[27]
In the bustling reception, amidst the chatter, Shashwat discreetly messaged Siya on Instagram, asking her to meet him on the terrace. Siya, catching the message, glanced at Shashwat making his way upstairs.
Under the ethereal glow of the moon, Shashwat found himself standing alone on the terrace, immersed in a silent reverie. The tranquil night air was disrupted by the delicate symphony of anklets, a sound that reverberated through the stillness and brought a subtle tension to his heart.
As the soft jingling approached, Shashwat turned to discover Siya, the embodiment of grace, standing there with a palpable sense of vulnerability.
Her pallu, usually draped with confidence, now fidgeted nervously in her grasp as she cast her gaze downward.
A knowing smile played on Shashwat's lips, recognizing the power he held to transform the bold, talkative Siya into a blushing spectacle.
With a subtle gesture, he invited her to stand beside him. Siya, guided by a mix of trepidation and anticipation, took small, hesitant steps towards him. In that delicate dance of emotions, she joined him, and together, their eyes met the moon's gentle radiance.
As she stood there, still lost in the captivating dance of lunar beams, she asked, "Why did you call me? Kuch kaam tha?"
"Kyun? Bina kisi kaam ke tum mujhse miloge nahi?" he responded, his gaze fixed on her with an affectionate intensity.
["Why? Won't you meet me without any reason?"]
"Nahi," she replied, her voice a gentle breeze in the tranquil night, her eyes lingering on the celestial orb.
["No"]
"Nahi?" he pressed, a soft amusement playing in his voice.
["No?"]
"Nahi matlab wo vala nahi nahi... dusra vala nahi," Siya explained, a subtle nervousness evident in her demeanour. She stole glances at him, her words hanging in the air. Intrigued, he raised his eyebrows, silently urging her to elaborate.
["No, I mean not that one... the other one, no."]
"What?" he inquired, a genuine curiosity colouring his confusion.
"Arre, I mean... aisa nahi hai... you don't need any reason," she spoke with a soothing softness, her gaze seeking refuge in the intricate patterns of the terrace railing. His chuckle, like a melody, resonated in the stillness of the night.
"Mishti..." he called her, the endearment rolling off his tongue like a gentle caress, and once again, her heart skipped a beat, an involuntary dance to the rhythm of that cherished name. Damn, that name always had the power to paint her cheeks in hues of warmth.
"Hmm?" she replied, her gaze still tethered to the moon, the silver orb casting its radiant glow over the night.
Shashwat, with a gentle turn, faced Siya whose gaze remained fixed on the moon, a serene smile playing on her lips. As he observed her, captivated by the moon's reflection in her deep, brown, chocolaty eyes, a tender warmth spread across his features.
"You know," he began, his voice a delicate whisper that seamlessly melded with the tranquil night around them,
"I never knew the moon could look this beautiful until I saw it reflected in your eyes."
A subtle twist in Siya's stomach compelled her gaze toward Shashwat.
Her eyes, ensnared by his captivating amber gaze, momentarily held a magnetic connection that transcended the world around them.
Unable to sustain the intensity, she averted her eyes to the intricate details of the railing.
A shy smile delicately curved her lips, and her cheeks, now dipped in the deepest shade of red, revealed the nuanced dance of emotions within.
"Don't look at me like this," she murmured, the soft plea carrying a blend of vulnerability and enchantment.
"Like what?" he asked, his gaze unwavering as he continued to look at her.
"There's nothing here worth looking at, except me," Siya confessed, her words laced with a delicate mix of playfulness and sincerity.
"That's true, for me there's nothing worth looking at, except you," he replied, his words wrapped in a blanket of sincerity and admiration.
His declaration lingered in the air, like a sweet melody weaving through the moonlit night. Siya, caught in the dance of his gaze and the poetry of his words, couldn't help but blush even deeper.
As the air thickened with unspoken sentiment, Siya felt the urge to redirect the attention away from her flushed cheeks.
"Hame chalna chahiye," she suggested, her voice carrying a mix of light-heartedness and an attempt to regain composure.
["I should leave."]
Before she could step away, Shashwat intervened, gently intertwining his small finger with hers, sending a subtle current down her spine.
Their fingers laced together, he gestured for her to follow him.
Walking in tandem, their fingers still entwined, they arrived at a secluded spot where Shashwat gestured for her to sit on a large railing.
Seated there, she complied, and with a graceful movement, he knelt down before her. From a concealed pocket, he produced one of her anklets, a glint catching the moonlight.
"Ye to..." she began, but Shashwat swiftly completed her sentence, "Tumhari hai. I found it near the water tap."
["It's yours.]
With an unexpected tenderness, he held the thumb of her foot, placing it gently on his thigh. The unexpectedness of the gesture widened her eyes in surprise.
"Ye aap... kya kar rahe hain! I can do it." she said, her shock palpable. Shashwat remained silent, his actions speaking louder than words.
["What are you doing?"]
"I know you can... but please let me," he softly insisted before she could articulate her thoughts. Her gaze, filled with adoration, met his, and a tender smile graced his lips.
As he delicately wrapped the anklet around her foot, Shashwat couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite beauty of her delicate feet.
In that intimate moment, a silent desire lingered within him, a wish to worship those very feet, a sentiment carefully tucked away.
Simultaneously, Siya found herself falling for him once again, captivated by the sincerity and gentleness of the gesture.
He looked up at her, and she withdrew her foot, their eyes locked in a silent exchange that resonated with unspoken emotions.
"Thank you," Siya expressed with a shy smile, keeping her feet on the floor while Shashwat remained on his knees, a silent expression of gratitude in her eyes. As she made a move to stand, he gently halted her progress.
"Ruko," he said, breaking away to move towards a nearby flower pot. His intention to pluck a blossom was interrupted by Siya's playful words,
["Wait."]
"Phool sirf devi ko chadhane ke liye todne chahiye," delivered with a teasing tone that brought a smile to Shashwat's face as he looked down.
["Flowers should only be plucked to offer them to the goddess."]
"Wahi kar raha hun," he replied, undeterred, and proceeded to pluck a delicate jasmine flower. Returning to where she still sat, he took the flower near her hair, his gaze locking onto hers with an unspoken question.
["That's what I am doing."]
"May I?" he asked, and in response, Siya looked down with a smile, gracefully putting her hair behind her ear to give him access.
Shashwat, with a careful touch, bent down, fixing the fragrant jasmine flower near her ear.
His movements were deliberate, ensuring his hand wouldn't mistakenly touch her temple.
Once he completed the gesture, he took a step back, admiring the simple yet intimate adornment. Siya, her eyes still cast downward, remained lost in the moment.
"Phool pehle kabhi itne sundar nahi dikhe," Shashwat uttered, his gaze fixed on the adorned jasmine with an admiring intensity that stirred butterflies in Siya's stomach. Rising from her place, she met his eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken connection they shared.
["Flower never looked this much beautiful before."]
Shashwat's subtle gestures had delicately woven a tapestry of affection around Siya.
Each glance, every tender touch, left an indelible mark on her heart, and as she approached him with a gaze locked into his, she felt enveloped in a silent language of love.
At that moment, the conviction grew within her - he not only cared but loved her deeply.
No words were needed; his actions and eyes spoke volumes.
As Siya walked towards him, the air hung heavy with anticipation. Lost in the depth of the connection, she felt an unspoken agreement that it was the perfect time to let her heart speak.
"I....I.." she began hesitantly, the weight of her emotions palpable in the soft tremor of her voice.
Shashwat, acutely aware of the gravity of the moment, felt a flutter of anticipation, a symphony of butterflies dancing within him.
Shyness, an unexpected guest, took residence in his demeanour as he waited with bated breath for her to unveil her sentiments.
"I?" he gently prompted, his eyes reflecting a yearning to hear those unspoken words directly from her.
Her heart raced in tandem with his, the difficulty of articulating her emotions face-to-face adding an extra layer of vulnerability to the moment.
Her face adorned a deeper shade of red, betraying the intensity of her feelings, as she stammered,
"I..."Siya began, her hesitancy echoing in the quietude of the moonlit terrace.
Just as the moment held the promise of her forthcoming words, an abrupt noise from downstairs shattered the delicate atmosphere, like a sudden thunderstorm interrupting a serene evening.
The sound, distant yet intrusive, resonated through the silence, prompting frowns to knit their brows in shared puzzlement.
"Chal ke dekhte hain kya hua," Siya suggested, her voice breaking the spell of the intimate moment, and she began to walk towards the source of the disturbance.
Shashwat, his frustration evident, muttered a curse under his breath at the unseen disruptor who had unknowingly marred the unfolding moment.
["Let's see."]
"Kon bewakoof hai!!!" he exclaimed, his irritation palpable.
This outburst marked an unusual display of annoyance from Shashwat, who was seldom seen in such a state.
Despite his vexation, he begrudgingly followed Siya, the terrace now abandoned and silent, a stark contrast to the intimate ambiance it had held moments before.
["Who is that stupid!"]
As they descended the stairs, the moonlit tranquillity of the terrace was left behind, replaced by the chaotic scene downstairs where Darsh and Divya stood drenched, engaged in a fierce exchange.
"Tumne mujh pe pani pheka? Ye lo cold drink ka snan kar lo," Darsh taunted, throwing cold drink on Divya, who retaliated with deadly glares.
["Did you throw water on me? Here, take a bath with a cold drink."]
"Mummy mere baal... tumko to mai aaj kha jaungi," she threatened, her anger palpable.
["My hair!! I will eat you today!"]
"Haan vaise bhi tum dayan ho. Oh ab samajh aaya ki tu lunch kyun chhor deti thi... insaano ko kha ke pet bhar jata hoga," Darsh smirked, provoking her further.
["Yes, anyway, you're a witch. Oh, now I understand why you used to skip lunch... probably filled your stomach by eating humans."]
"I will see you in class. Sari hoshiyari nikal dungi," she retorted angrily.
"Haan kya kar logi batana zara? Mujhe bhi kha jaogi?" Darsh responded.
["What will you do?"]
"Haan ab to nahi milegi copy jo karna hai kar lo, bandariya. Abhi mujhe chidhate waqt kaisa bandariya jaise muh ho gya tha," Darsh laughed, escalating the tension.
["Yes, now you won't get a copy, do whatever you want, monkey. Your face turned into a monkey-like one when you were annoying me just now."]
Amidst their tussle, Divya seized Dash's hair, and he retaliated in kind. Their heated exchange caught the attention of a guest who approached their group with a curious inquiry. Tara and Kirti intervened, separating the two with stern glares.
"Ghar chal aaj bas," Tara commanded, her stern gaze fixed on Divya.
"Aaj to tumhari ache se seva hogi Ghar chalo," Kirti added, equally displeased with Darsh's antics.
As they gulped nervously, exchanging glares once more, Siya approached Divya with a quiet whisper, wiping the cold drink from her face with her pallu.
"Aaj tumhari pooja hogi ghar me acche se," Siya whispered, her words carrying both a warning of consequences for Divya's actions.
After the chaotic scene, Darsh and Divya received a thorough scolding from their parents as they reached their respective homes. The once rebellious duo now faced the consequences of their actions, their parents not holding back in delivering a well-deserved lecture.
The morning sun painted the restaurant in a golden hue as Richa sat at their usual spot, a sense of eager anticipation brightening her eyes. The aroma of brewing coffee and the gentle clinking of cutlery created an enchanting atmosphere, setting the stage for a beautiful morning.
In a familiar rhythm, Akash arrived, and a smile played on his lips as he took the seat opposite Richa, however his smile was not reaching his eyes.
""Mom has made sabji puri today." Richa announced, unveiling a lunchbox with a twinkle in her eye, a gesture that promised a delightful culinary surprise.
"Richa... really there is..." Akash started, but before he could finish, Richa, with a hint of playful sternness, interrupted.
"Dobara wohi sab bola to daant tod dungi mai tumhare," she declared, a teasing threat that prompted a genuine chuckle from Akash, breaking the ice in the most heartwarming way.
["I will break your teeth if you said that again."]
As he started eating the breakfast, Akash, seemingly tethered to a pressing question, attempted to voice the unspoken concerns that had kept him restless the night before.
"Richa..." he began again, this time between bites of breakfast, and she nodded, inviting him to continue.
"Haan?" she responded, her gaze fixed on him.
"I just wanted to ask that... do you really want to be with me? I mean... tumne ye decision mere feelings ke pressure me to nahi liya?" Akash's words carried a genuine concern, an honest reflection of his insecurities that had played on his mind.
Richa, her eyes reflecting understanding, listened attentively. The gentle ambiance of the restaurant seemed to hold its breath, creating a sacred space for a conversation that would shape the course of their budding connection.
"Richa, see, I know I am loving all this, but still I need to know... tumhe mujhse sympathy hai isliye to nahi kar rahi ye sab?" Akash's vulnerability laid bare on the table, a silent plea for honesty and clarity.
["You're doing all this because you sympathize with me, right?"]
Richa's response was not just in words but in a comforting touch. Her hand found its way to Akash's, a silent assurance in the form of a gentle squeeze. Her fingers interlaced with his, creating a bridge of connection that transcended words.
"Akash, mujhe kyun sympathy hogi tumse? Sympathy to unse hoti hai jo kamzor hain.
But you are the strongest person I know," Richa's voice carried a sincerity that resonated with an undeniable truth.
Her gaze, unwavering and filled with genuine affection, held a promise of understanding and acceptance.
["Akash, why would I have sympathy for you? Sympathy is for those who are weak."]
He felt a wave of overwhelming emotions as Richa continued, her words like a soothing melody, comforting his restless soul.
"I know from where all these insecurities are coming from. But trust me, maine kisi bhi feelings ke pressure me aa ke tumhe haan nahi kaha. I actually want to give us a chance, and I think I really like you but for love, I need time for that. Aur tumse kisi ko pyar na ho aisa ho hi nahi sakta."
["But trust me, I didn't say yes under the pressure of any feelings. I actually want to give us a chance, and I think I really like you, but for love, I need time. And it's impossible for anyone not to fall in love with you."]
Richa's eyes remained locked with Akash's, creating a shared space where honesty and vulnerability danced together. Her words dissolved his lingering insecurities, and in that moment, the weight of doubts seemed to lift.
Richa, peering into Akash's eyes, sensed an unspoken turmoil. The subtle shifts in his gaze and the lingering shadows in his expression confirmed that something must have happened at his home, prompting her concern.
"Akash, wait here, I am coming in few minutes." she said, her voice carrying a mix of care and determination.
"But where are you going?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Ek minute. Finish the breakfast," she instructed, a brief yet reassuring smile on her lips, before gracefully making her way out of the restaurant.
He watched her departure, his shoulders adorned with a subtle shrug, left to contemplate the mysteries of the moment.
As Akash wrapped up his breakfast, the clinking of cutlery and the subdued chatter of the restaurant formed a backdrop to his contemplation. He conscientiously washed his hands.
As he returned back to his place he found Richa, wearing a mischievous grin, stood before him with both hands concealed behind her. He couldn't help but smile, raising his eyebrows in playful curiosity.
She revealed one hand, extending a vibrant red rose toward him. "For you," she declared, the simple gesture carrying an undercurrent of sweet affection. Akash's heart fluttered as he accepted the flower, a wide smile adorning his face.
Richa, not done with her delightful surprise, revealed another rose.
"Ye bhi," she said, prompting another exchange of smiles as he took the second rose. The sequence continued, each rose accompanied by a grin and a shared moment of joy.
"Ye bhi," she repeated, forwarding a third rose. Akash chuckled, charmed by the unexpected
abundance of roses.
With a grin, she declared, "This one too," extending a fourth rose towards him, each petal imbued with the vibrant hues of unexpected joy.
The exchange continued, a playful rhythm echoing in the air as she presented rose after rose, and he couldn't help but giggle, his laughter blending harmoniously with the soft sounds of the surroundings
The ritual continued until he found himself holding ten roses, each a testament to Richa's playful spontaneity.
"Richa, what is this?? Itne sare roses!" he exclaimed, he exclaimed, his laughter blending with the ambient sounds of the courtyard.
"Bas aise hi. Ab chalo varna school late pahocenge," she playfully insisted, emphasising the need to move along. Akash nodded, tucking the profusion of roses into his bag, each one carrying the essence of a beautifully unexpected moment shared between them. They both strolled towards his bike.
["Now come, or else we'll be late for school."]
"Richa..." he hesitated before speaking further.
"Hmm?" she replied, gesturing him to continue.
"Wo... the Diwali holidays start from tomorrow." He finally managed to say.
"Accha? I didn't know this," she said sarcastically.
"Arre, I mean... kal... will you... matlab..." he stammered, a departure from his typical confidence as a delicate trace of nervousness etched across his expression.
"Akash, date pe chalne ko puchna hai to acche se pucho na. Vaise to itna flirt karte ho. Ek asan sa sawal nahi pucha jaa raha," she playfully scolded, her eyes rolling in mock exasperation.
["Akash, if you want to ask me out on a date, ask properly. Despite all your flirting, you're not asking a simple question."]
"Tumhe kaise pata ki I was going to ask you this?" he inquired, a genuine surprise reflecting in his eyes at her perceptiveness.
"I am not that much stupid!"she replied and he smiled.
Approaching the school, he brought the bike to a gentle halt, and she dismounted with grace .
"So?" he asked, a subtle anticipation lingering in the air.
"Tomorrow at 5 PM," she declared with a twinkle in her eye, her words punctuated by a playful wink. As she walked away, a renewed sense of admiration filled him.
At school, the hum of classes echoed through the corridors.
Siya, Arushi, and Richa were engaged in a silent yet animated conversation, passing notes on the backside of their notebooks.
However, this wasn't your usual classroom chatter - it was a lively exchange of roasts, funny cartoons, and playful banter.
Richa, with her knack for humour, crafted the funniest cartoon featuring Arushi and slyly passed it to Siya.
The cartoon was a masterpiece, and Siya couldn't contain her laughter, bursting into giggles that echoed through the room.
The sudden outburst caught the attention of the teacher, who turned towards Siya with a questioning gaze.
"What's so funny, Siya? Share it with the class; we could all use a good laugh," the teacher inquired, prompting Siya to stand and apologise.
"Sorry, ma'am," Siya said, but the teacher's response was swift - an order to leave the class, a consequence Siya had become accustomed to over time.
"Ma'am, it wasn't her fault..." Richa tried to intervene, but Siya gestured for her to stay silent as she exited the room.
Standing outside the classroom, facing the 12th-grade section, Siya noticed Akash , Shashwat and Reyansh who were sitting at fourth bench. Akash grinned and waved at her, receiving a reciprocal wave from Siya. On the other hand, Reyansh, not particularly thrilled, shot her a glare.
"Ye ladki class ke bahar khade hone ka record bana legi ek din," Reyansh muttered, expressing his annoyance, while Siya cheekily stuck out her tongue in response.
["This girl will break the record of getting out from class."]
However, her moment of playful banter was interrupted by the realisation that Shashwat, someone who held a special place in her heart, was observing the scene. A subtle blush crept onto Siya's cheeks as she acknowledged Shashwat's gaze.
While, Shashwat found himself seated at the fourth desk, his view obstructed, preventing him from catching a glimpse of Siya's face. Failing to do so, a restlessness seized him, and an unconventional idea took root in his mind.
As the teacher initiated the class, Shashwat's shoes began tapping rhythmically against the bench, creating a subtle disturbance.
The tapping, initially discreet, gradually increased in volume, capturing the attention of both classmates and the teacher. Shashwat, a model student and class topper, was displaying an unexpected distraction.
"Shashwat, what are you doing?" inquired the teacher, his tone a blend of concern and curiosity. Shashwat, momentarily pausing the tapping, replied innocently,
"Nothing, sir," He said before resuming the rhythmic beats.
Undeterred, the teacher continued with the lesson, trusting Shashwat's typically exemplary behaviour. However, the tapping persisted, disrupting the flow of the class. Puzzled by this unusual behaviour from his star student, the teacher asked again,
"Shashwat, is there a problem? Why are you distracting the class?"
"Sorry sir," Shashwat apologised , his gaze fixated on the distant board, the tapping continuing beneath the desk.
As the class proceeded, Shashwat's shoes created a steady accompaniment to the teacher's instructions.
"Shashwat, what are you doing?" Akash whispered, pinching his hand to draw attention to the unusual behaviour.
"Shashwat, maintain your concentration. We are all studying here." Teacher said sternly and he stopped.
The tapping, however, again started. Frustrated, the teacher paused once more, directly addressing Shashwat, "Shashwat, what is happening? Why are you creating a disturbance in the class?"
"Sorry, sir," Shashwat responded, feigning innocence, but the rhythmic tapping stopped almost immediately.
A mischievous grin played on Shashwat's face as he boldly continued the tapping. Ignoring the warning, he intensified the sound, challenging the usual dynamics of the classroom.
"Shashwat, what happened to you? Sir tujhe bahar phek denge," warned Reyansh, perplexed by the unexpected disruption.
Shrugging his shoulders, Shashwat continued the rhythmic tapping, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around him. Akash and Reyansh exchanged puzzled glances, trying to comprehend their friend's unusual conduct.
The teacher, realising the severity of the disruption, finally declared,
"Shashwat, step outside the class." Unfazed, Shashwat stood up with a grin, leaving behind a puzzled and stunned classroom. Akash who just understood the actual intention muttered to himself,
"Hey Bhagwan! Kya ho gaya mere dost ko?" while Reyansh looked on in disbelief.
In the school corridor, Shashwat stood before Siya, a surprise evident in her gaze as Arushi's revelation about his discipline echoed in her mind. They found themselves in a delicate moment, unable to move from their places, yet connected by a subtle thread of unspoken emotions.
Siya's eyes wandered over Shashwat's face, studying his features with an intensity that revealed her fascination. His gaze was fixed on the sky, perhaps lost in thoughts, creating an aura of mystery around him.
With a gentle smile, Shashwat lowered his gaze to meet Siya's astonished eyes.
Raising his eyebrows playfully, he invited her into the silent conversation that unfolded between them.
Siya, caught in the enchantment of the moment, looked down with a subtle shake of her head, expressing disbelief and a touch of amusement.
Noticing a few strands of Siya's hair dancing in the breeze, Shashwat's fingers traced an imaginary line, gesturing for her to tuck them behind her ear.
Siya, responding to the unspoken request, blushed as she followed his subtle guidance, a quiet acknowledgment of the intimacy that lingered between them.
As the school bell chimed, signalling the end of their brief encounter, they exchanged a lingering gaze filled with understanding.
"Shashwat tujhe kya ho gaya tha?? Why were you behaving so strange?" Reyansh asked, curiosity etched across his face.
"Wo..aise hi. Chalo na canteen me, otherwise lunch over ho jayega," Shashwat replied, attempting to brush off the subject, while Akash couldn't resist giving him a mischievous smirk.
As they reached the canteen, they noticed their respective interests already seated, engrossed in their lunch.
Arushi and Reyansh's eyes met, and the memory of yesterday's incident lingered in the air.
Arushi smiled shyly, her attention shifting to her food, while Reyansh, with a reciprocal smile, approached the chair just behind her.
"Yaar!! Those guava look so tempting. I want to eat them." Siya exclaimed, pointing towards a guava tree visible through the school window.
"That is Principal Ma'am's fruit orchard. It's not possible to get fruits from there. No one is allowed to go there." Arushi replied, a slight pout forming on her face.
Unbeknownst to them, Shashwat overheard their conversation, and an idea sparked in his mind.
After the school bell rang, a group of students lingered behind, engrossed in decorating the premises.
The initial decorations were dedicated to the chief guests, but now, the focus shifted to embellishing the school for the upcoming Diwali celebration, with the holidays set to commence the next day.
"Bhai kitna decoration karvayenge ye log!" Siya exclaimed in frustration, hands adorned with vibrant rangoli colors as she worked with her friends.
["Bro, how much decoration are they getting done?"]
""That day, the school trustees had come, so the decoration was done. And today, it's for Diwali." Arushi explained, trying to soothe Siya's annoyance. Siya sighed, understanding the purpose.
"Where is your bhaiya?" she inquired, scanning the area for Shashwat, who was conspicuously absent.
"Haan, Akash is also nowhere to be found. Reyansh bhaiya to udhar hi khade hain, diya decoration me lage huye hain," Richa informed Siya, pointing towards where Reyansh was dedicatedly working on the decorative diyas.
"Bhaiya had said that if they need any items for decoration, he has gone to the stationery after taking permission from Ma'am." Arushi added, shedding light on Shashwat and Akash's whereabouts. Siya just nodded in acknowledgment.
Arushi, Siya, and Richa were deeply engrossed in creating a colorful Rangoli for Diwali. However, Richa's unintentional mistakes which was spoiling the Rangoli again and again were testing Siya's patience.
"Richa, get lost!! Isse pehle ham rangoli par tera sar ghaseet den." Siya expressed her frustration, trying to salvage their Rangoli design.
["Richa, get lost!! Before I might drag your head on the rangoli."]
"Yaar, sorry," Richa apologized, realizing her repeated blunders.
Arushi intervened, suggesting, "Richa, go and see the decoration for the lamp. Get out of here." Reluctantly, Richa moved towards the diya decoration area.
On the other side, Shashwat and Akash found themselves near a wall bordering the fruit orchard belonging to the principal.
"Shashwat, tu na ek din apni ashiqui ke chakkar me mujhe marvayega," Akash said, shaking his head.
["Shashwat, one day you'll get me killed in the chaos of your love"]
"Shshh!! Kuch nahi hoga. Let's climb the wall," Shashwat dismissed any concerns, urging Akash to join him in their covert adventure. Together, they scaled the wall and entered the forbidden orchard.
"Shashwat, I can't believe this! Tu kya se kya ho gaya! Maine kabhi sapne me bhi nahi socha tha ki tu aur chori karega," Akash expressed disbelief, struggling to reconcile Shashwat's current actions with his past self.
["How you have changed! I never even dreamed that you would resort to stealing."]
"Haan to kon sa sona chandi lene aaya hun. I am here for just a few guavas for my mi... Siya," Shashwat defended.
"And you can give some to Richa also. She will be happy," Shashwat suggested, emphasising the goodwill behind their impromptu fruit heist.
"Richa doesn't like guavas," Akash pointed out.
"Whatever! Chal ab let's climb this tree aur jaldi se lekar bhagte hain idhar se," Shashwat decided, taking charge of their guava-picking mission. They ascended the tree, plucking ripe guavas.
Amidst the fruit-laden branches, Shashwat descended smoothly from the guava tree, prompting Akash to follow suit.
"Akash, get down now." Shashwat advised, a touch of impatience in his tone.
"Yaar, main fas gaya hoon yahan. I don't know how to get down," Akash confessed, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and helplessness.
"What!! Kisne kaha tha itna upar jane ke liye? Jaldi kar yaar, before security guards arrive here," Shashwat urged, his apprehension growing.