Chapter 11
Aditi's perspective
The next morning, Aditi woke up with the first rays of sunlight filtering through her window. For once, she didn't feel the usual dread of the school day ahead. Today was different—Founder's Day was finally here. She stretched lazily under her blanket, allowing herself a moment of peace before the whirlwind of preparations began.
After a few moments of relishing the quiet, Aditi swung her legs off the bed and padded over to her wardrobe. Today's outfit was special—a white kurti paired with jeans, simple yet elegant, just as Reena ma'am had instructed. She pulled out the crisp kurti, running her fingers over the soft fabric. The thought of wearing something so different from the usual uniform gave her a strange sense of excitement.
Determined to look her best, Aditi took her time getting ready. Standing in front of the mirror, she brushed her hair until it fell in soft waves around her shoulders, adding a hint of kajal to her eyes for a touch of definition.
When she was satisfied with her appearance, she slipped into her jeans and kurti, smoothing out any wrinkles. Aditi took a step back, surveying herself in the mirror. The white kurti looked fresh and bright, a contrast to her usual attire. It was simple, yet there was something about it that made her feel confident and poised.
As she applied a light layer of lip balm, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She rarely spent this much time on her appearance, but today felt like an exception. After all the hard work, it was nice to take a moment for herself, to feel good about how she looked. She tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, satisfied with the way everything had come together.
Downstairs, the aroma of breakfast wafted through the house, drawing Aditi out of her room. She descended the stairs with a bounce in her step, her white kurti fluttering lightly as she moved. When she reached the dining table, her parents looked up, their faces lighting up with smiles.
"Aditi, you look beautiful," her mother said warmly, admiring her daughter's carefully chosen outfit. Her father nodded in agreement, a proud smile on his face.
"Ready for the big day?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with pride.
"Yes, Papa," Aditi replied, her heart swelling at their praise. She felt a sense of anticipation bubbling within her, eager to see how the day would unfold.
Just then, Anaya, her five-year-old sister, came running into the room, her tiny feet pattering against the floor. She looked up at Aditi with wide eyes, her little face lighting up in awe. "Didi, you look like a princess!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure admiration.
Aditi laughed, bending down to her sister's level. "Thank you, Anaya," she said, smiling fondly. Anaya reached up on her tiptoes and planted a wet kiss on Aditi's cheek, leaving a small, sticky mark behind.
"That's for good luck!" Anaya declared, giggling as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.Aditi's heart melted at her sister's innocent gesture. She hugged Anaya tightly, the little girl's arms wrapping around her neck. "Thank you, Anaya. I'll need all the luck I can get today."With a final kiss from her mother on the other cheek and a quick breakfast, Aditi grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
The sun was just beginning to rise fully, casting a warm glow over the quiet streets. She made her way to the rickshaw stand, the cool morning air brushing against her cheeks.The ride to school was peaceful, the rickshaw weaving through the streets with the familiar clatter of its wheels. Aditi watched the world pass by, her mind already on the day ahead.
When she reached the school gates, she noticed how empty the grounds were. Most of the students were already inside, busy with last-minute preparations for Founder's Day. As she walked towards the auditorium, she spotted a few students practicing their speeches and dance routines, their faces etched with concentration. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement and nerves, everyone focused on perfecting their performances.
Aditi felt a small flutter of anxiety in her chest but pushed it aside. She had worked too hard to let nerves get the better of her now. As she made her way to the rehearsal area, she realized she had a bit of time before the function would start. The thought of spending a few minutes unwinding before the chaos of the day appealed to her.
She found a quiet corner in the empty auditorium and pulled out her phone. With a quick swipe, she opened the Crime Patrol app, a show that had become her guilty pleasure. There was something oddly comforting about watching the dramatized crime stories unfold, the suspense and intrigue offering a brief escape from reality. As the episode started, Aditi found herself engrossed in the story, the familiar narration pulling her in. She watched intently, her focus on the screen as the characters played out their roles, the tension building with each scene. It was a nice distraction, a way to calm her nerves before the big event.
Kabir's Perpective
When I stepped into the auditorium, the first thing I noticed was Aditi, sitting in the corner with her head bowed, eyes glued to her phone. Even in the dim light, her white kurti and jeans stood out, perfectly complementing her. She looked so effortlessly pretty, it was almost distracting. I found myself lingering on her image for a moment, appreciating how good she looked without even trying.
I walked over to her, my footsteps echoing softly in the mostly empty space. "Hey, Frosty," I said, using the nickname I'd given her few days ago.
Aditi looked up, slightly startled, then smirked when she saw it was me. "Kabir, here early? That's a surprise. I figured you'd stroll in at the last minute."
I shrugged, grinning as I took the seat next to her. "What can I say? Founders' Day isn't something you can take lightly. But you, on the other hand, seem pretty relaxed. Watching Crime Patrol to prepare for anchoring?"
She chuckled, pausing her video and placing her phone down. "Just a little pre-show ritual. Keeps me sharp."
"Right," I said, leaning back in my chair and giving her a playful look. "You know we're supposed to be practicing our lines, not studying crime scenes."
"Lines? Please, I've got them memorized," she replied confidently. "But if you need help, I can always lend a hand."
I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help but admire how cool she always seemed under pressure. "Oh, I'm sure you'd love to swoop in and save the day. But don't worry, I've got my lines down too."
"Good to hear, because we need to be on point today," she said, her tone softening just a little. "No room for mistakes, especially with all the faculty and parents watching."
I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "We'll be fine. As long as we've got each other's backs, right?"
"Absolutely," she said, her smile warm and reassuring. "We're a team. No competition, just us making sure everything goes smoothly."
"Yeah," I agreed, feeling a wave of confidence wash over me. "And maybe this time, I'll get more compliments than you."
She laughed, the sound light and teasing. "Dream on, Kabir. We all know who's the real star here."
I grinned, nudging her shoulder lightly. "We'll see about that. But either way, let's make this Founders' Day one to remember."
Aditi gave me a look that was equal parts challenge and support, and I knew we were ready. Together, we'd pull this off, and the day would be nothing short of perfect.
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We had just finished anchoring the Founders' Day event, and as we stepped off the stage, I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. Everything had gone smoothly, from our introductions to the final closing words. Aditi and I had pulled it off without a hitch, our banter and coordination perfectly in sync. The applause still echoed in my ears as we headed backstage.
The backstage area had just been swept, leaving the floor a little too polished, and I watched as Aditi walked ahead of me, still beaming from the event. Suddenly, her foot slipped on the slick surface, and before I could even process what was happening, she was stumbling backward. Instinctively, I reached out to catch her, but the momentum was too strong.
Aditi grabbed onto me, trying to steady herself, but instead, she ended up pulling me down with her. The next thing I knew, we were both on the floor, my body hovering just above hers. For a split second, everything froze—the noise from the auditorium faded, and all I could focus on was Aditi.
Her eyes were wide, a mix of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place. Our faces were so close that I could see every detail of her expression, her flushed cheeks, and the way her lips parted slightly as if she was about to say something. I could feel her breath, warm and quick, against my skin.
For a moment, it was just us. The world around us seemed to fade, leaving only the two of us in this strangely intimate moment. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could tell hers was doing the same. Her eyes locked onto mine, and I couldn't look away, caught in the intensity of the moment.
Just as I was beginning to lose myself in that gaze, the door swung open, and Raghav walked in, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Yaar, I get that you two are having a moment, but this is a school, not a movie set. Maybe save the drama for later?"
His teasing tone snapped me out of it, and I felt a rush of irritation. My face heated up, not just from embarrassment but from the sudden interruption of whatever had been happening between Aditi and me. Aditi's face was a deep shade of red, her eyes darting away from mine as she quickly gathered her wits.
Before I could even think of a retort for Raghav, Aditi moved, twisting her body to flip us over so that she was now on top. The move was so quick and unexpected that I barely had time to react. She scrambled to her feet, her expression a mix of embarrassment and determination, and without another word, she bolted for the door, practically running to the classroom.
I was left lying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, trying to process what had just happened. My mind raced, replaying the moment over and over, her closeness, the way she had looked at me, and then the sudden rush of heat when Raghav barged in.
As I finally got to my feet, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Aditi was a force of nature, and moments like these reminded me just how unpredictable and exciting it was to be around her.
After that chaotic moment backstage, Raghav and I headed back to the auditorium to grab my bag. Raghav, of course, was tagging along purely for the entertainment—or, as he would put it, to ruin my moments.
"So, what was that back there?" Raghav started, smirking as he nudged me. "You two seemed pretty cozy. If I hadn't walked in, who knows what might've happened."
I rolled my eyes at him, trying to brush it off. "You have the worst timing, you know that?"
"Or the best, depending on how you look at it." Raghav grinned. "By the way, what's the plan now? Gonna confess your undying love or just keep up this weird, flirty rivalry?"
"Shut up, Raghav," I muttered, though I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
We reached the auditorium, and as I grabbed my bag, I noticed something odd. Aditi's bag was still there, sitting on one of the chairs. My first thought was to catch up with her and hand it over, but then something caught my eye—a folded note sticking out from the top. Curiosity got the better of me, and I quickly pulled it out, hoping it was nothing more than a to-do list or some random reminder. But what I read made my blood run cold.
You spoke so well today, just like always. I can't imagine I'm writing to you. I know I might be a no one to you, but like, can you just stay away from Kabir? He isn't a guy with the right intentions. Yours, Jai.
Jai. Holy shit. That was Aditi's ex, the one she never really talked about but whose name always made her face go tense. And here he was, trying to warn her off me like I was some kind of predator.
For a moment, I just stood there, gripping the note tightly, my mind racing. The nerve of this guy, sneaking around and leaving messages like this. Who did he think he was? And what gave him the right to decide who Aditi should or shouldn't be around?
As the initial shock wore off, a wave of determination set in. If Jai thought he could sway Aditi with a pathetic note, he had another thing coming. I wasn't about to let some ex-boyfriend mess with whatever was going on between Aditi and me. No way.
I folded the note back up and stuffed it into my pocket. Then, without a second thought, I grabbed Aditi's bag and slung it over my shoulder. Raghav gave me a curious look but didn't say anything. He knew better than to ask when I was in this kind of mood.
As we walked out of the auditorium, I took the long route to class, deliberately making my way past Jai's classroom. Raghav, catching on, just smirked and shook his head.
"You're enjoying this way too much," he teased.
"Damn right I am," I shot back, my eyes scanning the hallway for Jai.
And there he was, standing near his classroom door, chatting with a couple of friends. As I walked by, I made sure to slow down, holding Aditi's bag prominently in front of me. Our eyes locked, and I saw the recognition and then the surprise flicker across his face.
I didn't break the stare, letting him know with one look that I was aware of his little stunt—and that it wasn't going to work. If anyone was going to make Aditi flustered, it was going to be me, not some ex who couldn't get over her.
Jai's expression darkened, but I just smirked, feeling a surge of satisfaction. I continued down the hallway, heading to class, Aditi's bag still slung over my shoulder, knowing full well that I had just sent him a message of my own.
Aditi's Perspective
My heart was still racing as I walked away from the auditorium, my face burning with embarrassment. That moment backstage had been too much—Kabir's closeness, the way he had looked at me, and then Raghav's teasing. I couldn't get the image out of my mind, of Kabir's eyes locking with mine, the world around us fading until Raghav barged in, breaking the spell. I felt so flustered, so exposed. Why did my heart have to react that way? I could still feel the warmth in my cheeks, and it made me even more self-conscious. How was I supposed to face Kabir again after that?
Instead of heading straight to class, I made a beeline for the nearest washroom. I needed to calm down, to get rid of the redness that had taken over my face. Once inside, I quickly splashed cold water on my face, once, twice, three times. The shock of the cold helped a little, but it didn't fully erase the jittery feeling in my chest. My thoughts were all over the place—why did he have that effect on me? And why couldn't I just shrug it off like I usually do?
After a few more deep breaths, I finally felt composed enough to leave the washroom. But as I turned the corner towards my classroom, I froze. There, coming from the opposite direction, were Raghav and Kabir. And to my horror, Kabir was carrying my bag. My mind went blank. How did he end up with it? And why was he carrying it so casually, like it was no big deal?
I immediately felt the heat rising to my cheeks again. I wanted to shrink into the floor, but instead, I found myself walking right towards them. My mind raced for an excuse, something to say to avoid more embarrassment. But all that came out was a rushed, "Ma'am, may I come in?" as if we were already in class.
To my surprise—and embarrassment—Raghav, Kabir, and I all said it at the same time, making the moment even more awkward. Kabir smirked, clearly enjoying how flustered I was. I was already blushing furiously, and seeing my bag in Kabir's hands only made it worse. I couldn't even bring myself to look him in the eye.
Kabir handed me the bag, and I could barely manage to mutter a small, "Thanks."
His response was as smooth as ever, "You're welcome, Frosty."
The nickname, the way he said it, the slight tease in his voice—it was all too much. I could feel the redness creeping up my neck, but I quickly turned away, clutching my bag and hurrying to class, hoping they wouldn't see just how flustered I was.
As I walked away from Kabir and Raghav, clutching my bag, the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I froze in my tracks, my face flushing even hotter than before. I had forgotten my bag backstage. How could I be so careless?
The embarrassment of Kabir having to carry my bag made my stomach churn. The thought that he might have seen my stuff—my books and notes not to forget maple hills wildfire by Hannah grace—was mortifying. I groaned internally, my cheeks burning with shame. How could I let something so basic slip my mind, especially after everything that had happened?
The entire encounter had been humiliating enough without adding this extra layer of embarrassment. Kabir, of all people, had to be the one to find my bag and bring it to me. I could only imagine what was running through his head. How utterly awkward!
I quickened my pace towards class, hoping to make it before anyone else arrived. My heart was still pounding, and I could feel the heat in my cheeks refusing to subside.
I sat down at my desk, trying to focus on the lesson ahead, but my mind kept wandering back to that mortifying moment. I could only hope that the day would end without any more incidents.