At 4 a.m., the world feels half-asleep.
The air is cool and slightly damp .The sky rests in a deep bluish-grey, not fully dark, not yet light—just waiting.
( fun fact : this scene is written at 4 am )
Everything is still, calm, and hushed, as if the day is holding its breath before morning arrives.
Calm ?
Not for her
A girl sat on her bed by the window, lost in deep thought, absently playing with a strand of her hair as she gazed outside.
Is anything but calm .
Suddenly, a soft glow of her moblie and buzz of her notifications filled her dimly–lit room .
She didnt bother checking .
Just stared out of her window as if solving a big puzzle .
With a deep sigh, she collapsed onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling .
Still thinking
Still fighting her battles
She closed her eyes for a moment ,
Not to sleep, sleep is completely out of her syllabus
Not insomnia – just a little girl, fighting battles no one could see
Fighting the memories – tragic ones , sweet unforgettable ones
But to calm herself .
Because, today is her birthday
Also just two days before her birthday, her mother and brother left her here in a world far too cruel for her innocence
Out of the house–not sparing a glance at the confused girl .
Breaking her heart .
Taking a deep breath, she whispered to herself .
"come on Avyanshi ! Today's first day of new school " trying to hype herself " let's get ready , it's already 6 am " she softly added with a sign , getting out of her bed .
✨️🤧😒
Sunlight filtered through pale curtains, spreading a gentle glow across the tiled floors and cream-colored walls of Agarwal Mansion . The house carried the quiet sounds of a waking day ,distant footsteps, the faint clink of utensils, and the low hum of everyday life.
The dining hall is filled with warmth , soft laughter , quiet jokes , and heartful conversations .
"Papa,mein iss saal head girl banke dikaungi " said Riyana Agarwal , proudly announced with a grin
(Dad,This year, I will become head girl and make you proud.)
"Beta pehle , aapna kaam bina 'mummy–mummy' bula ke karlo , phir dekho ye sab head girl ki sapna !" Said her mother , Bhavana Agarwal softly teasing her .
(Dear, firstly do ur work without constantly calling mummy-mummy then see ur head girl dreams)
"Papaaa! Dekho na !!! " she whined, a pout forming on her face.
(Dadd!! Lookkk)
" kya hai bhavana ji , meri beti ko chidd rahe ho " said her father,Abhiraj backing up his princess,before looking at her with a fond–fatherly look
(What is this, bhavana ji why are u bullying my daughter)
"head girl kya ? Chahe toh president bhi baan sakthi hai " added playfully before ruffling her hair with a fond smile
(What head girl? She can even become president if she wishes)
"Nhi papa ! Woh post available nahi hai " she replied,matching his playfulness .
(No dad! That post isn't available)
They burst out laughing all at once.
They looked like a family – small yet warm and lively .
Avyanshi just stood at the mid–stairs , watching them, teasing,laughing, joking.
Something in her chest tightened quietly .
It doesn't matter anyways
It never did .
Her father – the man who promised to love her,protect her .
Found a new family–completely forgetting her existence
He got her into boarding school when she was 8, just because her step–mother and her daughter weren't comfortable living under the same roof as her .
Finally, after those horrible years in boarding school .
She's back
She thought her father had changed , atlast he finally remembered or maybe missed her .
Jokes on her !
Media got to know about her .
" the biological agarwal daughter is abandoned – in some boarding .."
He didn't want his reputation ruined.
She closed her eyes for a moment ,took a deep breath before heading downstairs .
"Good Morning" avyanshi said politely with a smile that looked real enough to fool , but never reaching her eyes properly .
She sat next to her step–sister's bag which was deliberately placed there , as she served herself with breakfast .
Warmth is replaced with awkward silence .
The tension in the room is undeniable .
The only sound in the room was the soft clinking of plates.
Abhiraj cleared his throat, breaking the silence
"Avyanshi, have you got everything you need for school?" he asked, the question leaving his mouth like a duty rather than concern.
"Ha, Papa! Yesterday I went shopping with Sahasra and Dristhi. I got everything I need," she replied, not missing the tone he had used
He forgot. Not that he would have even tried to remember it,
she thought, disappointed in herself for expecting otherwise.
"Hmm… good," he responded shortly.
"Today, I will drop you two at school,I will be waiting in the car! " his tone flat, already pushing his chair back, heading out.
" l am done, papa " riyana said , grabbing her bag from the chair beside her without wasting a second
" Byee momma " she gave a quick peck to her mother , before running off to catch up with her father
.
Bhavana smiled at her daughter's antics ,
"Have a great day, baby" she called out, warmly, watching her daughter running out.
Her warm motherly warmth disappeared as soon as her eyes landed on Avyanshi.
"Do you want them to be late because of you?!" Bhavana said coldly, her stern gaze fixed on Avyanshi.
Before Avyanshi could utter a word, Bhavana harshly snatched the plate away from her.
Avyanshi's head dropped, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Her fingers curled tightly against her thighs as she struggled to keep her emotions under control.
"Stop this overacting," Bhavana continued, still glaring at her. "And don't go anywhere near my daughter in school. Don't ever try to surpass her either."
A smirk tugged at her lips.
"The consequences won't be pleasant… you still remember what happened last time, right?"
Avyanshi quietly stood up, not sparing Bhavana a single glance ,while Bhavana watched her, clearly enjoying her silence and submission.
✨️🤧
Avyanshi sat in the back seat , looking out of the window , remembering the old days where her birthday was not just a day , it was full blown chaos .
(Flashback at the end)
"Papa,can i participate in dance competition at school ? " asked riyana , texting her friend." Classical dance ! I attended classes for 3 yrs , i am gonna make my suffering worth" looked at her father with a determined look .
"Whatever my princess likes! Just be careful while practising." Abhiraj said , his voice soft , filled with genuine concern and love.
At the back seat , avyanshi just bitterly smiled ,still grazing at the passing shops , houses pointlessly .
The conversation made it obvious.
If she was the one asking , he wouldn't even think twice to say no .
Soon , they reached the School .
The Vale heritage-academy of excellence
As the car stopped at the school building , Avyanshi and Riyana got out of the car.
Riyana pecked Abhiraj's checks before bidding him goodbye . While , Avyanshi just stood there awkwardly.
As the car disappeared at the exit , riyana turned around facing the building entrance, waving her hand at her friend excitedly, who were standing at the entrance waiting,waving at her enthusiastically .
Riyana deliberately bumped her shoulder into Avyanshi, making her stumble . She just gave a satisfied smirk before walking off to her friend.
Avyanshi just sighed, and turned around,
took a deep breath.
" New school,new people,new problems. Just great !"Avyanshi murmured to herself , mocking her life choices .
✨️🎀
A boy casually walking alone, lost in thoughts.
His steps are unhurried,lazy and careless .
First button of his shirt , undone and the dark navy blue blazer clung to his frame. His hair–messy,falling over his forehead. his bag loosely dangling over his shoulder and his free hand is shoved into his pocket and that calm attitude, he wore as amore .
He looked effortlessly charming, the kind of person people noticed without trying.
That boy is Ivaansh Mathur , the campus heartthrob and bad boy
Suddenly,out of nowhere–his foot slipped, his eyes widened.
Before gravity could take its role, a hand circled his waist steadily, pulling him back from the fall.
Then,
He saw her, His rosh holding him.His body still leaning forward, her grip holding him firmly against the fall.
She is looking like an epitome of perfection, loose strands of her hair kissing her cheek,A faint, worried smile resting on her lips, gentle yet breathless,and her eyes, hiding something vulnerable.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The space between them felt fragile, charged, like a secret only their hearts understood.
Slowly, Her hands left his waist , as he steadied himself, his heart beating faster than it ever did .
Pink hue covering his neck and ears.
For a moment , he forgot how to breathe , after all these years.
He saw her.
Her uniform fit her perfectly, the fabric resting neatly against her frame. Her hair was woven into a tidy French braid,few loose strands cupping her face,her bag hanging lightly over her shoulders.
Soft rays of the sun fell across her face, making her honey-brown eyes glow.
In that moment, she looked almost divine
"U should be more careful , this area is just cleaned, haven't u seen the sign" avyanshi said corncerned, animatedly pointing at the sign .
While he just stared at her, drinking in every detail of her.
"are u hurt, anywhere? " her voice laced with genuine concern,snapping him out of his dream land.
" N-no ! lm not hurt anywhere," said assuring her, while controlling his heart, and his urge to smile like a fool .
He cleared his throat.
" Are you new, here ? "
" yes ! Myself Avyanshi " introduced herself with a friendly smile, stretching out her hand .
"I know," he murmured to himself,pursing his lips into a thin lip.
He glanced at her hand and gulped softly, almost invisible .
Hesitantly, he moved his hand forward and wrapped it around hers with a gentleness he never knew he possessed.
A small smile touched his lips as he held her gaze, forcing himself to stay afloat instead of drowning in her honey-brown eyes.
Their hands parted yet the warmth still lingered in each others hand.
They walked beside each other in comfortable silence, their steps naturally falling into the same rhythm.
" Which stream are you in ? " he asked curiously, breaking the silence.
"MEC , and u ? " she replied
"Same "
"Ohh… so we are classmates"
"Uh-hmm"
He is anything but normal on the inside.
Suddenly, she stopped at the side, looked at him , he was still stupidly smiling non stop , pink hue covering his neck,unaware of her gaze.
"U should stay away from Ivaansh mathur ! " she said in sympathised tone, continued"you look very innocent,he might bully u too. "
What??? Bully ? Innocent? Stay away?
He thought still processing.
she looked around and gestured him to come close as if she is telling him a top secret .
Gosh,she is so freaking adorable.but whats with this stay awat from me thing.
He thought, admiring her still puzzled .
Nevertheless , he bent his head slightly enough to hear what she says , while still maintaining a respectful distance .
She bent forward, slightly cupped his ear with one hand.
His brain short–circuited at the closeness.
He could feel her breath against his ear,
Her breath tickled him as she whispered .
"I heard, he beat a boy, just because that boy bumped into him, poor guy and look at you, you seem very clumsy, you should stay careful, while walking around " she said quite genuinely concerned .
She pulled back, still sympathising yet he could still feel her breath, his neck and ears are bright red by now.
Vedang ! That good for nothing idiot
He thought, totally irritated
He cleared his throat, trying to defend himself
"Well, Ivaansh is a nice guy ,vedang isn't a good guy ! we shouldn't believe rumours going around ," clearly defending himself "and who told u this ?
" Heard it from someone out there talking."
" And why are you acting like I offended you ! ? " she said facing him , eyeing him suspiciously top to bottom, folding her arms over her chest firmly.
Absently,Avyanshi glanced to his side and noticing a familiar figure in the. corridor—Riyana, walking ahead, animated and excited, talking away as if the world around her didn't exist
Why is she coming here ? Before she notices me , I should better go ! I had enough drama for one day .
Avyanshi thought, already planning her escape route.
Before ivaansh could come up with words to defend himself .
"Anyways bye ! My friends might be waiting for me " with that, she ran off as if her life depended on it .
He just stared at the corridor , where her back just disappeared, confused yet quite frustrated.
He ruffled his already messy hair again .
What happened to her suddenly ? I have to clear up my name first .
Just then, his phone pinged with a message by Siddharth .
"Where are u, Ivaansh ? Come to the canteen bro! "
He turned his heel , heading towards the canteen .
Still worrying about his reputation and emotional damage because of his enemy .
A thought lingered ,
It's her birthday today ! Shes usually excited. What are u hiding, rosh?
🎀🙄
On the other hand,
"Hey ree! Its ivaansh" said samaira, riyana's friend, pointed at him with a teasing grin,eyeing her friend.
"OMG! Do I look good enough?" Riyana corrected her hair, dusting off invisible dust on uniform.
"You look perfect! He's gonna fall for you just like that" samira said as she placed her hand over her shoulder,giving a light squeeze.
"It's your chance,he's alone, go talk to him"
"What ?? No way !" She glanced at ivaansh , lazily strolling towards the canteen."He is always distant with me, and also very rude!"
She pouted, clearly disappointed.
"Goo!! I will kill u if u don't, always hesitating about him" said samaira,She gave Riyana a light push, her serious expression saying she had her back.
Riyana took a deep breath, finally agreeing.
Joining him from the side, Riyana walked with him,trying to match his pace, and to strike up a conversation, she glanced back to see her frnd with a encouraging smile.
"Hey Ivan, how are you ?" Riyana asked shyly, tucking her hair behind her eye .
"Good …ig ! " he said nonchalantly , still walking, not bothering to glance at her .
" lvaansh ! Don't be rude , we know each other a lot and we been classmates since 9th grade " she said, with a big pout on her face
"Then, with due respect to that Riyana , don't bother me " he said, irritatedly, before disappearing into the corridor .
Leaving riyana, with a big disappointed pout .
Seeing Riyana, her friend, samaira moved towards her, hugged her.
"Dont be disappointed, you got crush on him since 9th grade! And you know about his behaviour, he never talks to girls much"
_________
FLASHBACK
The Agarwal kitchen hummed with quiet excitement that morning. The soft clatter of utensils mixed with the gentle sizzle from the stove, while the warm aroma of butter and spices filled the air.
Her mother stood near the stove, carefully stirring a pan, focused yet smiling to herself.
.
Her father moved around the kitchen with unusual determination, helping wherever he could—passing ingredients, checking the cake, and occasionally whispering to her mother to make sure everything was perfect.
They were quietly preparing everything, hoping to surprise Avyanshi and her brother Ayaan to make their birthday morning special.
"Naina, is everything ready now ?"Abhiraj asked his wife, while passing a bowl of fruits for the custard Avyanshi loved.
"For god sake Raj , its hundredth time you are asking the same exact question again" said Sunaina, Avyanshis mother who was now done with her husband,spatula in hand,rolling her eyes.
" I just want everything done! Before they wake up" he defended himself with an mischivious grin.
She just huffed and shook her head lightly.
"Rather than doing nothing and ordering around,prepare toasts and cut fruits into shapes" Sunaina said to her husband, who is staring at her as if she might disappear if he looked away.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
He shook his head lightly. "Nothing… I was just thinking how lucky I am,"
he said softly, glancing around the kitchen before his eyes returned to her, "to have you… and our two little copies running around."
He stepped closer, closing the small distance between them until there was barely any space left.
Their foreheads nearly touched, their breaths turning slow and shallow in the quiet moment between them.
"Ayaannnn !!! Come back, i wont leave you today" Avyanshi yelled, running to catch ayaan .
The sudden yell startled the couple, snapping them out of the moment.
They quickly stepped apart, clearing their throats as if nothing had happened.
The couple glanced at the living room where their children were now running around,
while Avyanshi, who was drenched in water, threw a pillow at ayaan,ever the mischievous one–he just hid at the moment, loudly laughing at her annoyance.
"Ayaan! Get back here!" Avyanshi shouted, totally annoyed by him.
"No way! Catch me if you can!" Ayaan laughed, darting behind the sofa.
Sunaina leaned against the kitchen counter, watching them with a soft smile.
"These two are going to destroy the house before breakfast even starts."
Abhiraj chuckled quietly.
"Let them. It's their birthday after all."
Just then, Ayaan suddenly froze in the middle of the room,a pillow hit his head.
Avyanshi smirked smugly
His eyes narrowing suspiciously as he sniffed the air.
"Wait… do you smell that?" he asked, looking toward the kitchen.
.
Avyanshi sniffed the air too, her eyes widening. "Cake!"
Before the parents could react, both children ran toward the kitchen,forgetting their fight earlier.
"Hey! No, no, no—don't come here yet!" Sunaina quickly stepped forward, trying to block the entrance.
But it was already too late.
Avyanshi peeked around her mother and gasped dramatically. "Mummyyy! You were making cake without telling us?"
Ayaan placed his hands on his hips. "This is betrayal."
Abhiraj tried to hide his laugh, failing miserably.
"It was supposed to be a surprise," he said, shaking his head.
Avyanshi's eyes sparkled as she looked at the decorated cake sitting proudly on the counter
."You made my favorite chocolate one!"
"And custard!" Ayaan added excitedly, pointing at the bowl on the counter.
Sunaina sighed dramatically, pretending to be annoyed. "So much hard work… ruined in five minutes."
But the smile on her face betrayed her.
Suddenly, Avyanshi threw her arms around her mother's waist.
"Thank you, Mumma."
Ayaan immediately joined the hug from the other side.
"Yeah… thanks."
Abhiraj watched the three of them quietly for a moment before stepping forward and wrapping his arms around all of them.
"Happy birthday, my two little troublemakers."
The kitchen filled with laughter again, warm and bright, the kind of happiness that felt endless.