Aadhya's POV
Morning.
Again.
"Ugh… school."
I dragged myself into the kitchen, half asleep, half alive.
Breakfast was already being set.
Nice.
But my eyes?
Straight on the fridge.
"Cold water…"
I walked toward it and—
THUD.
The fridge door shut before I could even touch it.
"What the—"
I turned.
And froze.
"Shit."
Amar Bhaiyya.
Standing there.
Smirking.
"Aur don…" he leaned slightly, pinching my nose,
"subah subah thanda khayegi toh tabiyat kharab hogi hi."
"Aaa—bhaiyya!"
I winced, pulling back.
"Meri naak tod di aapne!"
He just chuckled, clearly enjoying my suffering.
"Maa! Mujhe late ho raha hai," he called out casually, sitting down like nothing happened.
I blinked.
Wait.
"Bhaiyya aa gaye…"
That means—
"Nani theek hai?"
My mood shifted instantly.
I quickly sat across from him.
He was sipping coffee, scrolling through his tablet like a CEO of the world.
"How's Nani?" I asked.
"She's fine now," he replied, not even looking at me.
Relief flooded in.
"Thank God…"
"When will she come back?" I asked again.
Silence.
I looked up.
He was staring at me now.
Directly.
Like he didn't expect that question.
"Are you uncomfortable living here?" he asked slowly.
I paused.
My eyes flicked to Masi in the kitchen.
She was watching.
Waiting.
I shook my head quickly.
"No… I'm not uncomfortable."
"It's just… new."
Different.
Unfamiliar.
"I was just asking," I added softly.
He studied me for a second.
Then nodded.
And went back to his coffee.
Conversation over.
Just like that.
—
"Oh right," he spoke again suddenly.
"Ma said they placed you in Section E."
I nodded.
"Be like a good student… maybe they'll shift you to a better section," he said casually.
I frowned slightly.
"No… it's fine."
"I think I'll stay there."
His eyes lifted again.
A small pause.
"Your wish," he said.
Simple.
But something in his tone…
Like he knew something I didn't.
—
Masi's words popped into my head.
"Amar bhi ussi school mein tha…"
Perfect.
"Bhaiyya…"
He hummed.
"You studied in the same school, right?"
"Tell me about it."
He leaned back slightly.
Thought for a second.
And then—
"There wasn't a Section E before."
I blinked.
"What?"
"There were unruly students… rebellious ones… troublemakers," he continued.
"They were grouped together."
"Initially… very few. Four or five."
"But then… the number increased."
My stomach felt slightly heavy.
"Once you're put there…"
He looked straight at me.
"You can't leave."
Silence.
"It's like hell."
My grip on the table tightened a little.
"Even the school board ignores them."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Like he was just stating facts.
Not warnings.
I swallowed.
"So… why aren't there any girls?" I asked quietly.
He exhaled lightly.
"In our time too… there were no girls in Section E."
"Why?"
"Because girls aren't that unruly… or cruel like boys," he said plainly.
"So whenever a girl was placed there…"
"She was transferred."
Silence.
My mind replayed everything—
The stares.
The chaos.
The fights.
Vivaan.
Nikansh.
"…and I'm still there."
I leaned back slowly.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
Not soft.
Not innocent.
Something else.
"Good."
"Let's see…"
"How bad this 'hell' really is."
Breakfast done.
Mission accomplished.
I looked at my plate.
Clean.
Shining.
"Bas ek kaam aur…"
I leaned in slightly—
About to lick it—
And froze.
Bhaiyya.
Staring.
Intently.
"…okay no."
I straightened instantly like a sanskaari girl.
"Control, Aadhya."
I grabbed my bag and turned to leave.
"Ma, where is Rey?" Bhaiyya asked.
"Behind you," Masi replied casually.
I giggled.
Perfect timing.
Bhaiyya turned—
And there he was.
Freshly washed.
Perfect hair.
Annoyingly calm face.
Reyansh Mahajan.
"Rey, take Adi with you. From now on, you both will go and come together."
…
Wait.
WHAT??
"No!"
Both of us spoke at the same time.
Instant.
In sync.
Disaster confirmed.
Bhaiyya and Masi looked at us.
I could feel the tension rising.
Bhaiyya turned slowly toward Reyansh.
That look.
Dangerous.
He placed his hand on Reyansh's shoulder.
"If you don't do what I say…"
Pause.
"I'll take your car."
I blinked.
Oh.
That's low.
Very low.
Reyansh's expression changed instantly.
He looked… hurt.
Offended.
Personally attacked.
"Nice," I muttered under my breath.
"He loves his car more than anything."
Even more than his so-called girlfriend.
Whatever.
Now Bhaiyya looked at me.
I smirked slightly.
"Try me."
"Mere paas toh car hi nahi hai… kya loge aap?"
He smirked back.
Oh no.
He walked toward me.
Placed his hand on my shoulder.
Then leaned slightly—
"If you don't listen…"
Pause.
"I'll put you and Rey in the same section."
…
My soul left my body.
"NO."
I shook my head instantly.
"Deal."
"Perfect," he said casually, picking up his briefcase.
"Settled. You both go together."
"Maa, I'm leaving."
And just like that—
He walked out.
Leaving chaos behind.
—
I slowly turned.
Reyansh was already looking at me.
That glare.
Sharp.
Cold.
Angry.
"Great…"
"Subah subah mood kharab."
"Chalo…" I muttered.
He didn't say anything.
Just walked out.
I followed.
—
Car.
Big.
Clean.
Smells good.
"Rich people problems…"
I sat in the passenger seat quietly.
Silence.
Heavy.
Awkward.
I looked at him slightly.
"…say something."
Nothing.
I took a breath.
"Rey… I'm sorry," I said softly.
Before I could finish—
THUD.
He hit the steering wheel hard.
I flinched.
"Just shut up, Adi!"
His voice was loud.
Sharp.
I froze.
Okay.
No talking.
Noted.
The rest of the ride?
Silent.
Painfully silent.
I just stared outside the window.
Counting buildings. Trees. Anything.
—
We reached near school.
He stopped the car a little far away.
Of course.
I know why.
He doesn't want anyone to know.
That we're cousins.
I didn't say anything.
Just opened the door and got out.
"Fine."
"I get it."
I started walking.
Didn't look back.
Didn't wait.
—
School building ahead.
Same chaos.
Same noise.
Same madness.
I adjusted my bag slightly.
Took a small breath.
"Bas…"
"Today should be normal."
Pause.
"…hopefully."