Chapter 36: Leading The Pack

A few weeks later,

At School:

(The school corridors buzzed with excitement as students poured in, their chatter filling the air.

The first day of 12th grade had officially begun, and Kiaan and Kiara were back to navigating the familiar halls of their school.

During recess, Kiaan sat with his group of friends under the old banyan tree in the school yard.

Mihika, was sitting with them too, comfortably blending in as they shared stories about their vacations.

Kiaan opened his tiffin box and passed around parathas his father had packed.)

Boy 1: (peeking into Kiaan's tiffin) Yaar, tu toh aise shahi khana leke aata hai aaj- kal. Hum toh wohi, simple se sandwiches leke aa rahe hain.

Girl 1: (mock-pouting) Sandwich toh tumse bhi zyada boring hote hain!!!! At least apne tiffin mein variety laana seekho.

Kiaan: (chuckling) Arrey, paratha banwaana ek art hai.... jisko mere papa ne master kiya hai!!! Aane waale Sunday ko ghar aajao.... Papa se class le lena!!!

Boy 2: (grabbing a piece of paratha) mujhe koi class- vlass join nahi karni... mujhe toh bas, yeh art enjoy karna hai!!! Kiaan, chutney pass kar de, yaar!!!

Kiaan: (rolling his eyes) Tum log mere tiffin box ke freeloaders ban gaye ho. Agle week se subscription fees lagegi.

(The group erupted into laughter. Kiaan shook his head, pretending to scowl, but the grin on his face gave him away.)

Girl 1: Waise, Kiara kahaan hai? Tum dono, break time pe hamesha saath mein toh hote ho!!! aaj kya ho gaya?

Kiaan: (shrugging) Woh apni friends ke saath library mein hai, pata nahi kya discuss kar rahi hai... usne bola ki tum jaao, main thoda late join karungi.... Waise accha hai naa.... aaj, mujhe shanti se khana enjoy karna tha.

Boy 2: (smirking) Shanti, huh? Matlab hum toh bas background noise hain.

Kiaan: Tum log background noise bhi nahi, pure circus ho.

(The laughter continued as they passed around each other's tiffin boxes, sampling food.

Mihika sat quietly for a moment, observing the banter with a soft smile.)

Boy 1: (suddenly) Kiaan, tujhe pata hai, principal sir bol rahe thay, ki iss baar 12th grade ke liye cultural fest mein extra slots milenge. Tujhe apna art display karna chahiye.

Kiaan: (shaking his head) Cultural fest mein, competition ke chakkar mein maza khatam ho jaata hai. Art appreciation aur competition alag cheezein hain.

Mihika: Sahi baat hai. Lekin agar tumhaare paas koi aisa piece hai jo ready hai, you should at least showcase it. Talent ko chhupana nahi chahiye.

(Kiaan perked up at this point, setting his tiffin aside and reaching for his phone.)

Kiaan: Waise, art ki baat chali toh ek second. Maine ek project complete kiya tha summer break mein. Dekhna chahate ho?

(His friends nodded, and leaned in curiously as Kiaan pulled out his phone and opened the gallery.

It showed a picture of the art project he had worked on over the break. It was a vibrant piece with intricate detailing, designed for the drawing room at home.)

Mihika: (leaning closer) Wow, Kiaan! Ye toh next-level hai. Seriously, mujhe lagta hai ki tumhe, apna ek art page start karna chahiye!!!

Boy 1: (mock sadness) Haan, phir yeh bahut bada influencer ban jaayega, aur hum sabko bhool jaayega!!!

Kiaan: (playful) Haan... haan, aur phir tum sabko paid promotions ke liye, mere manager ko contact karna padega.

(Everyone laughed, passing the phone around to admire the artwork.)

Mihika: But seriously, it's beautiful. Tumhe time kaise mil gaya itni detailing ke liye?

Kiaan: Raaton ki neend sacrifice ki thi, madam!!!! but it was worth it!!!! (smiles) waise... guys, Tum sabke vacation kaise thay?

Girl 1: Maine toh Goa trip kiya with family. Beaches, sunsets, aur itni amazing food! Tum logon ke saath bhi ek trip plan karni chahiye.

Boy 2: (groaning) Main toh poora time cricket coaching mein busy tha. Kaash main bhi Goa jaa pata.

Boy 1: Mihika? Tera kya scene tha?

(Mihika smiled thoughtfully, brushing her hair behind her ear.)

Mihika: Main mostly ghar pe thi, likhne mein busy. Bas thoda local ghooma friends ke saath.

Boy 2: Kya baat hai, author sahiba!!!!

Kiaan: haan.... you were writing some short stories, hai naa??? unka kya hua? Finished?

Mihika (nodding) Haan, drafts ready hain. Bas thoda editing baaki hai. Main tumhe mail kar dungi ghar jaake.... Tum padh lena

(The group immediately jumped in with playful teasing.)

Boy 1: Humein kab padhne ka mauka milega, haan? Ya bas Kiaan ke liye hi hai exclusive content?

Girl 1: Haan, mujhe toh lagta hai ki isne, Kiaan ko apna personal editor bana diya hai!!!!

(Kiaan rolled his eyes, trying to keep a straight face.)

Kiaan: Jab magazine mein publish hogi tab padh lena, sabko mauka milega.

Mihika: (smirking) Aur tumhe pehle milega, kyunki feedback toh tumse lena padega.

(The gang burst out laughing again, teasing Kiaan and Mihika relentlessly.)

Boy 1: Wah... wah, editor sahab. Aapko stories pehle milengi. Kya baat hai!

Kiaan: Main bas help kar raha hoon, tumhaare jaisa distraction nahi ban raha.

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Then,

(As the bell rang, signaling the end of recess, the group stood up, still chuckling. They packed their tiffin boxes, making their way back to class.

Mihika and Kiaan walked together, a little behind their group.)

Mihika: (as they walked) Aur haan, Kiaan, art ke liye seriously think about exhibiting. It deserves an audience.

Kiaan: (grinning) Pehle short stories publish karwalo, phir dekhenge.

(Their banter continued, lightening the first day of their final school year.)

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Cut to:

A few days later,

At Vikram' house

At the dining table,

During dinner:

(The dinner table was lively with clinking plates and the aroma of freshly served dal makhani.

Vikram took a sip of water and leaned back, looking at Kiaan and Kiara.)

Vikram: Toh, batao. padhaai kaise chal rahi hain dono ki? How is 12th grade treating you?? Kiaan, tumhaare physics aur maths ka kya haal hai?

Kiaan: (rolls his eyes) Papa, physics aur maths, dono theek chal rahe hain... lekin chemistry is... it is a little annoying!!!! Organic wale reactions kabhi- kabhi dimaag ghooma dete hain.

Vikram: (chuckles) Haan, mujhe yaad hai, mere zamaane mein bhi woh kaafi tricky lagte the. Par beta, ek baar concepts clear ho jaayein, toh it's smooth sailing.

Anuradha: (smiling) Aur practicals kaise chal rahe hain??

Kiaan: Achhe hain, dadi. mere physics teacher ne, ek experiment kiya tha, kal. Woh kaafi interesting tha!!!

(Vikram nodded approvingly and turned to Kiara.)

Vikram: Aur tum, Kiara? Commerce aur economics ka kya haal hai?

Kiara: (playfully sighs) Papa, commerce toh manageable hai. Lekin economics mein woh graphs... bas mujhe mentally torture karte hain!!! Theory samajh

ne mein problem nahi hoti, par woh graphs!!!

Vikram: (smiles sympathetically) Beta, is field ka mujhe koi knowledge nahi hai... Warna main zaroor tumhe samjhaata.

Kiara: (grins) Koi nahi, Papa... Coaching center mein apne doubts clear karwa doongi. Waise bhi wahaan ke teachers kaafi helpful hain.

Vikram: Good, doubts clear karne mein bilkul sharmaana mat. Aur agar koi aur help chahiye toh batao.

Kiara (nods) haan, papa!!! Sure!!!

Vikram: I know ki this is your last year in school.... It is your last year with school friends. you will want to hang out with them more... but padhaai disturb nahi honi chahiye!!!

Kiaan: Haan ji, papa. Don't worry!!! I have already set my time table for studies... bas thoda self-discipline aur chahiye.

Kiara: oye Kiaan!!!! self-discipline toh already hamare blood mein hai!!!

(The table burst into laughter, the banter flowing freely as the family enjoyed their dinner.)

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Just then,

(Kiara's phone buzzed on the table, and she quickly picked it up. The screen flashed with an incoming call from the Swiggy delivery guy.)

Kiara: (answers the call) Hello? Haan, bhaiya... aap kahaan ho???.... accha, aap wahi gate ke paas hi ruko...... Main ek minute mein aa rahi hoon!!

(She hung up and got up from her chair.

Anuradha: (raises an eyebrow) Ab kya order kiya hai, Kiara? Khana toh already ban gaya tha naa!!

Kiara: (grins mischievously) Dadi, pastries order ki hain maine. Hum sabke liye!

Anuradha (curiously) Aur ye kis khushi mein?

(Kiara and Kiaan exchanged sly smiles, clearly hiding something.

Kiara: (with a sly smile) Aaa ke batati hoon, wait kariye!!

(She dashed off towards the door, leaving everyone at the table exchanging curious glances.)

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A while later,

(Kiara returned with a bright smile, holding the Swiggy package carefully.

She placed it on the table and started pulling out the boxes one by one, lining them up like trophies.)

Vikram: (grins) Toh, madam, ab batao. Ye pastries kaise yaad aa gayi? Kya baat hai?

(Kiara dramatically wiped her hands, looked around the table, and smirked.)

Kiara: Occasion toh special hi hai, Papa.... It is very special!!!!

Anuradha (impatiently) Arrey, ab suspense mat banao. Seedha point pe aao!

(Kiara finally straightened up, clasping her hands together.)

Kiara: Dadi, Papa, aap sab please taiyaar ho jao. Kyunki jo main batane wali hoon, woh bahut bada bomb hai.

(The room went silent with anticipation.)

Vikram: Kiara, ab bas karo aur batao.

(Kiara turned to Kiaan, pointing dramatically.)

Kiara: Papa, aapke saamne jo ladka baitha hua hai.... yeh sirf aapka beta, Kiaan Sabharwal hi nahi.... balki, Greenfields International ka naya HEAD BOY bhi hai!!!!

(Vikram paused mid-bite, his eyes widening in surprise.)

Vikram: Kya? Are you serious?

Anuradha: (gasped, her hand flying to her chest) Oh my God, Kiaan! Yeh toh bahut hi acchi khabar hai!!!

Vikram: Kiaan! Head boy? Wah, beta! This is amazing news!

(Vikram immediately pushed back his chair and strode over to Kiaan, his face glowing with pride.

He pulled his son into a tight hug, patting his shoulder firmly.)

Anuradha (clapping her hands) Mera potha head boy ban gaya! Humne toh pehle hi kaha tha, yeh ladka, hamaare parivaar ka naam roshan karega!!!

Vikram: (literally crushing Kiaan) I'm so proud of you, beta!!!

Kiara: (playfully) Aur yeh pastries issi khushi mein, maine order ki hain!!!! Aaj toh celebration banta hai, right?

Vikram: of course banta hai!!!! congratulations Kiaan!!!!!

Kiaan: thank you, papa!!!!

Vikram: waise, who is the head girl? Mihika?

Kiaan: nahi papa. Head girl is Niharika Sen. Mihika, toh house captain hai for her house, 'Nalanda'.

Vikram: oh... that's great!!! Tell her congratulations, meri taraf se.

(Kiaan grinned and nodded his head. Then he turned towards Kiara and looked at her with a mix of excitement and mischief in his eyes.)

Kiaan: (clears his throat) Well, there's more to celebrate, ek aur bomb hai!!!!

(Everyone froze, their curiosity piqued.)

Vikram: (curiously) Aur kya hai, Kiaan? Abhi aur kya dhamaka hai?

(Kiaan turned to Kiara with a teasing grin.)

Kiaan: Well, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our new sports vice- captain... Kiara Sabharwal!

(The room fell silent for a moment before gasps echoed around the table.)

Anuradha: Kiara? Sports vice-captain? Ye kab hua?

Vikram: Beta, tumne bataya bhi nahi! This is incredible news!

Kiara: (raises her hands, trying to calm everyone down) Relax, relax! It's not official yet. Maine abhi tak accept nahi kiya hai.

Vikram: (shocked) Accept nahi kiya? Par kyun?

Kiara: (shrugging) Actually, they wanted me to be the sports captain... but maine, uske liye mana kar diya. Then they offered me to take up the post of the sports vice- captain. I told them that I will think about it.

Vikram: but accept karne mein, problem kya hai, bacche?

Kiara: papa.... Because being a captain means extra responsibilities!!!! Mujhe school events ke liye time dena padega. apne races ke liye, main already kaafi busy hoon. Agle mahine ek race hai... and then I have the national championship!!!! uski bhi toh preparation chal rahi hai. So, I haven't decided yet.

Vikram: (nods, his pride evident) That's a very mature decision, beta. Itna soch samajh ke decision le rahi ho tum... accha dikha!!! (smiles) But no matter what you decide, we'll always be proud of you.

Kiaan: Lekin Kiru, yeh batao, agar tum mana kar dogi, toh kya regret karogi?

Kiara: (smiles) Bro, vice-captain hona mere liye ek honour hoga, lekin main apni races ko priority dena chahti hoon. Let's see, abhi kuch dino mein I have to give my final decision.

(Vikram smiled and reached over to pat her hand.)

Vikram: You both have made me so proud today. Tum dono ki soch aur samajh, mujhe har din amaze karti hai.

(He pulled both Kiaan and Kiara into a warm hug, his voice full of emotion.

Anuradha wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, her smile radiant as she joined the hug.

The room buzzed with celebration and love as the family basked in the shared joy of their children's achievements.)

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End of Chapter

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