"Introduce the new student," the teacher said.
A boy stood up confidently.
"Hi everyone… I'm Shivik Singh."
"Alright, take your seat," the teacher replied.
"And since it's the first day, this period is free. Enjoy."
She left the class.
Free Period
The classroom slowly filled with noise again.
Students talking. Laughing. Moving around.
But on the front bench—
Naira Rathore sat quietly, solving a math problem.
Focused, as always.
Beside her, Shivik leaned slightly closer.
"Naira, can you solve this one and explain it?"
She nodded.
"Okay, Shiv."
She explained calmly, step by step.
From the back—
Kartik and his group heard it.
Shiv.
A short name.
Casual. Close.
His fingers paused on the desk for a second.
Meanwhile—
Tanya walked up to Shivik.
"Hi… I'm Tanya Gupta."
He smiled politely.
"Hi."
Break Time
Soon, the bell rang.
Naira and her group stepped out of the classroom to wash their hands.
Shivik went with them.
Back in the Classroom
The room was filled with noise again.
Laughter. Teasing. Chaos.
Kartik sat with his group—
But today—
He wasn't laughing.
Virat leaned closer with a smirk.
"So… Naru, huh?"
Kabir chuckled.
"Sounds close… very close."
Abhir added teasingly,
"Girlfriend-type name lag raha hai 👀"
Shivansh laughed out loud.
But Kartik—
Didn't smile.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Shut up," he said coldly.
Silence fell instantly.
That tone—
Was different.
Outside – Naira's Side
Ishita looked at Shivik curiously.
"So… you're new?"
"Yeah, transfer student," he replied with an easy smile.
Before he could say anything more—
Naira spoke.
"He's my cousin."
Simple. Clear.
No extra explanation.
Back to the Classroom
A few minutes later—
Another boy entered.
Aditya Rathore.
He looked around.
"Where's Di…?"
Not finding her, he casually walked toward Kartik's bench.
"Hi, bro."
Kartik's group looked up.
"Hey," Virat replied. "How are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
Just then—
Shivik entered.
"Aditya, you know them?"
"Yeah, bro," Aditya said casually.
Then, with a grin, he added—
"And don't think too much about what Di says…
she's a bit strict sometimes."
Shivik laughed lightly.
"Got it."
"By the way, why are you here?" he asked.
"To find Di."
"She went to wash her hands."
"Ohh…"
From behind—
Virat smirked.
"Ohooo… cousin?"
Kabir whispered,
"That explains the attitude."
Kartik stayed silent.
But something inside him—
Shifted.
Cousin.
So… he wasn't a stranger.
A small, invisible tension eased.
Just a little.
Kartik looked away first.
But his thoughts didn't stop.
So he's not a stranger…
A pause.
His fingers tapped lightly on the desk.
Then why…
Why does it still bother me?
🖤 To be continued…
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