•| BONUS TWO |•
At fifteen, Reyansh had grown into the kind of boy parents adored-soft-spoken, kind, respectful, the studious type who always double-checked if his shoes were clean before entering someone's house.
With neatly combed hair, a gentle gaze, and that quiet smile he never flaunted too often, he was the calm breeze on a warm day.
And then there was Suhani-twelve, fearless, expressive, mischievous, and somehow able to stir chaos even while sitting still.
She had grown into the kind of girl who climbed walls because doors were "too boring," who argued confidently with anyone who told her no, and who, despite her trouble-maker energy, managed to charm every adult into forgiving her with one sweet smile.
Together, they were an impossible balance of peace and disaster-yet strangely, they fit.
The trouble began the moment Reyansh stepped into the Mehra household for weekend tuition.
He arrived early as always, holding his books tightly, shoes spotless, shirt tucked in.
Suhani was sitting on the staircase railing-on it, not beside it-swinging her legs as if it were a playground slide.
The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up with the kind of excitement that usually meant impending chaos.
"Reyansh! You're here!" she yelled, launching herself off the railing with absolutely no regard for gravity, safety, or her father's blood pressure.
She landed on her feet, hair bouncing wildly.
Reyansh immediately rushed forward, eyes widening in panic.
"S-Suhani! You're going to break your leg one day!
" he scolded gently, his voice cracking slightly because he honestly worried.
She grinned at him, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Relax, Shy Boy. I'm a ninja," she declared proudly, lifting her chin.
Reyansh sighed. She called him Shy Boy ever since she was nine and realized he turned red very easily-especially around her.
He didn't deny it. He was shy. And she was Suhani, the girl who never stopped testing his patience in the most adorable ways.
Before tuition could start, Suhani caught his wrist and pulled him toward the backyard.
"Come with me! I have something to show you," she whispered dramatically, as if revealing a national secret.
Reyansh stumbled behind her, clutching his books with one hand and his heart with the other.
"Suhani, I have math class with your brother in ten minutes," he reminded.
"It'll take one minute!" she assured him. That was the first lie. It took twenty.
She dragged him behind the mango tree, where she had set up a makeshift slingshot made from her mother's hairband and two sticks.
Reyansh slowly blinked. "Suhani... what are you doing with that?
" She grinned proudly. "I'm practicing. I have a mission.
" He gulped. "What... mission?" She pointed dramatically toward the neighbor's garden.
"Their dog keeps barking at me whenever I sing.
I'm teaching him manners." Reyansh's soul nearly left his body.
"No! No, no, no! You can't attack someone's dog with a slingshot!
" he whisper-shouted, grabbing the hairband away from her.
Suhani pouted, crossing her arms. "It's just a leaf ball!
I wasn't going to hurt him." She might have been mischievous, but she wasn't cruel-Reyansh knew that.
She just had a strange talent for inviting disaster.
He sighed and shook his head. "You're going to get both of us in trouble," he murmured, but despite his scolding, he was smiling softly.
Because honestly... life was never boring around her.
Later, when they finally came inside, Krish looked at Suhani with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
"What were you doing?" he asked. Suhani instantly flashed her cutest innocent smile-the one that always melted him against his will.
"Nothing, Papa," she said sweetly. Reyansh opened his mouth to tell the truth, but Suhani kicked his ankle lightly, eyes warning him.
He winced and stayed silent. Krish looked between them.
"Reyansh?" he asked. Reyansh turned red, swallowed hard, and whispered, "Nothing, uncle.
" Samira burst out laughing from the kitchen.
"Poor boy is becoming her partner in crime," she said, shaking her head fondly.
When tuition finally began, Suhani sprawled on the floor beside Reyansh, even though she wasn't supposed to be there.
"Why are you here?" he whispered. "I'm bored," she said simply, resting her chin on his shoulder as he tried to focus on solving equations.
His ears turned pink instantly. Kiaan rolled his eyes.
"Suhani, go somewhere else." She stuck her tongue out at him. "No." And she didn't move.
Reyansh, who could never say no to her, simply shifted his notebook so she wouldn't accidentally smudge the ink.
She smiled triumphantly and stayed glued to him for the next hour.
When he finally packed his books to leave, Suhani followed him to the door like a small, dramatic puppy.
"Come tomorrow?" she asked, swinging his hand.
"I have school," he replied gently. She leaned closer, whispering, "But you'll come next weekend?
" Reyansh's heart did a somersault. He nodded shyly. "Of course."
Just as he was stepping out, she suddenly tugged his sleeve and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek-quick, light, innocent.
"Bye, Shy Boy," she whispered. Reyansh froze, face flaming red, eyes wide.
Suhani giggled and ran inside before Krish saw anything.
Reyansh walked home with his hand pressed to his cheek, smiling like an idiot the entire way.
And Suhani? She plopped onto the sofa, legs dangling as she whispered to herself, "I'll marry him one day."
Which, unfortunately for Krish, she said just loud enough for him to hear.
Krish dropped his phone. Samira burst out laughing. Kiaan screamed, "OH GOD."
And Suhani grinned proudly, absolutely zero remorse in sight.
Because she was trouble.
And Reyansh... the poor sweet boy... cared for her anyway.