Ishq by chance - where it all began

Navya groaned as a loud banging on the door jolted her awake.

“Utho! Neeche sab wait kar rahe hain!” Tanya’s voice rang from the hallway.

Navya turned to see Swati, wrapped like a burrito in her blanket.

"Swati, uth ja!" she shook her friend, who just groaned.

"Paanch minute aur..." Swati muttered.

"Paanch minute aur bolegi, aur breakfast bhi miss ho jayega!" Navya yanked the blanket away.

Swati yelped and sat up. "Tu na ek din meri jaan le legi!"

"And one day, tu bhi mujhe heart attack de degi!" Navya shot back.

Both girls rushed to get ready—throwing on their kurtis and quickly brushing their hair. Navya almost tripped over her own shoes while Swati nearly stabbed her eye with a kajal pencil.

By the time they ran downstairs, they found Vihaan, Yuvraj, and a few others already waiting.

"Sharma ji ki ladkiyan phir late ho gayi," Yuvraj declared dramatically.

Navya rolled her eyes. "Tujhe Rajasthan ke mahalon mein chor ke jaaun?"

"Main toh wahan bhi sabko entertain kar loonga," Yuvraj smirked.

Vihaan, standing next to him with arms crossed, sighed. "Tum dono kabhi time pe ready nahi ho sakti?"

Navya smirked. "Tu itna punctual kyun hai? Kya army training se direct yahan bhej diya gaya?"

Swati snickered, and Yuvraj whispered dramatically, “Major Vihaan reporting for duty!”

Vihaan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Mujhe tum sabse door rehna chahiye."

"Tere bas ki baat nahi," Navya smirked, walking ahead.

---

The group arrived at a huge open area decorated with colorful umbrellas, pottery stalls, and folk artists. Their teacher announced that today’s activity involved dressing up in traditional Rajasthani outfits and participating in cultural activities.

Navya picked out a bright blue lehenga with intricate embroidery, while Swati chose a vibrant pink one. The girls got ready, laughing as they struggled to adjust their heavy dupattas.

The boys had to wear the traditional rajasthani poshaks with beautiful embroidery and colors.

“Kaisi lag rahi hoon?” Navya twirled.

Before anyone could respond, a familiar song played.

"Maine jise abhi abhi dekha hai
Kon hai vo anjaani?
Vo hai koi kaali ya koi kiran,
Ya hai koi kahani?
Usse jitna dekhu utna sochu kya usse mai kehdu,
Pretty woman…"

Navya froze.

Everyone turned to see Vihaan, standing there, phone in his hand.

For a second, time seemed to pause.

Swati nudged Yuvraj. "Oh ho, yeh kya ho raha hai?"

Vihaan, completely casual, shrugged. "Song match kar raha tha."

Navya narrowed her eyes. “Zyada filmy mat ban.”

Swati and Tanya exchanged glances, trying not to laugh.

Just then, Mishka interrupted.

"Vihaan, mere liye bhi koi gaana play karo na," she pouted.

Vihaan’s expression instantly changed. He looked uncomfortable, as if suddenly regretting his existence.