[44]
Siya and Shashwat were nestled in the tranquil back garden, away from the buzz of the auditorium where the principal's lecture droned on. The setting sun bathed the space in a warm, golden hue, making the surroundings seem almost magical.
"You never told me you were such a skilled kathak dancer," Shashwat said, his voice tinged with admiration. "I had to check the list 4-5 times just to believe it."
Siya's eyes sparkled as she grinned. "So, how did it feel watching me dance?" she asked, her tone playful and curious.
Shashwat's gaze softened as he looked at her. "It felt like my heart was dancing in sync with your feet," he said, his voice low and filled with awe.
Siya's grin widened, and for a moment, they both fell silent.
"Tumne kabhi bataya kyun nahi?" Shashwat asked again, curiosity and concern evident in his voice.
["You never told me."]
"What would I have told you? Woh toh hame pata tha ki papa nahi attend karenge annual function, so I performed. But I won't be performing again," Siya replied, her voice carrying a hint of sadness.
"Kyun? You are an excellent dancer. Mai kya pure school ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya tha. You have a great career in this field," Shashwat said, his eyes wide with admiration.
"I wish! But I can't make my career as a kathak dancer. You know, I actually wanted to be a kathak dancer... It is my passion. But ab koi matlab nahi ye sab ka," Siya said, her voice dropping.
"But why? Mishti, not everyone is blessed with such talent, and if you have it and actually want to pursue it, you're disrespecting your gift by not following it!" Shashwat said, frustration creeping into his tone.
Siya sighed deeply, her eyes distant as she remembered. "My last performance was when I was in class 9th in Delhi," she began.
FLASHBACK
The annual cultural event in Delhi was a grand affair.
Siya, dressed in a vibrant traditional kathak costume, stepped onto the stage with grace and confidence.
The rhythm of the tabla filled the air, and she began her performance, her feet tapping in perfect sync with the music, her movements fluid and mesmerising.
The audience watched in awe, but soon, a group of rowdy boys started making noise. They whistled and jeered, disrupting the performance. Suddenly, they began throwing money at her, treating her with disrespect. Their crude comments and laughter filled the auditorium, drowning out the music.
Siya tried to continue, but her steps faltered. She glanced at the audience, her eyes pleading for someone to stop the humiliation. The boys continued, their actions growing bolder. Some even stood up, asking cheap questions, making lewd remarks.
Harsh and Tara, were also present. Harsh's face turned red with anger as he saw what was happening.
Reyansh couldn't hold back. He stormed towards the boys, throwing punches, starting a fight.
Harsh quickly intervened, pulling Reyansh away and calling the police.
They left the auditorium, with Siya feeling utterly humiliated.
At home, the atmosphere was tense. Harsh was seething with anger. He stormed into Siya's room, her ghungroos in hand. "What was that, Siya? This nonsense dance has to stop right now!" he shouted, throwing the ghungroos on the floor.
Siya, tears streaming down her face, pleaded, "Papa, what was my fault in this? I was just performing my dance."
Harsh's face was a mask of fury. "Fault? Your stupid dance is the fault. Focus on your studies. You wanted to learn kathak, fine, keep it as a hobby. There is no career in this!"
"But Papa, it's her passion. How can you say there is no career in it? There are so many successful dancers," Ritika stood for her sister.
"I don't care about other dancers. She is my daughter, and I know what's best for you. Enough of this nonsense! From now on, no more dance classes, no more performances. Focus on your studies and your future," Harsh said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"Papa, those boys were at fault, not Siya. Why should she suffer because of their behavior?" Reyansh added, his voice firm.
But Siya, still crying, held Ritika's hand and shook her head.
Harsh's face hardened further. "Ye bekaar nach gana ab dikhna nahi chahiye iss ghar me," he ordered, leaving no room for argument as he stormed out.
["This useless dancing and singing shouldn't be seen in this house anymore."]
Tara, her mother, placed a hand on Siya's shoulder. "Your father is right. Focus on your studies now. You wanted to learn dance, and you did. But there's no future in this. Next year you have boards, concentrate on that. Come on, don't cry now. Get some rest," she said gently.
Siya nodded numbly, picking up her discarded ghungroos.
She went to her room, locking herself inside the washroom, where she cried her heart out, feeling her dreams shatter.
After what felt like an eternity, she emerged, placing her ghungroos in a box.
That box remained untouched from that day forward, a silent witness to her broken dreams.
FLASHBACK ENDS
"You should have fought for your dreams, Siya," Shashwat said, his eyes filled with concern.
"Papa se? Pagal hain kya? He'll throw me out," Siya replied, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Then sleep out for a few days. But don't let others overpower your dreams. I'm not saying that it's good to go against your parents, but if it's about your dreams, then don't think twice before standing up for yourself.
Until you speak up for yourself, no one else will," Shashwat said, his voice firm and encouraging.
"You don't understand. Wo nahi manenge," Siya said, her voice filled with resignation.
["He won't understand."]
"Kabhi manaya tumne? Vaise toh itni ladai karti ho, apne sapne ke liye nahi lad sakti?" he challenged, causing Siya to fall silent.
["Have you tried to make him understand?Usually, you fight so much, but you can't fight for your own dreams?"]
"You know, my parents also didn't want me to join the army when I told them in 10th grade," Shashwat said, trying to connect with her.
"Why?" she asked, curiosity piqued.
"Because, according to them, it's a dangerous profession. I agree, they're my parents and they worry about me. They clearly asked me to pursue engineering or something else," Shashwat explained.
"How did you convince them?" Siya asked, genuinely interested.
"I stopped eating for two days. Stayed in my room all day, stopped talking to everyone.
I don't know if it was right or wrong, but I just wanted to fulfil my dreams, so I protested in my own way.
Finally, after three days, they gave in.
They even got me enrolled in NDA coaching," Shashwat said, holding her hand gently.
"Siya, I'm not asking you to stop eating or to argue with your parents.
Just try to make them understand your point once.
If they don't listen, then stand up for yourself.
It's your life, your dreams. If you don't fight for them, who will?
Sometimes, parents need to see how serious you are about something before they understand its importance," Shashwat explained, his eyes earnest.
He continued, "Look, parents often act out of fear and love.
They don't want to see us get hurt or fail.
But they also need to see that we are determined and that our dreams mean the world to us.
Show them your passion, your commitment.
Explain how much kathak means to you, how it's more than just a hobby, it's your calling.
They need to see that you're not just doing this on a whim. "
Siya listened intently, her resolve starting to build. Shashwat's words were inspiring a new strength within her.
Siya nodded, feeling a spark of hope. "I will talk to him after Akash Bhaiya's matter gets resolved and everything returns to normal. By then, Ritika Didi will also be back, so it will be easier," she said, determination in her voice.
"And I'll be there with you on that day. You won't have to face him alone," Shashwat promised, squeezing her hand.
She grinned, her spirits lifting. "That's great. Papa can't even scold me in front of you," she said, her voice lighter now while Shashwat chuckled softly, patting her head.
Arav sat in his hotel room, surrounded by a pile of notes and books as he prepared for his upcoming seminar, which had been postponed to four days later.
His thoughts kept drifting back to Ritika, even though he had been keeping his distance from her after their last encounter.
He knew she needed space, and despite his deep feelings for her, he was determined to give her the room she needed to heal.
His love for her remained steadfast, even if it meant loving her from afar for now.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
It was a call for dinner from the teacher.
Arav put his notes aside and made his way downstairs, where the students and teachers were dining together.
As he descended the stairs, he noticed Ritika glancing towards him before quickly looking down at her phone.
After their last conversation, Ritika had been grappling with her feelings.
She felt guilty for blaming Arav, knowing that she had also given in to her emotions that day.
She realised that if she held him accountable for their actions, she should also hold herself accountable.
The thought that she was no different from him if she blamed him while excusing her own actions troubled her deeply.
"There is only one chair left beside Ritika," the teacher announced, drawing Arav's attention. He saw the chair positioned right next to hers, their chairs almost touching. He remembered Ritika's harsh words: "Maintain four steps distance between us. I don't even like your presence around me."
He hesitated for a moment before making a decision. "Ma'am, actually, my friend called me. He lives here in Pune and wants to have dinner with me. Can I go? I'll be back in an hour," Arav said, trying to find a way out.
"Arav, it's late," the teacher replied, concerned.
"Ma'am, it's only 9 PM. Please, he's leaving for Delhi tomorrow, and this might be our last chance to meet," Arav pleaded, hoping his excuse would work.
The teacher sighed, relenting, "Okay, but come back on time. I will call you at 10."
Arav nodded gratefully and left the dining area. As he walked away, he could feel Ritika's eyes on him. She watched his figure disappear and understood his trick.
The morning assembly buzzed with anticipation. Students stood in neatly arranged lines, their chatter hushed as the principal took the stage, her expression a mix of sternness and disappointment.
"Good morning, everyone," the principal greeted, her voice carrying authority.
"Good morning, ma'am," the students responded in unison, their voices echoing across the courtyard.
"I'm not here today to make any announcements. Today, I am here to discuss a very important topic... I am very disappointed," the principal began, her tone heavy with concern.
A ripple of unease spread through the students as they exchanged anxious glances, whispers of speculation filling the air.
"It's about the issue of couples and relationships among students in my school.
I saw a couple at the annual function night, and I am highly disappointed with that student.
He is such an intelligent boy, and I have known him for many years.
I didn't expect such behavior from him," the principal continued, her voice tinged with regret.
Siya's eyes widened in panic. "Behan, kahin Shashwat aur ham..." she whispered frantically, her voice trembling. She glanced at Shashwat, who looked equally alarmed, his eyes darting around nervously.
"Reyansh bhaiya aur Aru bhi ho sakte hain," Richa muttered, her brow furrowed in worry.
["Aru and Reyansh bhaiya can be too."]
"Arre yaar, bahot dar lag rahi... Par ma'am ne kaha ki wo kaafi saal se janti hai usse aur Reyansh to abhi aaya hai last year," Arushi said, her mind racing to piece it all together.
["Come on, I'm really scared... But ma'am said she has known him for many years and Reyansh just joined last year."]
"Bhaii, tab to pakka Siya hogi," Richa concluded, her voice barely above a whisper.
["Then she must be talking about Siya".]
"Ham nas kaat lenge hair clip se apni... mummy aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa," Siya wailed dramatically, her voice rising in desperation.
["I'll cut my vein with my hair clip..."]
"Pagal, shaq mat karva, confirm nahi hai tu hi ho," Arushi said, trying to calm her down, her hand resting reassuringly on Siya's shoulder.
["Shut up! It's not confirmed yet."]
Akash observed Shashwat's panicked expression, his mind racing. "Ohh God, bacha lena bhagwan, varna Shashwat ki image kharab ho jayegi aur Siya ke ghar me pata chala to pata nahi kya hoga," he thought, worry etched on his face.
["Oh God, please save us, or else Shashwat's image will be ruined, and if Siya's family finds out, who knows what will happen."]
Reyansh leaned in and whispered to Shashwat, "Bhai, kahin tu..."
"Mujhe meri fikar nahi hai... Siya ki tension hai. Itne mushkil se toh usme himmat jutayi hai uncle se baat karne ki! Tere papa ko pata chala to uska dance ka sapna bhi chala jayega," Shashwat replied, his voice filled with concern.
["I don't care about myself... I'm worried about Siya. It took her so much courage to talk to her uncle! If your dad finds out, her dream of dancing will be crushed."]
"Ham nas kaat lenge... Papa vaise bhi hamko dharti me zinda dafan kar denge aur Ritika di bhi nahi hai bachane ke liye... abhi tak papa ko dance class ke liye convince karna tha, ab zinda rehne ke liye karna padega," Siya lamented, tears welling up in her eyes.
["I'll slit my wrist... Dad will bury me alive anyway, and Ritika di isn't here to save me. Until now, I had to convince Dad for dance class, but now I have to convince him to be alive."]
"I am going to call his parents, I am here to warn everyone. If anyone is caught doing such things on the school campus, they will be suspended for at least one week," the principal declared, her voice firm and unwavering.
"Yaar, bahot dar lag raha mummy," Siya whimpered, clutching Arushi's arm for support.
"Class 10th and 12th have their pre-board exams starting next week. So, I am warning you now, no lovey-dovey couples should be seen," the principal said, her gaze sweeping over the students.
"Yaar, bahot rona aa raha hai, papa to room me band kar denge, school bhi nahi aane denge to farewell pe kya hi ayenge... bhagwan ji ek baar bacha lo agle baar se kabhi nahi karungi," Siya said, her voice breaking as she fought back tears.
["Yaar, I'm feeling like crying a lot. Dad will lock me in my room, and he won't even let me go to school, God, please save me this time, I wont do this again."]
"Kya nahi karegi?" Arushi asked, her curiosity piqued.
["Do what?"]
"Shashwat se school me baat aur dekhungi bhi nahi," Siya declared, her resolve firm despite her fear.
["I won't talk to shashwat at school neither I will look at him."]
"And Shashwat..." the principal's voice cut through the air like a knife, taking his name. Siya's heartbeat stopped, her friends holding their breath in anticipation.
"Y-yes, ma'am," Shashwat stammered, stepping forward, his face pale.
"You, Reyansh, and Akash will ensure that there are no couple-related issues in school campus. If you see any girl or boy talking inappropriately, you need to inform me," the principal instructed, her eyes locking onto each of them.
Siya, Shashwat, Arushi, Richa, Akash, Darsh, and Divya all sighed in relief, the tension melting away.
"Bach gaye yaar," Siya muttered, her voice weak with relief.
"Mujhe laga tha gayi aaj teri prem kahani," Arushi said with a playful smile, nudging Siya.
["I thought it's an end of your love story."]
"But ma'am, there are so many girls and boys who are best friends or friends. Ham kisi par bhi shaq to nahi kar sakte na," Shashwat said, raising a valid point.
"Yes, I know, but tum bache nahi ho jo tumhe samjh na aaye ki kon dost hai aur kon couple," the principal replied sternly, her gaze unwavering.
"Yes, ma'am," Shashwat agreed, nodding earnestly.
"Shashwat, send Mihir to my office," the principal added before leaving the stage.
"Ohh, to Mihir pakda gaya hai... sahi hua. Mera phone tod kar mujhe apna phone use karne nahi diya tha," Shashwat said, chuckling at the irony.
["It's mihir! Thats good! He didn't let me use his phone after breaking mine."]
"Tera hi shrap laga hoga usse," Reyansh said, joining in the laughter, the tension finally broken.
["It must be your curse."]
After the assembly, students dispersed to their respective classes. However, the air was thick with murmurs about a recent incident.
"Yaar, kon hoga wo? Aisa kya hua ki ma'am ne office bula liya," Arushi wondered aloud, her eyes wide with curiosity.
["Who is that girl? And why ma'am called them at office?"]
"Staff room to yahin pe hai. Teachers kuch baat kar rahe the. Dekhte hai chori se," Siya suggested, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She tugged at Arushi's sleeve, leading her toward the staff room.
["The staff room is right here. The teachers were talking about something. Let's sneak a look."]
Arushi and Siya sneaked outside since it was the zero period. They approached the staff room cautiously, hiding behind a pillar, and strained to listen to the teachers' conversation. Their hearts raced with excitement and nervousness.
Suddenly, the door of the staff room creaked open, and Shashwat emerged. The girls stood up straight, their faces flushing with panic. They quickly turned to head back to their class, trying to look inconspicuous.
"Kya ho raha hai?" Shashwat asked, raising his eyebrows suspiciously at their guilty expressions.
["What's happening here?"]
"Wo... bhaiya, kuch nahi. Hum to bas yahi se guzar rahe the," Arushi stammered, her voice shaking slightly.
["Nothing! We were just passing by."]
"Chup chap class mein jao," Shashwat ordered, his tone firm as he eyed them disapprovingly. He then turned and walked toward his own class, leaving the girls momentarily relieved.
["Go back to your class."]
As soon as Shashwat was out of sight, Siya nudged Arushi with a sly grin. "Ignore kar. Sun toh clearly samjh nahi aa raha."
They leaned in closer to the staff room door, trying to catch snippets of the conversation.
"This is very wrong, ma'am... Mihir and Kavya ne school ka naam kharab kar diya. Thank God kisi chief guest ne nahi dekha, varna kya reputation ho jati hamare school ki," a teacher's voice drifted out, filled with frustration.
["This is very wrong, ma'am... Mihir and Kavya have tarnished the school's name. Thank God no chief guest saw it, otherwise, what reputation would our school have?"]
"Ohh ye wahi kamina Mihir jisne hamare Shashwat ke sath gaddari ki thi... bilkul sahi hua," Siya muttered angrily, her face contorted with disdain.
"Wahi to! Bada aaya bhaiya ka phone tod ke unhe hi attitude dikha raha tha... bhaiya ek to seedhe hain itne, ussi time paise maagne chahiye the," Arushi added, her eyes narrowing in anger.
Just then, someone tapped Siya's shoulder. She jumped and turned around quickly, with Arushi mirroring her action.
"Sh.. Shashwat! Hehe," Siya stammered, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. Her heart pounded in her chest.
"Tum log ko class mein jaane ko bola tha na?" Shashwat said sternly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at them.
["I asked you to return back to class."]
"Arre, ham bas jan ne aaye the kya hua," Arushi tried to explain, her voice barely a whisper.
["We were just came to see what happened."]
"Jyada panchayat soojh rahi hai? Class mein jao, varna mai bata dunga ma'am ko," Shashwat warned, his voice low and threatening. He turned and went back to the staff room, leaving the girls feeling a mix of fear and defiance.
["Are you all too busy with the discussion? Go to the class, or I will inform the ma'am."]
"Bas phekne ko keh do, hame pata hai nahi batayenge," Siya said confidently, crossing her arms.
["He is just boasting! I know he won't say anything."]
"Arre wo bata denge. Bhai ek baar meko cheating karte hue phasa diya tha," Arushi recalled, her face scrunching up at the memory.
["He will tell to teachers. He once caught me cheating and complained about me also."]
"Wo alag baat thi," Siya said, blushing. "Tab unki life mein ham nahi the, aur ek baar khud unhone hame cheating mein help ki thi... can you believe?" She giggled, her eyes sparkling with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
["Back then, I wasn't in his life, and once he himself helped me with cheating... can you believe it?"]
"Acha, ab baatein sun ne de," Arushi said, straining to hear the conversation inside, her curiosity overpowering her fear.
Again, Shashwat emerged from the staff room. His face was set in a hard line. "Arre gayi nahi abhi tak? Abhi ke abhi jao, varna mai sach mein bata dunga," he threatened, his voice sharper this time.
["Are you still not gone? Go right now, or I will really tell."]
"Jada baniye mat, hame pata hai aap hamari shikayat kabhi nahi karenge," Siya retorted confidently, her chin jutting out defiantly.
["Don't act so high and mighty; I know you will never complain about me."]
Just then, a teacher came out of the staff room. Her gaze was sharp and her expression stern. "What's happening here?" she asked, her eyes darting between Shashwat and the girls.
"Ma'am, they both were secretly listening to your and other teachers' talk," Shashwat complained, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and satisfaction. Siya's eyes widened in shock and betrayal.
"Siya beta, Arushi beta, jada shauq hai? Padhne likhne mein bhi itna interest dikha deti to aaj 60 percent se upar aa jate. Go back to your class," the teacher scolded them, her voice dripping with disappointment.
["Siya beta, Arushi beta, too much enthusiasm? If you showed this much interest in studying, you'd be scoring above 60 percent today. Go back to your class."]
"Sorry, ma'am," they both said in unison, their heads bowed and cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Siya left, throwing deadly glares at Shashwat. Her eyes were filled with a mix of anger and disbelief. Arushi followed her, trying to suppress a giggle but feeling a knot of anxiety in her stomach.
"Kya hua? Kya pata chala?" Kanak asked curiously as soon as Siya and Arushi entered the classroom.
["What happened?"]
"Haan batao, kon hai kiske sath pakda gaya?" another boy from the class asked eagerly.
["Yes tell us, who is caught with whome?"]
"Arre suno, pata kya hua? Mihir bhaiya hain na, 12th A3 ke, wo class 10th B ki Kavya ke sath pakde gaye... wo bhi... kiss karte hue," Siya said, her voice filled with dramatic emphasis. Everyone's mouths went O in shock.
["Hey, guess what happened? Mihir bhaiya from 12th A3 was caught with Kavya from class 10th B... and they were kissing."]
"Haww, sach? Detail me batao na?" one student urged, leaning forward in anticipation.
["Really? Give us the details!"]
"Arre wo..." Siya was about to spill the details when the class teacher walked in. She quickly sat down on her seat, looking slightly guilty.
The class teacher started taking attendance, her eyes scanning the room. "Students, I am coming in 10 minutes aur Siya, class me bhagam bhag se fursat ho gayi to padh lo. Abhi test lene aa rahi hu," she said sternly before leaving the room.
["Students, I am coming in 10 minutes. Siya, if you have time between the rush in class, study up. I am coming to take the test now."]
As soon as the teacher left, Sidhi leaned over to Siya, "Siya, aage bata na."
["Siya , what happened next?"]
"Haan to, pata hai, ye dono ko annual function wale din kiss karte hue PT sir ne dekh liya aur Mihir bhaiya peeta bhi," Siya continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
["Yes, so, you know, on the day of the annual function, PT sir saw these two kissing and also beat Mahir bhaiya."]
"Ye hui suspend," Kanak said, shaking her head in disbelief.
["She will get suspended."]
"Haan, hogi. Abhi ma'am log yahi keh rahi thi ki ek mahine ke liye karen ya 2 week," Arushi added, her eyes wide.
["Yes, it will happen. The teachers were just saying whether to do it for a month or 2 weeks."]
Meanwhile, Shashwat came back from the staff room.
"Kya hua, kya hua?" His classmates bombarded him with questions as soon as he entered.
["What happened?"]
"Wo... actually, ye 12th A3 wala Mihir Pathak kisi ladki ke sath pakda gaya," Shashwat said, trying to keep his voice low.
["Oh, actually, this Mihir Pathak from 12th A3 was caught with a girl."]
"Arre... par kaise?" Priti, his classmate, asked, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
["But how?"]
"What do you mean by kaise?" Shashwat replied, rolling his eyes.
["What do you mean by how"?]
"Arre, matlab aisa kya kar rahe the? Kya pata dost hon," Ritwik suggested, his voice skeptical.
["I mean what were they doing. They might be friends."]
"Arre, dost nahi the... PT sir ne inhe wo karte dekh liya tha," Shashwat hesitantly said, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening.
["Oh, they weren't friends... PT sir caught them doing that."]
Everyone's eyes widened, and they leaned in closer. Shashwat saw their expressions and sighed.
"Arre vaisa kuch nahi... wo karte hue... wo... wahi," Shashwat stammered with a red face, making everyone more confused.
["Actually, it wasn't anything specific... just that they were caught doing that."]
Reyansh stood up from his place, exasperated. "Arre bhai, clearly bata na sabko. Ye wo wo kya kar raha? Mai batata hun... PT sir ne inhe kiss karte hue dekh liya tha," Reyansh said, his voice loud and clear.
["Arre tell them clearly, PT sir caught them kissing."]
"Chee yaar, kaise bol raha hai tu? Batameez," Shashwat said, glaring at Reyansh.
["Yuck, how are you speaking? Shameless."]
"Kya chee? 10th class ki bachi kar sakti hai aur mai bol bhi nahi sakta?" Reyansh retorted, shaking his head in disbelief.
["What's yuck? A 10th grader can do it, and I can't even say it?"]
During lunch break, Siya, Arushi, Divya, Richa, Shashwat, Reyansh, and Darsh were sitting in the bustling canteen. The air was thick with the aroma of food and the murmur of student chatter.
"Batao Bhai, aisa bhi kya hai? At least age to dekho," Arushi said, her eyes wide with disbelief.
[ "Tell me, what's the desperation? At least look at the age."]
"Wahi na! Aur wo to choti hai, usse itni akal nahi hogi. But ye Mihir ka bacha, isko to akal honi chahiye ki koi dekh lega to kya hoga? Bechari ki life barbad ho jayegi," Siya added, shaking her head in disapproval, her lips pursed tightly.
["Exactly! And she's younger, so she might not have that much sense. But Mihir, he should know better. He should realize that if someone sees, it could ruin her life."]
Siya turned to Divya, her eyes narrowing. "Divya, bata kya hua? Uska kya reaction tha office se aane ke baad?"
["Divya, tell me what happened? What was his reaction after coming back from the office?"]
Divya sighed, her expression sympathetic and her shoulders slumping slightly. "Ro rahi thi, aankhe laal ho rakhi thi."
["She was crying, her eyes were red."]
"Mujhe to daya aa rahi bechari par. Uske ghar pe pata chala to uska career kharab ho jayega," Siya said, her voice filled with genuine concern.
["I feel sorry for her. If her family finds out, her career will be ruined."]
Shashwat, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Hmm..she has her boards. Ladkon ko toh chance mil bhi jata hai but ladkiyon ke liye jyada hi strict rules bana dete hain."
["Hmm... she has her boards coming up. Boys get chances, but for girls, the rules are much stricter."]
Siya's eyes flashed with irritation as she snapped, "Aap hamse baat mat kijiye kyunki hum aapse baat nahi kar rahe hain," she finished, her chin tilted defiantly.
["Please don't talk to me because I'm not talking to you."]
Shashwat looked taken aback but quickly composed himself, his eyes softening. "Arre, sorry na... vaise bhi galti tum log ki thi. Maine mana kiya tha na ki mat karo phir bhi," he said, his voice gentle, trying to appease her.
["Sorry, but it was your fault. I had said not to do it, but you still did."]
"To aap shikayat kar denge?" Siya's voice was sharp, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her glare piercing.
["So you will complain?"]
"I am head boy aur tumhari har galti par jhooth nahi bol skta na mai," Shashwat said, trying to defend himself.
["I am the head boy, and I can't lie about your mistakes."]
"Bade aaye," Siya said, rolling her eyes, her expression full of disdain.
"Arre aap log shant raho! I am feeling sad for kavya. I mean it was her fault also but still.." Arushi said, her voice laced with sympathy.
Reyansh interjected. "Ye sab school me karne se pehle sochna chahiye tha," he said shaking his head and Arushi raised her eyebrows at Reyansh who coughed avoiding her gaze.
["They should have thought about all this before doing it in school."]
"Par ye class me to ekdum bholi bhali banti thi," Darsh added, shrugging his shoulders.
["But in class, she always seemed so innocent and sweet."]
"Class me to tum bhi insaan dikhte ho to kya uss se tum insaan ho gaye?" Divya retorted, glaring at Darsh, her hands on her hips.
["You also you look like an human in class, does that make you one?"]
Darsh narrowed his eyes, his voice rising. "Ek thappad dunga abhi."
["I'll give you one slap."]
"Aao, mai bhi do jhapad dungi," Divya shot back, her eyes flashing with anger, her stance challenging.