A few weeks later,
At school,
During recess:
(The school courtyard buzzed with activity as students spilled out of their classrooms for recess.
Kiaan and his friends found their usual spot under the neem tree, spreading out their tiffin boxes on the rough stone bench.
The warm aroma of parathas and samosas mingled with the distant sound of laughter and chatter.)
(Kiaan popped open his tiffin, revealing neatly packed egg fried rice. He looked around and frowned.)
Kiaan: Arrey, Kiara kahaan hai? Dikh nahi rahi.
(One of his friends, took a bite of his sandwich and pointed lazily towards the main building.)
Boy 1: she is busy collecting names for the participants for sports day.
Girl 1: haan.... I just saw her go from class to class with her list in her hand.
Kiaan: (his brow furrows) Break time pe kaam kar rahi hai?? paagal hai kya woh??? Tiffin nahi khaana hai kya, usay?
Girl 2: (shrugs) Maine bola tha usse, but Kiara ne kaha ki baad mein time nahi milega. Aur kal tak list finalize karni hai, toh karna padega.
Kiaan: (sighed, eating his fried rice absentmindedly) mere hi kehne pe, she took up the responsibility of the sports vice- captain!!!! I didn't realize ki woh aise over- worked up ho jaayegi!!!!
Guy 2: Kiaan... tu Kiara ki tension mat le!!! Ussay jab milega, tab aaram se khaa legi!!!
(The head girl, Niharika nodded her head.)
Niharika: haan, Kiaan... uski chinta mat karo.... Waise, I was thinking of calling for a meeting with all the house captains after school... sounds good?
Kiaan: Haan. let's do that!!!!
.
.
.
Later,
After school,
(In the large shaded part of the courtyard, the school's house captains had begun gathering.
The head girl, Niharika, was already there, holding her diary and pen.
The sports captain, Ishaan was sitting beside Kiaan.
Mihika, the captain of Nalanda house, adjusted her neatly pinned badge before she approached Ishaan.)
Mihika: (flipping open her notebook) Ishaan, ek cheez discuss karni thi. Relay race ke liye, kya senior aur junior ka mix hona zaroori hai??
Ishaan: (tilts his head thoughtfully) Haan, definitely!!! mix hona chahiye. Iss se competition balanced rahega, aur juniors ko bhi exposure milega
Kiaan: Ishaan, why don't we do one thing.... Jab seniors ka naam finalize ho jaaye...... tab, juniors ke saath ek trial run kar lete hain.
Ishaan: haan.... that's a good idea!!!!
Mihika: (raises her hand slightly) Ek problem hai. Nalanda house ke seniors mein se, two of them are injured. Substitute ke options lene padenge.
Ishaan: (nods) Theek hai. Substitute ke liye juniors mein se ek-do naam suggest karo. Trial run ke baad decide karenge.
Niharika: (scribbles in her diary) why don't we do one thing.... Har ek house mein se substitutes ke options finalize karte hain. end moment pe injury hui toh?
Ishaan: that is a very good idea. Yeh duty main house captains ko de raha hoon. abhi next week house meetings hone waali hain.... conduct your own races at your leisure time and finalize your substitutes!!!
Girl 2: perfect!!!!
Boy 2: we even have to check the technical aspects. Ishaan, Apne jo hurdles rakhein hain... na... abhi bhi wobble kar rahe hain. Kal participants trip ho gaye toh problem ho jaayegi.
Ishaan: please note that down. we'll have to get them repaired.
Girl 3: we have to go through the props also.... Drill performance ke bina Sports Day incomplete lagega... pom-poms toh last year ho gaya tha.... iss baar kuch naya sochna padega.
Kiaan: let us all think of some ideas. Jo bhi ideas aa rahe hain, just jot them down.... PT sir se bhi discuss kar lenge.
Boy 3: and what about the script for the comparer?
Mihika: I am already working on that. Don't worry.
Ishaan: Mihika, mere liye bhi, ek speech ka matter ready kar do, please. As the sports captain, mujhe opening speech deni hai. and I want something impactful!!!
Mihika: (flipping through her notes) Arrey, relax, Ishaan. Woh main sambhaal loongi.
Ishaan: cool.... Guys, any other issues??
(When no one spoke up, he gave them all a nod of approval.)
Kiaan: chalo.... Ishaan, looks like ab things are in control!!!
Ishaan: haan, provided ki har kaam, time pe khatam ho!!! please don't make poor Kiara come running after you like she did today, samjhe??
(Before anyone could reply, a familiar voice interrupted.
They all turned to see Kiara walking briskly toward the group, with a slightly crumpled list in her hand.
Her ponytail was a little messy, and her face carried a trace of tiredness, but her stride was determined.)
Kiara: (hands the list to Ishaan) Here.... (brushes a strand of hair off her face) Participants ke names finalize ho gaye. Check kar lena.
(Ishaan glanced at the list and then at her, concern etched on his face.
Ishaan: Kiara, relax a bit, yaar. Tu toh itna stress le rahi hai jaise Olympics organize kar rahi ho.
Kiara: (forces a small smile) Stress ki baat nahi hai... bas kal tak sab ready hona chahiye.
(She slung her bag over her shoulder and turned to leave.
Ishaan: oye, Vice- captain, should I brief you about our meeting today??
Kiara: (shakes her head) Time nahi hai, yaar!!!! Waise bhi, Kiaan ko pata hai naa? I'll ask him later!!!!
(Her words made Kiaan glance up from the papers he was flipping through.
He frowned slightly as Kiara turned towards him.)
Kiara: Kiaan, main ghar nahi aa rahi hoon. Race track ja rahi hoon seedha.
Kiaan: aur lunch? Kahin baahar karogi?
Kiara: nahi... actually aaj tiffin nahi khaaya tha, toh wohi raste mein khaa lungi.... chalo guys, I'll leave now.... Sorry I was not a part of the meeting!!!!
(She glanced briefly at the captains and nodded politely before walking away briskly.
Everyone remained in the group, remained silent for a moment.
Kiaan took the list that Kiara had handed to Ishaan, his eyes scanning it but not really reading.
A mix of frustration and guilt churned inside him as he watched her retreating figure disappear beyond the school gate.
Mihika came forward and kept a reassuring hand on his shoulders.)
___________________________________________
Author’s Note:
Hey guys! 💙 First of all, I know, I know… you’re all waiting for more Vikram and Naina moments, and I promise they’re coming soon! 🫣
I just got a little carried away with the 12th graders and their chaotic school life. But can you blame me? 😆
I really wanted to highlight their struggles, responsibilities, and that bittersweet phase of growing up.
That being said, don’t worry—our favorite forced couple will be back in the spotlight very soon! 🔥 Until then, let me know what you think about this school arc! I would love to read your comments! 💬✨