Aadhya's POV
Back to school.
Here I was, walking slowly to my classroom—half asleep, half alive. Honestly, I don't even know how I reached the building.
Then suddenly—Nikansh popped in front of me.
I got startled.
"Wake up already, sleeping beauty," he teased.
I stared at him blankly. " Morning morning that much energy did you have fully charged power bank for breakfast?" I said vaguely.
He paused.
Then shut up.
Good. Mission successful.
We started walking towards the classroom. We had to come early today for cleaning. Of course. Punishment disguised as responsibility.
"Good morning, Krish," I greeted as soon as we entered.
He looked up. "Good morning… only you?" he asked, glancing behind me.
I nodded.
"We told everyone to come early… but those idiots are probably still sleeping," I muttered.
Jerks.
My eyes fell on my bench.
And beside it—
The Small Sleeping Charming Prince.
Avi.
Sleeping. Half drooling.
Yuck.
I took a tissue and wiped it off his face. Disgusting creature.
Then I walked to Krish, who was standing near the back counter.
"What are we doing now?" I asked.
"Let's clean from here first, then arrange the supplies in the rack," he said.
I nodded.
We both started cleaning.
My eyes wandered to the lockers.
Yuvika…
Something about her always felt… off.
"Hmm… to be honest, Yuvika looks like a good person… but then why was she placed in Section E?" I asked casually.
I didn't notice earlier, but Nikansh had gone quiet. Listening.
Krish and Nikansh exchanged a look.
Eyes talking.
Huh?
"Yuvika looks calm… but when she gets angry, her aura completely changes," Krish said slowly. "Like a different person. Once she had a fight… she slapped a girl so hard she got a concussion."
I froze.
What.
Okay… maybe I shouldn't have made her my enemy.
Oh no.
Don't worry… you're stronger than her. Probably. Hopefully. Maybe not.
"Then why is she in Section A now?" I asked quickly.
I mean… if gossip is happening, might as well complete the story.
"Hmm… that…" Krish hesitated.
"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS."
I flinched.
Vivaan.
He was suddenly there.
I stood up instantly.
He walked straight towards me, his eyes locked on mine—angry. Really angry.
"You really are a gossip, huh? Always meddling in others' personal lives," he snapped.
My throat went dry.
"I was just asking…" I said softly.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
Then leaned near my ear.
"Do you believe in curiosity kills the cat?" he asked in a low, dangerous voice.
A shiver ran down my spine.
I shook my head slightly. I know the line… not the meaning.
"Then start believing," he said.
It didn't sound like advice.
It sounded like a warning.
He straightened, shot a sharp glance at Nikansh… and walked away.
I stood there.
Frozen.
What was that?
"W-we'll talk about Yuvika some other day… let's clean first," Krish said awkwardly.
I nodded slowly and went back to cleaning.
But my mind wasn't there anymore.
Not at all.
Krish and Nikansh exchanged another look.
Slowly everyone started coming and helping. Good. Finally.
Then the sleeping prince woke up.
Avi.
He looked at me and smiled like nothing happened.
Idiot. You were sleeping when we were working. Now work is done and you woke up?
I raised my fist.
He slowly stood up… and ran.
Jerk.
Then Mr. Trivedi sir walked in. Followed by the king of idiots.
Okay. Back to classes.
Suddenly Dj walked in.
What the hell…
His appearance—he clearly got into a fight.
Others noticed too. Murmurs started.
He came and sat beside me. Others slowly gathered around him, talking in low voices.
I looked at Avi.
He just shrugged.
Useless.
I couldn't hear properly… but I did catch one name.
Naman.
Wait… did he fight him again?
I really need to talk to him.
Class went on somehow. Then lunch break.
They all gathered in front like they were planning a robbery or something.
God, my brain.
I wanted to listen too.
But—
"Adi, help me here."
It was Krish.
"Coming," I said… but my eyes were still stuck on them.
We started cooking. Well… he was cooking. I was just background support—cutting, chopping, mixing.
Almost done.
Then my eyes fell on Dj.
Still sitting alone.
I walked up to him and sat beside him.
I need to know.
"Did you fight… with Naman again?" I asked slowly.
He looked at me.
"Adi… are you dating him?" he asked.
What?
I noticed others were listening too.
Seriously?
I instantly shook my head. "I told you right, I don't want to date anyone."
He nodded.
"He's telling everyone in his group that you're dating him… and soon you'll be his."
What the hell.
That jerk has completely lost it.
When did I agree?
"I didn't like what I was hearing, so we argued," he said.
Of course… and argument means fight.
Dj went quiet again.
I didn't like that silence.
"Are you going to fight him again?" I asked.
"Adi, don't get involved in this," he said, shutting me off.
What the hell.
They're really going to fight… because of me?
No.
Absolutely not.
"Adi, can you wash this?" Krish called.
I stood up immediately, took the bowls, and went to wash them.
I was washing quietly when my eyes fell on Devit.
He was pacing back and forth.
Like he had indigestion or something.
Weird.
"Hey Devit," I called out.
He startled.
Something slipped from his hand and fell.
What the—
Before I could even react, he rushed towards me.
"Hii… Adi… how… are you doing?" he asked, stuttering.
Suspicious. Very suspicious.
"I'm good. What were you looking at?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Nothing, nothing… hmm I'm hungry, I'll go inside," he said quickly.
And ran.
Ran.
This guy literally ran away.
Okay… something is definitely wrong.
And I clearly saw something in his hand.
White… small…
I walked to the spot and started searching.
Then—
WHAT. THE. HELL.
Pregnancy kit.
I froze.
Brain.exe stopped working.
And two red lines . That means its confirmed. Damnit.
Why does he have this?
Wait… obviously it belongs to a girl.
But then—
WHY DOES HE HAVE IT??
My brain started running in all directions.
Wait… did he—
No no no—
Did he actually get someone pregnant??
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, DEVIT?!
Oh my god…
This is huge.
I hid it in my pocket.
When I came back… they were still discussing.
I tried to listen again—
But Vivaan caught me.
And that glare.
Sharp. Warning.
So I quietly went back to my seat.
We had lunch.
Break ended. Classes resumed.
But my mind…
Still stuck on Dj.
I have a feeling they're going to fight. Definitely.
No.
I won't let that happen.
And now that I think about it… Dj shouldn't fight.
I looked at his jaw.
Already hurt once.
I don't want him getting hurt again… because of me.
The day ended with me not learning anything. As usual.
Then I saw it.
Everyone was walking out together.
I tried to walk with them—but suddenly they all turned and went the other way. Avoiding me.
Again.
What the hell?
"Where are you going?" I asked, catching up to them.
"You can't come with us," Maddy said.
"Why is it such a secret?"
" Don't be stubborn," Neel added.
Excuse me??
" Why don't you let me come with you ?"
"No, you can't come with us," Lio repeated.
What is this? Some secret society meeting?
I was still standing there, stubborn as ever.
"Just quit already. Told you—you're not coming with us," Vivaan snapped.
Jerk.
I looked at Nikansh.
He shook his head and looked away
Then Avi.
He gave me that small apologetic look—I can't tell you, sorry.
I was pissed so I just started walking away from them. They called after me. But I ignored them.
But do you really think I'd just listen?
Please.
I decided to follow them quietly.
Like a secret agent.
They were discussing something while walking past the main school gate and then taking a left.
Vivaan went in his car.
Same with Nikansh, Dj, and Krish.
Others continued walking.
So I followed them instead.
They stopped.
In front of… an old factory.
What the hell?
Of all places—this?
Standing outside that creepy old factory.
I slowly stepped closer, hiding behind the broken wall, trying to peek inside.
Why here?
What are they doing?
Why didn't they want me to come?
My thoughts were running wild.
Then suddenly—
I felt it.
A presence.
Right behind me.
My body went stiff.
My heart dropped straight to my stomach.
Slowly… very slowly… I turned—
Boom.
A hand clamped over my mouth.
Before I could even react, I was taken away.
Dheeraj's POV
I think fighting Naman again… was a wrong decision.
But when has anything in our lives ever been about right decisions?
Vivaan wanted this.
And when he decides something… it happens.
No one questions it.
No one stops it.
Not even me.
Which is ironic.
Because I hate fights.
I hate unnecessary trouble.
That's the whole reason I worked so hard to become president back then… to keep things under control.
And yet… I still lost it.
To him.
My thoughts drifted to Aadhya.
The way she looked at me today… worried.
If only we could just tell her everything.
If only she knew what kind of mess she's stuck in.
"I think they have split into groups," Neel said, scanning the area.
"They must be scared. Cowards," Bhavik scoffed.
"I'll just go check on Adi," Avi said immediately.
"Hmm… she must be sulking now," Maddy added.
"Just text her if you're worried," Krish said calmly.
"Hmm… she must have gone home," Avi muttered.
"Follow her, maybe she'll feed you snacks," Maddy teased nervously.
"Yeah, let's go," Bhavik said, suddenly excited.
I watched them.
And for the first time… something felt different.
Aadhya…
She isn't like Yuvika.
Yuvika was… distant. Untouchable.
But Adi?
She fights.
Argues.
Annoys the hell out of us.
And still…
Somehow…
She fits.
At first, I thought she'd be a pain for us.
But now it feels like—
We're the ones ruining things for her.
"Section E."
That voice snapped everything.
Naman.
Standing there with his group.
Holding pipes.
Great.
If only Adi knew what kind of person he really is…
She wouldn't even look at him twice.
"You ready for second round? Or should I say… losing again?" he mocked.
My jaw tightened.
I dropped my bag.
Took off my shirt.
Cracked my neck.
This time…
I won't lose.
Because this time… it's not just about me.
"I don't want her getting dragged into this," I muttered under my breath.
"Are you sure about that?" Vivaan challenged.
"It's my fight," I said firmly.
"But you've lost so many times," Nikansh added.
"I couldn't focus before."
"What about now?" Neel asked.
Now?
Now I'm angry.
Now I'm clear.
Now I'm thinking about her.
"I'm sure."
Then—
Clap.
Slow.
Echoing.
We all froze.
Even Naman's group looked confused.
Someone stepped forward.
Of course.
Kaal.
Leaning on the fence like he owned the world.
That smirk.
That same irritating, dangerous smirk.
Vivaan tensed beside me.
Everyone did.
"Vivaan and the gang… no wait… the whole Section E," Kaal said lazily.
"What the hell do you want?" Vivaan snapped.
"I just want to watch… no, we want to watch," he corrected himself.
Something felt off.
Very off.
Then he gestured.
And his men brought someone forward.
A figure.
A girl.
School uniform.
Hands tied.
Mouth taped.
My blood ran cold.
No.
No way.
"Adi—"
Everyone reacted at once.
Aadhya.
Tied.
Kidnapped.
Because of us.
Because of this stupid fight.
Kaal removed the tape from her mouth.
I expected fear.
Panic.
Tears.
But—
Nothing.
She looked… angry.
Actually angry.
"You're really stubborn, huh?" Vivaan said to her.
"Oh please! I just wanted to talk to them!" she snapped back.
Even now…
She's arguing.
Unbelievable.
Kaal chuckled.
"Don't involve her in this," Naman warned.
"I already like this girl," Kaal said, pinching her cheek.
My fists clenched.
Her expression darkened instantly.
Wrong move.
Very wrong move.
She looked around.
Calculated.
Not scared.
Thinking.
Then—
In one swift motion—
She slammed her head forward.
Headbutted him.
Kaal lost balance—
And fell off the fence.
"WHAT THE—"
Before anyone could react—
She jumped.
From the fence.
That height—
Wrong move.
We all ran toward her instantly.
My heart was pounding.
Not because of the fight anymore.
But because of her.
Aadhya…