Last chapter for this book!!!
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The school playground was filled with the usual hum of energy, children running around, the sound of basketballs bouncing, and the occasional shout of joy. Amidst the chaos, Ruhan and Tara sat side by side on the swings, their usual rivalry forgotten for the moment, replaced by a rare sense of quiet. Tara had her water bottle in hand, sipping casually, while Ruhan was, as always, bouncing a small pebble in the air, lost in his thoughts.
After a while, Ruhan broke the silence. His tone was casual, but there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Hey, Tara," he said, glancing sideways at her, "Do you think we'll get married in the future?"
Tara almost choked on her water. She sputtered, trying to recover. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. "What did you just say?" she managed to ask, still trying to regain composure.
Ruhan, now laughing, leaned back in his swing. "I mean, you never know, right? We've got this... dynamic thing going on. Who's to say we won't end up together?"
Tara's face immediately flushed a deep shade of red. "Ugh, no way! I would never marry a jerk like you!" she shot back, wiping the water that had splashed onto her chin.
Ruhan grinned wider. "I was just testing you, Tara," he teased, barely able to stop himself from laughing. "Don't get all worked up about it. I don't want to marry you either."
Tara huffed and turned her gaze back ahead, crossing her arms, her lips pulled into a slight frown. "Good. Because if you think I'm marrying you, you've got another thing coming."
The two of them sat in an awkward silence for a moment. The usual playful energy that filled the air around them was gone for the time being. Instead, the quiet was heavy, but not uncomfortable.
Ruhan glanced at Tara out of the corner of his eye. There was something about the way she looked todayâsomething that made him feel a little less inclined to mock her. But he quickly shook the thought away, unwilling to admit to himself that he might be enjoying her company a little too much.
Tara, for her part, wasn't looking at him. Her ponytail swayed in the wind, and her gaze was fixed on something in the distance, though Ruhan wasn't sure what.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Without thinking, he reached forward and grabbed her ponytail, giving it a playful yank.
Tara's eyes widened in shock. "What theâ?!" she yelped as she whipped around, trying to understand what had just happened. But before she could react, Ruhan was already on his feet, sprinting away from her, his laughter filling the air.
"Hey! Get back here!" Tara shouted, jumping off her swing and running after him.
Ruhan glanced over his shoulder, still laughing as he darted between the swings, dodging other kids and playground equipment. "Catch me if you can!" he called over his shoulder, a grin plastered on his face.
Tara's expression was a mix of fury and amusement as she chased after him. "You are so dead when I catch you!" she yelled, her voice filled with determination.
Ruhan was fast, but Tara was catching up, her feet pounding the pavement. He glanced behind him again and saw her almost within reach. His heart raced, and he pushed himself harder, trying to outpace her. But Tara wasn't about to let him get away that easily.
Just as Ruhan made a sharp turn toward the edge of the playground, he felt a tug on his shirt. Tara had grabbed the back of it, yanking him off balance. He stumbled and fell forward, landing on the soft grass with a grunt.
Tara stood over him, breathing heavily but looking victorious. "Gotcha!" she said, her hands on her hips, her chest rising and falling from the sprint.
Ruhan lay on the ground for a moment, laughing uncontrollably. "Okay, okay," he said between breaths. "You win this time, Tara."
She smiled down at him, her expression one of triumph. "You're lucky I don't make you pay for that ponytail yank, Malhotra," she teased.
Ruhan pushed himself up onto his elbows, still laughing. "Next time, I won't make it so easy for you."
Tara rolled her eyes but didn't respond. Instead, she sat down next to him on the grass, still breathing a little heavily, but her lips were curled into a small smile.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. There was a strange sense of calm between them, a shift that neither one had expected. The usual tension between them seemed to melt away in the wake of their playful chase.
Ruhan glanced over at Tara, his expression softening for a brief moment. And as he did, he caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
For a second, Ruhan thought he saw something different in her eyesâsomething that wasn't just rivalry, but something warmer, something more... friendly? He quickly turned away, not sure if he'd imagined it.
Tara glanced at him, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "So, about that marriage thing," she started, her tone teasing. "You sure you wouldn't want to marry someone as awesome as me?"
Ruhan rolled his eyes but couldn't help but chuckle. "Nope, still wouldn't marry you, Tara. You're too much of a handful."
Tara smirked, nudging him with her elbow. "I think we both know you'd miss me if I wasn't around."
Ruhan grinned back at her, the banter as natural as ever. "Maybe. But I wouldn't admit it."
The two of them shared a quiet moment, the rivalry still lingering, but with something different underneath. Neither of them fully understood it, but in that moment, they both knewâthere was something more to their relationship than just back-and-forth insults.
Ruhan stood up, brushing grass off his shirt. "Alright, I'll see you around, Tara. But next time, I'm definitely not going easy on you."
Tara stood up with him, giving him a playful shove. "We'll see about that, pilot," she said with a grin.
As they walked away from the playground, the usual energy of their rivalry buzzed in the air between them. But this time, it felt a little differentâfamiliar, even comfortable.
Maybe this wasn't just about being rivals anymore. Maybe it was the beginning of something more unexpected.
The classroom was filled with the usual hustle and bustle of students getting settled for the day. The chatter was a symphony of voices, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter. Ruhan, sitting at the back of the room, was busy scribbling random doodles in his notebook, his mind wandering far from the lesson at hand.
Ms. Kapoor stood at the front of the class, explaining the day's English assignment, her voice clear and engaging as always. Ruhan's eyes drifted towards her, his attention slipping away from his notebook. He couldn't help but notice the way her hair cascaded down her shoulders, the soft glow of her smile as she spoke.
Tara, sitting a few desks away, had been watching Ruhan for a while, her sharp eyes catching the subtle shift in his usual carefree demeanor. He was no longer fidgeting or making jokes with his friends, and for the first time in weeks, he seemed to be... well, paying attention.
Tara raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "What's this?" she muttered under her breath. She turned her gaze back to Ruhan, observing the way his eyes lingered on Ms. Kapoor a little too long, the slight flush creeping up his neck whenever she caught his gaze.
Curiosity piqued, Tara leaned forward, her voice low as she called across the aisle, "Hey, Ruhan."
Ruhan quickly snapped his attention back to his notebook, blinking in surprise. "Yeah?" He tried to act nonchalant, but Tara could see the faint blush on his cheeks.
Tara smirked, narrowing her eyes. "You've got something on your mind, don't you?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement. "What is it? Couldn't help but get distracted by Ms. Kapoor up there?"
Ruhan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately turned his gaze to the front of the class, trying to cover up his reaction, but it was too late. Tara had already caught on. Her eyes glimmered with a mixture of amusement and realization.
"Wait a second..." Tara leaned in a little closer, her voice lowering to a whisper. "You like Ms. Kapoor, don't you?"
Ruhan froze. His face turned an even deeper shade of red, and he cursed himself for not being more careful. Tara's smirk widened as she leaned back in her seat, clearly enjoying the sight of him squirming.
"IâI don't know what you're talking about," Ruhan stammered, but the nervousness in his voice gave him away.
Tara raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Oh, don't try to deny it. I've been watching you, Malhotra. The way you look at herâtotally smitten." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "You have a crush on her, don't you?"
Ruhan could feel his face burning now, the heat spreading from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. He shot a glance toward Ms. Kapoor, who was now discussing something with another student, her back turned. It felt like the world had shrunk down to just him and Tara in that moment.
"Okay, fine," Ruhan muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I think she's... nice. But it's nothing serious, alright?"
Tara couldn't help but let out a low laugh. "Nice? Nice? Ruhan, you're turning crimson over there. That's more than just 'nice.'"
Ruhan slumped in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "It's not a big deal, Tara," he said quickly, trying to brush it off. "I'm just... I don't know. I like the way she teaches. She's cool, okay? No biggie."
Tara leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice even further. "Aha! So it's not just about her teaching, is it?" She shot him a sly smile. "You like her, don't you? Like, like like her."
Ruhan rolled his eyes, trying to hide the truth behind his usual sarcasm. "Ugh, can we not talk about this?" he muttered, desperate for the conversation to change. "This is so embarrassing."
Tara just smirked, clearly enjoying every second of his discomfort. "Oh, don't worry, Ruhan. Your secret's safe with me. I won't tell anyone... for now." She sat back in her chair, satisfied with herself for having uncovered his little crush.
Ruhan couldn't help but shoot her a warning glance, though the playful look in his eyes betrayed him. "You're not gonna let this go, are you?"
Tara shook her head, her grin widening. "Not a chance. I'm never going to let you forget this. But don't worry," she added with a teasing glint in her eyes, "I'll be a good friend and keep it between us. For now."
Ruhan groaned, burying his face in his hands. "You're evil, you know that?"
Tara just laughed, leaning back in her chair. "Yeah, but I'm your evil friend. You should be grateful."
Ruhan glared at her but couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. Despite the teasing, he felt a strange relief in not having to keep his little crush a secret anymore. At least Tara wouldn't make a huge deal out of it... hopefully.
As the class continued, Ruhan stole another quick glance at Ms. Kapoor, who was now writing something on the board. His heart fluttered just slightly at the sight of her, and for a moment, he forgot Tara was even sitting next to him.
Tara, however, didn't forget. She kept glancing over at Ruhan, the corner of her mouth twitching as she fought to suppress a smile. "You're totally in love with her," she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear.
Ruhan shot her an exasperated look but couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face. Maybe his secret was outâbut for once, it didn't feel like the end of the world.
And maybe, just maybe, Tara was a little more of a friend than a rival now.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. The students scrambled to pack their bags, chatter filling the air as they rushed to gather their things. Ruhan, still trying to shake off the awkwardness from earlier, zipped up his bag and tossed it over his shoulder. He glanced around for his friends but was distracted when he heard Tara's voice calling his name.
"Hey, Malhotra!" Tara's tone was playful, but there was a hint of something elseâperhaps a little more curiosity than usual.
Ruhan turned around, raising an eyebrow. "What is it, Tara? You planning on teasing me some more about my 'secret crush'?"
Tara rolled her eyes, though there was a small grin tugging at her lips. "I'm not going to tease you. Promise." She hesitated for a moment, then leaned against the desk, crossing her arms. "But seriously, you do like Ms. Kapoor, huh?"
Ruhan groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Do you have to bring it up again?"
Tara smirked, clearly enjoying how flustered he was. "Hey, I'm just saying, you're not the only one who noticed. You're not exactly subtle."
"I'm not trying to be subtle," Ruhan muttered. "It's not a big deal."
Tara raised an eyebrow. "Not a big deal? You're looking at her like she's the best thing since sliced bread."
Ruhan sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. He shuffled his feet, trying to come up with an excuse to walk away. "I don't even know what you're talking about."
Tara studied him for a moment, the teasing in her expression slowly fading. For a second, she seemed genuinely thoughtful. "Ruhan, it's fine. You like her, and that's... that's okay." She looked away, her voice softening a bit. "I mean, she's pretty cool. Even I can admit that."
Ruhan blinked, surprised by her sudden change in tone. "Waitâwhat?"
Tara shrugged nonchalantly, though her smile was more sincere now. "I'm just saying... you don't have to hide it. I know I tease you, but that doesn't mean I don't understand." She hesitated again, her eyes flicking over to where Ms. Kapoor had been standing earlier. "I guess she's kind of... special. In her own way."
Ruhan was taken aback by her words. He had expected more mockery, not this understanding. "Wow," he said, a little stunned. "I didn't think you'd get it."
Tara's grin returned, but it was less mischievous this time. "Well, I'm not as heartless as I seem, you know." She shifted on her feet, suddenly looking a little unsure. "Look, I won't make fun of you for it anymore. I promise."
Ruhan gave her a skeptical look. "Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously," Tara said with a wink. "But don't get used to it. I'm still going to beat you in every race and quiz competition."
Ruhan chuckled, shaking his head. "I think you've got a long way to go if you're going to beat me in everything."
Tara grinned, but this time there was no rivalry in her smileâjust two classmates who had, for a moment, put their differences aside. "Maybe. But, for now, I'll let you have the victory... on this one."
Ruhan's heart lightened as he realized that despite their usual banter and insults, there was something different now. Tara had gone from his rival to a strange, yet understanding ally. Maybe they weren't so different after all.
"So, are we still on for the science quiz tomorrow?" Ruhan asked, leaning against his desk as he turned to grab his backpack.
"Of course," Tara replied, nodding. "And don't think for one second I'm going easy on you. This rivalry is still very much alive."
Ruhan laughed, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As the two of them walked out of the classroom side by side, Ruhan felt an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. The usual tension was gone, replaced by something more... comfortable. He realized that maybe their relationship wasn't just about competing anymore. Maybe it was evolving into something else entirely.
And even though he couldn't fully explain it, he found himself looking forward to what would come next, both in their rivalry and their unexpected friendship.
"See you tomorrow, Ruhan!" Tara called over her shoulder as they reached the door.
Ruhan turned, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, see you, Tara. Don't forget to study... I'm still going to crush you on the quiz."
Tara shot him a playful glare but laughed, her eyes bright with the same old spark. "We'll see about that, Malhotra."
As they stepped into the hallway, the familiar energy of their rivalry hummed between them, but there was something more to it nowâan unspoken understanding. And somehow, that made all the difference.
The sun was setting on the schoolyard, casting an orange glow over the playground. The day's chaos had settled, and the air felt cooler, the sound of children's laughter now replaced with the murmur of tired voices. Ruhan was leaning against the brick wall near the swings, hands stuffed in his pockets, while Tara sat on the swing beside him, swinging back and forth lazily.
The usual tension that had defined their relationship was still there, but it was beginning to feel different. Less sharp, more... natural. Like a rivalry that was more about keeping each other on their toes than genuinely wanting to tear each other apart.
"So," Tara said, breaking the silence, her eyes fixed on the setting sun, "what do you think, Malhotra? Who's winning this whole 'rivalry' thing?"
Ruhan shrugged, still looking out at the horizon. "Depends. Are we talking about the roast battle from earlier or the ultimate showdown? Because if it's the first, I definitely won."
Tara smirked. "Oh, please. You were barely hanging in there. I had you on the ropes the whole time."
"Uh-uh," Ruhan said, shaking his head. "You're just upset because I took the crown with that truck joke. Admit it."
Tara rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her. "Okay, okay, fine. You get one point for that one. But I'm not gonna make it easy for you next time."
Ruhan laughed. "I don't need you to. You're already plenty easy to roast."
"Pfft," Tara scoffed, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "Sure, Ruhan. Keep telling yourself that."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. The sounds of their classmates trickling out of the school seemed distant now, like a faint hum in the background. The only sounds that mattered were the rhythmic squeaks of the swing and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind.
"So..." Tara started again, this time her voice softer, "what's the deal with you and Ms. Kapoor?"
Ruhan stiffened slightly, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face her. "What do you mean?"
Tara gave him an innocent look, though her eyes glinted with mischief. "Oh, come on. Don't play coy with me, Malhotra. Everyone knows you've got a thing for Ms. Kapoor."
Ruhan's cheeks flushed slightly, though he tried to play it off. "You're imagining things, Tara."
"Uh-huh. That's why you've been staring at her every time she walks into the room?" Tara raised an eyebrow. "You're not subtle, you know."
Ruhan groaned, rubbing his face with both hands. "Seriously? You too, Tara? I didn't think you cared."
Tara shrugged, a teasing smirk on her face. "I don't. But you're like a walking open book when it comes to her. You get all weird when she's around. It's honestly kind of cute."
"Cute?" Ruhan's voice cracked, the word coming out with a hint of disbelief. "You think I'm cute?"
Tara raised both hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, chill. I didn't mean it like that. Just pointing out how obvious you are."
Ruhan shot her a playful glare. "I'm not obvious. And for the record, I'm not the only one who's got a thing for her, okay?"
Tara tilted her head. "Oh? Who else?"
Ruhan raised his eyebrows. "Come on, Tara, you're not fooling anyone. You've been staring at her too."
Tara's eyes widened, and she stammered for a moment, clearly caught off guard. "W-What? No, Iâ I mean, I've looked at her, but it's not likeâ" She stopped herself, realizing Ruhan was smirking at her, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.
"You've got it bad, haven't you?" Ruhan teased.
Tara sighed dramatically, but the blush on her face gave her away. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"You're the one who brought it up, not me," Ruhan said, holding up his hands in mock defense. "But don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
"Yeah, thanks, Ruhan," Tara muttered. "Like I trust you with anything."
"Oh, come on. I'm totally trustworthy," Ruhan grinned. "Well, most of the time. But don't worry, I'll never tell anyone you're secretly crushing on Ms. Kapoor."
Tara rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "You're ridiculous."
Ruhan leaned back against the wall again, his smirk still playing on his lips. But as he glanced at Tara, he noticed something different. The usual spark of competition, of rivalry, seemed to have dulled, replaced by something else. They were still teasing each other, still fighting the old battles, but there was a new undercurrentâsomething that felt a little more... friendly.
"You know," Ruhan said casually, "you're not so bad to hang out with. In small doses, of course."
Tara shot him a side-eye. "Oh, now you like me?"
Ruhan raised his hands in mock defense again. "Hey, I never said that. I'm just saying, you're tolerable."
"Uh-huh, sure," Tara laughed, rolling her eyes again. "Just don't get too used to it. I'm not here to make your life easier."
Ruhan smirked. "I don't need you to. But it's nice to know you won't bite my head off when I'm around."
"Yeah, well, don't get too comfortable. I'll roast you again next time we're in class," Tara warned with a playful glint in her eye.
"I'll be ready," Ruhan replied with a wink.
They both stood there for a moment, looking out at the playground. The soft glow of the setting sun illuminated their faces, and for the first time in a while, there was no animosity, no sharp words exchanged. Just a rare, quiet truce in the ongoing war of words.
As the last of the students headed out for the day, Ruhan and Tara exchanged one last glance. There was still the usual rivalry, the playful jabs, and the endless teasing. But there was something else now, tooâa quiet understanding that maybe, just maybe, there was more to their relationship than just competition.
"See you tomorrow, Tara," Ruhan said, his tone softer than usual.
Tara gave him a small smile. "Yeah, see you, Ruhan."
And with that, they walked off in opposite directions, their rivalry still intact, but the unspoken truce hanging in the air, waiting for whatever would come next.
The day had finally arrivedâthe last day of school before the summer break. The air was thick with excitement, the classroom buzzing with the energy of kids ready to let loose for the holidays. Desks were hastily packed, and laughter filled every corner of the room as students traded jokes, packed bags, and said their goodbyes.
But amidst all the chaos, Ruhan couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and... something else. He was ready for the break, of course, but this year felt different. It wasn't just about getting away from schoolâit was about the people he had spent the year with.
And, in particular, the one person he hadn't expected to become such a fixture in his life: Tara Rajvansh.
Ruhan sat at his desk, staring at the clock ticking down the final minutes of the school day. He glanced over at Tara, who was busy tying her shoes, her ponytail swinging as she moved. There was a sense of familiarity there now, something that wasn't just about the rivalry. No, it was more than that. They had spent so much time roasting each other, testing each other, that it almost felt like they'd become... friends?
The thought made him pause. Friends? With Tara? The same girl who had been his rival all year, the one who could never resist a sharp comeback? And yet, here they wereâon the brink of summer break, and somehow, it didn't feel like their usual back-and-forth had run its course.
Tara, sensing his gaze, turned and caught his eye. "What's with the serious face, Malhotra?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and the usual teasing tone.
Ruhan shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Nothing. Just thinking about how boring this summer's gonna be without you around."
Tara raised an eyebrow. "What, you'll miss me? How sweet."
Ruhan leaned back in his chair, grinning. "No, I just need someone to roast. You know, someone who can keep up with my wit."
Tara snorted. "Please, your jokes are so outdated, even your shadow refuses to follow them."
Ruhan chuckled, shaking his head. "You're lucky I'm feeling generous today. But don't get too used to it, Rajvansh."
Tara smirked and folded her arms. "I'm already used to it, Malhotra. You're always lucky when I'm around."
Before Ruhan could respond, Ms. Kapoor walked into the classroom, her usual warm smile lighting up the room. "Alright, class," she announced, "let's get ready to wrap up the year. I know it's been a challenging one, but I've enjoyed watching all of you grow and learn. You've all come a long way."
Ruhan exchanged a quick glance with Tara. The smile she gave him was different this time, softerâalmost like she was going to miss the daily banter, too.
Ms. Kapoor's voice pulled him back to the present. "Before you leave, I'd like to hear one last thought from each of you. Something you've learned this year, or something you'll take with you into the summer."
Ruhan leaned forward, intrigued. His usual response would be a smart remark, but for once, he felt like sharing something real. He had spent so much time mocking everything and everyone, but maybe it was time to admit that, for all his bravado, he had learned a lot this year. Maybe, just maybe, it had something to do with the girl sitting across from him.
He raised his hand, and when Ms. Kapoor called on him, he stood up. The class quieted, the room full of curious eyes.
"Well," he began, "this year, I've learned that sometimes, the people you least expect can end up being the ones you have the most fun with."
He paused, casting a quick glance at Tara, who was now staring at him, her arms uncrossed. She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by his honesty.
"It's easy to think you know someone, to make assumptions, but the truth isâsometimes the best people to keep around are the ones who challenge you the most. Even if they're your rival."
A few students nodded in agreement, and even Ms. Kapoor gave him a proud smile.
Ruhan sat back down, feeling oddly exposed, but also relieved. That had been harder than roasting Tara, but somehow it felt more genuine.
Tara followed soon after, standing with her usual swagger. "Well, what can I say?" she began, her voice filled with that same playful tone. "This year, I learned that, no matter how many times I roast Malhotra, I'll never be able to shut him up."
The class burst into laughter, but Tara didn't miss the way Ruhan's smile softened.
"But," she continued, her gaze meeting his for a brief moment, "I also learned that it's not so bad having a rival who's always there to keep things interesting. Even if it means he's a little too enthusiastic sometimes."
Ruhan smirked. "I'll take it."
As Tara sat back down, Ruhan realized that, for all their back-and-forth, there had been something more there all along. They were rivals, yes, but that didn't mean they couldn't share a moment like this.
The bell rang shortly after, signaling the end of the school year. The students erupted into cheers and chatter, some rushing to grab their bags, others stopping to say their goodbyes.
Tara walked up to Ruhan, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, Malhotra," she said with a smirk, "looks like I'm stuck with you for another year of roasting. Don't get too comfortable, though."
Ruhan grinned, his usual confidence returning. "Wouldn't have it any other way, Rajvansh."
As the last few students filed out of the classroom, Ruhan and Tara lingered behind, exchanging one last playful shove before heading into the hallway. The rivalry was still there, but now it was accompanied by something else. Respect. Maybe even... friendship?
The summer stretched out before them, full of endless possibilities. And while they might still be rivals, Ruhan knew one thing for sure: this was only the beginning of their story.
"See you next year, Tara," Ruhan called as they reached the school doors.
Tara flashed him a smile. "You bet, Malhotra. Try not to get too cocky over the break."
Ruhan laughed. "No promises."
And with that, the two of them stepped into the summer, knowing that their rivalry was far from overâbut that, maybe, it didn't have to be such a battle after all.
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Here, the book ends completely!!!
I'm sorry for everythingâ bad worse and worst, happened!!!