"What if I tell you,

Whatever you imagined was just imagination"

___________

𝗘𝘀𝗵𝘃𝗶𝗸𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘃

𝟲:𝟰𝟭 𝗔𝗠

"God, please not this time," I cried walking faster and faster, "nononono you can't be late on your first day" I muttered to myself and increased my speed even more. Today is my first day of school and here I am running like a helpless turtle because my pretty dreams I got 5 minutes before getting up, stopped me.

"God pleaseee" I almost screamed but, "ouch" I shrieked, and opened my eyes. It was mumma who was looking at me, angry eyed. And I realized that I fell asleep on the breakfast table.

"Isliye I always warn you to sleep early so you can be active in the morning, but nai. Madam ko kaha sunna hai" My mumma said. And shameless me nodded in agreement.

(That's why I always warn you to sleep early so you can be active in the morning,but no. Madam never listens )

I fixed my hair , which was disheveled by sleeping and sprinkled some water over my eyes because God knows when I fell asleep again. Since the board results came I've been sleeping too much and it kinda reminded me that the person who's drowned in sadness tends to sleep a lot.

Khair.

("Well then.")

Mumma served me yum yum poha and tea, it was already the first day of my school and getting started with poha is a big deal. I devoured breakfast and took a sip of tea.

"Uhm.. Elaichi tea, mumma you're great" I praised, she smiled and replied back with, "yes, now finish it fast and check all your belongings in the bag. We're leaving in five"

"Ok mom"

She nodded in agreement and after a few minutes we left for school.

______

After the goodbye with mumma I was left alone at the school entrance. There were a few kids there but I don't think they'll be from my class, or maybe but still I decided to sit in a corner and wait till I got to the main building.

Sitting a few minutes there I realised that everyone is going in and then it hit me that oh, there's no bell going to inform you to go inside .

Just like that I got up and made my way to my class. The school was a building, colored in beige and blue, and the smell was familiar. It kinda reminded me of my previous school.

God I still pray to you that please send me back. I was praying and so lost in my own world that I forgot which direction I was going and...

Ah... .

The next moment I was on the floor, processing everything that just happened then slowly recapping that something curved came near my legs and I stumbled and now .. I am here.

My sight followed a way and I found a ball laying nearby which was a basketball, I extended my hand to get it then a person came and kicked it.

𝘋𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵. Ghutne mai dimaag hai iska. I thought I would struggle a little less than the person climbing the Himalayas and come back to my frame but the boy wasn't gone and it's too late to realize that everyone's eyes were on me!

("This person has a brain in their knees.")

________

𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩

"Tum andhi ho kya" I nearly shouted at the girl who was lost in herself after making me culprit because apparently my shot made her fall and now when I'm trying to apologize then she's daydreaming.

("Are you blind or what?")

I took a look at my coach who was glaring at me, and my friends from behind smiling like a joker.

One last time I tried to grab her thoughts, "oh madam" I whispered and she looked at me right away and, 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵

"Han" She replied, voice sweet and eyes like that green Amazon forest which seems to be peaceful but actually is wild. "Can't you see around that match is going" I began, ignoring her eyes which were hell distracting.

She looked at me properly this time and... she judged me right away. I felt blank for a time and came to my senses again, she was still judging me like I'm someone she has been looking to murder from past years. I waved my hand in front of her face trying to divert her mind from anywhere it was.

"Hosh mai hu main" She said, sounding a little rude. 𝘉𝘩𝘢𝘪 𝘩𝘰 𝘬𝘺𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘪𝘴𝘦. I ignored my own thoughts and bowed a little because now it was confirmed that if I don't apologize and come back to court then my coach will play basketball with me.

("I'm in my senses.")

(Bro, what's wrong with him)

"I'm so sorry, I actually didn't see anything around me and I hope you're not injured" I blurted out everything I scripted a few minutes before.

"Agli baar dekh ke" She said and walked away. And I just stood there, watching everything just happened. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵. For a few moments I stared at the direction she just walked then my friend called me out, "oh mera jane man, kaha kho gaya" vedant beamed and I took a look behind and gave him "abe tujhe mai bola tha ye sab sir ke samne nahi" look but this idiot isn't afraid a bit.

("Be careful next time")

("Oh, my jaaneman, where did you disappear?" Vedant beamed.

I glanced behind me and shot him a "Didn't I tell you not to do this in front of sir?" look,but this idiot wasn't scared one bit.)

I glanced last time there before marching into the court.

__________

𝗩𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩

He's so lost.

I've been noticing him getting too friendly with the girl he just hit and now he's giving me looks when I remind him that we've to practice, like I just took his non-existent ex name in his wedding. Strange.

He came to me and started right away, "how many times have I told you to stop calling me from these names in front of teachers but you don't hear me, right"

𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘬𝘺𝘢 𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳?

(Has a demon possessed him or what?)

"Bro bro stop,you're acting as if everyone will write BL on us, chill yaar" I said, hoping it would calm him down from whatever he has been suffering.

"It creates a bad impression yar..." , "you're saying as if everyone likes you and you're the school captain" Sidharth cut him off in the middle.

"Leave yar, let's practice" Kriyansh said and left in the direction of where his water bottle was, "ye ise kya hua" Sidharth asked, wiping off his sweat from his forehead.

"Pata nahi, I guess he felt her emotions" I joked. Humor was so dry that Siddhart chuckled following my smile too.

We've had basketball finals in 2 months and our coach has been grinding us , as if we're going to perform in the Paris Olympics. He legit personally requested the principal to get our dress ready and he too listened and executed the plan so fast in a speed he didn't even pass the exam timetable.

I adjusted my t-shirt and followed everyone as we were going to start again.

____________

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩

After 10 minutes everyone was coming to the assembly ground and started forming lines as the teacher called out everyone from the mic.

Eshvika was still roaming here and there in search of people of her class, she is in 11th PCM "A" but there are barely people from only the 11th present there.

Eshvika arrived at the assembly ground and asked a person nearby, "Excuse me, where's class 11th PCM A line?" She asked the tall guy who was composed and waiting for someone.

He looked down, because eshvika's height was less than him. Very much. And for some time he was lost in his thoughts and then asked her, "I'm sorry, can you repeat what you said?".

Eshvika told him the thing again and his expression changed in seconds as if he found someone he was searching for a long time. " Oh yes, I'm from the 11th PCM. Are you new? Because I've not seen you before" He said

Eshvika too got a little free because after exploring the whole school she finally got a classmate. "Yes, I'm new to admission"

"Shresht" He introduced himself, extending his hand. "Eshvika" She shook her hand with him, then both of them went to check their line.

________

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘆𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩

"God, where is he? He said I'll meet you at the bus stand and now he's not here" Arvith said, rubbing his forehead. I agree with him. Yesterday he messaged GC that he'll meet us at the bus stand but now he's all gone.

"Lagta hai mood spoil karke hi manega" Amyshka said from behind. Me, Arvith, Amyshka and Shresht have been best friends since class 7th . Our bond is so old that now it feels like we're cousins, as I don't have any cousins which can be called cousins with respect.

"Bro yaar let's go, I can't wait anymore . Also any teacher can come here at any time because it's almost assembly time Amyshka said. Arvith agreed with her.

I was too convinced by her because she was correct that teachers punish those who come late. They're experts in giving punishment to those who come late other than to those who actually come without any preparation.

There's a guy standing in front of me who's not in proper uniform. Huh..these boys try hard to impress a girl by looks rather than winning her heart. Whatever.

After some more time waiting for him, we lost patience and went to class to put our bags and follow the assembly ground.

I thought we would be late but no lines were still forming and there were only a few teachers there who were talking to each other, discussing something.

"Vo raha Shresht" Amyshka said, pointing in the direction. I diverted my gaze there and damn, he was there but what was more surprising was that he was standing with a girl. That's new to us.

"He left us waiting outside and now he's comfortably standing here, ruk beta tujhe batata hu" Arvith said, he was already annoyed.

"we shall go too" I asked amyshka, she nodded right away, "yes bhai jana to "

Arvith already left, taking a speed of 30km/hour , and we followed with slow steps. We almost arrived there.

"Bro we've been waiting for you there and you're already standing here, can't you keep your promise" Arvith said, slapping Shresht's shoulder. The girl beside Shresht also looked at us and was trying to understand what was happening.

"You too have to care what time I texted you guys" Shresht said, removing Arvith's hand from his shoulder. "You texted 6:55 and we come at sharp 6:55"

A small disapproval came in his face,"I said 6:45 ,who comes 5 minutes before assembly yaar. Common sense" He explained.

It was true,who the hell will come 5minutes before assembly knowing how teachers check uniforms at school entrances?

"Maybe we checked wrong,anyway first day of school guyssss. Welcome to 11th" Amyshka chirped and almost jumped in excitement.

"Finally after surviving Napoleon and geography,we are here," I said. Class 10th's syllabus was killing to be honest,but ignoring that the best part was getting good marks in the things we thought would be difficult and where we'd failed .

After celebrating everything I finally asked Shresht, "who's the girl behind you?" . I've not seen her here before, maybe she's been here before but still asking won't put me in jail.

Amyshka added,sounded a little teasing ,"yes yes,introduce us to your new friend" .

Arvith also took a glance towards her, she was looking a little frightened or maybe just new to us.

"Oh yes,She's Eshvika and she's our new classmate" Shresht introduced her to her. "Hi eshvika" Arvith said, shaking his hands with hers,"i am arvith" .

"Eshvika is a unique name" Amyshka said,"hi I'm amyshka" . "Thank you, nice to meet you guys" Eshvika beamed. "Hi I'm Pradyumna" .

"Eshvika, nice to meet you too"

__________

𝗘𝘀𝗵𝘃𝗶𝗸𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩

After assembly we headed to our classrooms, and the best part till now was that I got some friends. One of the greatest and scariest parts for me in a new environment is making friends or having someone with me.

It's not like that I can't be alone, but this is a new place where I've to spend my last two years of high school so I don't want to do anything at first and also I wanted to know about this place too.

Everyone is in class now and Amyshka was sitting with me who was currently fighting with Arvith over a water bottle. Our class has less students than I thought it would, because once I heard that PCM has fewer girls and a total of less students. Which was clearly shown here.

There were only 9 girls , including me and 14 boys which are 23 students. Which is way good, less students, less drama.

But one thing I've to mention is that the guys were tall, not like 6 '5 but taller than me. And someone who's taller than me is tall. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴.

I looked at another spot, trying to stop my hella overthinking then a deep hoarse voice came from behind, I looked and it was Shresht. Shresht and Pradyumna were sitting behind us and Arvith with someone in front of us.

"So as you told us in assembly, you really have been in the same house since admissioned in school?" Pradyumna asked , I told them I assembled at my previous house, when they asked me.

"Yes" I replied, "but this time you should be in my house, I'm so alone in every activity" Amyshka said, joining our conversation. "No she'll be in my house, Blue," Arvith shouted from the first bench.

"East or west, red is best" Pradyumna added, "no bro yellow is the king" Shresht interrupted. "Nonono Green, you know na how much green loves you. That's why you're in green since birth" Amyshka said.

"Try something new, Eshvika," Pradyumna added. "Stop yaar, she's not going to control, the teacher will decide. For God's sake please don't disturb her" Arvith said.

"Yes, true, the teacher will not decide," I added. "But still, where are you willing to go?" Amyshka asked, and now the four gazes were on me. I almost laughed in my mind because I'm not used to this attention.

"Bolo bolo," Arvith said, and I nodded. Taking my time to build more curiosity in them. I like teasing people.

"Um..."

"Bro don't make us wait, please tell" Amyshka said, it seems her patience was breaking. And the other two were also invested to know about my choice.

Breaking the silence I finally said, "Ok I want to get-"

"GOoood moorrrrrninnng sirrrrrrrrr"

Too bad, the class teacher entered the glass and we got up to greet him. But they didn't forget and again amyshka whispered to me, followed by Pradyumna and Arvith.

Sir signalled us and we sat down then Arvith looked back a little, I was about to say but then the class teacher began to say. "SSo congratulations you'll and welcome to the new class, this is a new beginning and we'll begin to start new" He said.

Everyone clapped happily, I was feeling a little emotional because school life is going to end in a few years, and this is the worst habit I have. Ignoring this all, then the sir asked everyone's introduction.

And everyone gave their intro one by one, followed by me . After some time the class was over and time really flew by so fast.

The teacher was also good, he's going to teach us Maths. Which is good because maths in the first period is way easy, like fresh.

"Behen ab to bata de" Arvith asked desperately, and I got to realize which topic we were talking about before.

"Oh haan" I said, "actually I want to be in red, let's try something new. Vaise bhi red house is what I wanted as a house since childhood"

Hearing this a small smile appeared in Pradyumna's face because he's from the red one, the others were intrigued.

"But if you were in my house then we'll surely have some fun, these reds are boring" Arvith said, faking sadness.

"Oh bhai, actually blue is boring, red ko kuch mat kahiyo" Pradyumna revolted. Amyshka rolled her eyes as if done with them and Shresht just watched them.

_________

𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩

It was lunch and I stepped out of class with Siddharth and Vedant. It was hell, like I enjoyed the first two periods but then my butt started aching and I just couldn't focus, I'm not used to sitting that much. It's not a muscle memory I guess.

Today is a very different day because I felt so many colours around me, as if everything around me wanted to connect with me. Anyway,

"Let's go to the water cooler first, my bottle is empty" Vedant said, "No yaar let's go to the washroom first" Siddharth interrupted.

Bhai mujhe to ground jaana hai.

"Pehle pee le fir nikaal lena" Vedant stated. "Chii yaar, aesa kon karta hai" Siddharth replied, with a sense of ick in his face.

"Chi, did you just say chi" Vedant said, now he sounded a little hurt. Which was dramatic. This is going to be interesting.

"Pani" Vedant protested.

"Susu" Siddharth said, he came in the mood to fight .

Vedant's gaze flickered towards me and he just grabbed my hand, "bro, let's go. Leave him here" He said.

"No, he'll go with me" Siddharth huffed, grabbing my other hand and pulling towards him, which was in the direction of the washroom.

"Pani"

"Susu"

"Pani"

God they started again!

"Bhai mujhe chhod do" I cried, mujhe to bas ground mai jaana hai.

"Pani"

"Susu"

"Pani"

"Susu" Siddharth pulled with a little too much force, and vedant applied all of his power and with the last word of vedant siddharth left my hand,

"Pani-"

And we just lose our balance and fall to the ground.

"Mummyyyy" A small slender and faint voice came, and I looked the other way and God, WE JUST FALL OVER A GIRL. I pushed the vedant away and stood faster than any light could strike in land. Vedant just rolled over a corner and glared at me like saying, "thukra ke mera pyaar, mera intekam dekhegi"

Ignoring that I looked at the girl who managed to get up and was massaging her elbow, I looked at her carefully for a second because there were some waves returning and it was easy to recognize because it already came when I hit her with a ball earlier.

Some pinkish, golden aura kind of waves and voices like lavender mixed with peach.

Two braids neatly made, with soft curls left at the end. Small doe eyes, which I ignored the first I saw. She looked at me and hissed, "Dekhke nahi chalte banta", almost yelling.

I came out of my thoughts and finally replied to her, "sorry, actually-" , "what sorry, you tried to hurt me a second time, are you doing this on purpose?" She shouted, anger filled her eyes.

"I know, sorry this won't-" I tried to say but she again cut me off, "don't explain, I know which kind of guy you are" She again yelled and here I lost my mind.

"Shut up little firecracker, you're not even trying to listen to me and keep blabbering anything that comes in your mind" I finally exclaimed and she felt offended right away. She again opened her mouth, "Now you're making excuses and trying to manipulate me, who do you think you are!" She cheered.

This time I lost.

I stepped forward and then I realised her height is way shorter than me, bachchi.

"Madam at least listen carefully and process everything before saying anything, you're just saying like your train is leaving the platform" I hollered.

"I can understand everything and say everything after thinking, my mind is not numb like you who don't know how to manage a height like burjkhalifa" She said, not backing away.

"What" I scoffed, a small laugh escaped, "funny how ants are fighting with-"

"Cockroaches," She interrupted.

I lost this time. This girl!.

"Hello madam, you don't know how to manage your small height, bauni" I blurted. Rolling my eyes away.

"Bauni" She repeated, "beta baap bhai pe aa jaungi" She said angrily.

"Kaise aaogi, baap bhai isn't any place" I teased. "You're not just nerdy enough to understand, Khair, I don't waste my time on unemployed Ullu's" She scoffed and left. Done with me.

And why not, no one can win against this champion, u said in my mind and a small smirk formed around my lips. I diverted my gaze from the way, where she just left. And looked at Vedant who was leaning against a pillar, looking done.

"Hogya, can we go now?" Vedant finally asked, I nodded in agreement, "han chal" I replied, heading towards the direction.

"Bhai pani bhar liya maine jab you were busy fighting with that junior" His voice came from behind, "Junior?" I asked, looking back.

"Yes, she's our junior and Arvith's classmate" He casually said, moving towards the class. I followed him.

She's in 11th and yet she was fighting with me like she's my class teacher. Very rebellious girl.

_________

The lunch was wasted at some unwanted moments but at least food didn't disappoint. I devoured the chhole bhature made by my dad. He was free today so he just made breakfast which was rare and I craved everyday to eat from his hands.

Vedant and Siddharth took bites from my tiffin, both were not talking to each other for so long after fighting for water and the washroom.

"uhmmmm, so tasty bhai uncle ke haath mai jaadu hai" Vedant said, after taking a few bites. "Uncle ke pass time hai because he's already jaadu" Siddhaarth said, unconsciously replying to Vedant.

They always do this, first fight then act like they don't know each other and I know what'll happen next. They'll bond together at the last period and I'll be third wheeling between them.

After lunch, there were two periods of AI and physics and after that we had sports meet and house distribution, for which I'm most excited because I'm a sports captain, I'll rule the kids.

I hate how evil I am.

___________

𝗔𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗸𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩

After two boring periods, the time is finally here. I can't even express how excited I am, this is the time when higher classes are gathered, houses are decided, and we'll get to meet our classmates from last year.

Our class teacher ordered us to form a line and put our fingers on the lips in order to not create noise. It's childish but only if he knows how 'dheet' the students are who can still talk while their fingers are on their lips.

Eshvika was standing ahead of me and the bandars behind me. Eshvika told us that she got in a fight with someone who called her bauni, we laughed at first then made a decision to take out his hekdi.

How dare he call her a Bauni. He can call her shawty too, but no. These guys.

We reached the ground and now we were sitting on the basketball court. There was only the 11th and 12th and they called us together to have a meeting.

Because we're in the highest classes and now we will be the captains and members of the student council of school.

The teacher told us earlier about our houses, some people's houses got changed, but not anyone from our group except Eshvika who got Green again. There was a wave of both sadness and happiness, and Pradyumna was excited as hell because he got someone to have fun with.

The principal came and started giving a speech about how this year decides our career, how we should contribute to our country and school, and how we are going to be idols of classes below us.

I want to be School's CCA captain honestly, it comes with a lot of chances .

"Why are you so quiet like a murjhaya hua phool?" Arvith poked Eshvika's shoulder. She was a little quiet after lunch, saying less and her face was a little off. In the first 4 periods we got to know her clearly and it was evident that something definitely happened with her.

"Nahi yaar, kuch nahi. Told you how ek pagal ladka ruined my day" Eshvika replied, pradyumna agreed with her. "Bechari, why are these guys trying to bully new students?" he said.

"Because they want someone who doesn't know them, so they don't complain about them," Shresht said. "True, god saved him, otherwise what?" A husky stilted voice came from behind, cutting her in the middle. Eshvika, me and the guys looked behind and there was this senior of us who was staring at her with his blazing black eyes.

"You?" Eshvika almost squeaked and his evil smile deepened.

____________