Tara quickly dropped her school bag onto the dusty ground beneath the ancient neem tree and dashed over to join her class line. As she settled in at the very back, she caught Veer and Ira stealing glances over their shoulders at her.

Tara instantly shot Veer a knowing, dramatic side-eye the second she noticed his crush standing up on the main stage. Her expression practically screamed,

“Umm ummm, subha subha din ban gya!”Veer scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing a furious, sheepish red.

Not one to back down, he immediately threw the exact same look right back at Tara, nodding toward the stage where her own crush was currently standing.

Tara rolled her eyes, desperately biting her lower lip to keep from blushing.“Hayee, kitna cute lag rha hai ye…” Tara sighed internally, her eyes turning soft and dreamy as she anchored her gaze to the stage.

A few feet away, Veer was having his own silent meltdown. “Hayee, ye kitni pyaari lag rahi hai…”Meanwhile, Ira suddenly felt a piercing, comfortable gaze on her back. She turned around sharply, scanning the crowd, but all the students looked exactly the same, blending into a sea of uniforms.

Shaking off the unease, she forced her focus back to the front.

Their collective trances broke instantly as the principal marched up to the microphone.

The students, who had been slouching and gossiping a second ago, immediately stood up straight.

Good morning, students, and a warm welcome to our new joiners! I hope your vacation was good and your health is also good.

Yeeeessssss, ma'ammmmmmm!" the school sang back in a long, rhythmic drone.

Nowcoming to the main point. Today, I am proud to announce our school's top-performing students and award them their well-deserved medals.

I would like to call them up to the stage. The students are: Kirti Sharma from Class 9C,

Raghu Raj from Class 8A,

Ira Pandey from Class 10 previous year...

and the last, but certainly not the least,

Ayan Sharma, Class 10 previous year!

As the principal announced the names, the courtyard erupted into loud, thunderous clapping.

The students walked up the steps to the stage one by one. When it was finally Ira and Ayan's turn, the principal beamed.

Ira, congratulations! She has secured first place in her class and is the second topper in our entire school.

Thanks, ma'am," Ira said shyly, accepting her medal."And Ayan, congratulations!

He is first in his class and the overall topper of our school.""Thanks, ma'am," Ayan said smoothly.

Before the principal could even finish her sentence, Tara began clapping aggressively,

her hands smacking together at maximum volume. A few surrounding students turned to look at her in bewilderment, but Tara was completely oblivious, her eyes locked dead onto Ayan.

Realizing they were standing in silence, a few other students awkwardly started clapping along with her,

turning her solitary burst into a full ovation.Soon after, the morning assembly concluded, and the lines began breaking up to head toward the classrooms.

Kya baat hai, badi clapping ho rahi thi," Ira teased, catching up to Tara with a playful smirk."

Aree, tere liye bhi tho ki thi!" Tara countered defensively."Han han, vo tho dikha tha," Ira laughed.Veer bumped his shoulder against Ira's.

"Vase, congratulations, Ira baby! Second aayi hai, itni badi baat hui hai."Ira stopped dead in her tracks, glaring at him. "Ho gaya? Buss kar.

Aur for your kind information, I'm not a baby, oky?""And for your kind information, my name is Veer. Tu mujhe Veer bol de, mai tujhe baby nahi bolunga,"

Veer negotiated smoothly.

Ho gayi baate? Ya aur raheti hai?" a sharp voice boomed from right behind them."Nahi, abhi baki hai,

Tara blurted out automatically, still completely lost in her own thoughts.

The second the words left her mouth, reality hit her like a truck. She froze, slowly turning her head to look at the strict teacher who was staring her down with narrowed eyes.

Oh, really, Tara?" the teacher said, raising an eyebrow.

Good evening, ma'am! Nahi, sorry... Good afternoon, ma'am! Omg..."

Tara slammed her hand over her lips in horror.

I mean, good morning, ma'am! Mere muh se nikal gaya tha... Mai aati hu bag leke!"Terrified of getting detention on the very first day, Tara spun on her heel and bolted back toward the neem tree to retrieve her backpack.

She snatched it off the ground, but its massive weight caught her off guard.

Ishh, kitna bhaari hai ye bag! Jald bazi mai extra books nikalna hi bhul gayi.”

Her steps faltered under the heavy weight. She stumbled forward, losing her balance completely.

But before she could hit the dirt, she bumped hard into a solid chest."Careful," a deep, low, remarkably sweet voice murmured from behind her.

The sound drifted straight into her ears. It was the exact voice that had the power to make her heart stop, only to send it racing a millisecond later.

Tara slowly turned around, and the moment her eyes landed on the voice's owner, time ground to an absolute halt.

The entire world around her faded into a blur; the ambient chatter of the courtyard went completely silent.

Standing right in front of her was Ayan Sharma,

looking like an absolute dream. The golden morning sun rays fell perfectly over his head, casting a soft, ethereal glow that made him look completely magical.

Up close, she noticed every microscopic detail—the tiny, charming mole right near his lips, his warm brown eyes shining brilliantly in the sunlight, and his neatly styled hair.

Her gaze drifted down to his crisp, perfectly set shirt collar and a flawlessly knotted tie. An old Class Head Boy badge was still pinned proudly onto his shirt pocket.

Hello, miss?" Ayan said, looking at her with a hint of confusion. Tara was just staring at him as if he were a priceless piece of art in a museum.

Excuse me?"Suddenly, their eyes met in a direct lock, and Tara completely lost her train of thought.

Hello, miss... Excuse me?" Ayan repeated, clearing his throat.

Yes!" Tara jolted, snapping out of her dreamland."Here, take this," Ayan said, extending a hand to forward a plain, crisp white envelope toward her.

Tara looked at the envelope, then up at Ayan, and her brain immediately short-circuited into overdrive.

Omgg, omggg! Finally, aaj mujhe first love letter milega! Omgg, I can't believe it! Finally, mere crush ko bhi mujhpe crush hai! Hayee!” In her mind, she was already dancing wildly on a stage, singing “Aaj mai upar, aasmaan neeche!”

Ayan’s voice broke through the imaginary musical number. "Hello, miss?

Ishhhh...

Tara murmured shyly, twisting her foot. She bowed her head, her cheeks turning a vibrant shade of pink that crept all the way down to her neck. "Mai ye nahi le sakti..."Ayan blinked, completely bewildered. "Kqy?""Mai prem patrika nahi le sakti... Mujhe sharm aati hai,"

Tara whispered, shielding her face.Ayan’s jaw dropped.

What? Kya patra? Mai samjha nahi..." He looked down at the paper, then back at her. "Ye tho aapke bag se gira hai, tho aapka hua nahhh.

Tara’s entire romantic fantasy shattered into a million pieces. "Heinnn? Mere bag se?" She snatched the envelope and ripped it open, only to find the standard school reopening circular inside.

Her love balloon had officially popped, completely destroying her mood. And here she was, thinking her grand cinematic love story had finally begun!Ayan adjusted his bag strap, looking at her curiously.

"Vase, aapka naam kya hai?"Tara’s eyes widened in sheer offense.

"You don't know my name?!

If I knew, why would I ask?

Ayan deadpanned.Tara huffed, flipping her hair aggressively. "Kudh jaan lo!"

she snapped, turning around and stomping off toward her classroom.Ayan stared at her retreating figure, thoroughly baffled.

Ajeeb ladki hai, kya bolti hai," he muttered to himself, shaking his head before turning to walk toward his own block.

Marching down the corridor, Tara was practically vibrating with dramatic frustration.

Kya ladka hua bhagwan! Mera naam tak nahi pata, aur mujhe dekho—iski puri kundli nikal ke rakhi hai!” she grumbled, kicking the classroom door open.

Okay… chapter khatam, but your job isn't! 👀

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