CHAPTER 2

The next day dawned with a fresh start, and Radhika was fully aware that her 11th-grade studies, along with her extracurricular activities, would play a crucial role in her aspirations of attending a prestigious foreign university. She had always dreamed of studying abroad, and her parents, recognizing the value of such exposure, were supportive of her decision. However, despite their encouragement, Radhika couldn't shake off a lingering sense of hesitation. While she had earned numerous certificates in the past through her passion for singing and social work and to everyones surprise from kickboxing , she knew that academic performance—particularly her school certificates—would carry significant weight.

Before long, Radhika arrived at school and settled into her seat. Since Siya had not yet arrived, she decided to use the time to continue reading the novel she had started, A Thousand Splendid Suns.

" Hey!" Siya said. "Oh hey! ... OHHH, aaj time pe? Wow!" Radhika replied, looking up from her book.

Siya rolled her eyes at Radhika's remark.

"chal," Siya said.

"kahan?" Radhika replied, still focused on her book.

"Look, we have 15 minutes until assembly starts. Let’s take a walk in the corridor," Siya suggested, looking for a way to pass the time at school.

"Nah, you go!" Radhika said, not interested.

"Come on, come on, come on!" Siya insisted, grabbing her and not giving Radhika a chance to protest."‘Offo,’ Radhika huffed at her behaviour but eventually gave up and started strolling around the corridor with her book in her hand."

"Dekh" siya said indication to someone through her eyes. Radhika looked in that direction and found the head boy of the school " kanan" looking at them with a smile on his face.

"yeh aise kyu ghur raha hai " Radhika asked .

"Ghur nahi raha hai, admire kar raha hai," Siya replied, looking at her best friend. "Woh bhi tujhe."

Radhika's eyes widened in realization, and she looked at Siya with a questioning yet horrified gaze.

In a trice, the duo saw Aditya dash into Kanan, causing him to falter and break his gaze at them.

Aditya's POV

Why is Kanan always gazing at them?

"Isko toh abhi batata hoon," I thought. Without thinking twice, I slammed into him, with no idea why I did it .

"Hey Kanan! what's up ?" I asked him . "Hey Adi ! Dekh ke chal le yaar !" he said now his attention away from Radhika . "Sorry, mera dhyaan kahi aur tha " i replied.

"accha i should go now assembly ka time hone waala hai " I said when I saw him looking back probably trying to find Radhika who was gone by then .

"Haan, mai bhi chalta hun" He replied .

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The whole school gathered in the assembly hall, with all the students lined up according to their class and height.

Soon, the school council committee, along with the principal and vice-principal, took the stage to greet the students and begin the assembly.

"Join your hands, close your eyes, and repeat the prayer," said Kanan, but my gaze was fixed on Radhika, who was busy talking to Siya , upon hearing kanan they quickly followed the instructions.

I've known her forever. We've been classmates since 1st grade, and when, after 10th grade, we had to choose streams for higher studies, I thought we wouldn't end up in the same class. But thankfully, we did. She has never talked to me, ever, in school. She either comes here and gets lost in one of the many books she owns, or she's always talking to Siya and a few others, sometimes, but never me. And it somehow bothers me. I don't even know why. Probably because I'm easy to talk to (it's not me saying that, but rather everyone around me), yet she never talks to me.

I didn't even realize the morning prayer had ended until I heard the principal making an announcement. That's when I broke free from the spell.

"Every glance at her makes my heart race, but then doubt creeps in, leaving me wondering if I'm reading too much into it."

"The selection for the senior-most students for the school committee has been completed. Now, the selections for Vice-Head Boy, Vice-Head Girl, House Captains, and School Prefects will be conducted. Anyone interested in being part of this committee can submit their names to their class teachers or the Head Boy and Head Girl of the school. Further details will be shared with you shortly by your class teachers," announced the principal.

I had always wanted to put my name forward for the school council, but it wasn't the announcement that caught my attention. It was Siya suggesting that Radhika should give her name. Anyone, including myself, would have assumed she'd reject the idea, but to my surprise, she agreed. I guess, now, she might finally talk to me.

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Radhika's Pov

"Okay," I said when Siya told me that I should give my name for the post of Vice Head Girl. I wasn't planning to directly apply for the post of Vice Head Girl—maybe for the position of prefect or house captain instead. But then I remembered what Bhaiya had told me, so I thought I might as well give it a try. Even if I'm not selected, I won't feel bad about it.

We were now settled in our class, and Rita Ma'am was busy taking attendance.

"Those who want to submit their names for the council committee selection, come here and collect the form," said Ma'am. With a sigh, I stood up and went to collect the form when I saw Aditya standing right beside me. Is he going to interview for this too? I wondered. Well, he's good at sports and probably studies well too. I think he could be a perfect candidate for the post.

He looked at me as if something was on my face when I heard him say, "Can I take the form?"

Huh!? That's when I realized that it wasn't him staring at me, but me staring at him.

Without delay, I collected the form and rushed back to my seat.

"chal form fill karte hai" siya said ." haan "

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It was lunch break, and like always, Siya wanted to go to the canteen. Why?

Because Kanan is there, and she thinks he has a crush on me, which is so stupid to even assume.

"Kitna book mein ghusi rahegi, yaar!?" she said.

"Dekh, woh idhar hi dekh raha hai. Let's call him to our table," she added.

"What! No!!!" But before I could voice my thoughts, she yelled, "KANAN, COME JOIN US."

It isn't weird for her to yell at seniors like that because almost everyone knows her, which is why I'm so thankful to her. Despite having so many friends, she still chooses to be by my side no matter what.

"Hey!" Kanan said as he sat beside Siya. I looked up from my book and replied to him before going back to reading while they both sat and kept chatting.

We didn't even realize when the break ended. Kanan said bye to us, and we departed for our class.

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Aditya's POV

It was math class, and Sir was explaining the first chapter Theory of Sets.

Some students in the front were busy taking notes on everything Sir was saying, while others were chatting quietly, trying not to get thrown out of the class. Meanwhile, my ratón de biblioteca was lost in her own world.

(book worm)

After my encounter with her this morning, I made sure to not come in front of her. The way she ran away from me made me question everything about myself.

Was it my appearance? Or maybe the way my voice sounds? Or maybe... ugh! I don't know.

"Ouch!" I hissed as I felt a piece of chalk hit my head.

"Aditya, I would appreciate it agar aap class mein dhyaan se naa ki kisi aur par " Sir said. My ears, or probably my whole face, were red by now because he had caught me looking-correction, staring at her.

"Sorry, Sir," I said. The whole class was laughing at me, except her.

When I looked at her, she quickly averted her eyes and got engrossed in her book once again.

"Okay, that's it for today's class. Tomorrow we'll start the exercise from the NCERT. Don't forget to bring your books," he said, then started collecting his books and bottle from the teacher's table before leaving the class. Soon the next teacher entered and started teaching .

This was the last period, and today had been such a boring day—except for the part where I got to speak to her.

"She didn't reply and ran away," my conscience mocked.

I rolled my eyes and chose to ignore what it said and decided to pack my bag and leave as soon as possible. I have a tournament today at the Academy, and I and my team have been practicing for days we really want to win it.

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"Adi! Beta, your water bottle!" my mom, Keerti, hollered.

"Haan, sorry," I said, grabbing the water bottle before leaving for my basketball practice.

I exited my house, got on my bike, hit the ignition, and drove off to the sports academy.

"We've been practicing for days, and there's no way we're not going to win. Just focus and give your best," I said. "Everyone, remember your roles. If you have any doubts, ask me. As soon as I get the ball, I'll dribble and pass it to Kanav, and so it will go on. Understood?" Everyone nodded.

"We'll do just like we practiced, and everything will be fine," I said one last time. "C'mon, let's go get the trophy!"

The game had begun, and we only had 30 seconds left. The game was tied, and we had to win.

Rishav, one of my teammates, rebounded the ball and passed it to me. I took a three-point shot as I glanced at the clock and saw only 10 seconds left. I released the ball, closing my eyes because I knew there was no chance I would miss. That's when I heard the crowd cheer my name. A smile crept onto my lips, and I opened my eyes, glancing around the stadium. That's when my eyes met hers—she's here. She watched me play, and not only play, but win the biggest tournament of my academy, one that happens only once a year.

But what is she doing here? Is she here to see someone else?

My teammates lunged at me, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from hers. She was grinning widely.

I'M IN LOVE WITH THAT SMILE.

Is it because of me? No, Adi, you're probably reading too much into it. But whatever the reason was, it made me happy.