Chapter 3

After two long lectures, Students gathered at the Catering hall, Engaged in lively conservations. Laughter and Chatter fill in the air, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere. Aryan, Dhruv, Rajvansh, Advik settled at the empty seats.

"Where is he? He said that he'll join shortly!". Enquired, Advik trying to find a specific person in the bustling crowd. "He'll be here soon, He texted me that, He submitted the incomplete

assignments". Replied, Dhruv. "Look, There he is". Announced, Rajvansh, Making all the boys turn their heads.

A young boy waved his hand, trying to grab their attention through the bustling crowd. "Hello guys, How are y'all?". Enquired, 'Pranav Mehta', Aryan's Childhood friend, Who eventually become close with all of them.

"You came early, bro!". Stated Advik, with a sarcastic look. "Uhm- Sorry guys, Y'all know, The Professor is obsessed with me, So he took a special lecture for me". Replied, Pranav taking a seat beside Aryan. "Just say that, He scolded you, being late for class". Said, Dhruv with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Pranav just smiled innocently, making all of them chuckle. "Papa has said that, there is a party to attend Tommorow evening, Vijay uncle must have informed you right? So, you are all coming for it right?!" Stated, Aryan with his usual straight face.

"Finally our boss spoke something". Teased, pranav making all of them chuckle silently. Aryan shot a fierce glare at pranav, Silencing the laughter in an instant. Clearing his throat, Rajvansh spoke, "Uhm- Yea, My father informed us about this matter, yesterday evening. Right Advik?".

Haa, yes and we're gonna attend that party I guess". Replied Advik, feeling all their gazes on him. "Where are they?" Questioned, Pranav looking around. "Who you are searching for?"

Asked, Advik following his gaze.

"Ofc, Samaira, Riya and.....Kiara". Replied, Pranav clearing everyones doubt. "See there, Riya is here". Said, Dhruv, spotting riya coming towards them. "Hello Pranav bhai! How come i didn't see you morning" Stated riya coming towards them. "Hello bachee, Uhm- Coz, I'm early than you guys". Replied Pranav with a innocent smile, While the others stared at him with strange eyes.

"Why ya'll are staring at him like this?!". Asked riya, getting confused by their actions. "I know it right, Cuz Ofcc, I'm too handsome for them to resist". Replied Pranav with proudness. "Chup, Aapna muh band kar!". Exclaimed, Rajvansh smashing pranav head, making all of them chuckle. Pranav replied, rubbing his head, "Yaar! Maar ne ka kya zaroori tha!!". (What is the need to beat?)

"By the way, Where are Kiara and Samaira?" Questioned Dhruv, Not finding them in the crowd. "I went to their classroom, But I couldn't find  them in the classroom, So I thought, They would be here". Replied riya, looking around. "Ab yeh dono kaha pe hai? (Then, where are they?)". Questioned, Advik getting concerned.

Suddenly a thought crossed his mind,

"I'm sure, They must be at terrace!" Stated Advik, making all of them confused by his sudden statement.

All of them shifted their gazes towards him. "Guys, don't stare at me, Just follow me". Saying this, he stood from his chair. All of them including Aryan, started following him.

__________________________________

At the terrace:-

"Yaar, These are tasty than the last onces we ate". Stated, Samaira casually eating the white slate pencil in her hand. "I agree, But sam, These should be last time we are eating this,

Even though it's tasty, We should resist it yaar!". Said, Kiara munching the last piece. "That's true, Otherwise, it'll become a habit". Replied Samaira, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"Yaar, You know what?" Said Samaira smiling widely. "What?" Questioned Kiara, Getting confused. "Aryan wore  same colour as me today". Answered,

Samaira with the same smile. "Gosh!! I thought it's a serious thing, but isn't it normal sam?!" Questioned Kiara, getting amused.

"How it is normal? Aryan wore the same colour as me because, He secretly likes me too". Replied Samaira with dreamy eyes, which is sparking with affection for him. "Then, Shah Rukh Khan is breathing the same oxygen as me, That means we are dating. Woww!!". Said, Kiara with a mischievous smile, Clapping her hands.

"Yaar!!! Stop it, But what should I do?!

Aryan doesn't even notice me, Dreaming of him is the only thing i could do" said, Samaira with a sad expression. "It's okay sam, you still have plenty time to pursue him, Who knows maybe he'll also likes you back". Replied Kiara, trying to cheer her mood.

"That's true, I still have plenty time, I hope that times comes soon". Stated samaira with dreamy eyes. "He will, I'm sure". Said, Kiara with a gentle smile. "Thankyou Kiara, You're the best, You always support me" said, samaira side hugging her. Kiara just smiled at her.

Suddenly, A voice broke through the silence, Making them startled at once.

"Gosh, What was that?! That startled me!!". Stated Kiara, looking around, to the locate source of sound. "But, We're the only ones here, Look!! Replied Samaira, pointing around.

Then, Both of them suddenly realised something. Looking ahead, They found out that, There is a small room.

"Kiara, Let's go check that room." Announced Samaira, wanting to find the source of that sound in the restricted area. "Let's go". Replied Kiara, getting up from the bench, which are arranged like a mess.

Upon reaching the small room, They found out that, The door is locked from inside. "Wait, I think I have the key" said, Kiara trying to find the key in her sweater's pocket. "Wait, but why do you have it with you." Asked Samaira, getting suspicious. "Yaar!! I just got it from the staff room secretly!!" Replied kiara, trying to open the lock.

"And why is that? Why did you steal from staff room?" Samaira bombered her with different questions. "Yaar, Samaira i just bought it for fun, Cuz, see this, This key have a different pattern". Said Kiara, showing the key.

"So, You think that, this key will match it?" Questioned Samaira, Making a face. "I don't think so, But see the lock carefully, It has the same pattern as this key". Answered kiara, clarifying samaira's doubt. "Wow kiara, How come i didn't notice it!!". Said samaira, amused by kiara's cleverness.

A click sound is heard, indicating the lock is opened, As the door creaked open, They met with a shocking sight.

A group of Three girls, cornered a girl against the wall. The three girls laughter ringing in the air harshly. The girl, with tears glistening in her eyes. Mocking her clothes and calling her names that cut deep.

Samaira & kiara felt a surge of Anger and empathy, They could see the hurt visible in her eyes, Without a second thought, Samaira & kiara stepped forward. Samaira spoke, "Hey, Why don't you actually pick on someone, who can stand up for themselves". Her voice steady but firm.

The bullies turned, Fear and surprise visible on their faces. One of the girl spoke stammering, "Yo- You, What are you doing here". "Ohh, so, The bully turns out to be 'Saanvi Ahuja'." stated Kiara, crossing her hands across her chest. "Do you think, We'll get scared of you guys, Just dream on and go from here, We have no time to play with you." Stated, one of the girl beside saanvi.

"Ohh, Seems like they're stubborn, Sam let's go." Said Kiara, while anger was evident oh her face. "I understood, I have it with me" stated Samaira, while checking her sweater's pockets. Kiara did the same. The bullies are confused for a second, But they realised it immediately.

"Take it baby girls, A gift from our side". Said samaira & kiara flashing innocent smiles, while throwing three small holy packet on them, They ran for their lifes. But unfortunately, Samaira & kiara's target are perfect.

"Cool, You guys played holy before holy, Thanks to us." Said Kiara,  sarcasm dripping from her voice. The three girls ran from there without turning back. "I know it, here they are!" A voice is heard in the background, making them turn their heads. Advik and the rest of them came, making Samaira & kiara's eyes widened.

"Samaira & Kiara, what are you doing here?, Isn't this a restricted area?" Questioned rajvansh, his voice gentle yet firm. "Bhai, Actually woh- woh we.(Brother, actually it's- its) Stammered samaira, feeling all of their gazes on her. "And who is she?" Questioned Dhruv, finally noticing the girl.

"I totally forgot about her!! Hey, Uhm- Are you okay? Stated samaira, going towards the girl. The girl just nodded her head, The girl's face is fully covered with her long hair, due to which they couldn't see her face.

When the girl felt samaira coming toward her, She stood abruptly and spoke in a soft voice, "I'm o-okay, Thanks for saving me". She left without even turning back, Which left  the rest of the members confused. When she stood up, a thing fell from her pocket, Which is only noticed by Dhruv.

"Seems like, We also have to go, The classes are going to start". Announced Aryan, While checking his wrist watch, Making all of them to look at him, Feeling all of their gazes on him, He turned and started to leave from there. Advik, pranav, kiara, riya, rajvansh, samaira followed suit.

Seeing all of them leave, Dhruv also turned to leave, but his attention went to the thing, which fell from that girl's pocket. With hesitation, He picked it up, after observing it carefully, He realised it's a name badge. He whispered slowly, 'Akshara Sharma'.

Then her sweet voice ringed his ears.

After few moments, Dhruv left from there, Keeping the badge with him.

____________________________________

Ufff!!! That's it guys, Thankyou for reading, And yes, Akshara sharma is a new character. I hoped you liked this chapter, I'll again update as soon as possible🤍, Share your opinions in the comments box, Until then stay tuned, Byeee🤍🎀💕

-AuthorDaisy