INVISIBLE STRINGS // SARAJ

nothing to you

The unexpected compliment made Savi's eyes water. She leaned in, letting her Badi Ajji cup her face gently.

"Go to the camp, Savi," Bhavani said finally, her voice soft but resolute. "You have my blessing."

Savi felt a rush of relief and gratitude, throwing her arms around her Badi Ajji in a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped up in the warmth of each other's presence.

Savi pulled back, wiping a stray tear from her cheek as she stood up. Her Badi Ajji gave her a small smile. "Go get some rest, Savi"

Savi nodded, smiling back as she headed to her room, finding some form of happiness admist everything. 

***

As the class ended, Savi gathered her things quickly, ready to leave when she noticed Rajat standing by the door. He had a serious expression on his face, and her heart skipped a beat, a mix of residual anger and something else she couldn't quite place.

"Rajat," she said, stopping in her tracks.

He walked over, holding out a piece of paper. "You left this at my place. I finished it for you."

Savi glanced down, recognizing the worksheet she'd asked him to help with. She took it from his hand, feeling a pang of guilt as she realized he'd stayed up last night to complete it, even after everything that had happened.

"Thanks," she muttered, clutching the paper tightly. Her fingers brushed against his for a moment, and she felt a spark, the familiar tension from last night reigniting between them.

Rajat's jaw clenched slightly, his eyes searching hers. "Is that all you have to say?"

Savi met his gaze, her own eyes hardening. "What else is there to say?"

For a second, it looked like he was going to say something more, but then he stepped back, his expression closing off. "Nothing, I guess."

They stood there, an awkward, heavy silence settling between them, before Rajat finally turned and walked away without another word. Savi watched him go, her heart aching in a way she couldn't quite understand.

***

Savi stepped out into the courtyard, hoping the cool air would help clear her head. She needed a moment to herself, but it didn't last long before Priya appeared at her side, concern etched across her face.

"Hey," Priyanka said, slipping her arm through Savi's. "What was that about? You and Rajat looked..tense."

Savi sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's a long story, Priya. We just— we had a fight last night, and it's still not resolved."

Priya's eyes widened, "A fight? What happened?"

Savi hesitated, unsure how much she wanted to say. But one look at Priya's expectant face, and she found herself spilling everything—about Aashka, Varun, the accusations, and the way Rajat had sided with Aashka without hesitation. Priya listened quietly, her expression serious as she took it all in.

"Wow," Priya said finally. "That's... a lot. Does this fight make top ten of Savi and Rajat's fights?"

Savi let out a humorless laugh. "First place, since it's the only serious one running"

Priya stuck her bottom lip out as she looked at her friend, before squeezing her shoulder. Savi just acknowledged her with a smile, and the both of them sat in silence, Savi figured that Priyanka was still going through everything in her head, to take them out of this misery she perks up, "Acha news bhi hai, I got selected for the leadership camp! And you won't believe it, Badi Ajji wants me to go!"

Priyanka cheered loudly and pulled Savi in for a hug, and Savi felt herself feeling happy at Priyanka's excitement, she finally felt her due happiness return yet it only seemed to last momentary as both girls cheered on, hugging and jumping till Priyanka stopped, a rather horrified look coming onto her face. 

"Oh my god!" She said, her eyes widening and her hand flying to her mouth, where she started biting on her nails. 

"What?" Savi asked, panicked. 

"I remembered Arjun mentioning how him and Rajat are the supervisors for the camp this year"

"Oh" Savi felt her heart drop. 

***

a bit of a longer update to compensate for the gap in updating, promise the next chapter is coming up wayy sooner. thanks for all the support xxx

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