Aadhya's POV
đ The Court of Chaos and Cold Shoulders
The basketball court was a literal pressure cooker. I fought through a sea of sweaty jerseys and screaming fans to find Avi, who was waving like a shipwrecked survivor near the team bench.
I squeezed into the tiny gap between him and Mahi, feeling the immediate, heavy awkwardness. I offered snacksâAvi inhaled his, but Mahi? He looked at the bag, then at me, and gave this forced, painful smile that made my heart sink. He was trying so hard to fix "us," and it just made me feel like a walking, talking burden.
Then, the speakers shrieked. Riya's voiceâwhich I'm convinced is a biological weaponâblasted through the air.
"Hello, Prestigious School of Knowledge and St. Johnson's High School!" My blood ran cold. St. Johnson's? That was Kaal's school. Avi, being the tactless idiot he is, started laughing and pointing it out. I froze, the memory of that incident hitting me like a physical blow.
"Ignore him," Mahi said, his voice low and protective. I nodded, but I could feel the opposition team glaring at me like they wanted to bench-press my soul.
The game was a disaster. St. Johnson's wasn't just playing; they were committing crimes. They were tripping our players, elbowing them in the ribs, and the refs seemed conveniently blind. When Manik and two others went down hard, clutching their ankles while the St. Johnson's crowd cheered, my blood started to boil. We were losing, and we were losing to cheaters.
" They are cheating..." Avi said beside me. " I know"
I looked at Mahi. He was vibrating with tension, his knuckles white as he gripped his bag. I peeked inside. His jersey. He wanted to be out there. He needed to be out there. I didn't think; I just acted. I bolted from my seat, shoving through the crowd until I reached the coach. He was busy telling the team to "justavoid them," which is basically coach-speak for "surrender gracefully"
"Bring Mahi in!" I panted, interrupting him. He looked at me like I was a stray cat trying to teach him calculus. "Go back to your hole, kid," he snapped.
I didn't budge. I leaned in and shouted over the roar of the crowd, "Ifyou avoid them, you lose! Mahi knows their playstyle. Put him in!" I signaled Mahi, who ran over, looking stunned.
The coach gave us a terrifying ultimatum: "If we lose, you both paythe price." We didn't blink. We nodded.
I pointed Mahi toward the scouts in the standsâthe university representatives. "This is your chance," I whispered. He straightened his shoulders, the doubt vanishing from his eyes, and ran onto the court putting on his jersey. The atmosphere shifted instantly.
" Hey why do you have new member" their team countered. Damnit my patience. I approached them. " Stop that ..you caused our players injury ofc we needed a replacement...or are you telling youdon't want to fight against Mahi because you're scared to lose .." i pointed out. They were already angry. Others were ofc siding me. Our school.
Naman looked at me and nodded. I responded with a smile and went back to my seat. But i was already impatient.
"Mahi! Mahi ! Mahi!" I started the chant, standing on my seat and screaming until my lungs burned. Section E joined in, then the whole school. The energy was electric. Mahi was a blur on the court, dodging the cheaters with a smirk that said not today.
With seconds left, we needed three points. He took the ball, pulled a move so smart it left the defenders tripping over their own feet, and sank the shot. Swoosh.
Prestigious school of knowledge won đ â âš
We won.
The St. Johnson's team stayed on the floor, glaring at me. I just grinned back. Cry about it.đ
Later, at the back of the court, I was busy being a weirdo with Avi when Mahi came sprinting toward us. Before I could say a word, he scooped me up into a massive, bone-crushing hug and spun me around. "They offered me a scholarship, Adi!" he yelled, his face glowing with a kind of happiness I hadn't seen in years. "It's all because of you." He hugged me again, tighter this time, and for the first time in a long time, the distance between us finally felt like it had vanished.
SAME DAY IN THE EVENING đ
đJashn-e-NaachđȘ©
The atmosphere backstage was a chaotic symphony of hairspray, heavy breathing, and last-minute rehearsals. It was Tuesdayâthe second day of the festivalâand the air was thick with the scent of "Jashn-e-Naach." I watched Avi, who was currently vibrating with nervous energy, performing some of the most bizarre warm-up moves I had ever seen.
"Avi, what on earth are you doing? Is that a dance move or a seizure?" I taunted, crossing my arms.
Avi didn't even look embarrassed. He just joked it off with his usual energy, grinning as he shook his limbs out. "It's called 'The Electric Noodle,' Adi! You wouldn't understand art if it hit you in theface!" Saanvi walked over to support him, patting his shoulder. I eventually left them and sat on the ground, watching the other teams practice. Even though I wasn't the one performing, I was incredibly nervous for them.
As I sat there, I felt a heavy gaze on me. I looked up to find Nikansh staring. Ever since Mahi hugged me, he had been acting incredibly sullen. It was strange; he used to have that classic "bad boy" edge, but lately, he'd been acting like a "goodboy" almost like Mahi. Speaking of Mahi he came running to me just then.
" Are you free on Saturday?" He asked, his eyes bright.
" Huh?. I .don't know...maybe " I said unsure, if something might comeup. Who knows.
" Then maybe you can join our celebration đ...our team team would like to have you join us " he said.
" Huh? Me ?" I asked surprised.
" My team...they said you're the reason I returned to the team". He said making me smile. I felt a rush of happiness đ
"Okay I'll come. Ill also tell avi and othersâ"
" No adi ..they can't come" Mahi cut me off quickly looking around. " Reyansh and other Section A they'll also be there. They'll just fight."
I nodded understanding the tension. " Thankyou so much adi, you'hv done so much for us. Reyansh was the reason of misery but you made up for it ," he said softly before pulling me into a tight hug. I noticed Nikansh nearby, looking clearly alarmed by the gesture. Why bro what'sup. Then Mahi ran back.. maybe to his team.
By 7:00pm patrol had started and others had left. An announcement came over the mic, Avi and others quickly gathered around on the other hand we walked back to where other section Es were sitting.
The program has started the host was already on the stage.
Arey itni khamoshi? Kya padosi ke shadi me aye ho bina lifafe ke ? Toh itne chup kyon ho bajao tali!! He said.
(Why so silent? Did you come to a neighbour's wedding without a gift envelope. Clap loudly )
" You're here ", Maddy called me and pointed to the seat I just sat down as the dance battle was about to start. The crowd was massive.so many juniors âthey looked so cute. The host was already crazy dropping his typical cringey jokes.
He pulled a chit from the fishbowl filled with colourful folded papers.
" The first performers are ....The Dangerous Ds"
Section D started to dance. The crowd cheered, but as they started i realised one thing they didn't knew how to move their bodies. Legs and arms were flying everywhere as they spun to random music. It was crazy but funny. The host walked back on the stage as they finished, wiping fake sweat from his brow
Wah kya baat hai! Inki performance dekh ke gravity bhi confuse hai ki neeche girna ya uper bhagna hai !
(Wow looking at their dance even the gravity is confused whether to fall down or run up)
After the judges gave their comments, he pulled another chit
" Hot As " he announced. What a cringe name. Next section A danced. Naman was there but manik was gone â likely injured. Their song selection was fine, not bad. The host returned grinning at crowd praising their dance. Poor Manik. He could not handle the heat Hot As.
By the time judges finished, I looked at the time.
9:34.
Oh no nest we are to patrol but I want to watch Section E performance.
The next chit was 'The Charimatic C'. Their music was good and peaceful. We clapped, and the judges gave their opinion again. Finally the host pulled the next chit. The next performers are...from Section E "Aadhya's Knights".
I was immediately shocked. I whipped my head towards Maddy and glared.
" Who thought of that title?" I hissed.
" I-its Vivaan and Avi", he admitted nervously, looking away.
Inka naam sunke toh aisa lag raha ke dance nhi jung ladne ayein hai. Aadhya ji apke knights taiyyar hai?
Yeh dance shuru hoga toh sirf apke permission se Aadhya ji...! Chalo bajao tali...
(Aadhya's Knights? Sounds like a war than a dance. Miss Aadhya are your knights ready to perform. The performance will only begin with your permission.)
" Damnit " I cursed under my breath. I looked around for Vivaan he wasn't far away. That Jerk was smirking staring staright at me, clearly teasing. I was already embarrassed by their title. And the host? That idiot didn't help pointing it out.
The section E dancers came out. Dheeraj Mahi and Samar were at the back since they are tall. Avi Bhavik and Neel in front. Their music was catchy and nice.
"Go! Aadhya's Knights" cheered the rest of section e behind us. Absolute Lunatics. Jerks. Idiots. Stupids. I wanted to cheer too but that idiotic king has to ruin it. He was clearly enjoying my reaction.
Everyone clapped and cheered. When they finished the host returned.
The winners will be announced on Friday! The winners will get New room and furniture for their class.
After the event, we ran backstage to catch up with them but the security stopped us. Soon Avi and others came out.
"How did I do?" Avi asked me, excited. " I wish you did 'The Electric Noodle' I teased copying his move from earlier. The head laughed.
" Section E patrol duty", Vivaan announced. We all immediately followed.
The patrol duty started with the most high-stakes ritual knowm to the mankindâRock-Paper-Scissors. One by one teams were formed. Bhavik and Avi first pair âprobably going to spend their shift discussing snacks. Then Dheeraj and Nikansh paired up.
And then, like a cruel joke from cosmic scriptwriter, there we were. The last two standing. Me and Vivaan.