The next day, Aarohi's father dropped her off at school. As she reached the gate, Sukhi came running, practically screaming with excitement.
Sukhi: "Ayush told me 'I love you' yesterday! đ„° We're officially a couple now! đ€ But waitâhow did you get hurt?"
She noticed the small bandage on Aarohi's hand.
Before Aarohi could reply, Nirvay, standing near his car, called out.
Nirvay: "Good morning, Sukhi. And good morning, Aarohi. Is your injury better now?"
Aarohi: "Good morning. Yes, it's much better now."
Sukhi's eyes widened. "Oh my God! Since when? You two are talking so nicely now! What did I miss?"
Aarohi smirked. "I'll tell you in class⊠or maybe I won't get the chanceânowadays, you're too busy with your new boyfriend." đ€
Nirvay: "So, Aarohi, we're friends now, right?"
Aarohi (raising an eyebrow): "Why? Do you even need more friends? You already have the whole school wrapped around you. 99.99% of people here are your friends."
Nirvay: "Then you be the last one. Let's make it 100%. How long will I stay Dettol, huh? Let me be human too." đ
Sukhi (laughing hard): "Dettol?!" đđđ
Aarohi smirked but walked away, choosing to ignore him as she and Sukhi continued chatting.
Aarohi: "Tomorrow's the first physics test. I haven't studied a single chapter. I'm doomed."
Sukhi: "It's just a test. You can prepare properly for the next one."
Aarohi: "You know I'm terrible at physics and maths, right? Nothing makes sense to me!"
Nirvay (casually following behind): "Should I help you get good marks tomorrow?"
Aarohi (whipping around): "Were you listening to our conversation? And how exactly will you help me? The test is tomorrow. I haven't even studied one chapter!"
Nirvay (smirking): "If I manage to help you, you'll have to seal this friendship for real."
Aarohi (crossing her arms): "What are you, some kind of superhero?"
Sukhi (laughing): "Kind of! Nirvay always scores 100 in physics and maths. Even Sharma Sir is obsessed with him. Sir keeps all the test papers in the physics lab with Nirvay. He can really make things happen."
Aarohi: "Wait, are you suggesting I should cheat?"
Nirvay: "It's better than public embarrassment. Remember, they announce everyone's marks in front of the class."
Sukhi: "Yeah, it's brutal."
Aarohi (thinking): "Fine. Let's see how much you can actually help me tomorrow."
Nirvay (softly): "Honestly, I don't like telling you to cheat. Next time, I'll teach you properly. No cheating needed."
The three of them walked into class together.
Lunch Break:
Shreya cornered Nirvay near the canteen.
Shreya: "Nirvay, don't you think you're giving Aarohi a little too much attention? Does she even deserve it?"
Nirvay (calmly): "It's nothing like that, Shreya. Chill."
Shreya: "I've never seen you try so hard for anyone. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Nirvay (just smiled silently).
Shreya (fake smile): "Well, okay then."
Was it just a friendship, or was something else starting to bloom?
The answer was waiting just ahead.
The Next Morning: Physics Test Day
Sukhi: "Why are your eyes so swollen?"
Aarohi (groaning): "I was up all night studying physics. I barely finished two chaptersâmomentum and quantum mechanics. My brain is fried."
Sukhi (laughing): "Don't stress! You'll manage. And seriously, you're complaining about Indian parents not letting us choose subjects? They won't even let us choose our wedding night partner! đ€Ł"
Aarohi (grinning): "Wow, from physics to physical topics now. At least you'll get to choose Ayush for your special night." đ€
Sukhi (dramatically): "We haven't even had our first kiss yet. đ„Č"
Aarohi: "Don't wait. Go kiss him first! Girls can make the first move too."
Sukhi: "Ayush said we should go slow. I respect that."
Aarohi: "Ayush is such a sweet guy. You're lucky."
Just then, Nirvay walked over.
Nirvay: "Good morning. Aarohi, what happened to your eyes?"
Sukhi (teasing): "Poor thing was studying all night!"
Aarohi (deadpan): "Yeah, go ahead, laugh."
Nirvay: "I told you I'd help you. From tomorrow, no cheating. Proper tuition with meâmy physics and maths are unbeatable."
Aarohi (eye-roll): "Let's see."
Test Time:
Aarohi looked at the question paper.
Only two questions were from the chapters she had studiedâboth just 2 marks each.
Everything else was from the topics she skipped.
Aarohi (thinking, panicking): "I'm dead."
Nirvay noticed her panicking and tossed her a note.
Note: Leave the questions you don't know blank. I'll manage the rest.
Aarohi stared at the note, then did exactly what he said.
Sharma Sir, as usual, gave Nirvay all the answer sheets to store in the physics lab.
Results would be announced the next day.
Canteen Time:
Nirvay: "Your scooty will take 2-3 more days to repair. Some internal parts were damaged."
Aarohi: "I swear, I'll smash those two boys if I see them again! They weren't from our school, right?"
Nirvay: "No. But I'll find out who they were."
Shreya called out to Nirvay, and he walked over to her while Aarohi silently watched him go.
Was something starting to change between them? Or was it just a temporary alliance?
The answer was waiting in the coming days.
The Next Day: Result Announcement
Aarohi's heartbeat raced.
Sharma Sir: "Aarohi Singh â 16 marks."
Aarohi's eyes widened. Sixteen? She glanced at Nirvay, who smiled and signaled: Told you so.
For the first time, Aarohi smiled back brightly and mouthed: Thank you.
After Class:
Nirvay: "So, Aarohi⊠are we friends now?"
Aarohi: "Yeah⊠kind of."
Sukhi: "Wow, cheating made this friendship happen!" đ€
Aarohi (playfully hitting Sukhi): "Stop it!"
Nirvay: "You could've gotten full marks if you hadn't answered those two questions. They were wrong."
Aarohi (shocked): "What?! Fine, Nirvay. Teach me properly now."
Nirvay: "What's my fee?"
Aarohi: "Chocolates and snacks every day."
Nirvay: "Deal. Tuition starts tomorrow."
The next day, Nirvay returned her scooty keys.
Aarohi: "Thank you! How much was the repair? I'll pay you."
Nirvay: "No need. Just take me out for lunch someday."
Aarohi: "Done!"
First Tuition Day:
Nirvay: "Where's my fee?"
Aarohi: "I ate all the chocolates. I only have wrappers left." đ€
Nirvay: "I knew it. I brought my own."
They laughed and started their lessonsânot in love, but in physics and maths.
Meanwhile, Sukhi and Ayush were busy with their love story.
But Shreya's jealousy was growing.
A Week Later:
Aarohi and Nirvay had grown closer. Nirvay spent most of his time with her, only meeting Shreya when she called.
Sometimes, Aarohi would feel a strange ache when she saw him leave.
But she told herself: Don't forget. He's just a friend. Just a friend.
Restroom Incident:
Inside the restroom, Aarohi overheard Shreya, Riya, and Piya talking.
Piya: "Aarohi is stuck to Nirvay like glue."
Riya: "Shreya, you should control the situation."
Shreya: "Relax. I completely trust Nirvay."
Piya: "But he gives her so much attention."
Shreya: "You know Nirvay, right? 'New toy, new excitement.' I told himâplay well."
The girls giggled and left.
Aarohi was left standing there, frozen, shattered.
She quietly returned to the classroom, sitting at her desk, completely broken inside.