Mohit Rajput. Their mother hugged them tightly, kissing their foreheads with warmth, while their father held them close. Soon, Aarav and Yuvan joined, greeting their uncle and aunt with smiles.
Nearby, Neil stood beside his mother, Nisha Singhania, an arm draped around her shoulder as they laughed together. His father, Prateek Singhania, gave him a familiar lecture about focusing on his studies. Neil sighed and shot his mother a helpless look, to which she gently caressed his cheek and blinked twice-her silent reassurance that everything was okay.
On a bench, Trisha clung to her father, Tarun Khanna, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her mother, Divya Khanna, sat beside them, running her fingers through Trisha's hair, offering quiet comfort. Despite her mischievous nature, Trisha was deeply attached to her parents and found it hard to be away from them. However, circumstances had brought her here for her studies.
A few minutes later, Kiara's parents arrived. She rushed to them, hugging her mother first, then her father. Not seeing her brother, she frowned. Her parents explained that Karan had an important seminar and couldn't make it. Though disappointed, she quickly shrugged it off; if there wasn't any urgent work, he would have definitely come.
As Aarav spoke with his uncle, his gaze flickered toward his own parents. But his smile faltered when he noticed his father suddenly stop, staring at a man. Aarav and Yuvan exchanged glances before striding over. As they neared, Yuvan's eyes widened-Kiara's father, Vikram Agrawal, stood before them. He turned toward Kiara, who mirrored his stunned expression.
Tension crackled in the air as Vikram and Kunal, Aarav and Yuvan's father, locked eyes in a silent standoff. Meanwhile, their mothers, Ishita and Ahana, greeted each other with warm smiles, seemingly unaffected by the underlying tension.
Aarav called his father, and he suddenly turned to his sons, his expression shifting into a broad smile. He and Ahana pulled their children into a loving embrace.
Kiara watched the scene unfold before her with a smile. Soon, their other friends arrived with their parents, and introductions were exchanged with polite smiles.
Yuvan and Kiara told their parents they were now school leaders, making them proud and happy.
A little apart from the group, Rihan stood scanning the crowd, his eyes searching for someone special. Aarav noticed and asked, "Ab tak nahi aaya koi?"
Just as Rihan was about to respond, his gaze locked onto the person he had been waiting for. Without hesitation, he rushed forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace. Aarav, Vedant, and Neil exchanged smiles, genuinely happy for their friend and the person who meant the world to him.
The girls, except for Vani, looked at each other in confusion. Curious, they turned to Vani.
"She's Rihan Bhaiya's mother," Vani revealed with a smile. The others nodded in understanding.
Rihan approached the group, holding his mother's hand. Neil, Aarav, and Vedant greeted her warmly, hugging her as they had known her for years. Shagun Oberoi, Rihan's mother, then exchanged pleasantries with them before being introduced to Kiara, Yuvan, Trisha, and their families.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Trisha asked, "Aunty, aap akeli aayi hain?"
Aarav pressed his lips together in a thin line while Neil and Vedant shot Trisha a look. Rihan offered a small smile and said, "I lost my father in a car accident five years ago. Tab se yahi meri sab kuch hai." He exclaimed, side-hugging his mother and placing a gentle kiss on her temple.
Trisha immediately regretted asking. "I'm sorry," she murmured.
Shagun, however, simply smiled, cupping Trisha's cheek with motherly warmth. "It's okay, beta," she reassured.
The conversation soon shifted, and laughter filled the air. Meanwhile, Kunal Mehrotra approached Vikram Agrawal, stopping in front of him.
"Socha nahi tha ki yaha bhi mulaqaat hogi, Agrawal ji," Kunal remarked, his expression unreadable.
"Socha to humne bhi nahi tha, Mehrotra ji. Par milke khushi hui," Vikram responded, extending his hand.
Kunal accepted the handshake, both men exchanging smiles. Their families, however, stood by with puzzled expressions, unsure of what was unfolding.
The confusion vanished the next moment.
"Umeed hai, future me kabhi mulaqaat nahi hogi," they said in unison.
With that, they turned on their heels and walked away, their families following.
Kiara glanced back at them, sighed, and then faced forward. Their friends, having witnessed everything, exchanged curious looks. Whatever had just happened between the two men was a mystery-one they were determined to solve later.
Hours passed, and soon, it was time for the parents to leave. They departed with lingering hugs, warm smiles, and heartfelt blessings, leaving their children behind.
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Who's that person? Any idea?
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