Aadhya's POV
Festival Day 1.
And here I am—standing near the main gate of my house at 9:33 AM, fully ready, fully excited, and fully questioning my life choices.
Parade starts at 10.
Which means I should already be there.
Which also means—WHERE ARE THESE TWO IDIOTS??
I checked the time again.
9:34.
Wow.
One whole minute passed.
Great.
My brain was already running like—
What if they forgot me?
What if they ditched me?
What if they're dead?
No wait—what if they went without me??
I WILL KILL THEM.
I was pacing back and forth like a restless cat when suddenly—
"Oi, Don."
I turned.
Amar bhaiyya holding his briefcase.
Standing there like he just caught me planning a crime.
"Don't wait too long. Stay inside," he said, serious as always.
I smirked. "Aww, you care about meso much." I said sweetly. I knew what was coming next.
He raised his hand to smack me.
I instantly jumped back.
"Sorry sir, you win," I said, surrendering.
He just shook his head and chuckled.
"Pagal," he muttered and got into his black Mahindra XUV700, driving off. (Stupid)
I smiled a little.
Then immediately checked time again.
9:36.
WHERE.ARE.THEY.
I was about to call them—oh wait.
I don't even have patience for that.
And then—
Finally.
A car stopped in front of me.
Dj's car.
Window rolled down.
And of course—
Avi's face popped out.
"Oye, come in."
No good morning.No sorry.Nothing.Just oye come in. Little Brat.
I rolled my eyes and got into the passenger seat.
Dj started driving like nothing happened.
"Nice timing," I said sarcastically.
"Relax, we're on time," Dj replied.
Avi leaned back. "You missed us,right?"
"Yeah so much that I felt to toastyou." He backed away clearly scared of my expression.
We reached near school but had to park the car far away.
Because oh my God—
It was crowded.
Like full mela vibes.
People everywhere.
Music, noise, colors—everything loud and chaotic.
Avi and I stepped out and immediately started looking around like two overexcited puppies.
"WOAHHH—" we both said at the same time.
Stalls everywhere.
Food stalls—chaat, sweets, Chinese, momos, noodles.
Then jewellery—jhumkas, rings, bracelets shining like treasure.
Scarves flying in the air.
Handicrafts—paintings, little decor items, all cute and colorful.
My eyes were literally jumping from one thing to another.
I wanted to go everywhere.
Touch everything.Eat everything.
"Hey Adi, stay with us!" Dj shouted from behind.
He's right.
If I get lost here, I'm not coming back.
"Where should we go first?" Dj asked.
"FOOD," me and Avi shouted together.
We looked at each other.
Wow.
Same brain.
Dj chuckled. "Of course."
We went straight to the Chinese stall.
And oh my God—
The smell.
I closed my eyes for a second.
This… this is heaven.
Fried garlic… sauces… spicy… tangy…
My brain: Eat everything.
My stomach: YES.
Manchurian.Noodles.Soup.Spring rolls.Momos.
I didn't think twice.
"Bhaiyya, one of everything," I said.
Dj looked at me.
"Aadhya—"
" Order your own, I won't share." he laughed.
Avi was already grinning. "Same."
Of course.
We got plates and immediately started eating.
"Give me that," I said, grabbing noodles from Avi's plate.
"Hey that's mine!"
"Sharing is caring."
Dj shook his head. "Animals."
"Shut up and pass the Manchurian," I said.
We were eating, laughing, stealing food from each other, fighting over the last piece.
Avi tried to take my Manchurian.
I smacked his hand.
"Touch it and you die."
He smirked and took it anyway.
I glared.
"War."
Dj was laughing at us.
"Can you both behave like normal people for once?"
"No."
"Never."
We said together. Again. In sync.
We paused.Then laughed.
We were busy fighting over the last Manchurian when suddenly—
"Attention everyone, please proceed to the auditorium. The parade will begin in 10 minutes."
The mic announcement echoed.
We all froze.
Then slowly looked at each other.
Ten minutes??
Already??
What kind of time skip is this??
Before I could say anything—
Avi suddenly stood up like he saw a celebrity.
"IT'S SAMAR!"
He pointed dramatically towards the photo booth and RAN.
Just like that.
Left us.
Abandoned. No goodbye. Nothing.
This kid is something else.
I literally told him—don't disturb THEM—and what does he do?
Runs straight into someone's moment.
Clown.
I sighed.
"Do you want to drink something?" Dj asked.
I nodded instantly.
Yes.
Food done.
Now drink.
Perfect combo.
He walked off toward a sugarcane juice stall.
I stood there alone for a second, looking around.
Crowd.
Noise.
Music.
Everyone excited.
And then—
"Are you alone?"
I turned.
Naman.
I haven't seen him in a while.
"Uh… no," I said slowly. "I'm withAvi and Dj."
He looked around. "They're not here though…" He looked little angry though. Is it ? Or maybe I'm overthinking it.
I just nodded.
Awkward.
Very awkward.
Earlier I used to… like him. But not anymore.... After what Dj told me…
It's just like my opinion about him has completely changed—
weird.Different.Still awkward.
"Join me if you want," he said, suddenly trying to sound confident. "I'm good company."
I blinked.
Self-praise?? Bold.
"Hmm… not anymore. Dj just went to get juice, he'll be here. I'm just waiting for him," I said.
Safe answer.
He nodded slowly.
"Okay then… I'll go. But if you need me, you know where to find me."
I nodded again.
Of course not.
If I need anything, I'll call Avi.Or Dj.
Or literally anyone else.
Also—
he's taken.
Riya.
THE Riya.
Buzzing queen.
Walking drama alert.
If she sees me even breathing near him—
I'm finished. Shell spank me back and forth. Or maybe hang me upside down and do pepper havan. Or even worse steal my maggie masala. Who knows. Last one is pretty scary.
No thank you.
I choose life.
He walked away.
And right on cue—
Dj appeared like a delivery boy.
With juice.
Perfect timing.
"Did he do something to you?" he asked immediately, a little serious.
I shook my head.
"No."
He nodded, relaxed.
Then suddenly his phone rang.
He checked it.
And his expression changed.
"Adi… I'm late. I have to pick my girlfriend up. She's back from Italy," he said quickly.
Italy??Wow. International level. Rich people. Luxury trips.
I nodded.
"Okay…"
And just like that—
he left.
I stood there.
Holding my sugarcane juice.
Surrounded by people.
Music blasting.
After finishing the juice, I wandered around the stalls like a lost tourist in my own school festival.
Food stalls. Jewellery. Scarves. Games.
And then—
Pikachu.
A HUGE stuffed Pikachu sitting like it owned the whole stall.
My soul left my body for a second.
I ran straight there.
"Bhaiya price?" I asked excitedly.
The stall owner smiled. "Not for sale. Prize. 100 points shooting game." (Brother )
Of course.
Life is not always bed of roses. Especially not mine it's more like bed of potatos.
I sighed. I knew it. Happiness wasnt for poor people like me. Just kidding.
"Giving up already?"
I turned to see who the idiot was..huh?Him again. Indian foreign species.
Blue eyes ..Hypnotise teri kardi aye menu
...agh ahh stop it Aadhya.
Standing there like he owned the School.
He's here again maybe he wanted to show how to run away again. Wow you can just post a tutorial on YouTube.
I squinted. "Why are you here again? Don't you have a parallel universe to attend?"
He chuckled. "Still talkingnonsense?"
"Since I was born."
He looked at me properly. "Are youalways this dramatic?"
"No. Sometimes worse. Depends on weather."
That made him laugh again. He is annoying.
He leaned slightly. "Hey… are youmine?"
What kind of disease is this sentence??
He looked completely serious. "Because I'm yours." And then he winked. God what's wrong with this guy. He is like one of those creeps who says ill bring moons and stars for you from the sky.
I stepped back. "Yeah okay stop. It's 10 AM. Please avoid whatever you're on."
He laughed. "I'm not drunk." Sure let's believe that.
"We've met a lot of times."
I frowned. "…and yet I still don'tknow your name." he said looking at me. "No."
"Then I'll just call you Pikachu girl."
He glanced at Pikachu. "You wanted that." I did but...
I nodded hesitatingly.
He smirked. "I ll win that for you and In return you'll tell me your name. Deal?"
I crossed my arms. " You won't winanyway" he smirked.
" Well see that ", And then
He went to the stall, paid, took the gun. Huh? This guy is pretty arrogant. Like packet of Lays chips are talent and overconfidence air.
Four bullets. To decide his fate whether he lives on his arrogance or oxygen.
I crossed my arms. "Don't embarrass yourself too publicly."
Shot 1—miss.
I smirked. "Nice start."
He glanced at me. "You'redistracting."
I grinned wider. Go on bro lets see 🙈
Shot 2—miss again.
I sighed dramatically. "Let's call forbackup?"
He chuckled. "Still confident?" I asked him teasing.
"Very."
Shot 3—miss.
I clapped slowly. "At this point I feel like I should sponsor your failure."
He didn't respond this time.
Just focused.
No jokes.No smile. Eyes focused. So focused that he can audition for Arjun's role in Mahabharat. But no guarantee if he'll be selected.
BANG. 100 POINTS.
I froze."…okay that was good." Completely unexpected from him. My eyes widened as the shop owner handed it to him.
He calmly took Pikachu.
I snatched it immediately. "Mine." And hugged it tightly.
I was really excited now. Avi had a bigger one in his bedroom i was jealous of him. I wanted one too. Now I have it...yesssss.
He just smiled faintly and placed his hand on my head again like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Now your turn," he said.
I frowned. "Turn for what?"
"Name." Ahhh I forgot for a sec.
"Aadhya Mahajan Verma"
The moment it left my mouth—
he repeated it.Slowly.
Like it actually mattered.
"Aadhya Mahajan Verma…"
He nodded once. "Nice."
And suddenly—
something felt weird in my chest.
Not bad.Just… noticed.
Like my name was not just my name anymore when he said it.
I frowned slightly. "Why do you sayit like that?"
He shrugged. "Like what?"
"Like you're remembering it."
He smiled. "Maybe I am."
Before I could roast him again, his expression changed slightly.
"I have to go."
I blinked. "Wait—your name?"
He paused.Turned slightly.
And looked at me like I had finally asked the correct question.
His eyes got a little serious.
"Rudr .....Rudr Verma."
Then he walked away really faster.
I stood there holding Pikachu like an idiot.
Rudr… Verma. I'm familiar with Rudr ..and ..Verma.That name stuck in my head like glue.
Why does it feel familiar? Rudr
Why does it feel like I should know it?
I was about to follow him.
But then—
A hand pulled me back.
"Who was that person you weretalking to?" Reyansh asked sharply.
I turned.
"Huh? Why should I tell you?"
He didn't answer.Just looked around once.
Then walked inside.
I ran outside. And kept looking around where are you Rudr .? And the biggest mystery is...
"…who are you, Rudr?"